Category:South Africa


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South Africa [1] is located at the southern tip of Africa. It is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho (which is completely surrounded by South Africa). It is a vast country with widely varying landscapes and has 11 official languages, as well as an equally diverse people. South Africa is renowned for its wines and is the world's largest producer of gold. South Africa has a strong economy and is an influential player in African politics. In 2010, South Africa will host the first Football World Cup to be held on the African continent.

Contents

[edit] Regions

South Africa is divided into 9 provinces, they are:

[edit] Territories

[edit] Cities

[edit] Capitals

  • Bloemfontein -- Location of the Supreme Court of Appeal, the highest court in non-constitutional matters. The Constitutional Court in Johannesburg became the highest court in constitutional matters in 1994.
  • Cape Town -- The legislative capital and seat of Parliament. A world-class city named for its proximity to the Cape of Good Hope. Also within a stone's throw of South Africa's winelands.
  • Pretoria -- The administrative capital of the country

[edit] Others

[edit] Other destinations

South Africa is a paradise for anyone interested in natural history. A wide range of species (some potentially dangerous) may be encountered in parks, farms, private reserves and even on the roads.

See African Flora and Fauna and South African National Parks for additional information.


There are many geographical features and landmarks in South Africa worth a visit.

There are hiking trails available in almost all the parks and around geographical places of interest. Hiking in South Africa contains information on those.

With 2798km of coastline one can also except to find excellent beaches and coastal activities.

Other places not to miss include


A number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites are also located in South Africa

[edit] Understand

If you want to travel in southern Africa then South Africa is a good place to start. While you can fly into any country in southern Africa, most flights will route through South Africa anyway. South Africa is also a good place to get used to travelling in the region (though some would argue that Namibia is better for that). Of course South Africa is not only a jumping off point, it is itself a superb destination rich in culture, fauna & flora and history.

Outsiders' views of South Africa are coloured by the same stereotypes as the rest of Africa. Contrary to popular belief, South Africa is not devastatingly poor with an unstable government that is rapidly going to pot. Although the rural part of South Africa remains among the poorest and the least developed parts of the world and poverty in the townships can be appalling, progress is being made. The process of recovering from apartheid, which lasted almost 46 years, is quite slow. South Africa boasts a well-developed infrastructure and has all the modern amenities and technologies. The government is stable, although corruption is common. The government and the primary political parties all have a high level of respect for democratic institutions and human rights.

[edit] History

The tip of Africa has been home to the Khoisan (collective name for Hottentot(Koi) and Bushmen(San)) people for thousands of years. Their rock art can still be found in many places throughout South Africa. Bantu tribes started expanding into Southern Africa around 2500 years ago and by around 500 AD the different cultural groups as we know them today had been established in the area.

The first permanent European settlement was built after the Dutch East India Company reached the Cape of Good Hope in April 1652. In the late 1700's the Boers (the settling farmers) slowly started expanding into the interior. In 1795 Britain took control of the Cape and in 1820 a large group of British Settlers arrived in the region. In 1835 large numbers of Boers started out on the Groot Trek into the interior after becoming dissatisfied with the British rule. In the interior they established their own republics after a number of bloody conflicts with the local population.

Two wars for control over the region were fought between the Boers and the British in 1880 and 1899.

The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, consolidating the various Boer republics and British colonies. From this, the Republic of South Africa was formed in 1961. Non-Europeans were largely excluded in all these political changes and even with the creation of the Union were not given the right to vote. From 1948 additional apartheid laws were introduced to erode the right of the black population further.

In 1992, 68% of the voting white population voted in a referendum to have the apartheid system abolished. This was quickly followed by a new constitution in 1993 and the first fully democratic election in 1994.

[edit] Place names

Many region, city, street and building names in South Africa have been changed after the end of apartheid and some of them are still being changed today. These changes can sometimes lead to confusion as many of the new names are not yet well known. This travel guide will use the official new names, but also mention the previous names where possible.

[edit] Climate

Climate Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High(°C) 30 30 30 27 25 24 23 26 29 29 32 30
Low(°C) 23 23 21 17 12 8 8 11 16 18 21 22
Precipitation (cm) 16.6 10 3.9 3.5 0.9 0.3 1.6 1.6 2.4 4.9 11.4 11.2


The climate in South Africa ranges from desert and semi-desert in the north west of the country to sub-tropical on the eastern coastline. The rainy season for most of the country is in the summer, except in the Western Cape where the rains come in the winter. Rainfall in the Eastern Cape is distributed evenly throughout the year. Winter temperatures hover around zero, summers can be very hot, in excess of 35 Celsius in some places.


The South African Weather Service provide up to date weather information, forecasts and radar imaging.

[edit] Public Holidays

The public holidays in South Africa are:

  • <listing name="January 1"> New Years' Day</listing>
  • <listing name="March 21">Human Rights Day</listing>
  • <listing name="Easter weekend">("Good Friday", "Easter Saturday", "Easter Sunday" and "Easter Monday"): a four day long weekend in March or April set according to the Western Christian dates.</listing>
  • <listing name="April 27">Freedom Day</listing>
  • <listing name="May 1">Workers Day</listing>
  • <listing name="June 16">Youth Day</listing>
  • <listing name="August 9">Woman's Day</listing>
  • <listing name="September 24">Heritage Day</listing>
  • <listing name="December 16">Day of Reconciliation, (see Bloodriver)</listing>
  • <listing name="December 25">Christmas Day</listing>
  • <listing name="December 26">Day of Goodwill</listing>

If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the Monday following will be a holiday

School holidays occur early December to middle January, early in April, middle June to middle July and late September. Most South Africans go on leave during these times and accommodation will be harder to find.

