South Africa Mini Guide
   Source: World Travel Guide

Overview

South Africa is a treasure chest of unforgettable scenery, from lofty mountains to sun-baked deserts and dramatic coastlines washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Its game viewing equals the best in Africa, and where else can you find both penguins and elephants?

Overshadowed by dramatic Table Mountain and surrounded by the Atlantic, Cape Town is one of the world's most picturesque cities. You can sample fine wine under the grapes in the tranquil winelands, while the pretty Garden Route offers country towns, lagoons and forests to explore. The Wild Coast boasts isolated beaches, rocky coastline and traditional rural villages, and the resorts along the KwaZulu-Natal coast offer lots of family seaside fun.

Inland are the intriguing and moving battlefield sites that lay testament to the Anglo-Boer war. Here too rise the Drakensberg Mountains where vultures ride on the thermals over deeply green valleys and jagged peaks. To the east is the Kruger National Park where the thorny bush harbors the ‘Big Five' animals to see (the lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino) as well as many other fascinating animals and birds.

South Africa also has a vivid history. Apartheid was broken down in 1990 by President FW De Klerk, and jailed ANC leader Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment. In the first democratic elections to be held in South Africa, Mandela became president in 1994. The story is told in the excellent museums in Johannesburg, by far the most vibrant of the country's cities with a rich cultural heritage.

Apartheid activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu named the newly integrated South Africa the ‘Rainbow Nation'. It is a fitting name for a country with 11 official languages and people of all colors, races and creeds, living in a vividly colored and sculpted landscape. It is no wonder then that its cities are so cosmopolitan.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Passport Note

Passport must have at least two blank pages for entry stamp. This cannot include the 'endorsement' page at the back. Passengers who also require a visa must have a passport with two blank facing pages, one for the visa and one for their entry stamp. Anyone attempting to enter South Africa without the required pages will be returned to their country of origin.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days for business and tourist purposes, except: 
1. nationals of Cyprus, Hungary, Poland and Slovak Republic who may stay for up to 30 days, and nationals of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia who do require a visa, unless transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport (advance notice of overnight stay is required).

Visa Note

(a) Proof of financial means may be required. (b) Unaccompanied children under the age of 18 years must hold written consent from their parents when travelling alone. (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses). (d) After entry, extensions of stay may be sought from the Department of Home Affairs.

Types of Visa and Cost

Visa fee: £35. UK nationals are exempt from visa fees.

Validity

Dependent on length of stay requested. Permits may be extended if done so 30 days prior to expiry of original permit.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses. Applicants in countries where South Africa is not represented may send their applications to the embassy in the nearest country.

Working Days Required

Five to 10 days.

Money

Currency

Rand (ZAR; symbol R) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of R200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of R5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

Currency Exchange

Money can be changed at banks, bureaux de change and some hotels. Proof of identity may be requested; therefore, it is advisable to carry a passport. Visitors are restricted to bringing in and taking out a maximum of R5000 in cash.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

MasterCard and Visa are preferred. American Express and Diners Club are also widely accepted. ATMs are available all over the towns and cities including shopping malls and petrol stations, and accept all international debit and credit cards. Almost all hotels, shops and restaurants, and even national parks and game reserves accept credit cards. They are not accepted at petrol stations, however. Petrol must always be paid for with cash.

Traveller's Cheques

Valid at banks, hotels, restaurants and some tourist-orientated shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveler's cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1530, Sat 0830-1100.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Health

Vaccinations

 * Kruger National Park, the Lowveld region of Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal are considered a low risk malaria area during December-April.

** A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from an infected area.

Food and Drink

Mains water is considered safe to drink. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other Risks

Avoid swimming and paddling in stagnant or slow-moving water as there is a low risk of contracting bilharzia; swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended.

Health Care

Medical facilities are good in urban areas but limited elsewhere. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended, which should include repatriation to your home country in the event of an emergency.

Getting There

Getting There by Air

The national airline is South African Airways (SAA) (website: www.flysaa.com). There are frequent direct and indirect flights by numerous major airlines from destinations throughout Europe and North America.

Approximate Flight Times

From London to Cape Town is 12 hours and to Johannesburg is 11 hours. From New York to Johannesburg is 17.5 hours.

Main Airports

Cape Town (CPT) (Cape Town International) is 22km (16 miles) east of the city (journey time - 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Round-the-clock shuttle buses meet incoming flights. Courtesy buses are operated by some hotels. Taxis are available, with a surcharge after 2300; Touch Down Taxis are the officially authorised airport taxi firm. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, ATMs, post office, tourist information desk and restaurants/bars.

 Durban (DUR) (Durban International) is 18km (11 miles) southwest of the city (journey time - 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Airport shuttle buses and taxis are available to the city. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, ATMs and bar/restaurant.

Johannesburg (JNB) (OR Tambo International) is 22km (14 miles) east of the city (journey time - 35 minutes). To/from the airport: Shuttle bus services and taxis to Pretoria and Johannesburg are available. Courtesy coaches are operated by major hotels within the vicinity of the airport. Facilities: Duty-free shops, post office, car hire, bank/bureau de change, ATMs, medical clinic, conference facilities, tourist information desk, restaurant and bar.

Port Elizabeth (PLZ) (Port Elizabeth International) is 5km (3 miles) west of the Capital Business District (journey time - 15 minutes). To/from the airport: There is an airport shuttle bus to the main international hotels in Port Elizabeth upon request. Taxis are also available. Facilities: ATM, conference facilities, information desk, restaurants and pubs, shops, pharmacy, postal services and car hire.

For more information regarding the airports, contact Airports Company South Africa (website: www.airports.co.za).

Departure Tax

All taxes are included in the price of an air ticket.

Getting There by Water

Main ports: Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth.

Cruises are offered by various companies between South Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

Getting There by Road

There are main routes into South Africa from Botswana (via Ramatlabama), Lesotho, Mozambique (via Komatipoort), Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe (via Beitbridge). The major bus companies run services to and from the capital cities of neighbouring countries. Greyhound (tel: 083 915 9000; website: www.greyhound.co.za), Intercape (tel: 0861 287 287; website: www.intercape.co.za) and Translux (tel: 0861 589 282; website: www.translux.co.za).

Climate

South Africa's climate is generally sunny and pleasant. Winters are usually mild, although snow falls on the mountain ranges of the Cape and Natal and occasionally in lower-lying areas, when a brief cold spell can be expected throughout the country.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens and rainwear. Warmer clothes are needed for winter.

Contacts

South African Tourism Board (SATOUR) in the UK

Street address: 6 Alt Grove, Wimbledon, London SW19 4DZ, UK
Postal address: PO Box 49110, Wimbledon, London SW19 4XZ, UK
Tel: (020) 8971 9350 or 0870 155 0044 (tourism enquiry line and brochure request).
Website: www.southafrica.net

South African High Commission in the UK

South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DP, UK
Tel: (020) 7451 7299.
Website: www.southafricahouse.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

South African Consulate in the UK

15 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DD, UK
Tel: (020) 7925 8900/01/10.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0845-1245 (appointments only), 1500-1600 (collections).
Website: www.southafricahouse.com/Consulate.htm

Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in the USA

3051 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 232 4400.
Website: www.saembassy.org

South African Tourism Board (SATOUR) in the USA

500 Fifth Avenue, 20th Floor, Suite 2040, New York, NY 10110, USA
Tel: (212) 730 2929 or 1 800 593 1318 (tourism enquiry line and brochure request).
Website: www.southafrica.net