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Travel Tips
Geographically
- Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa
- Geographic Coordinates: 29 00 S, 24 00 E
- Area: total: 1,219,912 sq km
- Land: 1,219,912 sq km
- Water: 0 sq km
note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island)
- Area Comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
- Land Boundaries: total: 4,862 km
- Border Countries: Lesotho 909km, Swaziland 430km, Botswana 1,840km, Namibia 967km, Zimbabwe 225km, Mozambique 491km.
- Coastline: 2,798 km
- Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights
- Terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain
- Natural Resources: gold, chromium, tin, copper, gem diamonds, antimony, coal, nickel, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, uranium, platinum, vanadium, salt, natural gas
- Note: South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost surrounds Swaziland.
Time
Throughout the year, South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich
Mean (or Universal Standard) Time (GMT+2), one hour ahead of Central European
Winter Time, and seven hours ahead of the USA's Eastern Standard Winter Time.
Currency
South African currency works on the decimal system 1 Rand equaling
100 cents.
Denomination of Rand notes - R200, R100, R50, R20, Rl0
Denomination of coins - R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, 1c
South African
Banks can accommodate all international transactions and are situated throughout
the country.
Most major credit
cards are accepted as well as travelers cheques in major currencies. Master Card,
VISA, Diners and American Express.
We suggest
utilising credit cards as much as possible to pay for services and facilities
once here. An excellent network of ATM's throughout the country are linked internationally.
Some venues will accept US$ although the rate of exchange may not be controlled.
Travelers
cheques and foreign currency notes of all major currencies can be exchanged at
any commercial bank. American Express offices and most hotels have exchange facilities
for guests. Travellers cheques in SA Rand are advisable as these are then accepted
locally at face value.
Travelers
must obtain the necessary permit from the South African Reserve Bank should they
have more than R500 in cash in their possession on leaving the country. For more
information or advice, telephone Customs and Excise.
Customs
Visitors are subject to clearance through customs. Information about what may
or may not be brought into the country may be obtained from travel agents.
Details of requirements for the temporary importation of exhibition goods are
obtainable from the Department of Customs and Excise.
Measurement
South Africa uses the metric system.
Telephones
The telecommunications system is almost fully automatic - one
can dial direct to most centres in South (and southern) Africa
and to most parts of the world. Telephone directories list the
dialing codes. Facsimile transmission (fax) facilities are widely
available. Internet facilities available with Cyber Cafes in most
larger centres.
Enquiries:
Should you find that a number you need is not listed in the telephone
directory, or the number has changed, dial 1023.
Electricity
Generally, urban power systems are 220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles
a second. Plugs are 5-amp 2-pin or 15-amp 3-pin (round pins). Not
all electric shavers will fit hotel and game park plug points,
visitors should seek advice about adaptors from a local electrical
supplier. Generally the 110V video chargers work safely on the
220V supply. Television is on the PAL system.
Water
South Africa is one of the few countries in the world where the
Municipal tap water is palatable and perfectly safe to drink. Check
if the tap water is suitable to drink at more remote lodges. Bottled
water is readily available in shops, lodges and hotels. Water in
streams and rivers could be polluted and Bilharzia is commonly
found in rivers and streams on the northern and eastern regions
of the country. Bilharzia is not present in the sea or in swimming
pools.
Personal Safety
There is a great deal of poverty in our country and as in other
countries there are a few basic precautions that you should take
to ensure that your stay is as pleasant and safe as possible.
At your hotel:
Never leave your luggage unattended.
Store valuables in the hotel's safety deposit box.
Keep your room locked, whether you are in it or out.
Check who is at your door before opening it.
Hand your keys into reception whenever leaving the hotel.
In the street:
Avoid displaying expensive jewelry, cameras and valuables.
Do not carry large sums of money.
Keep away from dark, isolated areas at night.
It is better to be in groups and stick to busy well lit streets.
Plan your route.
Call a taxi from your hotel.
In your car:
Plan your route in advance.
Lock the doors and close the windows.
Lock valuable items in the boot (trunk).
Park in well lit areas at night.
Never pick up strangers.
If in doubt
about your safety phone the police or drive to the nearest police station.
Air Travel
International:
The country's major point of entry is Johannesburg's International Airport, which also serves Pretoria.
Durban and Cape Town airports also have International status.
Domestic:
Domestic centres served by South African Airways are Cape Town, Johannesburg, George, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, East London, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and Upington.
Comair, Nationwide, SA Airlink and other small airlines serve the smaller towns and main tourist destinations.
Air charter services (including helicopter hire) are widely available.
Coach Travel
Luxury coach services (Greyhound, Intercape, Translux, Trancity) link the major
centres; tour operators spread the network wider, taking in game parks, scenic
attractions and other tourist venues.
Road Travel
South Africa has an extensive and well-signposted road network comprising some
200,000 kilometers (124,280 miles) of national and provincial highways. Surfaces
are generally in very good condition, though they can be a bit rugged in
more remote and hilly country areas.
Main roads are identified by colour and number rather than by name. Using
a good map (one which incorporates the route marker system), the visitor should
have little difficulty in finding his / her way around city and country when
driving a South African Rental Car.
Driver's License:
You must carry this with you at all times. Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana,
Lesotho and Swaziland licenses are valid in South Africa. So too are other
foreign licenses, provided they carry a photograph and are either printed
in English or accompanied by an English-language certificate of authenticity.
Alternatively, obtain an International Driving Permit before your departure.
Petrol:
Cities, towns and main routes are very well served by filling stations. Many
of these stay open 24 hours a day, others from 06:00 to 18:00. Pump attendants
see to your fuel and other needs. Both leaded and unleaded fuel is available.
Note that one may not use one's normal credit card for purchasing fuel -
cash or special local account 'Garage cards' only.
Insurance:
Your motor vehicle must be covered by a Third Party Insurance policy; if you're
hiring a car, the rental firm will make the appropriate arrangements; for
overland visitors, insurance tokens are available at Beitbridge and other
major border control posts.
Maps:
Excellent regional and city maps are available from your Car Hire firm, Satour,
the Automobile Association, from major book stores and airport kiosks.
Automobile Association:
The AA is the country's biggest motoring club, and provides a wide range of
services, including assistance with breakdowns and other emergencies, accommodation
reservations and advice on touring, caravanning, camping, places of interest,
insurance and car hire. Maps and brochures are available. These services
are offered to visitors who belong to the AA or any affiliated motoring organization.
The AA's headquarters are in AA House, 66 Korte Street, Braamfontein (Johannesburg)
2001; Tel: (011) 407-1000. For AA offices in other centres, consult the relevant
telephone directory.
Packing for your trip
South Africa
enjoys long hot summers and generally mild winters. For the summer months (October
to April), pack lightweight garments and a hat but include a jacket or jersey
for the cooler, and occasionally chilly, nights. Most of the country is in
the summer-rainfall zone, so bring an umbrella or raincoat. For the winter
months, pack warm clothing.
People dress
informally, though 'smart casual' wear is often required after dark at theatres
and other art / entertainment venues, and by the more sophisticated hotels
and restaurants. Beach wear is acceptable only on the beach, casual clothing
is customary at holiday resorts and in the game areas.
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