Travel Tips - South AFrica

Things to know before you go

Best time to visit
There are many �best times�, depending on what travelers want to do and which part of the country they wish to visit. (Remember, the seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere, i.e. winter in North America is summer in South Africa.) Game viewing in the Lowveld, for example is best during winter months (May to September) when it�s cooler, the bush is thinner and there is no rain. Midsummer (November through January) in tropical Durban and KwaZulu Natal is humid, so spring, fall and winter are best here. Cape Town, with its Mediterranean climate, has wet and sometimes chilly winters. Most visitors prefer spring, summer and fall.

Children
There are very few places where children are not allowed. At most resorts, even the gambling casinos, separate entertainment and baby-sitting facilities are provided. Most beach resorts are geared toward children. There are, however, private game lodges where children under a certain age are not allowed on game drives.

Climate
Midwinter occurs in June and July, midsummer in December and January. The climate ranges from Mediterranean in the Cape Peninsula to subtropical on the KwaZulu Natal coast and north-eastern Mpumalanga. Temperate conditions prevail on the highveld. In general, a perennially sunny climate means that it�s a pleasure to visit South Africa at any time of the year.

Clothing
Usually informal, casual dress is sufficient, with more �formal� casual wear (tie and jacket) for more elegant restaurants, night clubs or concerts. In the summer months (October to April) light-weight clothing is sufficient, but keep in mind that even hot areas like the lowveld (game park country), may experience chilly nights in summer. Pack a light sweater or jacket and even a compact umbrella or raincoat. In winter, warm clothing is needed as temperatures can decrease dramatically.

Communication
A direct dialing service connects all local centers except for tiny villages in remote country districts. North and South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and India, the Republic of China, Hong Kong, Japan and Israel are among a large number of areas that can be dialed direct. Major hotels and businesses have fax and telex services. Remember, hotels levy a surcharge on all calls. However, with services like USA Direct and Canada Direct, long distance calls from South Africa to North America are often cheaper - provided you call collect or use a calling card. Before you travel, contact your telephone company for more information.

Credit Cards
American Express, Diners Club, Visa and Mastercard are honored by most restaurants, stores, hotels, car rentals, firms, etc. Proof of identity may be requested in some instances.

Currency
The South African currency unit is the Rand (R), comprising of 100 cents. Bank notes are in denominations of : R5, R10, R50, R100 and R200.

Customs Requirements
Visitors are subject to clearance through customs upon arrival. Personal effects are allowed into the country duty free.

Customs Allowances: 400 cigarettes, 8 ounces of tobacco and 50 cigars, 2 pints of spirits, 4 pints of wine, 12 ounces of perfumery, 60 ounces of toilet water
Money: There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency brought in. However, only R500 in South African currency may be brought in. Duty will be levied on the first R1000 over this allowance.
Pets: A veterinary permit is required before pets are allowed in. Permits can be obtained from the Directory of Veterinary Services, Private Bag X138, Pretoria 0001, South Africa, Tel (012) 206-9112, Fax (012) 329-0499. It is advisable to book pets on airline flights at least 3 weeks before departure.
Vehicles: Information on the temporary importation of vehicles can be obtained from Department of Customs and Excise, Tel (012) 28-4308 ext 242 or from the Automobile Association, Tel (011) 407-1000.
Firearms: May be brought in for hunting purposes only on a temporary permit. No prior clearance is necessary, but contact the airline you are traveling on 2 to 3 weeks before departure for specific details.
Value Added Tax (VAT) Refunds: All foreign visitors qualify for a VAT refund on goods purchased in South Africa which they will take with them on departure (tax currently 14% on most items). To qualify, goods must exceed R250 in value. VAT refunds can be applied for at the VAT Refund Administration or Customs offices at Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban international airports. Present a valid passport, an original tax invoice from as authorized retailed and the goods themselves at the time of final departure. Note that government regulations, taxes and duties are subject to change.

Driving
Over 29,000 miles of South Africa�s roads are paved. It is possible to plan an extensive tour (including most of the major attractions with the exception of the game reserves) on all paved roads. Driving is on the left side of the road and posted speed limits are strictly enforced. Basic maps can be obtained from car rental firms, but more extensive and detailed ones are on sale at most bookstores and some gas stations. Although road signs conform to international standards, there are a few unique ones. As in most countries, drunken driving is treated as a serious offense and spot-checks are undertaken on major routes. Credit cards are not accepted by gas stations.

Drugs
There are heavy penalties in South Africa for trading or possession of illegal drugs.

