Travel Basic: South Africa
Health
Visitors entering South Africa from yellow fever infected
areas require yellow fever international certificate of vaccination.
Certain low altitude regions in Northern Province, Eastern
Transvaal (including the Kruger National Park) and north east
of KwaZulu-Natal are prone to malaria. Visitors to these areas
are strongly advised to take anti-malaria medication before
traveling. Tap water is generally considered safe in urban
areas but not so elsewhere. Bilharzia occurs in the north
and east of the country where you are advised not to swim
in fresh water. HIV-AIDS is prevalent in the country and due
care is called for.
Visas
All visitors to South Africa require passports valid for at
least 30 days after planned date of exit. For those visiting
for upto 90 days no visas are required from citizens of Australia,
New Zealand, Canada, Japan, United States, Switzerland and
the European Union. There is also visa waiver for between
30-90 days for a few other selected countries. But visa requirements
vary from time to time and you are advised to check on prevailing
status well ahead of travel. Visas are not issued at South
Africa border points.
People & Culture
South Africa is such a vibrant country due to the diversity
of its people. There is a lot to be said for the wildlife
and natural attractions of this land but you will have missed
much if you have no encounters with its people. The Khoi-San
(bushmen) are entitled to claim of having the deepest roots
and some of their ancestors' rock and cave paintings date
back 26,000 years ago. Other prominent members of this "rainbow
nation" include Zulu, Tswana, Ndebele, Xhosa, Sotho,
Indian, Afrikaans and those of British origin. The Zulu is
one of the more vibrant of traditional black cultures and
their dance and dress is quite striking.
In historic terms, apartheid has just recently
been dethroned and it is not surprising that colour is still
such as an important part of peoples identity. Some knowledge
of English will help you get by in urban areas and almost
elsewhere in the country. Beer and brandy are the popular
routes to getting tipsy though many are increasingly finding
South Africa's excellent wines tempting. The music scene is
vibrant and groups such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo are now
well known in the west. The country has so many stories to
be told as the grandees who award the Nobel Prize for literature
have recognized. The 2003 winner was Cape Town born J.M Coetzee,
who follows in the footsteps of Nadine Gordimer winner of
the prize in 1991.
Communications
Telephone, fax, telegram, post and Internet services are available.
Direct dialing to many countries is available at most hotels.
The country code for South Africa is 27. Mobile phones are
based on GSM 900 network and coverage extends to most urban
areas. You can obtain a GSM card that will allow you to make
international calls to any country. E-mail is accessible at
Internet cafes around the country.
Accommodation
The accommodation available in the popular tourist routes
is equal to the needs of most. From the discerning traveler
who accepts none else than 5-star luxury to the cost conscious
who is happy to wake up in a plain and cosy guesthouse. Accommodation
options encompass hotels, game lodges and camps, resorts,
health spas, motels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, holiday
farms, beach cottages, holiday flats and bungalows. There
are also over 800 camp and caravan sites in the country. Our
South Africa Hotels page allows you to make an online reservation
for accommodation at some selected locations in the country.
Money
The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). Foreign
currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change, some hotels,
and larger shops and restaurants. Automated foreign exchange
machines and ATMs are also available at limited locations.
Travelers cheques (i.e checks) are valid at banks, hotels,
shops and restaurants. You get the most reasonable exchange
rates for US dollar, Euro and Pound Sterling. Visa and Mastercard
credit cards have the widest acceptance. American Express
and Diners Club have slightly less acceptability.
Climate
In general South Africa has a warm temperate climate to the
delight of many sunshine-seekers. The country experiences
about seven months of sunshine. The colder part of the year
falls between May and August. But for such a large country
there are of course variations. The coast of KwaZulu-Natal,
Mpumalanga and Northern Province are generally hot and humid
and June and July are the preferred holiday months.
Winters are generally mild except at the higher
altitudes where there are occasional snowfalls to the consternation
of those visitors with fixed ideas about climatic conditions
in Africa. Summer can be uncomfortably hot in the Low Veld.
The hotter areas include the lower Orange River valley and
the Mpumalanga Lowveld. Regions in the north east of the country
can get quite humid. In Cape Town region rainfall is highest
in winter. Most of the rest of the country experiences the
highest rainfall in the summer. Those who have come to view
game are advised to travel in winter when the grass is short
and the animals are much easier to sight.
International Travel
Johannesburg is fast becoming a regional hub for air travel.
The country's national carrier is South African Airways (SAA).
There are numerous direct and indirect flights for those traveling
from Europe and North America. There are also flights from
other parts of Africa, the Far East and South America. International
airports in the country are: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban,
Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. As Cape Town's stature as
a destination grows, there is an increasing number of direct
international flights.
Local Travel
The road infrastructure is good and it is easy and convenient
to get around the country by car. Self-drive and chauffeur-driven
rental cars are widely available. Visitors must be in possession
of an international driving license. South Africa has taken
after the British and driving is on the left. See our South
Africa Car Rental page should you wish to hire a car.
The principal cities of Bloemfontein, Cape
Town, Durban, East London, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth
and Pretoria are serviced by daily flights. South African
Airways among other domestic carriers operates on the principal
routes. Cruises offer links between the country's major ports
such as Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and East London.
Rail services of varying quality link the
main cities. The luxury and very pricey Blue Train offers
an express service between Pretoria, Victoria Falls, Hoedspruit,
Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Long-distance trains are equipped
with sleeping compartments. You should reserve ahead of travel
especially for overnight journeys. A number of bus operators
run intercity express links using modern air-conditioned coaches.
Travel Insurance
There are world-class medical facilities in South Africa.
Health and the usual travel insurance are recommended.
What to Wear
If you travel in summer you should pack light cottons, linens
and rainwear. For winter you need warmer clothes and rainwear
if you travel to the Cape region. Casual wear will be adequate
for most occasions. On formal social functions however men
should turn out in dinner jackets and black ties and women
in full-length dresses
