SOUTH AFRICA
Glorious beaches, gracious winelands, cosmopolitan
cities, sanctuaries teeming with game. South Africa
offers the visitor an endless range of excellent
options.
Truly
cosmopolitan, South Africans are often described as ‘The
Rainbow Nation’.
South Africa is a vast country (about 5 times greater
than the United Kingdom) which offers a great variety of
holiday options and endless things to see and do.
Among the most popular excursions are visits to the
country’s many superb national parks and game reserves,
including the world renowned KRUGER NATIONAL PARK.
Cape Town with its familiar landmark, Table Mountain,
remains a favourite destination. The picturesque wine
estates and quality wines produced there attract great
interest. Durban with its year-round sub-tropical
climate and popular beaches has rightfully been called
the ‘Holiday City’.
Any visitor in Johannesburg should include a visit to
Gold Reef City, a re-creation of historical Johannesburg
while to the north west of the ‘city of gold’ lies Sun
City – South Africa’s answer to Las Vegas.
Magnificent mountain scenery, including the famed
Drakensberg and the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon,
competes with the semi desert of the Karoo and ancient
forests of Tsitsikamma and Knysa for visitors
’attention.
South Africa’s sunny climate and outdoor lifestyle has
produced a very sport conscious nation and visitors may
participate in, or watch, virtually any sport from polo
to golf, fishing or surfing, soccer to basket ball.
Time Zone : GMT + 2 hours
Language : Eleven official languages, English
being the most widely spoken.
Travel Document : Valid passport.
Visas required for all foreign visitors, except passport
holders of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, including the Bailiwick of Guernsey,
Isle of Man and British Virgin islands ; Republic of
Ireland.
Passport holders of the following countries do not need
visas in respect of bona fide holiday and business
visits and transits: Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxenborg,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America.
Passport holders of the following countries do not need
visas in respect of bona fide holiday and business
visits not exceeding 90 days and transits : Argentina,
Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Malta, Paraguay, St
Helena, Swaziland, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Passport holders of the following countries do not need
visas in respect of bona fide holiday and business
visits not exceeding 30 days and transits : Antigua and
Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Cape Verde, Comores,
Costa Rica, Cyprus, Egypt, Gabon, Hong Kong, Hungary,
Côte dÍvoire, Jordan, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia,
Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Senegal,
Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Korea,
Thailand, Turkey, Zambia, Zimbabwe (Government
officials).
Border Post Requirements: Passports, visas, if
necessary and return tickets.
Vaccination/inoculation certificates for travellers from
areas of endemic disease.
Climate : South Africa is generally a sunny
country, and the climate varies from sub-tropical in the
north and east to Mediterranean in the south-west
coastal areas. Central regions have a typical
continental climate, often cold at night but hot during
the day. Some high lying inland areas experience frost
and snow in winter. Highest temperatures occur in the
Karoo and the far north of the country, sometimes
exceeding 40°C, although average temperatures are more
comfortable throughout the year.
Health : South Africa is generally free of the
common infectious diseases, Prophylactics and repellents
are advised if you are planning to visit a malaria area
in the far northern and eastern regions.
Safety : Exercise caution at all times. There is
a high crime rate, so keep valuables out of sight. Avoid
walking alone, particularly at night.
Currency : Rand (ZAR). One rand – 100 cents.
Business Hours : Most major stores and shopping
centers are open between 08h30 and 17h00 daily, although
hours may be more limited at weekends.
Communication Services : Post and communication
services cover the country, Cellphones (Mobile phones)
may be hired at the airport. Most major towns have
internet cafes.
Car Rental : Car Rental companies operate
throughout the country.
Internal Travel : South Africa boasts an advanced
infrastructure of good roads, and car hire facilities
throughout the country. Cities and popular tourist areas
are linked by frequent air services. Intercity rail
services feature comfortable long-distance travel, and
in the case of the Blue Train, luxurious railway travel.
Accommodation : There is no shortage of
accommodation. Visitors can choose from a wide variety,
from five-star luxury through a full range of graded
hotels to self-catering venues, camp sites, backpackers’
lodges or stay in a tribal village.
