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 locked 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
Tap 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 toxins 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 length 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 businesses 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 items, 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 Administration 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 metropolitan areas. Many South Africans use Minibus taxies but they are not recommended as they have a very poor safety record.
Conventional, car-based taxis are run from independent ranks and may be phoned for or called off the street.
Trains
Suburban train services operated by Spoornet are available 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 include 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 temperatures, 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
