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Essential information about South Africa
: Safety, medical, banking, transport, food, water, travel,
currency, phones, poisonous bites, tax.
What you need to know
The information here applies to the whole of
South Africa.
Safety and Medical
South Africa's crime in some areas, is unacceptably
high, but in the areas where most tourists visit, it is as
safe as most places in the world, providing you take reasonable
precautions.
Staying safe is largely common sense and caution.
Townships are the most dangerious and should not be visited
without a guide.
It is not advisable to go out on your own, especially
after dar, and dont exhibit expensive jewellery and cameras.
In towns and cities be aware of potential pickpockets and
muggers, as in any major city.
Avoid suburban trains at off-peak times, unless
you are in a large group.
If you are using a car, keep the doors lockeed
and the windows closed (if hiring a car get one with air-conditioning).
When you leave the car, lock it and make sure that no valuables
are left inside.
Food
Food in most restaurants and hotels meets international
standards, but exercise the usual common sense. In informal
markets, avoid fresh produced that may have been exposed to
the elements.
Malaria and Bilharzia
Malaria is only prevalent in the far northern
parts of the country and the risks of contracting malaria
can be minimised by starting a course of anti-malaria tablets
a week before going to an effected area and continuing with
the treatment for a month thereafter, contact your doctor
for more advise.
Bilharzia can be contracted from contact with
affected water. Suspect water should not be used for washing
or bathing and should be biled if intended for consumption.
Water
Tape water is chlorinated but safe to drink.
There is also a wide range of bottled spring water available.
Hospitals
State hospitals offer adequate facilities, but
are mostly under-funded and understaffed. Patients who are
members of a medical insurance schemes, or who can afford
it, are recommended to use private hospitals, which are excellent.
Poisonous Bites
In built up areas few people are likely to be
in danger of being bitten or stung by any of the venomous
creatures in South Africa. However, hikers and campers should
watch out for snakes, spiders and scorpions.
Few South Africa snakes are deadly and most
are not poisonous at all and only strike when threatend. Likewise
most spiders bites are not life-threatening. Most scorpions
are only slightly venomous, but those with thick tails and
small pincers tend to be more poisonous. Children are more
susceptible to toxings than adults.
Entry Documents
Visitors are required to have valid passports
for entry into South Africa. Most foreign nationals are exempt
from visa requirements.
All visitors must complete a temporary residence
permit at the point of entry into the country, showing lenght
and purpose of the visit and a contract address.
Telephones
Conventional Telephones
South African telecommunication systems are
among the most advanced in the world and most exchanges are
automatic. Public, or payphones are found at most post offices,
stations and in many shopping malls. Telephone cards are available
from most post offices, cafes, newsagents and Clicks stores.
Note that payphones accept either coins or cards, but not
both.
Cellular Phones
Mobile telephones are obtainable on contract
from private service providers. Cell phone coverage is very
good in towns and cities and along all major roads.
Legislation forbids the use of hand-held cell
phones whilst driving and offenders will be fined. Cell phone
rental facilities can be found at major airports and many
shopping centre's.
Banking
The South African banking system is of a first
world standard. There are no restrictions on the amount of
foreign currency that may be brought into the country, however,
there are limits to the amount of any currencty that may be
taken out of the country. These amounts are subject to fluctuation.
Traveller's cheques may be exchanged at banks and bureaux
de change, as well as some hotels and a few shops.
Currency
The South African unit of currency is Rand,
indicated by the letter 'R' before the amount ('rand' is short
for 'Witwatersrand', Guateng's gold bearing reef). the rand
is divided into 100 cents (c).
Bank notes are issued in R 10, R 20, R 50, R
100 and R 200 denominations. At the time of writing there
were approximately R 12 to the British Pount and R 7 to the
American Dollar and R 8 to the European Euro, but these are
subject to daily fluctuations.
Travellers cheques may be cashed at most banks
if the currency of issue is acceptable.
Banking Hours
In the large towns and cities, week day banking
hours are from 09h00 to 15h30 and on Saturdays frm 09h00 to
11h00. They are closed on public holidays. A few areas that
have high volumes of foreign visigtors offer a 24 hour foreign-exchange
service. All airports with international arrivals and departures
have special banking facilities for international passengers.
Automatic Banking
Automatic tellar machines (ATM's) are widely
used in cities and towns.
