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Calendar
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Travel Tips |
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COUNTRY DETAILS
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Full Country Name: Republic of South Africa
Area: 1,233,404 sq km
Population: 45 million (2001)
Capital City: Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth
People: 79% Black, 10% White, 9% Mixed Race, 3% Indian descent
Religion: Christian (80%), Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and traditional religions
Government: Republic
Weights and Measures: Metric
Economy: Mining (gold, diamonds), finance, food processing, manufacturing, agriculture
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| AIRPORT |
OR Tambo Airport - ORT
Cape Town International Airport - CPT
Durban International Airport - DUR
Kruger, Mpumalanga International Airport - MQP/KMIA
Port Elizabeth Airport - PLZ
George Airport - GRJ
Richards Bay Airport – RCB
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| BANKS |
| South Africa has a modern banking system. The major banks are:
Bank of Athens, First National Bank, Mercantile Lisbon, Natal Building Society, Nedbank , Standard Bank of South Africa, The Perm and ABSA Bank.
The banks with major networks are First National Bank and Standard Bank. Most international credit cards are accepted at automated teller machines (ATMs) and you can easily get cash if you are a holder of an international credit card. However, while travelling in the country, you will not see a lot of cities and banks and it is therefore advisable to get cash from the major cities or from the airports, where all major banks are represented. Most commercial banks are open from 09h00 - 15h30 on Monday to Friday and from 08h00 -11h00 on Saturday.
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| BORDER POST |
| Namibia Vioolsdrift -Open 24 hrs
Mozambique Komatiepoort -Open from 07h00 to 22h00
Botswana Tlokweng -Open from 07h00 to 22h00
Zimbabwe Beitbridge -Open from 06h00 to 20h00
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| CLIMATE |
| Many call it sunny South Africa with good reason. The wide expansion of ocean on three sides of South Africa have a moderating influence on its climate - though weather patterns and rainfall vary widely. It is a popular destination for sunshine-seekers. South Africa is renowned for almost seven months of sunshine (give or take a few chilly spells). From May to August, temperatures drop. However, generally speaking, April and May are the most temperate months. More apparent, however, are the effects of the warm Agulhas and cold Benguela currents along the east and west coasts, respectively. While Durban (east coast) and Port Nolloth (west coast) lie more or less on the same latitude, there is a difference of at least 6 degrees centigrade in their mean annual temperatures. The Western Cape, in winter, experiences Mediterranean-type winter rains - chilly, windy and wet conditions brought on by strong north-westerly winds. Other Coastal areas enjoy rainfall throughout the year, but 80% of the Country’s rain falls during the summer months. These are often accompanied by hail and thunderstorm. Overall, South Africa is a dry country with annual average rainfall of 464mm, against the world average of 857 mm. 65% of the country receives less than 500 mm annually, the usual minimum of dry-land farming. Despite regional differences, the winters are predominantly mild, and snow is limited to the high mountain peaks. Winter is the dry season in the north and therefore the best season to spot animals in game reserves and National Parks. In certain areas, notably the hot, humid KwaZulu-Natal coast, Mpumalanga and the Limpopo (Northern) Province, June and July are the ideal holiday months.
Seasons are as follows:
Spring: September - November
Summer: November to February
Autumn: March - May
Winter: June to August
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| CLOTHING |
| Casual and comfortable clothing is recommended. Jackets and ties are not required in city hotels and restaurants. Some of the most practical items to pack are: Shorts and cotton tee-shirts, swimming suit, comfortable walking shoes and safari clothes - casual, light and neutrally coloured cotton clothes. A jersey and a warm jacket is recommended for evenings and early mornings, as it can be quite cold especially in winter. For open-air vehicle game drives, warm clothes are highly recommended. A hat, sunscreen, lip balm, a pair of binoculars, a camera and a decent pair of sunglasses, are all reasonable items to bring along. |
CREDIT CARDS
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| Master Card, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, and their affiliates are widely accepted. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are situated outside many banks and operate 24 hours a day. Note that credit cards are not accepted at petrol stations as payment for fuel. |
| CONVERSIONS |
| Distances are given in kilometres - km - while temperatures are given in degrees Celsius - ºC.
1 mile = 1.62 kilometres
20 ºC = 68 oF
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| CURRENCY |
| The official currency is the Rand (ZAR) which is divided into 100 cents (c).
Bank notes currently available are R200, R100, R50, R20, and R10 - all bearing the effigy of the “Big Five”. Coins are R5, R2, and R1 - (antelopes) in silver; 50c, 20c, 10c - (flowers) in bronze; and 5c, 2c and 1c - (birds) in bronze.