[edit] Tourism Offices

South African Tourism operates a number of offices in other countries. You might wish to contact the office in your country for any additional information or assistance

  • <listing name="Australia" address="Level 1, 117 York Street, Sydney" phone="+61 2 9261-5000" fax="+61 2 9261-2000" email="info.au@southafrica.net"></listing>
  • <listing name="France" address="61 Rue La Boetie, 75008 Paris" phone="+33 1 456-10197" fax="+33 1 456-10196" email="info.fr@southafrica.net"></listing>
  • <listing name="Germany" address="Friedensstrasse 6-10, Frankfurt" phone="+49 69 929-1290" fax="+49 69 28-0950" email="info.de@southafrica.net"></listing>
  • <listing name="Italy" address="Via XX Settembre 24, 3rd Floor, Milano" phone="+39 02 4391-1765" fax="+39 02 4391-1158" email="info.it@southafrica.net"></listing>
  • <listing name="Japan" address="Akasaka Lions Building, 1-1-2 Moto Akasaka, Minato-Ku, Tokyo" phone="+81 33 478-7601" fax="+81 33 478-7605" email="info@southafricantourism.or.jp"></listing>
  • <listing name="Netherlands" address=" Jozef Israëlskade 48 A, Amsterdam" phone="+31 20 471-3181 " fax="+31 20 662-9761" email="info.nl@southafrica.net"></listing>
  • <listing name="UK" address=" No. 5 & 6 Alt Grove, Wimbledon, London" phone="+44 20 8971-9350" fax="+44 20 8944-6705" email="info.uk@southafrica.net"></listing>
  • <listing name="USA" address=" 500 Fifth Avenue, 20th Floor, Suite 2040, New York" phone="+1 212 730-2929" fax="+1 212 764-1980" email="info.us@southafrica.net"></listing>

[edit] Get in

[edit] Visas

Most nationalities get up to 3 months entry on arrival. Check with the Home Affairs and your travel agent whether you need to prearrange a visa. Do not show up without a visa if you are required to have one, as visas will not be issued at points of entry. If needed, you can extend your visa in South Africa. With an extension the total amount of time you are allowed to stay is 6 months. Additional information as well as Visa application forms can be found at the Department of Home Affairs, ph: +27 (0)12 810 8911

Make sure you have 2 blank pages back to back in your passport and that it is valid for at least six more months or you will be sent back! Make sure you have a return ticket available or they will send you back. If you need to pick up a ticket at the airport have the flight number and details handy and speak with the customs guy, they should check your story out and let you in (be firm). Be wary of arriving with a damaged passport as new security measures might trip up your entry.

[edit] By plane

South Africa has 10 international airports, the two major ones being Cape Town International and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Regular flights arrive from major centres throughout Africa including: Blantyre, Cairo, Gaborone, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Lilongwe, Livingstone, Luanda, Lusaka, Kinshasa, Maputo, Manzini, Maun, Mauritius, Nairobi, Victoria Falls and Windhoek.

Direct flights also arrive from major European centres, including: Amsterdam, Athens, Madrid, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich and Lisbon. There are also direct flights from Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Dubai, Doha, New York, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Buenos Aires, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Perth. You may also want to have a look at Discount airlines in Africa.

See Air travel in South Africa for detailed information.

[edit] By car

Should you be entering from one of the other countries in Southern Africa you might want to do so by car. South Africa operates a number of land border posts between itself and immediately neighbouring countries. The more commonly used ones are:

Botswana border

  • <listing name="Skilpadsnek" phone="+27 (0)18 366-1469" directions="On the N4, 54km from Zeerust." hours="Open 6AM to 10PM"></listing>

Lesotho border

  • <listing name="Maseru Bridge" phone="+27 (0)51 924-4004" directions="15km from Ladybrand on the N8 towards Maseru." hours="Open 24 hours"></listing>
  • <listing name="Ficksburg Bridge" phone="+27 (0)51 933-2760" directions="Just outside Ficksburg" hours="Open 24 hours"></listing>
  • <listing name="Sani Pass" phone="+27 (0)51 430-3664" directions="In the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg park." hours="8AM to 4PM"></listing>

Mozambique border

  • <listing name="Lebombo" phone="+27 (0)13 790-7203" directions="On the N4 between Nelspruit and Maputo" hours="6AM to 10PM"></listing>
  • <listing name="Kosi Bay" phone="+27 (0)35 592-0251" directions="R22 between Hluhluwe and Ponta do Ouro" hours="8AM to 4PM"></listing>

Namibia border

  • <listing name="Nakop" phone="+27 (0)54 571-0008" directions="132 km from Upington on the N10 towards Ariamsvlei" hours="Open 24 hours"></listing>
  • <listing name="Vioolsdrift" phone="+27 (0)27 761-8760" directions="On the N7 north of Springbok" hours="Open 24 hours"></listing>

Swaziland border

  • <listing name="Oshoek" phone="+27 (0)17 882-0138" directions="120km from Ermelo on the N17 towards Mbabane" hours="7AM to 10PM"></listing>

Zimbabwe border

  • <listing name="Beit Bridge" phone="+27 (0)15 530-0070" directions="On N1 approximately 16 km north of Messina" hours="Open 24 hours"></listing>


Open times are often extended during South African holidays.. For a full list of entry ports or any additional information see the South African Border Information Service or contact them on +27 (0)86 026-7337.

