• One of Africa's most popular safari destinations
• World-famous game parks
• Beautiful Cape Town: mecca for jet-setting travellers
• Stable, post-Apartheid government
BASIC FACTS:
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
Full Name:
Republic of South Africa (RSA) Judicial Capital: Cape Town Legislative Capital: Bloemfontein Administrative Capital: Pretoria Independence: 31 May 1910 Time: +2 hours Population: 43 426 386 (estimated July 1999) Area: 1 219 912km² Currency: South African rand (ZAR) President: Thabo Mbeki (since 16 June 1999)
New Year’s Day - 1
January
Human Rights Day - 21 March
Good Friday (varies)
Family Day (varies)
Constitution Day - 27 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
COMMUNICATION:
ELECTRICITY:
The international dialling code
for South Africa is +27.
The international dialling code when dialling out from South
Africa is 09. South Africa’s telephone system is the best developed,
most modern, and has the highest capacity in Africa.
Direct dialling is available from almost all telephones, including
public telephones (sometimes called a ticky box). Both
local and long distance calls are metered on a time basis and
you pay for every second.
South African Hotels levy a substantial surcharge on all calls.
Most lodges have telephone communication facilities, unless
they are in very remote areas, and are able to maintain radio
contact with the “outside world”.
Voltage in South Africa is 230
to 240 volts, 50Hz.
You may need an adaptor, which can be purchased in South Africa.
Hotels usually provide dual voltage razor sockets, 110 to 210
volts or 220 to 250 volts. Some game lodges run on generator
power for lighting and refrigeration and do not have regular
electricity.
Internet cafés are to be found in most major cities and towns
in South Africa. Major hotels have a fax and Internet service.
LANGUAGE:
There are 11 official languages in South Africa:
Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho,
Swazi, Tsongo, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. The English-speaking
visitor will have no problem while travelling through the country.
Below are a few words and phrases that have been translated
into three of the country’s official languages – they should
be helpful in most regions:
English
Afrikaans
Zulu
Xhosa
Good
morning
-Goeie môre
-Sawubona
-Molo
Good
afternoon
-Goeie middag
-Sawubona
-Molo
Good
evening
-Goeie naand
-Sawubona
-Molo
Goodbye
-Totsiens
-Hamba kahle
-Hamba kakuhle
Thank
you
-Dankie
-Ngiyabonga
-Enkosi
Yes
-Ja
-Yebo
-Ewe
My name
is…
-My naam is…
-Igama lam ngu…
-Gam lam ngu…
What
is your name?
-Wat is jou naam?
-Igama lakho ngubani?
-Ungubani Igama lakho?
Where
is the nearest telephone?
-Waar is die naaste
telefoon?
-Iphi itelefoni eseduzane?
-Ikuphi itelefoni
ekufutyane lapho?
Show
me the way to...
-Waar is…
-Ngikhombise umgwaqo
oya…
-Ungandikhombisa indela
eya…
CULTURE:
The people of South African are made up of many diverse cultures,
which is why the country is known as the rainbow nation. It
has been a difficult task to unite the people under laws that
represent the traditions and beliefs of all races. The struggle
to live together peacefully still continues, but South Africans
are generally optimistic about living in harmony with each
other. The cultural split is 75% black, 13% white (60% Afrikaner
descent, rest mostly British descent), 8% Coloured and 3%
Asian descent.
Black people represent 75% of the population and come from
a number of major and minor groups, with some underlying similarities.
The two major cultural and linguistic groups are the Nguni
(Ndebele, Swazi, Xhosa and Zulu tribes) and the Sotho (Tswana,
Pedi and Basotho). The major differences are that the Nguni
tended to settle in scattered, semi-independent groups and
intermarrying was strongly prohibited, while the Sotho lived
in larger communities and encouraged the marriage of cousins.
Common traditional beliefs are that men rank higher than
women and may have many wives. A lobolo (dowry) is
usually paid (perhaps the Sotho intermarrying was encouraged
to keep wealth in the same family). First-born males inherit
their father’s wealth and status. Cattle are symbols of wealth
and are also sacrificial animals. The black cultures hold
strong superstitions and believe in and respect their ancestral
spirits. Smaller groups include the San (Bushmen) and Khoikhoi
(Hottentots). These groups have not really survived the impact
of European culture, though some San still live in parts of
Southern Africa. These people were native to the Western and
Northern Cape and the coloured population includes some descendants
of these tribes.
