Major city · South Africa
Secunda
Spend a half‑day in Secunda to see the Sasol refinery museum and casino; no need to stay overnight.
Secunda is a coal‑field town in Mpumalanga, known for the second Sasol oil‑from‑coal refinery and the Graceland Casino. It sits 130 km east of Johannesburg on the N17, making it a quick stop for a few hours rather than a base.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Sep–Nov, Mar–May
- avoid Jun–Aug (cold nights, possible frost)
- Airport
- Kruger Mpumalanga (MQP)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Secunda112 ▾
- General emergency (mobile)112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Secunda, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check).South Africa-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper.South Africa-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.South Africa-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.South Africa-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/M/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Africa-wide
- SafetySecunda is generally safe in daylight; stay alert at night, especially around the casino and isolated streets.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency (mobile) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open daily in cities; small towns close Sunday afternoon.South Africa-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMQP Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (about 150 km (93 mi) north of Secunda, ~2 h drive).MQP Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (about 93 mi (150 km) north of Secunda, ~2 h drive).
- Getting aroundTown is compact; walk or use local taxis.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféR30–R45
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))R70–R100
- Metro or bus rideGreyhound bus ticket (Johannesburg‑Secunda)checkR300
- Budget bedGuesthouse or B&B double room, a night, per roomR 500
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or B&B double room, a night, per roomR 800
- High-end bedGuesthouse or B&B double room, a night, per roomR 1,200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 600 · Mid R 1,000 · High R 1,500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MQP Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (about 150 km (93 mi) north of Secunda, ~2 h drive)MQP Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (about 93 mi (150 km) north of Secunda, ~2 h drive)
Map of Secunda
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Secunda
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Witbank · 75 km straight line
- Perdekop · 83 km straight line
- Johannesburg · 118 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jun (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Secunda: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is compact; walk or use local taxis. The N17 highway provides road access; Greyhound buses connect from Johannesburg and Durban.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
R35/N17 north-west by car
Small highland town on the N4 route; check road conditions before setting out.
Door to door: About 2 h 30 min
N17 east then N4, or Greyhound-style coach on the N17 corridor
Gateway to Kruger and the Lowveld; worth a night if you are heading east.
Door to door: About 3 h
N17 east to Graskop, then the R532
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in Graskop or Hazyview.
Door to door: About 3 h
N17 east, then the R40 north
Kruger south-west gate base; pair with a safari night rather than a day return.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel @ Secunda
Basic accommodation near town centre
B'n'B Secunda
Budget guesthouse
Secunda Hotel
Mid‑range hotel
Panorama Secunda
Family‑friendly option
La Bella Secunda Guest House
Quiet guest house
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R500–R800 excl. bed
- Mid
- R800–R1,200 excl. bed
- High
- R1,200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or B&B double room1 × 1 night × R 800 | R 800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R 1,000 | R 2,000 |
| Greyhound bus Johannesburg–Secunda return2 × R 600 · check | R 1,200 |
| Local taxi ride (5 km)2 × R 80 · check | R 160 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 416 |
| Trip total≈ R 2,288 per person per day, bed included | R 4,576≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | R30–R45 |
| Meal at a casual restaurant | R80–R150 |
| Taxi (5 km) | R70–R100 |
| Greyhound bus ticket (Johannesburg‑Secunda)check | R300 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter nights can drop to -10 °C (14 °F); bring warm clothing.Winter nights can drop to 14 °F (-10 °C); bring warm clothing.
- Check Greyhound bus schedules for any changes (price R300–R670).
- Casino operates 24 h; verify entry fees if planning to gamble.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency (mobile)
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SecundaSecunda
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na hierdie adres, assebliefTo this address, please
Emergency
- Mobile emergency112
Embassy
South African consulates handle local assistance; US consulate is in Johannesburg (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Greyhound Johannesburg → Secunda: about R300, 2 h 30 min (check)
- Taxi town centre → Graceland Casino: about R70–R100, 5 min
Say or show
- Verskoon my — Excuse me / Sorry (verskoon my)
- Dankie — Thank you (dankie)
- Hoeveel kos dit? — How much is this? (hoe-veel kos dit?)
- Kan ek met kaart betaal? — Can I pay by card? (kan ek met kaart betaal?)
- Waar is die toilet? — Where is the toilet? (waar is die toilet?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Secunda. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Nov, Mar–May · avoid Jun–Aug (cold nights, possible frost) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Secunda
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