Visiting South Africa
Visas:
No
visas are required for travellers from Commonwealth countries, Japan,
the USA and the European Union for visits of up to 90 days.
Health
risks:
A yellow
fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one
year of age arriving from infected areas. African countries formerly
classified as endemic zones are considered by the South African authorities
to be infected areas. The yellow fever vaccination certificate only
becomes valid 10 days after immunisation.
Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year in the low altitude areas of the Northern Province, Eastern Transvaal (including the Kruger National Park) and northeastern KwaZulu/Natal as far south as the Tugela river. The risk is highest from October to May. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. It is strongly recommended that visitors to these areas take anti-malaria tablets before entering these zones (tablets are available from pharmacies without prescription). The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine plus proguanil (Word Health Organisation) or chloroquine plus pyrimethamine (South African High Commission).
Tap water is considered safe to drink in urban areas but may be contaminated elsewhere and sterilisation is advisable.
Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the north and east and may be present elsewhere. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well-chlorinated and maintained are safe.
Hepatitis A occurs and hepatitis B is hyperendemic.
Health care: Medical facilities are excellent. Health insurance is recommended.
Electricity:
220/230V
(250V in Pretoria), 50Hz
Communications:
Telephone:
IDD is available. Country code: 27. Outgoing international code: 09.
Cellular phones can be hired through Vodacom
Fax:
Most main hotels have this service.
Telegram:
Telegraph services are available in all towns.
Post:
Airmail to Europe takes up to seven days.
Post office hours:
Generally 0800-1630 Monday to Friday, 0800-1200 Saturday. Some transactions
may not be carried out after 1530 Monday to Friday or after 1100 Saturday.
The smaller post offices close for lunch 1300-1400. Poste Restante
services are available throughout the country.
Press:
The main newspapers are in English and Afrikaans, and include Business
Day, Cape Times, The Argus, Mail and Guardian, The Star, Sowetan,
Sunday Times, Sunday Independent and Natal Mercury.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies:
From time to time these change. BBC: MHz 21.66 16.64 11.83 9.600 Voice
of America: MHz 17.90 15.58 7.375 1.530
* Any Public Holidays falling on a Sunday, the following day (Monday) shall be a Public Holiday.
Monday,
1 January - NEW YEAR'S DAY
Wednesday, 21 March - HUMAN RIGHTS' DAY
Previously known as Sharpeville Day. The Native Laws Amendment
Act of 1952 extended Government control over the movement of Africans
to urban areas in the Union of South Africa and abolished the use
of the Pass Book in favour of a reference book which had to be carried
at all times by all Africans. Failure to produce the reference book
on demand by the police, was a punishable offence. The PAC proposed
an anti-Pass campaign to start on 21 March 1961. All African men were
to take part in the campaign without their passes and present themselves
for arrest. Campaigners gathered at police stations in townships near
Johannesburg where they were dispersed by police. At the Sharpeville
police station, a scuffle broke out. Part of a wire fence was trampled,
allowing the crowd to move forward. The police opened fire, apparently
without having been given a prior order to do so. Sixty-nine people
were killed and 180 wounded. The findings of the Commission of Inquiry
into the incident proved inconclusive. Since the events of 21 March
1961, this day has become known as Sharpeville Day and commemorated
among anti-apartheid movements.
Friday, 13 April
- GOOD FRIDAY Friday before Easter Sunday. (Date is determined
annually).
Monday, 16 April - FAMILY DAY Monday after Easter Sunday. (Date
is determined annually).
Friday, 27 April
- FREEDOM DAY
Commemoration of the first democratic elections held in South Africa
on 27 April 1994.
Tuesday, 1 May - WORKERS' DAY
The last major celebration of May Day in South Africa was held
in the late 1940s. The day only became a major event in the 1980s
after the consolidation and development of the local trade union movement
in South Africa, symbolising the political muscle of the unions in
the black arena.
Saturday, 16 June - YOUTH DAY
Previously known as Soweto Day. In 1975, the main cause of
protests in African schools was a directive from the previous Bantu
Education Department with instructions that Afrikaans had to be used
with English on an equal basis as a language of instruction in secondary
schools. By 1976, schools started to boycott the instruction. On 16
June 1976, a protest march was planned calling for pupils to march
through Soweto to the Orlando football stadium. In the wake of clashes
with the police, and the violence that ensued, hundreds of people
were killed and property destroyed.
Thursday, 9
August - NATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
This day commemorates 9 August 1956 when women participating
in a national march petitioned against pass laws at the Union Buildings
in Pretoria.
Monday,
24 September - NATIONAL HERITAGE DAY
A neutral day to which each community in South Africa can attach
its own significance and which will foster a spirit of accommodation.
