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Endless
sun-kissed beaches, sacred sand dunes, jagged mountain ranges, dense
green forests, and miles of rolling yellow savannah grasslands...
South Africa has been described as a "world in one country."
Since the release of political icon, Nelson Mandela, South Africa
has embraced its diversity and emerged as the "rainbow nation."
By opening the doors to its magical landscapes and spectacular natural
wonders, South Africa's tourism is rapidly earning a reputation
as the destination of choice for African sojourns south of the Equator.
LANGUAGE
There are 11 official languages in South Africa: Afrikaans, English,
Ndebele, Sotho (Sotho is only divided into Southern & Northern
Sotho, when it comes to schools), Swazi, Tsongo, Tswana, Venda,
Xhosa, Zulu and Pedi. The English-speaking visitor will have no
problem while travelling through the country.
Medical
Care - Medical Services
Medical services in South Africa are good in urban areas and in
the vicinity of game parks and beaches, but are limited elsewhere.
Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment, but
usually accept major credit cards. It is advisable to secure medical
cover on your medical insurance before arriving in the country.
Note that major hotels have contracts with physicians and dentists.
Visitors are however advised to bring along supplies of specialised
medication they may require. Otherwise, medicine may be purchased
at pharmacies and emergency pharmacies are open all night.
No vaccinations are required of visitors coming from the United
States or Canada. You should take anti-malaria tablets before visiting
the game reserves and parks of the Northern, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal
provinces. You can take tablets 24 hours before entering a malaria-affected
area and then on a weekly basis for five to six weeks. They are
available without prescription at South African drugstores. Consult
a doctor or pharmacist for advice on the best drug or combination.
Car
Hire
The transport infrastructure is the best in Africa and comparable
to most developed countries - travelling log distance across the
country is relatively hassle free.
We will be pleased to make your entire car hire arrangements with
our preferred suppliers or a supplier of your choice. Where possible,
please let us know your requirements well in advance, especially
during peak season.
South Africa drives on the left side of the road, and this inevitably
poses a challenge to all visitors who are not from U.K., Australia,
or other left hand drive countries. The speed limit ranges from
60 km p.h. (30 mph) to 120 km p.h (70 mph) and is enforced throughout
the country. A valid driver's license is accepted, provided the
photograph of the driver is on the document and it is in English.
If not, then an international driver's license is required.
Entry
Requirements
This is a guide only - please check with your nearest South African
Consulate for up to date information. All visitors are required
to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended
length of stay. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry
stamps upon arrival. Note that if you will be travelling to neighbouring
countries and back, you should apply for a multiple entry visa.
Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa:
United Kingdom, Northern Ireland (including British Islands), Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Italy, Japan, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA.
Currency
The
South African currency is the Rand. R1 = 100 Cents $1USD = approximately
R7.50 Denominations come in R1, R2, R5 coins and R10, R20, R50,
R100 and R200 notes. Currency exchange rates are available at banks
and published daily in the press.
Currency
Converter: 
We
have provided a link to the Oanda On-Line Foreign Exchange Travel
Currency Converter for your convenience, click the logo.
Airports
Cape Town's International Airport has international and domestic
sections and is approximately 17km from the city centre and 25km
from the WORLDSVIEW RESIDENCE.
Banks
are located throughout the city & suburbs and are open from
Mon to Fri 09h00 - 15h30, Sat 08h30 - 11h00. Commercial banking
services are available at Cape Town International Airport to coincide
with international arrivals and departures.
Climate
Winter runs from June to August Christmas Day is typically one of
the hottest of the year. Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with
four seasons. In the interior it becomes very hot in summer and
during winter snow falls on the highest mountain peaks. Be warned
that the Cape is surrounded by the very cold Atlantic Ocean, which
can be very deceiving on those hot Summer days!