[edit] By boat

Most of the larger cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises offer Cape Town as one of their destinations, but you can also try something different

[edit] Get around

[edit] By plane

South Africa has a well established domestic air travel infrastructure with links between all major centres.

See Air travel in South Africa for detailed information.

[edit] By car

Fuel

Note that fuel cannot be bought on a normal credit card, only special Garage Cards issued by a South African bank are accepted at petrol stations. Most garages do however have ATM's on the premises. Visa Electron and other debit cards are accepted at some fuel stations.

One drives on the left-hand side of the road in South Africa. All measurements are done using the metric system; distances on road signs are in kilometre and fuel is sold by the litre.

To get a car in South Africa there are basically three options, you can hire a car, buy one or use the so-called buy-back option. Hiring a car is fairly easy and bookings can be made online and in all major cities. Buying a car takes a bit more work (Roadworthy license, registering the car, insurance), but there is a lively used car market in South Africa. The third option is a combination of both, as you buy a car with a guarantee that the rental company will buy-back your car at the end of the contract. Most cars in South Africa have manual transmissions and the selection of second-hand automatics may be limited.

The roads within South Africa, connecting most major cities, and between its immediate neighbours are very good. There are many national and regional road connecting the cities and larger centres, including the N1 running from Cape Town through Johannesburg and Pretoria up to Harare, Zimbabwe, the N2 running from Cape Town to Durban, which passes through the world-famous Garden Route near Knysna, and the N3 between Durban and Johannesburg.

Some portions of the national roads are limited access, dual carriage freeways (the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban is freeway almost all the way) and some sections are also toll roads with emergency assist telephones every couple of kilometers.

All the large fuel companies have rest stops every 200km to 300km along these highways where you can full up, eat something at a restaurant, get takeaways, do some shopping or just stretch your legs. Restrooms at these facilities are well maintained and clean. Most (but not all) of these rest stops also have ATMs. Toll roads generally have two or more lanes in each direction.

Some of the main roads have only one lane in each direction, especially where they are far from urban centers. It is customary to flash your hazard lights once, after passing a truck or other slow vehicle that has moved onto the hard shoulder to let you pass. This is considered a thank you and you will most likely receive a my pleasure response in the the form of the slow vehicle flashing its headlights once.

South Africa has a high rate of traffic fatalities, and you may want to avoid driving at night except in urban areas. Watch out for unsafe drivers (minibus taxis), poor lighting, and pedestrians (who are the cause of many accidents, especially at night). When driving outside of the major cities you will often encounter animals, wild and domestic, in or near the roadway. The locals tend to herd their cattle and goats near the road. If you see an animal on or by the road, slow down, as they are unpredictable. Do not stop to feed wild animals!

Make sure you understand the road signs. A special kind of crossing is the 'four way stop' where the car that stops first has right of way. You will not encounter many traffic circles, but when you do, take special care as the general attitude of South African drivers is that traffic circles do not constitute a traffic management roadway structure, and do not use their indicators in a safe and predictable fashion. In general, South Africans tend to speed excessively and are prone to selfish or aggressive driving behavior, such as tailgating and hooting. On multi-lane roadways, the principle of keep-left, pass right, is often not adhered to.

Left turn on Red at traffic lights are illegal, except for traffic lights that have an accompanying yield sign explicitly permitting it.

Fuel stations are full service with lead free petrol, lead replacement petrol and diesel available. Pump attendants will offer to wash your windscreen and check oil and water in addition to just filling up the car. It is usual to tip the attendant approximately R5. Almost all fuel stations are open 24 hours a day.

Speed limits are clearly indicated. Generally speed limits on highways are 120km/h, major roads outside build-up areas are 100 km/h, major roads within build up areas are 80km/h and normal town roads are 60 km/h.

Speed law enforcement is usually done by portable or stationary, radar or laser cameras. Fines will be sent to the registered address of the vehicle you are driving. Non camera portable radar and laser systems are also used and you may be pulled over for speeding and given a written fine.

Should you find yourself waiting at a red traffic light late at night in an area where you do not feel safe, you can cross over the red light after first carefully checking that there is no other traffic. If you receive a fine due to a camera on the traffic light you can normally have it wavered by writing a letter to the traffic department or court explaining that you crossed safely and on purpose, due to security reasons. Do not make a habit of this. When stopped at a traffic light at night always leave enough room between your car and the car in front of you so you can get around them. It is a common hijacking manoeuvre to box your car in. This is especially prevalent in the suburbs of Johannesburg.

South Africa currently does not have a merits system and does not share traffic violation information with other nations.

The N1 between Gauteng and Cape Town and the N3 between Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal can become very busy at the start and end of Gauteng school holidays, due to many people from Gauteng spending their holidays at the coast. If you are planning on using these two highways, it is wise to try and avoid the two days after schools break up and the two days before they open again. School holiday calendars for South Africa can be found here.

