Travel Tips
Useful information for visitors to South Africa
POPULATION
South Africa has a population of + 44.2 million (1996 est.).
LANGUAGES
There are 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu. English speaking tourists will experience no difficulties, neither will Dutch or Flemish speakers. Most large hotel and shopping establishments cater for German, French and sometimes Japanese groups and may provide multilingual guides.
BEST TIME TO GO
Described as "a world in one country", South Africa is a large country with varied climatic conditions and temperatures. Rainfall is seasonal, falling mostly in summer except in the Cape Province where rainfall occurs in the winter months.
MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS
In a country as large as South Africa, each region has many attractions to delight visitors. Some of the more popular tourist attractions include the following:
The Kruger National Park: one of the world's largest game reserves, stretching for 350 Km N-S and 60 Km E-W, you'll find Africa's most spectacular birds, mammals and trees in their natural habitat. The Park is 4-5 hours' drive from Johannesburg or can be easily reached by air.
The Cape Peninsula: from Cape Town itself to the winelands of the interior and down to Cape Point, the tip of the African continent. Enjoy the panoramic view from the top of Table Mountain and visit the popular Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. A day trip to Robben Island will appeal to the politically aware traveller. Beautiful beaches, the picturesque Houses of Parliament set in lush gardens, the many museums and art galleries and the recently opened Two Oceans Aquarium are there to delight the visitor.
Sun City: rising from the heart of the bush, this complex of hotels and entertainment facilities is world class. Enjoy sailing, swimming, golf, gambling and game viewing in the adjacent Pilanesburg Game Reserve. The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City is an exciting and dramatically different tourist attraction set in 25 ha of man-made jungle and adventure waterpark. Sun City is within 2 hours' drive of Johannesburg.
CLIMATE
The climate is generally mild throughout the year with regional differences making the temperatures more extreme in the interior and more humid at the coast.
Summer is from October to March and temperatures vary between 15C (60F) at night and 30C (96F) at midday. Humidity levels are high along the Kwa-Zulu-Natal coast in summer while the heat experienced in the interior is generally dry.
Winter temperatures can fall below 0C (32F) in the interior at night, but day times are generally mild with temperatures + 18C (66F) at midday. Temperatures can often feel much colder, however, due to the wind chill factor.
The Cape region, with a Mediterranean climate, has winter rainfall, while the rest of the country enjoys its rainfall in the summer months. South Africa boasts well over 300 sunshine days each year.
RECOMMENDED CLOTHING
Comfortable, casual clothing, with warmer attire for early mornings and evenings is generally acceptable. Most hotels and restaurants permit casual wear, with the exception of those that are particularly up-market. Safari clothing, a hat and comfortable shoes are suggested for game reserves and hiking trips.
SUN PROTECTION
The sun is strong with a high ultra-violet rating. Sun screening products are recommended with a SPF of 15 or higher.
TIME DIFFERENCE
South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time and 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Winter Time.
ELECTRICITY
The supply is 220/240 volts AC 50 Hz, with three-point circular wall plugs. US-made appliances may require a transformer.
WATER
Tap water at hotels, inns, lodges and other public places is purified or direct from underground boreholes and is safe to drink. Water in lakes or slow-moving streams in some outlying areas may contain harmful organisms such as bilharzia and should be avoided.
IMMUNISATION
No immunisation is required when entering South Africa. Immunisation is required, however, if visiting South Africa within six days of leaving a yellow fever-infected area.
Malaria risk in the northeastern parts of the Limpopo Province, eastern Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal is high (F.Falciparum strain). Prophylactic measures are strongly recommended and can be obtained from local chemists.
MEDICAL CENTRE
Services are of first world standards except in the more isolated parts of the country.
All major hotels have contracts with physicians and dentists. Doctors are listed under "M" in the telephone directory and hospitals under "H".
FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED
All airports, major hotels, Kruger Nation Park rest camps and more recently-built shopping malls provide facilities for the disabled. Sun City is known to have good facilities for the disabled. The larger car hire companies can provide vehicles with hand controls.
In general, however, facilities for the disabled are lacking in South Africa.
TRANSPORT
South Africa has a limited public transport system unlike Europe and Japan. Major cities, however, do have some bus services and inter city transport is available. Taxis are available on call.
The air transport system is well developed with a large number of local carriers. More than 60 international airlines operate to and from South Africa.
Car hire services are available in all cities and most large towns. Cars may be hired from airports or arranged through travel agents. Drivers wishing to hire a car must be in possession of an international driver's license and have a minimum of 5 years' experience.
POLICE
There is a police station in every town. The South African Police is listed under Government Departments at the back of the local telephone directories as "SA Police Service".
CURRENCY
The monetary unit is the Rand ®, which is equal to 100 cents. The international symbol is ZAR. Bank notes are issued in denominations of R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10. Coins are in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5.
An online currency converter is available at xe.com
Foreign currency exchange can be done at any commercial bank or foreign exchange bureau such as American Express and Bidvest Rennies Travel (representing Thomas Cook).
Most restaurants, shops, hotels, car rental firms and other points of sale and service honour credit cards such as Visa, American Express, Diners Club and MasterCard.
Travellers' cheques are readily accepted.
BANKING & BUSINESS HOURS
Banks open on weekdays 09.00 - 15.30, and Saturdays 08.00 - 11.00. Automatic teller machines (ATMs), situated in all towns, shopping centres and malls are available 24 hours a day.
Normal trading hours are 8.30 / 9.00 - 17.00 on weekdays and 08.30 - 13.00 on Saturdays.
Many shopping malls and centres have extended trading hours and may be open on Sundays and in the evenings too.
POSTAL SERVICE
Postcards and standard letters to be sent abroad differ in price and need to be weighed at a central post office. Postal hours are weekdays 08.30 - 16.30 and Saturdays 08.00 - 12.00.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Communication facilities are of a high standard and are widely available. International dialing, telex, telefax, electronic mail and cellular phone options are offered. Cellular (mobile) phones may be rented per day.
VAT
Value Added Tax, currently at 14%, is levied on the price of most goods offered for sale as well as hospitality services.
Refund of VAT paid for goods (not services) may be claimed by foreign tourists provided the value of purchases exceeds R250, and the goods are being taken out of South Africa. Tax invoices and actual goods need to be presented as proof at airport or other point of departure.
CUSTOMS
Duty free allowances include the following:
Cigarettes : 400
Tobacco : 250g
Cigars : 50
Alcoholic beverages :1litre
Wine : 2litres
Perfume : 50ml
Eau de Toilette : 250ml
Gifts and souvenirs : R500.00
VISAS
Visitors are required to be in possession of a valid passport.
Travellers from certain countries need visas to enter South Africa. It is important to apply for a multiple entry visa should you wish to visit neighbouring countries whilst in Southern Africa.
DRIVING
This is possibly the best way to see the country. Public roads are well developed with good sign posting in English and Afrikaans.
Driving is done on the left-hand side of the road. It is wise to drive defensively as standards vary considerably.
Drivers wishing to hire a car must have an international driver's license and a minimum of 5 years' driving experience.