Hours
of Trading
Most shops Mon to Fri 08h30 - 17h00 (Sat 13h00). Most liquor stores
close at 18h00. Supermarkets generally close at 18h00 (times vary
according to the seasons) and some are open Saturday until 17h00
and Sunday to 14h00. There is late night shopping at the Victoria
Wharf (Waterfront) seven days a week.
Post
Offices
are open Mon - Fri 08h00 - 16h30 & Sat 08h00 - 12h00. Mail may
be addressed to you Post Restante. The main post office in Cape
Town has special counters for this purpose. Postage stamps are widely
available (e.g. at some cafes and branches of the Central News Agency
- CNA).
Religions
Most South Africans are Christians. The largest denominations are
Anglican (Church of England), Roman Catholic and Dutch Reformed.
There are also large Jewish and Muslim communities living in the
Western Cape. To find the place of worship of your choice, consult
your hotel, information bureaux and the weekend press for details.
Standard
time
is two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time, one hour in advance
of central European winter time and seven hours in advance of United
States Eastern Standard Time throughout the year.
Traveller's
Cheques
most international traveller's cheques are accepted, provided they
are in an acceptable currency and may be cashed at most banks. Many
hotels and shops also provide this service.
Telephone
Telephone: The international code for South Africa is 27, which
should be preceded by the international prefix of 011 if calling
from the US When dialing from outside South Africa, omit the 0 at
the beginning of the area code, but use it when dialing within the
country. Public phones are either coin- or card-operated. You can
buy telephone cards at post offices and airports.
If
you wish to make a call overseas, you must first dial 09, which
is South Africa's international access code. You then dial the country
code, area code of the city or region and the number of the person
you wish to call. For example, if you make a call to Sydney, Australia,
telephone number 456 1234 you must dial 09 61 2 456 1234.
ROADS
There are a number of toll roads in South Africa that are clearly
indicated well before reaching the toll stations, payment may be
made at an attended booth. A word of caution regarding overtaking
on the inside: this is not illegal in South Africa and is common
practice. When changing lanes be aware of cars on the inside. In
general, speed limits are 120 km/h (freeways) and 60 km/h (towns
and cities).
Maps
of South Africa: 
Safety
Nature reserves and remote tourist areas present no safety risk,
except the risk of ignorance when out in the wild. In cities and
major towns, South Africa is experiencing a problem with crime and
violence, but despite this, most travellers to South Africa experience
a hassle-free visit to South Africa. There are increased anti-crime
efforts in city centres. Township tours are becoming increasingly
popular, but should be done in guided groups only. Car hijackings
are a problem in areas, so be vigilant if driving. Keep all doors
locked and always have enough space to make a hasty getaway, especially
at traffic lights. As in any foreign place, be conscientious of
what is going on around you and keep possessions concealed. It is
wise to keep informed of civil affairs for areas you will be visiting
to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
VAT
Refunds:
Foreign tourists visiting South Africa can have their value-added
tax (VAT) refunded provided the value of the items purchased exceeds
R250. VAT is refunded on departure at the point of departure.
VAT
of 14% is levied on nearly all goods and services. Foreign tourists
may claim back VAT paid on items that will be taken out of the country.
Original tax invoices, foreign passport, plus all the items on which
a refund is claimed, must be presented at the VAT refund administration
office or an appointed RSA customs and excise official on departure,
and the total VAT on these items will be refunded. Visitors will
be requested to fill out a VAT Refund Control Sheet (VAT 255). Where
a visitor does not export all the goods specified on a particular
tax invoice, only the value of the goods and the tax paid on such
goods exported must be declared on this form.
BRITISH
CONSULATE
8 RIEBEEK ST
CAPE TOWN 8001
Main: 021 405 2400
Alternate: 021 405 2433
Alternate: 021 761 8293
CANADIAN
EMBASSY
30 HOUT ST
CAPE TOWN 8001
Main: 021 423 5240
DUTCH
EMBASSY
100 STRAND ST
CAPE TOWN 8001
Main: 021 421 5660
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