The white population is made up of Afrikaners and other European
South Africans, mostly of British origin. The Afrikaans race
derived from Dutch, German, French and British settlers and
traditionally have strong Christian beliefs. Afrikaans is
the only Germanic language to evolve outside of Europe and
is not spoken anywhere else in the world.
GEOGRAPHY & LANDSCAPE:
South Africa lies at the tip of the continent, with the Atlantic
Ocean on the west and the Indian Ocean on the east.
It has three major geographical regions:
the coastal belt
plateau
mountains
Along the coast are sandy beaches and a belt of shrub vegetation.
Sharp escarpments rise up from these veld plains to the high
plateau. Despite the major Limpopo and Orange river systems,
the plateau is semi-desert. The mountainous regions stretch
from the Western Cape coastline to Limpopo Valley in the north-east.
The major ranges are the Drakensberg, Nuweveld and Stormberg.
CLIMATE:
Summer: November to April.
November to April. In summer, days are hot and generally sunny
in the morning with possible afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime
temperatures can rise to 38ºC (100ºF) and night temperatures
drop to around 20-25ºC (68-77ºF). The afternoons can be very
humid.
The rainy season begins late in October/November and ends
in March. The northern areas receive up to 700mm while the
Kalahari Desert area averages as low as 225mm.
Winter: May to October.
In winter, days are dry, sunny and cool to warm while evening
temperatures drop sharply. Daytime temperatures generally reach
20ºC (68ºF) and can drop to as low as 5ºC (41ºF) at night.
Please note that exceptionally cold spells can occur (although
this is the exception rather than the rule), so it is recommended
to bring appropriate clothing, just in case!
ACCOMMODATION:
It is recommended that you reserve all your accommodation
far in advance, as availability is at a premium during peak
seasons (Christmas, New Year and Easter) and school holidays.
Lodges and safari camps are often set on private farms and
are of a high standard. Accommodation can be “tented camps”,
which are luxurious insect-proof tents, usually permanently
pitched on concrete bases and often include en suite bathrooms
with flushing toilets. These are very popular and give the
visitor the true experience of being close to nature without
the inconvenience and discomfort that can be associated with
camping in the open.
There are a number of hotel chains that offer excellent accommodation
in most of the cities and major towns. The guesthouse and B&B
(bed and breakfast) industry has grown enormously over the last
few years and the standard of these establishments is very high.
The same goes for campsites in national parks, which have excellent
facilities. Most towns also have very good municipal campsites.
Booking is not essential, but is advisable.
WHEN TO
GO:
WHAT TO PACK:
South Africa is an all year round
destination. However:
The northern regions are good destinations in the winter
months as game viewing is at its best and the temperatures
are very mild (maximum 20–23ºC (68–73ºF). There is very
little winter rainfall in the north.
The southern regions are summer destinations with low
summer rainfall and temperatures reaching 28–30ºC (82– 86ºF)
or higher on beautiful days.
Namaqualand in the Western and Northern Cape Provinces
becomes a floral masterpiece in spring (mid-August to mid-September),
when the desert-like terrain is transformed into a carpet
of flowers and draws thousands of visitors.
The warm waters of the east coast make for almost year round
swimming.
Winter is mild, except in the highest parts of the country.
South Africans tend to take their annual holidays in summer
and this causes tourist destinations to be overcrowded from
mid-December to late January, as well as during the other school
holidays. (check these dates with your travel agent)
Casual, comfortable wash-and-wear
clothing is most useful. Jackets and ties are required in city
hotel restaurants and golf clubs. All hotels offer extremely
quick laundry turnaround, usually within a couple of hours.
It is certainly not necessary to bring a separate change of
clothing for each day and evening, and it is recommended that
you keep luggage to a minimum for your own comfort and ease
of transport, especially if you are using light aircraft transfers.
