Information: Travel |
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| Crime |
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South Africans are obsessed at not becoming victims of crime. BUT crime exists more in some areas than others. We advise you to take a few basic precautions. All valuables and passports should be locked in the safe of your hotel. Never, not even at daytime, venture into the townships unless you have an accredited guide from the area. Do not walk on your own in the cities after dark. Valuables should be carried discreetly when walking in cities. Gold and other expensive items offered for sale by street vendors are always fakes or stolen property.
The small towns and the rural areas are as save as in Europe. Ask the locals about safety in there area. |
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| Customs Regulations |
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Customs on entering South Africa
New or used goods valud at R500 are duty free. Also duty free are one liter of spirits, two liters of wine, 50ml of perfume, 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars.
Customs on entering EU-countries
Duty free are:
- 200 cigarettes or 250 g tabaco
- 1 Liter Spirits or 2 liters wine
- 50 g perfume
- other goods up to a value of 180 Euro
The following may not be imported to Europe
- ivory
- fur from all Carnivore's
- living animals
- crocodile and snakes skin products
- coral and shells
- dead butterflies
- cactuses and orchids
Please note: Ostrich leather may be imported.
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| Electricity |
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| South Africa has the same voltage (220) as in Europe. Your plugs will not fit here and the universal adapters do not include the South African version of plug. Adapters for European two pronged plugs are available in all supermarkets. Most hotel rooms have
110 volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances. |
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| Glossary |
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Other countries other words!
ANC - African National Congress
Strongest political party (and freedom movement) in South Africa
Assebelief
Afrikaans - Please
Bakkie
Pick-Up van or LSV
Big Five
The most dangerous animals to hunt: Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Buffalo and Leopard
Biltong
Air-dried, spicy meat made from venison or beef.
Bobotie
Traditional Cape-Malay dish
Boerewors
Spicy local sausage
Boma
Enclosure for wild animals and domesticated animals
Braai
Afrikaans - Barbecue
Crayfish
Local name for lobster
Drostdy
Previous administration building during the Dutch period
Fynbos
Local flora in the Western Cape region
Hoofweg
Afrikaans - Main Road
Jukskei
A local sport from the rural areas
Kloof
Gorge or ravine
Koppie
small hill
Lapa
Mostly used by Safari Lodges as a restaurant and bar. Originally the building Africans met in.
lekker
Afrikaans adjective: used a lot in English. nice, beautiful, good etc.
Lughawe
Airport
Mealie Meal
Mais meal or corn meal. Traditional and staple food of the African population
Muti
Traditional medcine
PAC Pan African Congress
Political party. Strong movement during the Apartheid time.
Robot
Trafic light
Shebeen
Illegal "pub" in the Townships
Snoek
Local fish similar to baricuda
Stad
Afrikaans - town or city
VAT
Value added tax
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| Helpful Numbers |
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A short list of important phone numbers:
Emergency
Police: 10 111
Ambulance: 10 177
Auskunft
Local telephone enquiry: 1023
South African telephone enquiry: 1025
International telephone enquiry: 0903
Collect Calls/Reverse Charge Calls: 0900
Ticket service for theater, sport and other events
Computicket: (011) 485-2327. (Have your credit crd ready)
National Parks Board
(012) 428 - 91 11, Fax: (012) 343 - 09 05
Airports
Johannesburg International: (011) 975 - 99 63
Cape Town International: (021) 934 - 04 07
George: (044) 876 - 9301
Port Elizabeth: (041) 507-73 01
Loss of credit card (in South Africa)
Master Card and Eurocard: (011) 498 - 46 99
Visa Card: (011) 489 - 46 99
American Express: (011) 358 - 04 00
Diners Club: (011) 337 - 32 44
South African Tourism
Western Cape Tourism Board: (021) 418 - 37 05 |
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| Internet and Skype |
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Most accommodation establishments offer there own internet access. Even rural towns now have internet cafés'. The connection is normally broadband. It will cost you about R 50 to surf for one hour.
Most of the PC's have Skype installed, so that it is possible to make cheap calls. Carefull: after using Skype delete your access profile, so that nobody can phone at your cost.
Laptops can be used as they are attached to the local LAN in the internet café. k |
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| Items to bring |
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During the day the clothing worn in South
Africa is very casual, in the evenings in
hotels and restaurants you should wear smart casual garments.
Things not to forget are a
hat, comfortable shoes, and your swimming gear and during the summer (September
to April) a strong anti sun shield. If you visit our National Parks
bring your binoculars and a torch.
The day and night temperatures vary widely so that you should have some warmer
clothing, like a jersey for the evenings.
If you forgot to bring something, it does not matter as you can buy everything
in South Africa.