Sunday, 16 December - DAY OF RECONCILIATION
In 1838, the Zulu king, Dingane, had promised to give land
to the Voortrekkers on condition Piet Retief, a Voortrekker leader,
returned cattle to him stolen by Sekonyela. This Retief did and signed
a treaty with Dingane in February, but was murdered with the rest
of his expedition. In a retaliatory attack on 16 December 1838, the
Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorius, defeated the Zulu King. A Vow
was taken on 9 December by Pretorius and repeated every evening until
the attack occurred. According to the Vow, the Voortrekkers would
build a Church in God's honour if He should grant them victory over
the Zulus. They and their descendants would observe the day as an
annual day of thanksgiving from that day onwards. This day was previously
known as the Day of the Vow and commemorated mostly by Afrikaners.
Monday, 17 December - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Tuesday, 25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY
Wednesday, 26 December - DAY OF GOODWILL
A vested traditional holiday.
Currency: Rand (R) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of R200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of R5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Credit cards: MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Valid at banks, hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Climate:
South
Africa's climate is generally sunny and pleasant. Winters are usually
mild, although snow falls on the mountain ranges of the Cape and Natal
and occasionally in lower-lying areas, when a brief cold spell can
be expected throughout the country. Since South Africa lies south
of the Equator, the seasons are the reverse of those in the northern
hemisphere.
Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens and rainwear. Warmer clothes are needed for winter.
Air:
South Africa's national airline is South African Airways (SAA).
Approximate
flight times:
From London to Cape Town is 12 hours 35 minutes, to Durban 14 hours
05 minutes and to Johannesburg is 11 hours 50 minutes.
From Los Angeles to Johannesburg is 23 hours 5 minutes (no direct
flight available).
International
airports:
Cape Town (CPT) Cape Town International
22km (14 miles) east of the city, travel time – 25 minutes.
Tel: (21) 934 0407.
Fax: (21) 934 9861.
Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, car rental, bank/bureau
de change (0830-1630 Monday to Friday, 0830-1200 Saturday) and restaurant/bar
(0600-0305). Inter-Cape buses meet all inward and outgoing flights.
Courtesy buses are operated by some hotels. Taxis are available, with
a surcharge after 2300.
Bloemfontein
(BFN) (Bloemfontein International),
10km (6 miles) east of the city, travel time – 15 minutes.
Tel: (51) 332 901.
Airport facilities include automatic teller machine, restaurants,
car rental and conference facilities. Airport shuttle bus to the city
centre (leaving from outside the airport building). Taxis are also
available.
Durban
(DUR) (Durban International)
16km (10 miles) south of the city, travel time – 20 minutes.
Tel: (31) 408 1067.
Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, car rental, bank/bureau
de change and bar/restaurant. Airport buses and taxis are available
to the city.
Johannesburg
(JNB) (Johannesburg International)
24km (15 miles) northeast of the city, travel time – 35 minutes.
Airport facilities include incoming and outgoing duty-free shops,
post office, car rental, bank/bureau de change (24 hours), restaurant
and bar (1000-2400).
Bus services to Pretoria and Johannesburg are available. Buses link
Kempton Park with Johannesburg. Taxis are available. Courtesy coaches
are operated by some major hotels.
Port
Elizabeth (PLZ) (Port Elizabeth International)
25km (16 miles) from the city, travel time – 30 minutes.
Tel: (41) 507 7319.
Fax: (41) 507 340.
Airport facilities include Nedbank automated teller machine, conference
facilities, information desk (0600-2200 Monday to Friday; 0700-2100
Saturday; 0800-2210 Sunday) restaurants and pubs, shops, a pharmacy,
postal services, car rental. Airport shuttle bus to the main international
hotels in Port Elizabeth. Taxis are also available.
Departure tax: None.
Air:
Daily flights link Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port
Elizabeth, East London, Kimberley and Bloemfontein with other connecting
flights to provincial towns. South African Airways (SA) operate on
the principal routes.
Discounts:
An 'Africa Explorer' fare is available to foreign visitors entering
South Africa with an IATA airline. It offers a significant saving
for anyone planning to use SAA's internal network. The fare is valid
for a minimum of seven days and a maximum of one month: travel may
originate and terminate at any point within South Africa which is
served by the airline. Travel is not permitted more than once in the
same direction over any given sector. There is also a 30% reduction
on some standby fares.
Sea:
Starlight Cruises offer links between major ports.
Rail:
The principal intercity services are as follows:
T the Blue Train is a luxury express between Pretoria, Johannesburg
and Cape Town (every other day);
T the Trans-Oranje between Cape Town and Durban via Kimberley and
Bloemfontein (weekly);
The Trans-Natal Express between Durban and Johannesburg (daily).