The N3 normally have a Highway Customer Care line during busy periods, ph: 0800 203 950, it can be used to request assistance for breakdowns, accidents or general route information. Current toll fees, road and traffic condition can also be found on the N3 website.

[edit] License requirements

If your drivers license is in any of South Africa's 11 official languages (e.g. English) and it contains a photo and your signature integrated into the license document, then it is legally acceptable as a valid drivers licence in South Africa. However, some car rental and insurance companies may still insist that you provide an International Driver's Permit.

It is generally best practice to acquire an International Driver's Permit in your country of origin, prior to starting your journey, regardless of whether your license is legally acceptable or not.

[edit] National rental agencies

  • <listing name="Avis" url="http://www.avis.co.za" email="reservations@avis.co.za" phone="+27 (0)11 923-3660" tollfree="0861 113 748" fax=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Budget" url="http://www.budget.co.za/" email="reservations@budget.co.za " tollfree="086 101 6622" phone="+27 (0)11 398-0123" fax="+27 (0)11 398-0124"></listing>
  • <listing name="Hertz" url="https://www.ecom.hertz.co.za/" email="res@hertz.co.za" phone="+27 (0)21 935-4800" fax="+27 (0)21 935-4801"></listing>
  • <listing name="Imperial" url="http://www.imperialcarrental.co.za/" email="info@imperial.ih.co.za" tollfree="0861 13 1000" phone="+27 (0)11 574-1000" fax=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Thrifty Car Rental" url="http://www.thrifty.co.za/" email="bookit@thrifty.co.za" phone="+27 (0)11 230-5201" tollfree="086 100 2111" fax="+27 (0)11 230-5170"></listing>

Useful links

  • National Roads Agency, [5], has latest toll tariffs and road condition reports.
  • South African Automobile Association, ph: +27 (0)83 843 22, [6]

[edit] By motorhome

With the abundance of caravan parks available in South Africa, motor homes are becoming ever more popular with international visitors. It gives you the freedom to move around as well as a place to stay wherever you are.

A number of companies offer motor home rentals

[edit] By offroad vehicle

Should you want to wander off the beaten path, a 4x4 or other high clearance vehicle might be required. Often it is possible to have camping gear included with the vehicle rental allowing you to combine your transport and accommodation requirements in one.

  • <listing name="Bushlore" url="http://www.bushlore.com/" email="info@bushlore.com" phone="+27 (0)11 792-5300" fax="+27 (0)11 792-3947" address="Unit A5,

Sanlam Industrial Park, Masjien Road, Randburg, Johannesburg">Branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Kasane, Victoria Falls and Windhoek</listing>

[edit] By bus

There are scheduled bus services between Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and other cities (with stops in between), as well as connections to neighbouring countries. The main bus companies are:

Booking for the above can also be done via Computicket.

Smaller services include City Bug and Lowveld Link.

An alternative is the Baz Bus. It offers a regular hop-on-hop-off service on some of the most interesting routes for the tourist (Cape Town to Durban via the Garden Route; Durban to Johannesburg via Swaziland; Durban to Johannesburg via the Drakensberg). Baz Bus picks you up and drops you off at many hostels along the route, so you don't have to hang around at a downtown bus stop at night.

If you're really in a pinch, you can use minibus taxis. They are poorly maintained and rarely comply with safety standards. They also require patience as they make many detours and changeovers at the taxi rank (hub) where the driver will wait for passengers to fill up the bus. But they cover many routes not covered by the main bus service and are quite cheap (25 cents per kilometre per person on the main routes).

Warning: Many buses are removed from service by the police, due to lack of legal road-worthiness. Seek up-to-date advice on which companies are more reputable. Occasionally, the driving can be rather wild, and if you're prone to motion sickness, be prepared.

[edit] By train

Spoornet is the national rail operator. There are budget passenger services between major South African cities (known as Shosholoza Meyl) as well as a Premier Class service between Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Spoornet Central Reservations (for both Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Class) can be contacted as follows :

To book tickets, phone Central Reservations on one of the numbers given above and make your booking. You can pick up and pay for the tickets later at any train station.

There are also commuter trains in larger cities (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London) ; these are run by MetroRail. Most services are perfectly safe, but certain routes are overcrowded and not always safe.

[edit] Mid-range

  • <listing name="Bushveld Train Safaris" phone="+27 (0)14 736-3025" email="info@boon.co.za" url="http://www.boon.co.za">Offers rail Safaris across South Africa</listing>
  • <listing name="Shongololo Express" phone="+27 (0)11 781-4616" email="info@shongololo.com" url="http://www.shongololo.com">Rail Safaris across South Africa</listing>

[edit] Splurge

[edit] By thumb

Hitchhiking in South Africa is not so hard, but most people will think you are catching a ride with the local taxis and thus expect you to pay. I suggest you tell them you are looking for a free ride before climbing aboard. The main issue is crime: some drivers may hijack you and your belongings. Hitchhiking is generally frowned upon and considered unsafe. Drivers are also wary of potentially criminal hitchhikers. Don't hitchhike at night.

[edit] By bicycle

Cycling is probably the best way to experience the country, as you really get to admire the views and get the opportunity to mingle with the locals. While it could be considered unsafe to cycle through the cities, because of crime and reckless drivers, there are many farm/dirt roads throughout South Africa. Locals and Farmers are generally willing to provide you with food and a place to sleep, as long as you are willing to talk.