Safari and outdoor clothing is cheaper and of a high quality. |
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| Health |
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| Only small parts in Zululand, the Lowveld around the Kruger Park and the extreme north of Limpopo Province have a seasonal occurance of malaria. The risk of contracting the disease is low provided that you take the standard precautions. Get advise from your doctor if you intend traveling into these areas. Your own precautions should include a good insect repellent for the evenings and long-sleeved shirts. |
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| Money and Exchange |
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Credit Cards and Debit Cards
The common credit
cards like Master Card, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are
eccepted at nearly all places. An exception is petrol (fuel, gas) which
has to be paid cash in South Africa.
With European bank debit
cards you may get up to R 3000 at any ATM (Automatic Teller Machine).
This is the best exchange rate you can get. Note: Fraud happens at ATM's, so please be careful about who is prepared to help you.
Travellers Cheques
This is also recommended, as they are insured against theft and loss.
Cash
Only import small amounts if any. The exchange rate is not good for
cash. So if you change your foreign currency do so in South Africa, as
the exchange rate is better here. You may experience long waiting times
in banks, as the administration is complicated. You will need your
passport for the transaction.
Banks
Most Banks are open from 9:00 to 15.30 from Monday to Friday, and from 8.30 to 11:00 on Saturdays.
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| Passport and Visa |
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Travelers entering South Africa must be in possession of a valid passport and, where necessary, a visa. Visitors who intend travelling to South Africa's neighbouring countries and back into South Africa are advised to apply for multiple entry visas.
Passport holders of certain countries are exempt from visa requirements. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that they have the means to support themselves during their stay, and that they are in possession of return or onward air tickets.
VERY IMPORTANT: Your passport must have 2 free pages, otherwise you will not be able to enter our country. |
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| Telephone |
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Public Telephones
The South African Telecommunications Company, Telkom, has subsidiaries in most shopping centres. The blue public phones are for cash only, the green ones use phone cards only. Phone cards, valued at R 10 to R 100, are available at all super markets, airports and petrol stations (gas station).
Cell phones
All European cell phones work in South Africa if you have arranged international roaming with your provider. You can make calls and receive international calls. The cost of using your cell phone (with your own sim card) is astronomical. It is much cheaper to buy a local prepaid sim card. These are available in all phone shops.
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| Tip |
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Tipping is customary in South
Africa, as it forms part of the income.
A guideline for visitors is the following:
Porters R5 per item
Taxis 5%
Waiters
and waitresses in restaurants 10 to 15%
Tourist Guides 5%
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| Travel Seasons |
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South Africa lies on the southern tip of Africa between 22 and 34 degrees south, and therefore has a mild subtropical climate. The most southern City, Cape Town, lies closer to the Equator than any part of Europe. In the Highlands (Johannesburg 1.800 m altitude) the temperatures are much lower because of the altitude.
Seasons in South Africa
The seasons are vice versa
to those in the northern hemisphere. During the northern hemisphere summer
(June to September) we have winter. This is the ideal season for game watching
as there is no malaria, dry weather and short grass.
In the Western Cape this is the rainy season but often
interspersed with lovely sunny days with temperatures up to 25C. This is the favourite
time for the people from Cape Town, who call it the "Green
Season".
In midsummer (October to March) the whole of the country is hot. This is the
rainy season in the north. Precipitation is normally one hour a day in form of
thunder showers.
The season to visit South Africa
South Africa is an ideal destination in all seasons. This
area has one of the highest average sunshine hours in the world (8 hours).
In December and January are the big summer holidays for South Africa. This is a very busy time of the
year and if you want to travel in this time you must pre book all accommodation
long beforehand. |
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| VAT |
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Tax Refunds For Tourists
As a visitor to South Africa, you can spend as little as R 250.00 on goods intended for export, and claim a VAT refund. The user-friendly procedure allows you to claim your money before you even leave South African territory.
Who can Claim? Non-residents on a temporary visit to South Africa are eligible to claim a VAT refund in respect of movable goods exported through a designated point of departure within 90 days from the date of purchase.
Important Information:
* Maximum payment by cheque will be for an amount of R3000.00. Claims exceeding this limit will be posted.
* Goods consumed in South Africa or services rendered in the country do not qualify for VAT refunds.
* Only original Tax Invoices will be considered for refunds.
* The goods must be presented for inspection on departure.
* Goods must be exported within 90 days of the date of purchase and the claim lodged within 3 months from the date of export.
* An administration fee of 1.5% of the inclusive value of the claim will be deducted, subject to a minimum of R 10.00
How to Claim your Tax Refund:
Identify yourself as a tourist to the shop assistants, and request a Tax Invoice for the goods you have purchased.
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