South Africa - Basic Travel Information
By Andrew Muigai
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Accommodation
Hotels and resorts in South Africa are plenty in
the popular tourist routes and are equal to the needs of most. From
the discerning traveler who accepts none else than 5-star luxury
to the cost conscious who is happy to wake up in a plain and cosy
guesthouse. Accommodation options encompass hotels, game lodges
and camps, resorts, health spas, motels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts,
holiday farms, beach cottages, holiday flats and bungalows. There
are also over 800 camp and caravan sites in the country.
International Travel
Johannesburg is fast becoming a regional hub for
air travel. The country's national carrier is South African Airways
(SAA). There are numerous direct and indirect flights for those
traveling from Europe and North America. There are also flights
from other parts of Africa, the Far East and South America. International
airports in the country are: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein
and Port Elizabeth. As Cape Town's stature as a destination grows,
there is an increasing number of direct international flights.
Local Travel
The road infrastructure is good and it is easy and
convenient to get around the country by car. Self-drive and chauffeur-driven
rental cars in South Africa are widely available. Visitors must
be in possession of an international driving license. The country
has taken after the British and driving is on the left.
The principal cities of Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London,
Johannesburg, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria are serviced
by daily flights. South African Airways among other domestic carriers
operates on the principal routes. Cruises offer links between the
country's major ports such as Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town
and East London.
Rail services of varying quality link the main cities. The luxury
and very pricey Blue Train offers an express service between Pretoria,
Victoria Falls, Hoedspruit, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Long-distance
trains are equipped with sleeping compartments. You should reserve
ahead of travel especially for overnight journeys. A number of bus
operators run intercity express links using modern air-conditioned
coaches.
Visas
All visitors to South Africa require passports valid
for at least 30 days after planned date of exit. For those visiting
for upto 90 days no visas are required from citizens of Australia,
New Zealand, Canada, Japan, United States, Switzerland and the European
Union. There is also visa waiver for between 30-90 days for a few
other selected countries. But visa requirements vary from time to
time and you are advised to check on prevailing status well ahead
of travel. Visas are not issued at South Africa border points.
Health
Visitors entering South Africa from yellow fever
infected areas require yellow fever international certificate of
vaccination. Certain low altitude regions in Northern Province,
Eastern Transvaal (including the Kruger National Park) and north
east of KwaZulu-Natal are prone to malaria. Visitors to these areas
are strongly advised to take anti-malaria medication before traveling.
Tap water is generally considered safe in urban areas but not so
elsewhere. Bilharzia occurs in the north and east of the country
where you are advised not to swim in fresh water. HIV-AIDS is prevalent
in the country and due care is called for.
Communications
Telephone, fax, telegram, post and Internet services
are available. Direct dialing to many countries is available at
most hotels. The country code for South Africa is 27. Mobile phones
are based on GSM 900 network and coverage extends to most urban
areas. You can obtain a GSM card that will allow you to make international
calls to any country. E-mail is accessible at Internet cafes around
the country.
Money
The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR).
Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change, some hotels,
and larger shops and restaurants. Automated foreign exchange machines
and ATMs are also available at limited locations. Travelers cheques
(i.e checks) are valid at banks, hotels, shops and restaurants.
You get the most reasonable exchange rates for US dollar, Euro and
Pound Sterling. Visa and Mastercard credit cards have the widest
acceptance. American Express and Diners Club have slightly less
acceptability.
People & Culture
South Africa is such a vibrant country due to the
diversity of its people. There is a lot to be said for the wildlife
and natural attractions of this land but you will have missed much
if you have no encounters with its people. The Khoi-San (bushmen)
are entitled to claim of having the deepest roots and some of their
ancestors' rock and cave paintings date back 26,000 years ago. Other
prominent members of this "rainbow nation" include Zulu,
Tswana, Ndebele, Xhosa, Sotho, Indian, Afrikaans and those of British
origin. The Zulu is one of the more vibrant of traditional black
cultures and their dance and dress is quite striking.
In historic terms, apartheid has just recently been dethroned and
it is not surprising that colour is still such as an important part
of peoples identity. Some knowledge of English will help you get
by in urban areas and almost elsewhere in the country. Beer and
brandy are the popular routes to getting tipsy though many are increasingly
finding South Africa's excellent wines tempting. The music scene
is vibrant and groups such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo are now well
known in the west. The country has so many stories to be told as
the grandees who award the Nobel Prize for literature have recognized.
The 2003 winner was Cape Town born J.M Coetzee, who follows in the
footsteps of Nadine Gordimer winner of the prize in 1991.
Climate
In general South Africa has a warm temperate climate
to the delight of many sunshine-seekers. The country experiences
about seven months of sunshine. The colder part of the year falls
between May and August. But for such a large country there are of
course variations. The coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Northern
Province are generally hot and humid and June and July are the preferred
holiday months.
Winters are generally mild except at the higher altitudes where
there are occasional snowfalls to the consternation of those visitors
with fixed ideas about climatic conditions in Africa. Summer can
be uncomfortably hot in the Low Veld. The hotter areas include the
lower Orange River valley and the Mpumalanga Lowveld. Regions in
the north east of the country can get quite humid. In Cape Town
region rainfall is highest in winter. Most of the rest of the country
experiences the highest rainfall in the summer. Those who have come
to view game are advised to travel in winter when the grass is short
and the animals are much easier to sight.
Travel Insurance
There are world-class medical facilities in South
Africa. Health and the usual travel insurance are recommended.
What to Wear
If you travel in summer you should pack light cottons,
linens and rainwear. For winter you need warmer clothes and rainwear
if you travel to the Cape region. Casual wear will be adequate for
most occasions. On formal social functions however men should turn
out in dinner jackets and black ties and women in full-length dresses.
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Copyright
© Africa Point
Author
Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter.
You can view more info on South Africa tours at the website.
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Africa Travel has done its utmost to ensure that the information
on this web site is as accurate and current as possible. The information
is provided 'as is' and Africa Travel will not accept responsibility
for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting
from the information on this website. Please verify crucial information
like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation with the
relevant authorities before you travel.
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