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| CUSTOMS AND EXCISE |
| Personal effects are duty free and all valuables must be declared on entry. Duty free allowances are: 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 g cigarette or pipe tobacco, 2 litres of wine, 1 litre of spirit or other alcoholic beverages, 50 ml perfume, 250 ml Eau de Toilette, and gifts, souvenirs and other goods with a value of R500 or less. On arriving in the country, visitors should enter the green channel at customs if the goods in their possession are within the duty free customs allowance and are not for commercial purposes, prohibited or restricted. Custom charges are payable before leaving the customs hall. |
DISABLED TRAVELLERS
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| Various areas of interest and accommodations are designed to cater for the needs of the disabled traveller. However, always enquire about the facilities available beforehand. |
DRINKING WATER
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| Tap water is safe to drink everywhere. If not, you will be systematically warned and bottled water is available for buying. Exercise extra caution in rural areas. Never drink water from rivers or streams. Tourists travelling by road are advised to carry sufficient water at all times. |
DRIVING/ROAD TRAVEL
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| Vehicles are available for hire at all major airports. Visitors must be in possession of a valid international driver’s licence. Traffic laws are strictly enforced. Seat belts must always be worn. Driving is on the left side of the road, and one always gives way to vehicles approaching from the right. The speed-limit is 120 km/h on freeways and 60 km/h in residential areas. Always drive with a map as suburbs are huge and distances are long. It can take a while to realise that you have taken the wrong turn. Road maps are available from bookstores, the Automobile Association and tourist information centres. Pay more attention to the road number than the town names as they are generally far better sign-posted. |
| ELECTRICITY |
| The voltage is 220/250 volts, but a special adapter for video camera chargers and hairdryers are required. Most hotel receptions can supply these. Generally speaking, Universal Adapters do not work in South Africa. |
| EMERGENCY NUMBERS |
Ambulance: 1022
Fire Brigade: 1022 (ask for fire)
Police: 10111
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| FOREIGN EXCHANGE |
| Although you will need some cash with you on arrival for travel costs and to cover general expenses during the first few weeks, it is wise to bring most of your money in traveller’s cheques. There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency being brought into the country, provided it is declared to the Customs/Excise officers on arrival. You are advised to purchase traveller’s cheques in Sterling, US Dollars, Euros or Rand. Also keep in mind that traveller’s cheques should be exchanged at banks, rather than hotels or shops, as the exchange rate is more favourable. The exchange rate offered by the banks is clearly indicated and tellers are professional and are accustomed to performing international transactions. Commercial services at the major airports are open to accommodate all international flights. |
| HEALTH |
| No immunization is required for visitors entering the country. However, for those coming in from a yellow fever endemic area, a valid international yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required. Visitors to Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal are advised to have the necessary malaria medication or prophylaxis and also to carry insect repellents and sprays. Consult your doctor or pharmacist on the appropriate courses to take. The African sun is hot and visitors should not over-indulge. Wear a good hat, lots of sunscreen and take time to acclimatize. |
| HOSPITALS & CLINICS |
| Medical services are good throughout South Africa, especially in urban areas. If you require your own personal specialized medication, you should bring it with you on your trip. Medical treatment and hospital fees must be paid direct. Special travel insurance is recommended. Most hotels have a list of doctors, whose names may also be found in the medical section of telephone directories. Some of the hospitals and clinics are Sunward Park Hospital, Arwyp Clinic (Johannesburg); Louis Pasteur hospital, UNITAS Hospital (Pretoria); St. Aidans Mission Hospital (Durban); Greenacres Hospital (Port Elizabeth); and Durbanville MediClinic (Cape Town). |
| LANGUAGES |
| South Africa has 11 official languages, namely - Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. English is widely spoken everywhere except in certain rural areas . |
| MEDIA |
| TV stations include SABC 1, SABC 2, SABC 3, ETV, MNET and DSTV. Radio stations include Highveld Radio, 5 FM, Radio Jacaranda, Radio Algoa, Africa in Real Audio, Radio Metro, Radio 2000, Impact Radio, Ikwekwezi FM, YFM, Ukhozi FM, Newspapers include Financial Mail, Sunday Times, The Star, Beeld, The Citizen, Mail and Guardian, The Sowetan, Business Day. |
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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| If you use slides, you are advised to buy all films before coming to the country as they are not easily available. Otherwise, you will find all standard films in cities and in hotel shops and you can have your pictures processed within an hour in good labs. |
| POST |
| Most post offices are open from 08h30 - 16h30 on Monday to Friday and from 08h00 -12h00 on Saturdays. Apart for the post offices, it is also possible to send mail from the hotel reception. An international and domestic Speed Service delivers, door-to-door, within 24 hours, 7 days a week, between the main centres. |
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
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If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following day (Monday) will automatically be a public holiday as well.