Rovos Rail offer luxury steam safaris to the eastern Transvaal.
The Transnet Museum also offers various steam safaris around South
Africa and Zimbabwe,
T he Trans-Karoo Express travels between Cape Town, Johannesburg and
Pretoria (four times a week).
All long-distance trains are equipped with sleeping compartments,
included in fares, and most have restaurant cars.
Reservations are recommended for principal trains and all overnight
journeys. There are frequent local trains in the Cape Town and Pretoria/Johannesburg
urban areas. All trains have first- and second-class accommodation.
Children under two years of age travel free. Children aged 2-11 pay
half fare.
Road:
There is a well-maintained network of roads and motorways in populous
regions. 30% of roads are paved, with all major roads tarred to a
high standard. Traffic drives on the left hand side of the road. Fines
for speeding are very heavy. It is illegal to carry petrol other than
in built-in petrol tanks.
Petrol stations are usually open all week 0700-1900. Some are open
24 hours.
Bus/coach:
Various operators, such as Greyhound and Translux, run intercity express
links using modern air-conditioned coaches. On many of the intercity
routes passengers may break their journey at any scheduled stop en
route by prior arrangement at time of booking and continue on a subsequent
coach at no extra cost other than for additional accommodation.
Taxi:
Available throughout the country, at all towns, hotels and airports,
with rates for distance and time. For long-distance travel, a quotation
should be sought.
Car
hire:
Self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available at most airports
and in major city centres. Avis, Imperial and Budget are represented
nationwide.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.
Urban:
There are bus and suburban rail networks in all the main towns. Fares
in Cape Town and Johannesburg are zonal, with payment in cash or with
10-ride pre-purchase 'clipcards' from kiosks. In Pretoria there are
various pre-purchase ticket systems, including a cheap pass for off-peak
travel only. In Durban, conventional buses face stiff competition
from minibuses and combi-taxis (both legal and illegal), which are
also found in other South African towns. These, although cheap and
very fast, should be used with care. For ordinary taxis, fares within
the city areas are more expensive than long distances. Taxis do not
cruise and must be called from a rank. Taxi drivers expect a 10% tip.
Food
& Drink:
A thriving agricultural sector yields excellent fresh produce, meat,
fruit and wines and the long coastline produces very fresh and cheap
seafood. Oysters and linefish (examples of which are Kingklip, Kabbeljou,
Cob and Red Roman) are particularly good.
Typical South African dishes include sosaties (a type of kebab), bobotie
(a curried mince dish, of which waterbolmmetjiebredie, made with a
local water plant, is particularly good), bredies (meat, tomato and
vegetable casseroles), crayfish (or rock lobster) and many other seafood
dishes traditional to the Western Cape province. Curries and chutneys
are excellent. Biltong (seasoned dried meat) is a savoury speciality.
Potjiekos, a casserole cooked for hours in an iron pot, usually outside,
is excellent. Stywepap or Poetoepap, a sort of polenta made with white
maize, is widely eaten with meat. Although there is a wide choice
of self-service restaurants, most have table service.
Drink: There are excellent local red and white wines, sherries, brandies
and some unusual liqueurs. Beer is also very good. Shebeens offer
Umqombothi, a home-brewed sorghum beer. Bars/cocktail lounges have
bartender service. 'Liquor stores' are open 0900-1800 weekdays and
close at 1300 Saturday, although alcohol is now available in supermarkets
outside these hours and under certain circumstances on a Sunday. One
can generally buy alcohol at shebeens at any time.
Shopping:
Upmarket boutiques and supermarkets generally coexist with a mass
of street traders selling arts, crafts and anything else profitable.
tores are generally modern. Special purchases include gold, diamond
and semi-precious stone jewellery, leather, suede and fur goods, ceramics
and crafts, of which there are now a bewildering variety including
many from the rest of the continent. Local wine, brandy and liqueur
are cheap and usually excellent.
Shopping
hours:
0900-1800 Monday to Friday, 0900-1300 Saturday, although there is
an increasing trend to open later and all weekend in major tourist
spots.
Best
Time to Visit:
Summer
can be uncomfortably hot, especially in the lowveld. Higher altitudes
are pleasantly warm over summer, but the mountains are rain and mist-prone.
The north-eastern regions can be annoyingly humid, but swimming on
the east coast is a year-round proposition.
Spring is the best time for wild flowers in the Northern and Western Cape provinces.
Winters are mild everywhere except in the highest country, where there are frosts and occasional snowfalls.
Holiday-makers stream out of the cities from mid-December to late-January: resorts and national parks are heavily booked and prices on the coast can more than double.
School holidays in April, July and September can fill up beaches and national parks.