About South Africa
South African Travel Guide
South Africa has been billed as 'a world in one country', and any visitor who has experienced its delights – from the northern jumble of Johannesburg, the city built on gold mines, to the southern sophistication of Cape Town – is bound to agree.
The Republic of South Africa, at the southern tip of Africa surrounded by the ocean on three sides, offers a taste of the African experience with the chance to visit traditional tribal villages, game reserves and sprawling townships. At the same time it also offers all the pleasures of a first-world holiday experience, with luxury hotels, sophisticated shopping, exciting theme parks and clean beaches. Have breakfast in a New York style deli; lunch in an African shebeen; cocktails on a sunset cruise; and dine in style in a fine British colonial restaurant. This is all possible in a South African city.
It is not only cultural diversity that makes South Africa magical. The country has a wealth of animal and plant life scattered across its varied climactic zones from desert to snow-covered mountains, forests to grasslands and mangrove swamps. Historically, there is plenty to discover, from the fossils of ancient hominids, to the pioneering spirit of the Dutch 'Voortrekkers' and the settlement of the Eastern Cape frontier by the British colonialists.
Currency exchange rates
Money: South Africa's currency is the Rand (ZAR), which is divided into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and large hotels. ATMs are widely available (there is a daily limit for cash withdrawals) and major international credit cards are widely accepted, except in petrol stations where cash is required. Visitors should be vigilant when drawing cash from ATMs, as con artists are known to operate there. Travellers cheques and some foreign currencies are accepted at larger hotels and shops, but commission is charged, otherwise all commercial banks will exchange them.
| R 1.00 = | A$ 0.14 | C$ 0.14 | € 0.09 | NZ$ 0.19 | £ 0.08 | US$ 0.13 |
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
South Africa Passport & Visa requirements
Language: South Africa has 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho. English is widely spoken.
Entry requirements for Americans: United States nationals need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British nationals need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days if passport is endorsed British Citizen including Guernsey, Jersey and Isle of Man, British Dependent Territories Citizen, or British Overseas Territories Citizen (Virgin Islands). Those whose passports state British National (Overseas) may stay up to 30 days without a visa. All others require a visa.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian nationals need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is necessary for stays of up to 90 days.
Passport/Visa note: Passports must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the period of intended stay. An onward or return ticket is required or sufficient funds. Note that visitors to South Africa must have at least one blank (unstamped) page in their passport, each time entry is sought; these pages are in addition to the endorsement/amendment pages at the back of the passport.
For more information about South African Visa requirements, visit http://www.southafrica.info/travel/documents/visas.htm
List of visa requirments:
Other information
Time: Local time is GMT +2.
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round, three-pin plugs are standard.
Travel Health:
Health regulations in South Africa require that travellers from areas infected by yellow fever must carry a vaccination certificate; otherwise no vaccination is required. There is a malaria risk in the low-lying areas of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park), as well as north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, and precautions are advised when travelling to these areas. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Tap water is safe in urban areas but sterilisation is advisable elsewhere, as there are periodic outbreaks of cholera in the poor communities of rural South Africa, particularly in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces. Drug-resistant TB has been reported throughout the country. Food poisoning is rare. Medical facilities in South Africa are good, but medical insurance is strongly advised as private hospitals expect cash upfront and public hospitals are best avoided.
Tipping:
Waitering is a livelihood and a tip of 10% is expected for good service, if a service charge is not included in the bill. Tipping for services rendered is widely anticipated by porters, taxi drivers and petrol attendants. Golf caddies should be tipped accordingly. 'Car guards' operate in the city centres and tourist spots and will offer to look after your parked car; they are usually immigrants from neighbouring countries looking for work and will expect anything from R2 upwards on your return.
Safety Information:
Safety is an issue and visitors to South Africa should be aware of the country's high crime incidents. Although this tends to be concentrated in pockets throughout the country travellers should always be aware of these risks and exercise the necessary precautions. Doors should be locked when driving and one should not walk alone at night in city streets, isolated beaches or remote areas. Be vigilant when using ATMs and do not display signs of wealth (e.g. mobile phones, money, expensive jewellery) on the streets. It is worthwhile noting that the South African authorities do give high priority to the protection of tourists.
Business:
South Africa's multicultural status means that business etiquette may vary with different people, and according to individual sectors, though it is most often similar to dealings in Europe and the United States. Although there are 11 official languages, English is the primary language of business. It is best to dress formally for initial meetings. Generally South Africans are regarded as relaxed and informal with regards to introductions and the handling of business cards. Shaking hands is common for both men and women. The giving of gifts is uncommon and unnecessary. Business hours are generally 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken over lunch.
Communications:
The international access code for South Africa is +27. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). As of 8 January 2007, South Africa has changed to 10-digit dialling (so city codes must be included, e.g. 012 for Pretoria) and international dialling has changed from 09 to 00. GSM mobile phone networks providing 900 and 1800 frequencies serve the country. Mobile service providers offer very cheap 'pay-as-you-go' Sim cards, which are a good option for visitors staying for some time. Internet cafes are widespread. Card and coin operated pay phones are also widespread.
Duty free:
Travellers to South Africa do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco; 2 litres wine and 1 litre spirits; perfume up to 50ml and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods to the value of R3,000. All other goods brought in from abroad by South African residents must be declared on arrival. These will be subject to import duties. For goods to be re-imported, travellers must complete a DA65 or NEP-form that is issued on departure. Prohibited items include meat and dairy products, all medication except for personal consumption, flick knives, ammunition, explosives and pornography containing minors and bestiality.