Useful Travel information when travelling to South Africa:

Visas:

A visa is required upon entering South Africa, although citizens from certain countries have been exempted from these requirements. Your travel agent can provide further information. Upon arrival, you must be able to prove that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay, and also have a valid return ticket.

Travel Insurance:

Traveller's insurance is recommended, and should include protection against the following: Trip cancellation or interruption for unexpected medical reasons, Medical cover for illness or injury while abroad, Emergency medical evacuation benefits, Protection against baggage loss, theft or damage, and 24-hr assistance anywhere in the world. 

Languages:

Although SA has 11 official languages; English is widely understood and spoken throughout the country. Most European languages will be spoken at hotels and restaurants in major cities, and interpretation services for foreign languages can be arranged by tour operators.

Time zone: GMT+ 2 hours

Information Centres: All cities and tourism routes have information centres to assist travellers. 

Tours and tourist guides:

Avoid undertaking tours provided by illegal operators, for your own safety. Ensure tours are done by registered tour operators with valid insurance cover, and that the guiding is done by an accredited tourist guide. (Registered tourist guide will always wear an identification badge, and have a registration card on them.)

Currency:
 
The South African unit of currency is the Rand, indicated by the letter 'R' before the amount. Bank notes are issued in the following denominations: R10- Green / White rhinoceros, R20- Brown / African Elephant, R50- Red / Lion, R100-Blue/ Buffalo and R200-Ocre / Leopard. The rand is divided into 100 cents, and various coins are available.

Foreign exchange:

Exchange facilities can be found at the airport, in many banks and bigger shopping malls. Automatic Teller Machines are widely available and will accept most international bank and credit cards. 

Credit cards:

South Africa has a modern and sophisticated banking and commercial system, and most shops and hotels will accept credit cards. 

Banking hours:
 
Week day banking hours are from 09h00 to 15h30 and on Saturdays from 09h00 to 11h00. All airports with international arrivals and departures have special banking facilities for international passengers. 

Business Hours:

Most shops in the city centre and suburbs open between 08h00 and17h00 to 17h30. Shops in some major malls may open at 09h00 and close at 21h00 or later even on Sundays and most public holidays. Government agencies still keep to traditional weekday only hours. 

Taxes:
 
South Africa has adopted a Value Added Tax system of 14% on purchases and services. If you are a foreign visitor to South Africa, you can reclaim your VAT on certain purchases if you have spent more than R250. This is usually done at the VAT office at the Airport before checking in on departure. You will need your original tax invoices, passport, and the goods you bought available for inspection. 

Tipping:
 
Many waiters and waitresses are university students who rely on tips to pay their wages. A 10% tip is the norm although it is your decision on how to reward good or not reward bad service. Tables of over eight usually have an automatic 10% service charge added to their bill.

A minimum of R 5 per piece of luggage handled is recommended for porters at hotels and airports. 

Telephones and Communication:
 
Mobile phones can be hired at airports or in other major centres. International mobile phones will work if the roaming facility has been arranged beforehand. 
Public Phones are found widely throughout the country, and operate with either coins, or phone cards.
Post offices can be found in all major towns and cities, stamps can be purchased from various shops. 
Courier Services are available to assist with shipping your purchases home and deal with formalities. 
Internet and e-mail facilities are widely available. 

International dialling code: +27 followed by the area code (minus the first zero), and the subscribers number.

Electricity:

220/230V AC at 50 Hz. Adapters will be needed for most foreign appliances. 

Water:

Tap water is of highest quality and is safe to drink. 

Health:

Vaccinations for Smallpox and Cholera are not required, but travellers from a Yellow fever zone must have a valid certificate. Some parts of South Africa fall within Malaria areas, so consulting a travel doctor before arriving in South Africa is recommended. First rate medical and dental facilities are available throughout the country in case of emergency.

Sun protection: 

The South African sun is strong, with high ultra violet ratings. Sunscreen recommended.

Safety:

Take the precautions you would in any major city. Avoid carrying large sums of cash, cameras and leaving belongings unattended, and in general take advice from locals on where to go after dark. 

Driving In South Africa:
 
In South Africa cars are driven on the left hand side of the road. Remember this when you want to cross a road. A valid international driving licence is needed to drive a vehicle in SA.

Climate and weather conditions:

The average number of hours of sunshine each day is amongst the highest in the world: 8,5 compared with 3,8 in London, 6,4 in Rome and 6,9 in New York. 

Average rainfall is 464 mm, against a world average of 857 mm. Rain season in Western Cape is during the winter months (May to September), and during summer for the rest of the country. (September to April) 

The climate ranges from:
Mediterranean in the Western Cape during the summer and early autumn. Winters can be wet and chilly. 

Subtropical on the KwaZulu-Natal coast and the Northern and Eastern parts of South Africa. Cooler in the winter months, but still very pleasant. 

On the Highveld and central parts of the country it is sunshine all year round. Summers are hot with thunderstorms, and the winters are bright, dry and cold. 

Religion:
 
Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the Constitution, and official policy is one of non-interference in religious practices.

If you require any further information regarding South Africa, please feel free to enquire.