[edit] By Tour

There are plenty of tour operators offering tours from day tours to longer overland safaris.


[edit] Talk

South Africa has 11 official languages. Most people other than rural black Africans speak English, although not many as a first language. Afrikaans is also widely-spoken, especially by the white and coloured population. Often Afrikaans is incorrectly called 'afrikan' or 'african' by foreigners. Note this is very incorrect as 'African' for a South African corresponds with the native-african languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi etc. (and, of course, there are thousands of languages in Africa so no single language can be called 'African') Afrikaans has roots in Dutch, so it can be understood by Dutch speakers and sometimes deciphered by German speakers. Other widely spoken languages are Zulu (mainly in KwaZulu-Natal) and Xhosa (mainly in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape), as well as Sotho and Venda. This changes, according to the region you are in.

A few words you may encounter are:

  • eish - as in, "eish, it's hot today", "eish, that's expensive" or "eish, that's too far to drive"
  • lekker - Enjoyable
  • howzit - How is it? (generally a rhetorical question)
  • yebo - Yes
  • boet, bru, china or ou - Brother or man (equivalent to dude or bro)
  • koppie - A small hill (can also mean a cup)
  • Madiba - Nelson Mandela
  • robot - Traffic light
  • tannie - Respectful term for an older woman
  • tinkle - phone call
  • boot - trunk of a car
  • just now - sometime soon (from Afrikaans "net-nou")
  • now now - sooner than just now! (from Afrikaans "nou-nou", pronounced no-no)
  • braai - barbecue.
  • cheers - we use this for saying good-bye, as well as saying thank you and for the occasional toast.
  • heita - Hello
  • sharp - (usually pronounced quickly) OK
  • sure-sure more pronounced like sho-sho - Correct, Agreement, Thank you

You’ll find the Wikipedia page on South African English well worth reading.

[edit] Spelling

In general English spelling follows British rules rather than American; litre rather than liter, centre rather than center etc.

[edit] Buy

[edit] Money

The currency is the Rand (ZAR), divided into 100 cents (c). Notes are in denominations of R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10. Higher value notes are slightly larger in physical size than small value notes. All notes have a metallic security strip and a watermark. Note that there are two types of R5 coins in circulation. One is a solid silver coin while the other is silver with a copper insert. Both are legal currency.

Coins are in denominations of R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c. Production of 2c and 1c coins were suspended in April 2002, but those still in circulation remain legal tender. All transactions are rounded down to to the nearest lower 5c, so as not to require a 2c or 1c coin.

Rough conversion [7] rates are: 7.50:1 (USD), 11:1 (EUR) and 15:1 (GBP). Carry one of the above currencies, as conversion between any of them and the Rand can be done at any bank without trouble. The Rand is also used in Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland, although it is not an official currency in these countries.

Traveller's Cheques are a safe way of carrying money around. You can exchange them at all banks (you will find one even in the roughest places) and you will get a refund if they are stolen. The disadvantage is that you cannot pay with them and you will need change when exchanging them into Rand. Use ATMs instead if possible.

Automated teller machines (ATMs), linked to all major international networks, are available throughout the country and will generally dispense money in a mixture of denominations between R200 and and R10, with about 80% of the value requested being high value notes and the rest in smaller denominations. You can use any Cirrus or Maestro card as well as all major credit and debit cards at the ATMs.

It is best to use only ATMs that are inside a mall or other building. Always be careful to make sure no one is watching you enter your PIN, and be vigilant about scams (e.g. machines that seem to eat your card and won't give it back after you enter the PIN). The till points at some major retail stores (such as Pick 'n Pay) also act as ATMs; simply tell the checkout clerk that you would like to withdraw money.

VISA and MasterCard's are accepted almost everywhere, while American Express and Diners Club are also accepted, but not as widely.

Most retail stores accept credit cards and pin based debit cards as payment.

VAT (Value Added Tax) is levied at 14% on almost all products in South Africa. By law advertised prices should be inclusive of VAT except when explicitly stated otherwise. Foreign passport holders may claim back the VAT on products that were bought in South Africa and is being taken out of the country, provided that the total value of the goods exceed R250. Full details of the procedure to follow is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and their new TAX Refund for tourists site. VAT Refund Administrator's offices are available at both OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports.

[edit] Costs

[edit] Petrol and Diesel

Liquid fuel prices in South Africa are regulated and fixed monthly. During early 2008 a litre of petrol would cost anywhere from R7.00 to R7.50. See the current prices.

[edit] Toll roads

The most expensive toll gate in South Africa is the Machado plaza on the N4 between Pretoria and Nelspruit, cost is R43 for a normal car. In total, road tolls between Pretoria and Nelspruit or between Johannesburg and Cape Town will cost you just under R100.

[edit] Food

  • You can buy three McDonalds burgers (a hamburger, cheese burger and chicken burger) for around R18
  • A sit down lunch in an average establishment will cost you between R80 and R140 per person.
  • A decent 30cm pizza will cost you between R35 and R55

[edit] Shopping

Prices in shops are fixed, but prices in open markets or from street vendors are open to barter. Tipping is the norm in restaurants and at gas-stations (which are all full-service). Indeed, most of these businesses pay their staff the legal minimum-wage, relying on customer-tips to bring staff incomes up to live-able levels. Tips of around 10% of the bill are considered the norm.

