India have not won a Test match on three previous trips to South Africa and their record in one-dayers is also unimpressive.
"Adjusting to the bounce is going to be critical," Dravid told reporters before the one-day squad's departure on Monday.
"One's character is going to be tested on the tour. As a batsman you've got to show patience, show a bit of courage. It is a great opportunity to learn about yourself and your game," he added.
The Indian team is under tremendous pressure to perform following a series of poor batting displays.
They lost a one-day series in the West Indies 4-1, failed to reach the final of a tri-series in Malaysia, and as hosts were knocked out in the league phase of the Champions Trophy.
India's top order has been woefully out of form, including Dravid, the side's most consistent batsman.
Coach Greg Chappell said the team would have to draw from the experience they gained during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa where they were runners-up to Australia.
"Most of the senior guys know the conditions particularly well," Chappell said. "The critical thing for us is to put the basics together well.
"We did it well in the West Indies where we stuck to a game plan and worked out what we had to do and did that consistently," added the Australian in reference to India's 1-0 series win in July.
The recall of leg spinner Anil Kumble, with next year's World Cup in mind, will lend experience to the Indian attack.
Kumble is the fifth highest wicket-taker in Test history with 533, and India's most successful one-day bowler with 329 wickets.
However, experienced middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh is missing from the one-day series due to a knee injury.
India are scheduled to play five one-day internationals in Johannesburg (Nov. 19), Durban (Nov. 22), Cape Town (Nov. 26), Port Elizabeth (Nov. 29) and at Centurion (Dec. 3).
Johannesburg will stage a Twenty20 tie on Dec. 1 in what will be India's first experience of that version of the game. Three Tests follow the one-dayers.
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