Jan 01 New Year’s Day
Mar 21 Human Rights Day
Friday before Easter Sunday- Good Friday
Variable Holiday- Easter Sunday
Day after Easter Sunday Family Day
Apr 27 Freedom Day
May 01 Workers’ Day
Jun 16 Youth Day
Aug 09 National Women’s Day
Sep 24 Heritage Day
Dec 16 Day of Reconciliation
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 26 Day of Goodwill
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PUBLIC TRANSPORT
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| Trains and buses operate between the towns and cities, and all the major cities have bus services. Rovos Rail also offers an excellent opportunity to see the Southern African region in the comfort and elegance of the age-old tradition of rail travel. |
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SAFETY & SECURITY
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| As in most countries of the world, travellers are advised to take the necessary safety precautions. Crime is present in the big cities and in many coastal towns. Don’t walk alone in deserted areas, especially after dark, and don’t carry - at least not conspicuously - large sums of money or expensive cameras in city centres. As much as possible, traveller’s cheques or credit cards should be used. Use the hotel’s safe deposit box for valuables. At night, only use taxis booked through a reputable taxi company. By exercising reasonable care, visitors can ensure a relaxed and pleasant stay in the country. |
| SHOPPING |
| The cities and larger towns have numerous shopping malls with department stores and speciality shops. The main attractions are jewellery, leather goods, African curios, antiques, ceramics and clothing. There are arts and craft markets throughout the country. You will find very high quality handicrafts covering the tradition of South Africa and even other African countries as well known as gold and diamonds. Shopping hours are generally from 08h30 to 16h30 - on Monday to Friday, and from 08h30 to 12h30 - on Saturdays. However, in the metropolitan areas, many shops are open all day - Monday to Saturday, and even on Sunday - as well as later in the evenings. |
| SPORTS |
| South Africa, a country with a rich sporting tradition, is ideal for visitors who are either active participants or avid spectators. The climate and wide open spaces are ideal for many sporting and outdoor activities. There are excellent stadium facilities for soccer, rugby and cricket. In 1995, South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup; in 1996, the African Cup of Nation; and in 2003, the Cricket World Cup. And, to crown it all - for the 1st time on the African continent - the 2010 Soccer World Cup will be hosted by South Africa. For golfers, South Africa offers a large number of championship courses, and is a popular venue for golfing holidays and tours. |
| TELECOMMUNICATIONS |
South Africa has a sophisticated telecommunications system. The country is well serviced with coin- and card-operated public telephones. Most national routes are covered by South Africa’s cellular phone networks, and cellular phones are available for hire at the major airports.
When calling international to South Africa, dial +27 followed by the area code prefix (the first 0 in the area code should not be dialled) and then the local number. For calls from South Africa, the international access code is 00. South African area codes and other country codes can be found in South African telephone directories the major area codes are listed below:
• Johannesburg: (011)
• Pretoria: (012)
• Cape Town: (021)
• Durban: (031)
• Port Elizabeth: (041)
Here’s an illustration of how to use these codes:
Phoning to Cape Town from another country: 27 21
Number
Phoning from Cape Town to Johannesburg (i.e. different city): 011
Numbers
Phoning another country: 00 Country Code Number
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| TIME |
| Johannesburg time is GMT + 2 hours. |
| TIPS |
| As service is generally not included in prices, travellers can add 10% to 12% to the total bill, if the service has been satisfactory. For porters, R5 to R10 per suitcase is a reasonable tip. For tour guides and/or drivers, the average is between R15 and R20 per person per day, which is shared between the guide and driver. It is customary to tip caddies, taxi drivers, hotel and railway porters, room maids, stewards, waiters/waitresses, tour guides and game rangers at 10-15%. Tips are often relied on by staff and many hotels have an “envelope system” with tips distributed evenly among staff. |
| VAT |
| Value Added Tax (VAT), currently a rate of 14% is levied on the majority of products in South Africa. Foreign visitors may claim a VAT refund at their exit point for all purchases exceeding R250. This claim is only applicable for goods that visitors are able to produce at the airport and NOT for any services they have received during their visit.
Always request a tax invoice with the shop’s VAT number visible on it, when purchasing goods. At the exit point, approach the VAT claim office where an authorised official will compare your invoices with the purchased goods. Once your invoices have been approved and stamped, the VAT Reclaim Office will refund you the due amount after you have passed through customs. Authorised officials are South African customs officials and VAT refund personnel.
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VISA REQUIREMENTS
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| All visitors require a valid passport, and those from certain countries may also require a visa. Information on visa requirements can be obtained from travel agents, a South African Embassy or Trade Mission abroad or the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria. It is very important to check what the requirements are for each nationality at the time of travel. Most itineraries in South Africa involve crossing Swaziland, Lesotho or even Zimbabwe. This could necessitate a double- or multiple-entry visa. Visas are NOT issued at South African border posts. Visa extensions may also be obtained from the Department of Home Affairs. |
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