[edit] Eat

South African cuisine is just as diverse as its cultures, with influences from British, Dutch, German, Indian, Malay, Portuguese and of course all the indigenous tribes.

  • Braaivleis, meat roasted over an open wood or charcoal fire, is very popular and generally done at weekend social events. The act of roasting the meat as well as the social even is referred to as a braai.
  • Pap, a porridge made with corn meal. Slappap (runny porridge), is smooth and often eaten as a breakfast porridge, Stywepap (stiff porridge) has a doughy and more lumpy consistency and is often used as a replacement for rice or other starches. Krummelpap (crumby porridge) is drier, resembles couscous and is often served at a braai covered in a saucy tomato relish.
  • Potjiekos, a meat and vegetable stew make in a cast iron pot over an open fire. A favourite at braais.
  • Boerewors, a spicy sausage. Boerewors Rolls are hotdog buns with boerewors rather than hotdogs, traditionally garnished with an onion and tomato relish.
  • Biltong and Droëwors, seasoned meat or sausage that has been dried. Beef, game and ostrich meat is often used. A favourite at sports events and while travelling.
  • Bunny chows, half a loaf of bread with the inside replaced by lamb or beef curry is a dish not to be missed when traveling to KwaZulu Natal.
  • Bobotie, meatloaf with a Cape Malay influence, seasoned with curry and spices, topped with a savoury custard.
  • Morogo, a wild spinach on it's own or with potato. Sometimes served with pap.
  • Waterblommetjiebredie, mutton and indigenous water lily stew.
  • Masonja, for the culinary adventurer, fried Mopanie worms.


[edit] Fast food

You will find the usual array of international fast food outlets, McDonalds, KFC and Wimpy is well represented throughout the country. Local franchises worth mentioning are Black Steer and Steers for the best burgers and Nando's peri-peri chicken.

Pizza delivery is available in most urban areas.

[edit] Drink

Municipal tap water is safe to drink.

The legal age to purchase and drink alcohol in South Africa is 18. Almost all restaurants are licensed to serve liquor.

Be very careful if someone offers you witblits or mampoer; those are the local names for moonshine or firewater. It's extremely high in alcohol content and packs a lethal blow.

[edit] Beer

Local beer production is dominated by SABMiller with the Castle, Amstel and Windhoek , Black Label and Castle Milk Stout being most popular brands

Imported beers such as Stella Artois, Heineken and Grolsh are also widely available.

Prices can vary widely depending on the establishment. Expect to pay anything from R7 to R18 for a beer.

[edit] Wine

South Africa has a well established wine industry with most of the wine produced concentrated in the Cape Winelands in the Western Cape and along the Orange River in the Northern Cape

[edit] Liquors

Amarula Cream is made from the marula fruit. The marula fruit is a favourite treat for African elephants, baboons and monkeys and in the liqueur form definitely not something to be passed over by humans. Pour over crushed ice and enjoy. The taste, colour and texture is very similar to the world famous Baileys Irish Cream. Cape Velvet is a favourite in and around Cape Town.

[edit] Tea and Coffee

The local Rooibos tea, made from a herb from the Cederberg Mountains is a favourite for many South Africans. You will find coffee shops in most shopping malls, such as Mugg&Bean and House of Coffees. Coffee shops similar in concept to Starbucks, like Seattle Coffee Company and Vida e Caffe (Portuguese themed), are becoming commonplace.

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Grading

Establishments in South Africa can have themselve graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa on a 5 star basis. Many establishments make use of this service and you will see the star grading displayed on most advertising material.

  • 1 star - Clean, comfortable and functional.
  • 2 star - Good: Quality furnishings, service and guest care.
  • 3 star - Very good: Better furnishings, service and guest care.
  • 4 star - Superior: Excellent comfort and very high standard furnishings, service and guest care.
  • 5 star - Exceptional: Top of the line quality and luxurious accommodation to match the best international standards. Flawless service and guest care.

[edit] Hotels and Holiday Rentals

A hotel provides accommodation to the travelling public, has a reception area and offers at least a "breakfast room" or communal eating area. In general a hotel makes food and beverage services available to a guest, though these may be outsourced or provided by the hotel.

There are a number of Hotel chains that operate nationally

  • <sleep name="Best Western" url="http://www.bestwestern.co.za/" phone="+27 (0)21 461-0727" email="info@capesuites.co.za" price="From R590"></sleep>
  • <sleep name="City Lodge" url="https://www.citylodge.co.za" phone="+27 (0)11 557-2600" email="info@citylodge.co.za" price="From around R400 sharing"></sleep>
  • <sleep name="Formula 1" url="http://www.hotelformula1.co.za/" phone="+27 (0)11 807-0750" email="all@formule1.co.za" price="R249 per room (max 3 people)"></sleep>
  • <sleep name="Protea Hotels" url="http://www.proteahotels.com/" phone="+27 (0)21 430-5000" email="info@proteahotels.com" price="From R200 per person sharing"></sleep>
  • <sleep name="Southern Sun" url="http://www.southernsun.com/" phone="+27 (0)11 461-9744" email="contactus@southernsun.com" price="">Wide range of accommodation from budget to splurge</sleep>

[edit] B&Bs

Bed and Breakfast establishments are becoming very popular. The accommodation is usually provided in a family (private) home and the owner/manager lives in the house or on the property. Breakfast is usually served. Bathroom facilities may be en-suite. In general, the guest shares the public areas with the host family.