Credit Cards
Most buinsesses accept all major credit cards.
Informal traders do not normally accept credit cards. Petrol
or oil can only be purchased with separate petrol card or
cash. Your car-rental company can help the arrangements.
Tax Refund
Visitors to South Arica are not exempt from
paying VAT (Value Added Tax) on bought goods. However, tourists
can claim back the VAT paid on itensm, with a total value
exceeding R 250.00, that they take out of the country with
them. The VAT can be claimed at airports and/or harbours on
departure, and customs offices. Visitors should present the
following documents at VAT Refund Administraion Offices and
Customs Offices: original tax invoices, a VAT refund control
sheet and a foreign passport, and all the items on which a
refund is being claimed.
Transport
Air
Visitors to the country arrive at Johannesburg,
Cape Town and Durban International airports.
Internal destinations served by three national
carriers, are Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth,
Bloemfontein, East London, Kimberley, Ulundi, George and Upington.
Smaller centres as well as the airport at some game parks
are linked by regular small services.
Road
South Africa's road network is generally very
good, although some have deteriorated in recent years. In
rural areas some arteries may be dirt roads, but they are
usually in fair condition.
Petrol
Widely available at most towns. Petrol stations
on major routes are open 24 hours.
Car Rental
Car rental companies are plentiful in the big
centres and the international airports have car rental offices
on site and can be hired on arrival. Alternativly pre-book
though fly-drive packages or with Atlantic Marina.
To rent a car you must be over 23 years and
in possession of a valid drivers license for at least five
years.
Coach Services
Greyhoud, Translux and Intercape coaches travel
to most towns throughout the contry, and the journeys are
reasonably comfortable and competitively prices. The Baz Bux
hop on/hop off system, aimed at budget travellers, runs along
the coast between Durban and Cape Town.
Buses and Taxis
Conventional bus services operate within metroplitan
areas. Many South Africans use Minibus taxies but they are
ot recommended as they have a very poor safetly record.
Conventional, car-based taxis are run from independent
ranks and may be phoned for or called off the street.
Trains
Suburbank train services operated by Spoornet
are avialble in most cities. Timetables and tickets are available
at the stations. First-class tickets cost approximately twice
that of those in third class but are advisable to take. Mainline
passenger sevices offer fairly comprehensive nationwide rail
coverage. Daily trains run between Cape Town and Johannesburg,
Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban and
Johannesburg and East London.
Scenic Train Travel
The Blue Train famous for
its lluxury accommodation, excellent cuisine and service,
runs from Cape Town to Pretoria as well as on other scenic
trips. Most of the steam trains left in South Africa are used
for leisure trips and includ the following;
Union Limited offers day trips
through Franschhoek Valley or to Ceres and a six-day tour
to Oudtshoorn.
Rovos Rail has period style
sleepers and dining, but modern comforts and takes travellers
to Kimberley, Victoria Falls, Matjiesfontein, Mpumalanga and
Namibia.
The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, a
steam driven train, running between George and Knysna, offers
a wonderful day ride through the heart of the Garden Route.
Other steam trains are the Banana Express
in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Apple Express that
leaves from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape on its narrow
gauge and the Spier Vintage Train that runs
regular trips from Cape Town to the Spier Wine Estate.
The Weather
Spring is from August to October with comfortable
temperagtures, but quite chilly after sunset.
During winter, from May to July, the days are
usually sunny but the nights are cold. Snow regularly falls
on the Western Cape and Eastern Cape mountains.
Summer - December to February, temperatures
are high, sometimes unbearable in high-lying areas such as
the Northen Cape and Northen Province. The humidity in Kwa-Zulu
Natal can be very high indeed. Southwestern areas have winter
rainfall throughout the year. The interior is a summer rainfall
area with thunder storms a common occurance.
Always apply sunblock (factor 30), even on cloudy
days and carry a windbreaker as the temperature can change
suddenly and the wind-chill factor can be easily underestimated.
Public Holidays
New Years Day - 1 January
Human Rights Day - 21 March
Good Friday - 13 April
Family Day - 16 April
Workers Day - 1 May
Youth Day - 16 June
Women's Day - 9 August
Heritage Day - 24 September
Day of Reconciliation - 16 December
Christmas Day - 25 December
Day of Goodwill - 26 December
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