The most practical items to pack for your South African holiday
are:
Shorts & cotton T-shirts
Swimming costume
Good comfortable walking shoes
Casual lightweight cotton, khaki or neutral coloured
clothes for safari
Fleece or sweater and a warm jacket for game drives or
cool evenings
Wide brimmed hat
Personal toiletries, sun barrier creams and lip creams
Anti-malaria prophylactics
Binoculars, camera and accessories
Sunglasses
Sunblock
VERY IMPORTANT: Packing space is limited on all modes
of safari transport so you will need to restrict your baggage
to 12–15kg (preferably packed in a soft bag) plus a reasonable
amount of camera equipment.
ROADS, TRAINS
& AEROPLANES:
Border Posts: All border posts open daily.
South Africa/Namibia: Vioolsdrif 24 hrs per day South Africa/Moçambique: Komatiepoort 07:00 –
22:00 South Africa/Botswana: Tlokweng 07:00 – 22:00 South Africa/Zimbabwe: Beitbridge 06:00 – 20:00 South Africa/Swaziland: Oshoek 07:00 – 22:000
Rail & Bus:
South Africa has an extensive rail network, connecting most
of the major towns. Booking must be made at least 24 hours
in advance. There are a number of upmarket lines and special
steam operators that offer a luxurious means of crossing the
country. These should be booked through a travel agent.
There are a number of long distance coach services connecting
most of South Africa, as well as local. Minibus taxis offer
a cheap means of transport. By comparison to neighbouring
countries, South African minibuses are less crowded and in
better condition.
Airports:
Domestic air services operate between the major airports:
Cape Town International (CPT)
Johannesburg International (JNB)
Durban (DUR)
Port Elizabeth (PLZ)
East London (ELS)
George (GRJ)
There are a total of 749 runways in South Africa, of which
144 are paved. Charter services can be arranged; ask your
travel agent about fly-in safari options.
Roads:
Driving in South Africa is easy to adapt to, with signposting
in English and driving on the left on well-maintained roads.
Your home driving licence is accepted if it has your photo;
if not, an international driving permit should be obtained.
In order to hire a car in South Africa, you must have held
a valid driver’s license for at least five years.
The age limit for car rental is a minimum of 23, and maximum
of 70 years. There are a number of toll roads in South Africa
that are clearly indicated well before reaching the toll stations;
payment may be made at an attended booth. You may notice that
overtaking on the inside is not illegal in South Africa and
is common practice. In general, speed limits are 120km/h (freeways)
and 60km/h (towns and cities).
HEALTH
REQUIREMENTS & SERVICES:
Health Requirements
Travel to South Africa poses no medical threat, but remember
that there is malaria in certain areas. Malaria prophylactics
are recommended for travellers to Mpumalanga and northern
KwaZulu-Natal. Speak to your doctor/pharmacist about which
anti-malarials are suited best for you.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers
entering South Africa within six days of leaving an infected
area and if coming from East Africa.
Do not underestimate the hot, strong African sun, bring plenty
of sun cream, a good sun hat and gradual adjustment are recommended.
Medical services in South Africa are good and doctors and
hospitals are available. It is advisable to secure medical
cover on your medical insurance before arriving in the country.
Note that major hotels have contracts with physicians and
dentists. Visitors are, however, advised to bring along supplies
of specialised medication they may require. Otherwise, medicine
may be purchased at pharmacies and all night emergency pharmacies.
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance, which
includes curtailment and cancellation cover, as well as medical
cover, upon confirming your booking. If you are coming on safari
with Afro Ventures, you will automatically be covered by our
Emergency Evacuation Insurance, underwritten by Europ Assistance.
This guarantees all reasonable, practical assistance in obtaining
primary and/or emergency medical services for an insured person
who suffers illness or injury. Please note that this is evacuation
insurance only and does not replace the normal travel insurance
which you need to purchase.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
(as at August 2000)
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid
for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should
be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival. Note
that if you will be travelling to neighbouring countries and
back, you should apply for a multiple entry visa.
Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa:
United Kingdom, Northern Ireland (including
British Islands), Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy,
Japan, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA.
Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa
for a stay of less than 90 days:
Argentina,Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Jamaica, Malta,
Paraguay, St Helena, Swaziland, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa
for a stay of less than 30 days:
Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia,
Botswana, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Gabon, Guyana,
Hong Kong, Hungary, Jordan, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives,
Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Seychelles, Singapore,
Slovak Republic, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Zambia,
Zimbabwe.
All other nationals should obtain an entry visa from the nearest
South African consulate, which is issued free of charge.
Requirements for obtaining a visa are:
An application form
passport photograph is required
All visitors may be requested to show proof of sufficient funds
and an onward travel/return ticket.
This information provides a guide only – please check with
your nearest South African consulate for up to date information.
SOUVENIRS:
PHOTOGRAPHY:
A range of traditional South African souvenirs are widely
available, from handicrafts to animal skins. Zulu beadwork
makes excellent gifts. Beads were worn as symbols of status
and also used as a means of communication, often as love letters.
The colours and arrangements of the beads spell the message
(red = passion/anger; black = difficulties/night; blue = yearning;
deep blue = elopement, white/pale blue = pure love; brown
= disgust/despondency; green = peace/bliss). Elaborately beaded
items including garments, pouches, belts and pipes are widely
available.
Township art is increasingly available on the roadside in
cities and towns and often takes the form of functional items
(baskets, candlesticks, hooks, magazine racks, etc.) made
from wire and waste metal. Soapstone and wooden carved animals
and weavings are also available on the roadside of tourist
routes.
These are usually mass-produced, so check the quality very
carefully. As you would expect from a country rich in gold
and diamonds, there is an excellent selection of jewellery
and the opportunity to watch goldsmiths in action. Many visitors
take the opportunity of the exchange rate’s effect on the
prices of clothing, golfing equipment and other items.
Most types of film material, colour
slide negatives and videotapes are readily available in all
major centres and holiday resorts, as are fast, reliable processing
service.
MONEY MATTERS:
Currency:
The unit of currency is the rand (R), which is divided into
100 cents.
Notes are in R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10. Coins are in denominations
of R5, R2, R1 and 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1c.
Exchange Rate:
The exchange rate tends to be in the international tourist’s
favour. The continuing devaluing of the rand means that you
should find most local goods very affordable, but imported
and specially manufactured items tend to be expensive.
Generally, you will find that fine cuisine, wine and entertainment
cost a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments
elsewhere in the world.
A general idea of what things costs in South Africa is:
A beer costs about R6
A can of Coca Cola R2,50
A bottle of water about R3-4
Petrol sells at about R3,55 per litre
A roll of 36 exposure print film will cost about R35-40
Tipping: It is customary to tip caddies, taxi drivers, hotel and
railway porters, room maids, stewards, waiters/waitresses, tour
guides and game rangers 10-15%. Tips are often heavily relied
upon by staff. Many hotels have an “envelope system” with tips
distributed evenly among staff.
Tax:
Value Added Tax (VAT) of 14% is levied in South Africa. Overseas
visitors taking goods out of South Africa are able to reclaim
the VAT, which they paid on these goods. Reclaiming VAT is
only applicable for goods that you are able to produce at
the airport and not for any services whatsoever.
When purchasing your products, you should request a tax invoice.
The shop’s VAT number must appear on this invoice. As you
are checking in at the airport ready to depart from South
Africa, you should approach the customs official who will
compare your invoices with the goods purchased. Once your
invoices have been approved and stamped, the VAT Reclaim Office
will refund you the appropriate amount.
VAT Reclaim Offices are found at Johannesburg, Durban and
Cape Town airports.
Banks:
Banks in South Africa are generally open Mon-Fri 09:00 to
15:30 and
Saturdays 08:30 to 11:00
Most banks change all traveller's cheques in major currencies.
Rennies Travel is an agent for Thomas Cook. American Express
has branches in some cities, and Nedbank is associated with
American Express.
First National Bank is the Visa agent.
Most ATM machines will support your card if it bears the
Cirrus logo.
Credit Cards:
Visa, American Express, Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted
by most restaurants, stores, hotels, car rental firms and
other points of sale and service.
Proof of identity may be requested in some instances. It
is therefore useful to carry a passport or some form of photo
identification at all times.
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African Safari Destinations