[edit] Self Catering

A house, cottage, chalet, bungalow, flat, studio, apartment, villa, houseboat, tents or similar accommodation where facilities and equipment are provided for guests to cater for themselves. The facilities should be adequate to cater for the maximum advertised number of residents the facility can accommodate.

[edit] Guest House

A guest house is either a converted house, manor, etc adapted to accommodate overnight guests or it may be a purpose built facility. A guest house is run as a commercial operation and is often owner-managed. A guest house has areas which are for the exclusive use of the guest. The owner/manager either lives off-site, or in a separate area within the property.

[edit] Camping and caravanning

Caravan parks can be found in most towns that are holiday destinations. Most caravan parks also offer camping sites where you can pitch a tent. The parks generally have central ablution facilities.

Also see the By motorhome and By offroad vehicle sections for additional camping options.

[edit] Timeshare

There are many timeshare resorts in South Africa, most participate in international exchange agreements such as RCI. Many timeshare owners also rent their time when they can not make use of it.

[edit] Long-term

Many real estate agents in South Africa also offer rental services. The rental properties are mostly available on unfurnished long term lease, but you will also find furnished properties on offer with 1 to 12 month lease agreements

Your local branch of an international estate agent with a presence in South Africa might also be able to assist you.

[edit] Learn

Non-South African citizens need to be in possession of a study permit in order to study inside the country. You should apply for one at a South African High Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission in your country of origin, or in the nearest country, should there be no South African representation is available in your country. Government form BI-1738 needs to be completed for the application.

You will need to do some preparation in order to gain a study permit. At a minimum you will need acceptance by a South African University, repatriation guarantees, return air ticket and proof that you can cover living expenses while in South Africa before a permit will be issued. The cost for obtaining a study permit is R425 and applications take about 6 week to process.

Expect to spend about R5000 per month on general living expenses (accommodation, food, travel, etc) in addition to tuition fees.

There are many secondary and tertiary education centres in South Africa. The University of Cape Town is the top-ranked university in Africa, placing 198th in the world, according to the 2007 Times Higher Education ranking. The Universities of the Witwatersrand, Stellenbosch, Pretoria and KwaZulu-Natal also routinely appear in the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Top 500 rankings.

  • <listing name="University of Pretoria" url="http://www.up.ac.za/" phone="+27 (0)12 420-3111" fax="+27 (0)12 420-4555" email="csc@up.ac.za" address="C/o Lynnwood Road and Roper Street Lynnwood Pretoria"></listing>
  • <listing name="University of South Africa (UNISA)" url="http://www.unisa.ac.za/" phone="+27 (0)11 670-9000" fax="+27 (0)11 471-2987" email="study-info@unisa.ac.za" address="Preller Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria">Located in Pretoria, this university offers full-time classroom as well as distance learning courses. </listing>
  • <listing name="University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)" url="http://www.wits.ac.za" phone="+27 (0)11 717-1000" fax="+27 (0)11 717-1065" email="studysa@international.wits.ac.za" address="Braamfontein, Johannesburg"></listing>
  • <listing name="University of Johannesburg" url="http://www.uj.ac.za/" phone="+27 (0)11 489-3129" fax="+27 (0)11 489-2191" address="Bunting Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg" email="international@uj.ac.za"></listing>
  • <listing name="University of Cape Town" url="http://www.uct.ac.za" phone="+27 (0)21 650-2128" fax="+27 (0)21 650-5189" email="admissions@bremner.uct.ac.za" address="Cape Town"></listing>
  • <listing name="University of KwaZulu-Natal" url="http://www.nu.ac.za/" phone="+27(0)31 260-3414" email="education@ukzn.ac.za" address="Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown and Westville"></listing>
  • <listing name="Rhodes University" url="http://www.ru.ac.za/" phone="+27 (0)46 603-8111" fax="+27 (0)46 622-5049" email="registrar@ru.ac.za" address="Grahamstown"></listing>
  • <listing name="South African Film School (AFDA)" url="http://www.filmdramaschool.co.za" phone="+27 (0) 11 482 8345" address="Johannesburg and Cape Town"></listing>
  • <listing name="Stellenbosch University (Maties)" url="http://www.sun.ac.za" phone="+27 (0)21 808-4514" fax="+27 (0)21 808-3822" email="beo1@sun.ac.za" address="Stellenbosch"></listing>
  • <listing name="University of the Free State" url="http://www.uovs.ac.za" phone="+27 (0)51 401-3219" fax="+27 (0)51 401-9185" email="niemannaja.rd@mail.uovs.ac.za" address="Bloemfontein"></listing>
  • <listing name="University of Fort Hare" url="http://www.ufh.ac.za/" phone="+27 (0)40 602-2011" fax="+27 (0)40 653-1554" email="dmc@ufh.ac.za" address="Alice"></listing>
  • <listing name="University of Limpopo" url="http://www.ul.ac.za/" phone="+27 (0)15 268-9111" fax="+27 (0)15 267-0152" email="" address=""></listing>
  • <listing name="North-West University" url="http://www.nwu.ac.za/" phone="+27 (0)18 299-1111" fax="+27 (0)18 299-2799" email="regcfvdw@puk.ac.za" address="11 Hoffman Street, Potchefstroom"></listing>
  • <listing name="University of the Western Cape" url="http://www.uwc.ac.za" phone="+27 (0)21 959-3900" address="Cape Town"></listing>