Drug Stores (Pharmacies or Chemists)
Most pharmacies stay open until 6pm during weekdays and close on 1pm on Saturdays. Major cities all have emergency 24-hour drug stores. North American visitors will find that several drugs available only on a prescribed basis at home, are sold over-the-counter - but may have a different name.

Entry into South Africa
All visitors must have a valid passport and must prove that they can support themselves while in South Africa. If they do not have a return ticket, they must prove that they are able to buy one. U.S. and Canadian citizens do not require entry visas for vacations or business trips of less than 90 days. Travelers intending to practice their professions (such as clergy, journalists, paid speakers, etc.) and people intending to study, must obtain business visas. For clarification and information, contact any of the following South African diplomatic offices:

USA
The South African Embassy, 3051 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington DC 20008, Tel (202) 232-4400, Fax (202) 244-9417
The South African Consulate General, 333 East 38th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10016, Tel (212) 213-4880, Fax (212) 213-0102
The South African Consulate General, 200 South Michigan Avenue, 6th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604, Tel (312) 939-7929, Fax (312) 939-2588
The South African Consulate General, 50 North La Cienega Boulevard, #300, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, Tel (310) 657-9200, Fax (310) 657-9215

CANADA The South African High Commission, 15 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1MB, Tel (613) 744-0330, Fax (613) 741-1639
The South African Consulate, Suite 2515, Box 424, 2 First Canadian Place, Toronto, Ontario M5X 1E3, Tel (416) 364-0314, Fax (416) 364-1737
The South African Consulate, Box 2615, 1 Place Ville Marie, Montreal, Quebec H3B 4S3, Tel (514) 878-9231, Fax (514) 878-4751

Electricity
Power supply is 220/240 volt 50 cycle in most parts of the country. Adapters are usually available on loan at major hotels in South Africa. Be certain, however, to bring along transformers where needed. Although some stores in major cities carry transformers, they are not readily available. Three - to - five - star hotels usually have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers in bathrooms and often provide hair dryers and irons. An NW 4 plug with two prongs, 0.19 inches in diameter is required for compatibility.

Food
Up-market restaurants serve gourmet meals accompanies by five-star wine lists. For less formal occasions, you have a choice of steak houses, pizza/pasta parlors and French, Portuguese, Greek, German, Chinese and Japanese establishments. Seafood is always in great demand. Some restaurants specialize in regional South African dishes. Traditional Cape cooking has a delightful Malay influence and KwaZulu Natal is renowned for its spicy Indian heritage. Restaurant guides are available from most publicity associations. Other good sources are hotels and local newspapers.

Gambling
Visitors in search of gambling have easy access to sophisticated casino resorts near cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Thaba�Nchu, Port Edward and Mafikeng. Sun International is one of the most prestigious hotel and casino groups on the African continent, offering luxury hotel and resort complexes (like Sun City) throughout South Africa.

Gas (Petrol)
Gas stations are plentiful and conveniently situated along the main country roads. Most are open 24 hours although some stations keep shorter hours. In some rural areas there might be long distances between gas stations. Rental vehicles come with a full tank of gas. If a car is returned with a full tank, the fuel deposit paid at the start of the rental is refunded. Please note that credit cards are not accepted at gas stations, only cash.

Getting Along
In South Africa, a multi-cultural country, visitors will encounter many different languages. English is one of the official languages and is understood and spoken almost everywhere.

Health Requirements

Bilharzia: The bilharzia parasite may be present in the waters of the eastern and northern regions of the country. Swimming in rivers and lakes in these regions is not recommended. Warning signs are often posted alongside affected rivers or streams.
Cholera: Vaccination against cholera is not required.
Malaria: Malaria is caused by the bite of an infected mosquito and is endemic (transmission occurs throughout the year) in certain areas of the Northern and Eastern Mpumalanga lowveld (game park country) and Northern KwaZulu Natal. Although malaria is very much under control in South Africa, visitors are advised to take a course of anti-malaria tablets containing both chloroquin and pyrimethamine. These inexpensive tablets are readily available at drug stores in South Africa. The tablets can be taken 24 hours before entering the malaria affected area (preferably at bedtime) and then on a weekly basis for a maximum of five to six weeks.
Smallpox: Vaccination against smallpox is not required.
Yellow Fever: Any person entering South Africa from, or via, a yellow fever infected area must be in possession of a valid International Certification of Vaccination against yellow fever.

