Useful Information for South Africa

PASSPORTS

Please ensure that your passport is valid for six months after your return date. Passport control has become terribly strict to the point of deporting people due to their passports not complying with the control requirements. Passports must be valid for 6-9 months after the planned date of departure from South Africa but for Business Travel, passports must be valid for 12 months beyond the intended date of departure from South Africa.

VISAS

Visas are not required by British Citizens holding a British Passport and travelling on holiday. All other Nationals should check with the South Africa High Commission, London.
Tel: 020 74517299.

GUEST NAMES

The names provided must match passport details. Mr or Mrs is not permitted. Full first name and full surname must match flight details or you could be denied your flight.

DRIVING

Law in South Africa requires driver’s licences with integral photos as well as the signature of the holder. The new British drivers licence complies with these requirements. It is preferable that the older type of British drivers licence is accompanied by an International Drivers Licence, which can be obtained, from UK motoring organisations (AA – 0870 5500600), but this is not essential. As long as you carry your passport with you when you are driving this is acceptable.

Driving is on the left and speed limits are in kilometres.(1 mile=1.6km) Cash is required to pay for fuel, as no credit cards are acceptable as payment for petrol within South Africa. South African petrol stations are not self-help: an attendant will fill the car for which he or she will expect a tip.

INOCULATIONS & HEALTH

Clients are advised to seek current information from NHS Direct: Tel No: 0845 4647 or your local GP. Information is also provided online at: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
No vaccinations are compulsory however as a guideline; polio, typhoid and hepatitis are recommended. Yellow fever is necessary if travelling via an infected country.
Anti-malaria tablets are strongly recommended if travelling to Mpumalanga (Kruger N.P.), Northern Province or North Eastern KwaZulu-Natal.
To prevent mosquitoes, try to cover up with long sleeves and trousers in the early morning and evenings, avoid wearing perfume and use plenty of mosquito repellent.
Remember not to under-estimate the strength of the African sun – lots of sun cream, a good hat and sunglasses are recommended too.

SAFETY

For the latest information, the Foreign & Commonwealth Travel Advice at www.fco.gov.uk/ or by calling the ABTA Department on 0901 201 5050 (calls charged at 50p per minute).
It is sensible to take the same precautions as you would travelling to any metropolitan city in the world. Never leave your luggage unattended, use the hotel’s safety deposit boxes and be vigilant at all times.
Avoid walking or driving at night in areas that you are unfamiliar with and try not to exhibit large amounts of cash or jewellery.

 

CURRENCY

The currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are issued in Rand denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200. International Credit Cards are widely accepted, as are Travellers Cheques in South African Rand, Pound Sterling or United States Dollars. However, use may be restricted in small towns and country areas and in some retail shops.

BANKING AND SHOPPING HOURS

Most commercial banks are open from 09h00 to 15h30 Mondays to Fridays; 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays. Shops open from 08h00 to 16h30 Mondays to Fridays and from 08h30 to 12h30 on Saturdays, although in the main centres opening hours are likely to be longer.

BEHAVIOUR

Please do not collect or buy shells, skins, horns, feathers or teeth. The protection of our environment is everyone's concern.

AIRPORTS, BAGGAGE & AIRPORT TAXES

Please note that Johannesburg International Airport, both domestic and international terminals are ‘silent’. The word ‘silent’ means that no boarding announcements are made for flights. It is the passengers’ responsibility to check the flight departure board and to read the boarding information printed on their boarding passes for boarding time and gate information. You will need to allow at least 2hrs to transfer between international and domestic departure areas, as the distances are so great.

CUSTOMS ALLOWANCES

200 Cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco and 50 cigars, one litre of spirit, two litres of wine, 50 ml of perfume and 250ml of toilet water. Duty is levied at 20% thereafter.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Current is 220/230 volts (50Hz). A three point round pin adapter plug is required for razors and hairdryers and travel irons – these adapters can be purchased in South Africa.

EMERGENCIES

Dial 10111 for the police and 10177 for an ambulance.

If you are in doubt as to the safety of a particular area or attraction, contact the National Tourism information and Safety Line on 083 123 2345. This number may also be used for practical assistance in replacing lost documents or reporting incidents.

TIPS

Waiters and taxi drivers should receive 10% of the bill, unless a service charge is levied. Two or three Rand per bag is recommended for porters.

At Game Lodges we would propose an amount of £10 per day per couple for the general Lodge staff would be ample. Tips to your tracker/guide are normally done separately and again £10 per couple would be reasonable.

CLIMATE

South Africa’s seasons are the reverse of those in the UK, with midwinter in June and July and mid summer in December and January. On the highveld in the interior, there is sunshine all year round. Summers are hot and thundery; winters bright dry and cold at night. Cape Town and the southernmost part of Western Cape have a Mediterranean type climate with mild, changeable winters, when most of the rainfall occurs and a warm to hot summer.