South Africa is also an excellent venue to learn new skills such as flying, sailing and scuba diving since costs are generally far lower than in more developed countries while quality of training will be equal or better. Examples of companies that offer these kind of courses include:

  • <listing name="Blue Chip Aviation" url="www.bluechip-avia.co.za" phone="+27 (0)12 543-3050" email="bluechip@bluechip-avia.co.za" address="Main Terminal, Wonderboom Airport, Pretoria"></listing>
  • <listing name="Divetek" url="http://www.divetek.co.za/" phone="+27 (0)11 791-1095">For PADI dive courses</listing>
  • <listing name="Flight Schools South Africa" url="http://www.flight-schools.net" phone="+27 (0)31 208-7960" >Obtain a Private Pilots License</listing>
  • <listing name="Ocean Sailing Academy" url="http://www.oceansailing.co.za/" phone="+27 (0)21 425-7837" email="academy@oceansailing.co.za">Offers Royal Yachting Association courses.</listing>

[edit] Work

Due to the large number of unemployed South Africans, there are limited work opportunities for foreigners in South Africa.

Non South African citizens are only allowed to work in South Africa if they are in possession on a work permit.

The process of applying for a work permit is similar to applying for a study permit, contact a South African High Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission in your country of origin, or in the nearest country, should there be no South African representation is available in your country. Government form B1-159 (A&C) needs to be completed for the application. Processing of the application will take 8 to 12 weeks.


[edit] Scarce Skills and Work Permit Quotas

There are some skills that are in short supply in the country and the Department of Home Affairs has a Quota Work Permit program aimed at sourcing these skills from abroad. A list of skills in demand and set quotas for each of those skills are published yearly. Applicants with formal qualification and work experience in the required fields may apply for a quota work permit. This permit costs around R1600 and applications will take between 6 to 8 weeks to process. If the application is approved one will have a 90 day period (from the time of entering the country) to find employment in the field that the permit was issued for. Once employed, the permit will stay valid as long as one is employed within the same field of work (changing employers is allowed). More information, as well as the skills and quotas list for the current year, can be found on the Department of Home Affairs homepage [8]

[edit] Stay safe

South Africa has a high rate of violent crime (the world's highest for rape, and second-highest for murder), which calls for extra precautions. Do not accept offers from friendly strangers. Do not wear jewellery or expensive watches. Do not use iPods/mp3 players. Do not wear a tummy bag with all your valuables. Distribute your valuables in inside pockets and other pockets. Do not carry large sums of money. Do not walk by night in deserted places. Don't make it obvious you are a tourist - conceal your camera and binoculars. Do not leave your valuables in plain sight when driving in your car, as "smash and grab" attacks do sometimes occur at intersections, and keep your car doors locked, and windows closed. Know where to go so that you don't have to reveal you're lost or need a map -- simply all the obvious "I am a tourist" signs.

Visiting the townships is possible, but don't do it alone unless you really know where you're going. Some townships are safe while others can be extremely dangerous. It's best to go with an experienced guide. Some tour companies offer guided visits to the townships, and this is perfectly safe.

South Africa has very few earthquakes, cyclones, tornadoes, floods, terrorist incidents or contagious diseases (with the notable exception of HIV).

Please also note that taking an evening stroll, or walking to venues after dark can be very risky! It simply is NOT part of the culture there, as it is in Europe, North America or Australia. It is best to take a taxi (a meter cab - not a minibus taxi) or private vehicle for an "evening out". The same applies to picking up hitchhikers or offering assistance at broken-down car scenes.

[edit] Important telephone numbers

  • <listing name="The National Tourism Information and Safety Line" phone="+27 (0)83 123-2345">Operated by South African Tourism</listing>

[edit] From a fixed line

[edit] From a mobile phone

[edit] Wildlife

One of the main reasons travelers visit South Africa is to experience the outdoors and see the wide range of wildlife.

When driving in a wildlife reserve, always keep to the speed limits and stay inside your car at all times. On game drives or walks, always follow the instructions of your guide.

Ensure that you wear socks and boots whenever you are walking in the bush; do not wear open sandals. A good pair of boots can stop snake and insect bites and avoid any possible cuts that may lead to infections.

In many areas you may encounter wildlife while driving on public roads, monkeys and baboons are especially common. Do not get out of the vehicle to take photos or otherwise try to interact with the animals. These are wild animals and their actions can be unpredictable.

Sometimes you might find yourself in the open with wild animals (often happens with baboons at Cape Point). Keep your distance and always ensure that the animals are only to one side of you, do not walk between two groups or individuals. A female baboon may get rather upset if you separate her from her child.

Always check with locals before swimming in a river or lake as there may be crocodiles or hippos. Most major beaches in KwaZulu-Natal have shark nets installed. If you intend to swim anywhere other that the main beaches, check with a local first. Note that shark nets may be removed for a couple of days during the annual sardine run (normally along the KwaZulu-Natal coast between early May and late July). This is done to avoid excessive shark and other marine life fatalities. Notices are posted on beaches during these times.

[edit] Stay healthy

[edit]