The Department of Internal Affairs in South Africa has prescribed that people from, or via, the following countries must comply with yellow fever requirement when they enter South Africa: Africa: Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon United Republic, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea Republic, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania Islamic Republic, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper Volta, Zaire, Zambia

Central & South America: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Surinam, Trinidad, Tobago, Venezuela

Some dates may vary year-to-year

Jewish, Islamic and Hindu communities also observe their own holy days. Although school vacations vary between the provinces, most observe reasonable extensive holiday periods from mid-December to mid-January and from mid-June to mid-July. They also have ten-day to two-week vacations around Easter and during September.

Hunting
Conservation has been practiced in South Africa for over 300 years. Game farming has also led to the occurrence game populations and selective hunting has become essential to maintain the ecological balance. A number of local safari leaders are members of The Professional Hunters� Association of South Africa (PHASA). See Customs Requirements and Special Interests.

Languages
While the majority of people speak one or more of the Black languages (such as Zulu, Sotho and Xhosa) English is spoken and understood across the country, and Afrikaans is one of the official languages. Official notices and road signs appear in both English and Afrikaans. Urbanized Blacks usually speak English and/or Afrikaans in addition to their native tongue. A number of (mainly older generation) people of Indian descent still speak the languages of their forefathers as a second language. Languages such as French, German and Italian are spoken by staff members at many up-market hotels and shops.

Liquor
Bars are usually open from 10am to midnight on weekdays and Saturdays. Normally, on Sundays, alcoholic beverages are only served with meals. City nightclubs remain open until 2am or later on weekdays. Deluxe hotels offer alcoholic beverages on a 24-hour room service basis. Liquor stores do business from 8am to 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays until 2pm. Some of the larger supermarkets sell beer and wine (not spirits) during licensing hours.

Location and Boundaries
At the southernmost tip of the African continent, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) is flanked on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south and east by the Indian Ocean, in the north by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and in the north-east by Mozambique and Swaziland.

Medical Services
South Africa has no national health plan. Medical treatment and hospitalization must be paid for by the patient. It is advisable to buy travel insurance covering accidents, illness or hospitalization for the period of your stay. Doctors are listed in local telephone directories under �Medical� and dentists under �Dentists�. Most hotels are able to summon a doctor when needed.

Money (see Banks for more information.)

Newspapers and Magazines
More than 5,000 newspapers, periodicals and journals are published in South Africa. Daily newspapers are published in all major cities. Foreign newspapers and magazines are available at most CNA (Central News Agency) stores countrywide.

Nightlife
Theater in most cities is alive and well and worth considering. As in every other city, get the latest information from hotel concierges or the entertainment pages of the local press. Visitors� bureaus will also be able to assist with up-to-date information. It is advisable to book certain theater productions in advance through �Computicket� outlets throughout the country.

Passport and Visas (see Entry Requirements for more information.)

Pets (see Customs Requirements for more information.)

Peak Periods
To avoid disappointment, reserve accommodation well in advance if a trip is planned during school vacations. See Holidays.

Photographic Equipment
Photographic supplies are available but generally expensive. Take an adequate supply of film and batteries. A telephoto lens of at least 200mm is useful for wildlife photography. An ultra-violet filter and lens cap are strongly recommended.

Radio and Television
The South African Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts 24 radio program services in seven languages (including English). Programs include news, actuality, interviews, sports, documentaries and movies. The M-NET cable network broadcasts mainly in English and concentrates on entertainment. CNN is received via satellite 24 hours a day.

Religion
Visitors will find their own denominations or a similar church in cities and other neighborhoods. South Africa is a country of many religions varying from Christianity to Judaism, Islam and Hinduism. Black tribes have their own traditional beliefs but many urban residents belong to indigenous Christian churches - the largest being the Zion Christian Church with a membership of several million.

Sea Travel
A few shipping lines offer passenger services in cruise liners or container ships from the USA to South Africa. Expect to pay fares equal to staying in a first class hotel for several weeks.

Security
Theft and more serious crimes occur in South African cities as they do in any major city. Be aware, travel smart and use good old common sense. Here are a few universal rules:

Don�t walk alone in apparently deserted areas, especially in and around the cities. It is preferable and usually more enjoyable to walk with company or in groups.� Don�t carry large sums of cash in your purse or pocket.� Be aware of the possibility of pick-pockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas.
Don�t leave valuables in a hotel room. Most of them offer safety deposit box services.
Make photocopies of the first few pages of your passport, air ticket and other important travel documents. These should obviously be in safe-keeping separate from the originals and will help towards expediting replacement in case of loss or theft.
Be certain that you have adequate insurance coverage.

Shopping
Local manufacturers set a high premium on workmanship, and with exchange rate differences, shopping can be relatively inexpensive. In the cities, you can buy anything from a karkul coat to an African bag, antiques, hand-woven rungs, and individually designed treasures in gold and precious stones.

Up-market boutiques offer quality garments and accessories. For ethnic chic, flea markets and curio shops are the places to shop. The better curio shops also stock original creations by tribal artists: wooden carvings, shield drums, masks, tapestries, bead-work, copper ware and pottery.

In Durban�s aromatic Indian Quarter, you�ll find filigree jewelry, Oriental ornaments, silk saris and spices. In Cape Town, Long Street�s enticing specialist shops offer items not always obtainable in the rest of the country: rare books, African maps, old pictures, antique jewelry and bric-a-brac.

Department and chain stores, supermarkets and delicatessens stock a wide range of merchandise. Films, cameras and accessories are readily available. Processing of film is carried out locally by companies of international repute.

Most shops open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday; mornings only on Saturday. Sunday opening times vary throughout the country, but supermarket chains normally open in the mornings. Cafes (delis) stay open until late and generally close only on major religious holidays. They stock basic foodstuffs, soft drinks, cigarettes, newspapers and magazines.

Before leaving home, visitors should check with their local Customs and Excise Department regarding import duties and regulations. Many shops will handle packing and shipping for you. It is advisable to insure your expensive purchases.

Sports
A wonderful climate means that almost every sporting activity is practiced in South Africa all year round. There are more than 400 golf courses where visitors are welcome on weekdays. Equipment may be hired at the larger clubs. The Drakensberg holiday resorts, in particular, are renowned for their wide range of sports options: tennis, bowls, trout fishing, swimming, hiking, mountain climbing and horseback riding.

The coast provides perfect conditions for water sports: fishing in all its varying forms, surfing, scuba diving, water-skiing and yachting. A coastline 1,864 miles long means that you will have plenty of beaches to choose from. The waters of the Atlantic coast tend to be on the cold side, while the waters of the Indian Ocean are influenced by the warm Mozambique current.

Sports contests encompass the entire spectrum, from canoeing, deep sea angling, golf and polo to windsurfing. A major annual road-running event, the 56 mile Comrades Marathon, takes place between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Soccer, rugby, cricket and horse racing are among the more popular spectator sports.

Taxis
Taxicabs are available at major hotels and a few other strategic points in the cities. They normally don�t cruise for pick-ups and will only be available by chance after dropping off passengers and returning to their taxi rank. Fees are by meter and tipping is about 10%. In the center of Johannesburg visitors will see mini-buses moving along the streets picking up and dropping passengers along the way. These mini-buses are part of a thriving black-owned business that also maintains links with Soweto and other townships near Johannesburg.

Telephones & Faxes
Most countries can be dialed directly from South Africa which has a fully automated telephone system in most parts - except a few remote rural regions. All major hotels have fax machines at the disposal of their guests as well as telex services. Telephone directories will list all the international dialing codes. Both local and long-distance calls are metered on a time basis.

Time Differences
Throughout the year, Standard Time in South Africa is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, seven hours in advance of Eastern Standard Winter time in USA.

Tipping
Tips are normally not included. At restaurants between 10-15% is adequate. Hotel, airport and railway porters are normally given R2. At the private game lodges it is customary to tip the game ranger and tracker separately. A communal tip is contributed for the other staff involved in providing hospitality and services. In this, as in any other case, the ultimate yardstick is good service.

Transport to and from Airports
Scheduled bus services are available between airport and city in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. Taxis are readily available and Avis and the larger car rental companies have offices at airport. Some hotels supply transport to and from airports.

Water
Throughout South Africa at hotels, inns, lodges and other public places, faucet or tap water is purified and 100% safe to drink. Be careful, however, about swimming in or drinking water at pools and slow moving streams in some of the outlying areas. These waters may contain bilharzia or other hazardous organisms. See section on Health Requirements.

Wining and Dining
South Africa is renowned for its fine wines and excellent fresh produce and is probably one of the world�s most desirable regions as far as food and wine are concerned. Hundred of good-to-outstanding restaurants around the country provide dishes that vary from local traditional to genuine French, Continental, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern. Restaurant guides are available from most visitors� bureaus and the concierges at hotels are usually very knowledgeable.

Local wines are plentiful, affordable and excellent. Many restaurants have extensive wine lists. Wines can also be bought at liquor stores, large supermarkets and wine estates. For a taste of South Africa, South African wines are now available in selected liquor outlets throughout North America.