ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

As for all international travel, the visitor to South Africa is required to be in possession of a valid passport. Travellers from certain countries also need a visa.

Direct inquiries to South African diplomatic representatives abroad or the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria: Civitas Building, Struben Street. Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001. Telephone: +27-12-314-8911 or Fax: +27-12-314-8516.

Visas are issued free of charge. Visitors who intend travelling to South Africa's neighbouring countries and back are advised to apply for multiple entry visas. In terms of existing arrangements, passport holders of certain countries are exempted from visa requirements.

Important:Visitors should have sufficient funds to support themselves whilst in South Africa and should be in possession of a return ticket or have proof of other means to their home country.

BORDER POSTS

All border posts are open daily

CUSTOMS

Vistors are subject to clearance through customs. Information about what may and may not be brought into the country may be obtained from travel agents. Details of requirements for the temporary importation of exhibition goods are obtainable from the Department of Customs and Excise.

Green Channel. The green channel at the airport may only be used if you have no more than duty-free customs allowance, no goods for commercial purposes and no prohibited or restricted goods.

Duty Free Allowances

SOUVENIRS & VAT

A range of South African souvenirs are available, from handcrafts to animal skins. As you would expect from a country rich in gold and diamonds, there is an excellent selection of jewellery and the opportunity to watch goldsmiths in action. Golfing equipment, including clothes, is reasonably priced.

Please note that a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 14% is levied in South Africa.

Overseas visitors taking goods out of South Africa will be able to reclaim VAT which they paid on the goods. VAT reclaim is only applicable for goods you are able to produce at the airport and is not valid for any services whatsoever. When purchasing your products you must inform the shop attendant that you are a visitor to South Africa and you must request a tax invoice from him/her. The shop's VAT number must appear on this invoice. As you are checking in at the airport ready to depart from South Africa, you must approach the customs official who will compare your invoices with the goods purchased. When the customs official has approved and stamped your invoices, the VAT Reclaim Office will refund you the appropriate amount. Vat reclaim offices are found at the following airports: Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

Custom Charges. You will have to pay custom charges on items which are over the allowed limits. You will normally have to do this before you leave the customs hall.

BANKING AND FINANCE

Currency. South African currency works on the decimal system one Rand equalling 100 cents. Denomination of Rand notes is R200 (orange), R100 (blue), R50 (pink), R20 (brown) and R10 (green). Denomination of coins is R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1 cents.

Credit cards. Visa, American Express, Diners Club and MasterCard are honoured by most restaurants, stores, hotels, car rental firms and other points of sale and services. Proof of identity may be requested in some instances and it is therefore useful to carry a passport or other form of photo identification at all times. Credit cards are not acceptable at petrol stations which will only accept cash. Rand traveller's cheques are handy to have.

Exchange Rate. The exchange rate is in your favour. Generally, you will find that fine cuisine, wine and entertainment cost a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere in the world.

Financial Institutions. South African banks can accommodate all international transactions and are situated throughout the country. Banks are from open Monday to Friday 09h00 to 15h00 and Saturdays from 8h30 to 11h00. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM's) are available in most towns and cities and offer a 24-hour service. Commercial banking services at airports are available two hours before and two hours after the respective arrival and departure time of international flights, on a 24-hour basis.

The Reserve bank plays a pivotal role in the economic and financial sectors. It is the primary function of the Reserve bank to protect the domestic and external value of South African currency. The Reserve bank performs a full range of duties customarily executed by central banks, including, marketing South Africa's gold output and administering exchange control.

Foreign Exchange. Traveller's cheques and foreign currency notes of all major currencies can be exchanged at any commercial bank. American Express offices and most hotels have exchange facilities for guests. Fluctuations in foreign exchange markets are reflected in new rates daily.

Currency Control. Travellers must obtain the necessary permit from the South African Reserve Bank at

should they have more than R500 in cash in their possession on leaving the country. For more information or advice, telephone Customs and Excise at +2731-378511.

PERSONAL SAFETY

There is a great deal of poverty in our country and as in other countries there are a few basic precautions that you should take to ensure that your stay is as pleasant and safe as possible.

At your Hotel
Never leave your luggage unattended
Store valuables in the hotel's safety deposit box
Keep your room locked, whether you're in it or not
Check who's at your door before opening it
Hand your keys in at reception whenever leaving the hotel

In the Street
Avoid displaying expensive jewellery, cameras or valuables
Do not carry large sums of money
Keep away from dark, isolated areas at night
It is better to be in groups and stick to busy well-lit streets
Plan your routine
Call a taxi from your hotel

In your Car
Plan your routine in advance
Lock the doors and close the windows
Lock valuable items in the boot (trunk)
Park in well-lit areas at night
Never pick up strangers
If in doubt about your safety, phone or drive to the nearest police station. The emergency number for all areas is 10111

AIR TRAVEL

The country's major point of entry is Johannesburg's International Airport which also serves Pretoria. Durban and Cape Town airports also have international status.

Domestic services. Domestic centres served by South African Airways are, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Johannesburg, Kimberly, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and Upington. Comair and other small airlines serve the lesser towns and main tourist destinations. Air charter services (including helicopter hire) are widely available.

ROAD TRAVEL

South Africa has an extensive road network comprising some 200 000 kilometres (124 280 miles) of national and provincial highways. Roads and routes are marked clearly.

Road Conditions. You will find driving in South Africa easy to adapt to, with sign postings in English and driving on the left, on well-maintained roads. There are a number of toll roads in South Africa and you will receive clear indication signs before reaching a toll station. Payment may be made at an attended booth.

Driver's Licence. You must carry a valid driver's licence with you at all times. Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland licenses are valid in South Africa. So too are foreign licenses, provided they carry a photograph and are either printed in English or accompanied by an English-language certificate of authenticity. Alternatively, obtain an International Driving Permit before your departure to the RSA.

Road Rules and Signs. In South Africa, one drives on the left. The general speed limit on national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120 km/h (75 mph), that on secondary (rural) roads is 100 km/h (60 mph), and in build-up areas 60 km/h (35 mph) unless otherwise indicated. Main roads are identified in colour and number rather than by name. If you use a good map (one which incorporates the route marker system), you should have little difficulty in finding your way around city and country. A word of caution regarding overtaking or "undertaking" on the side. This is not illegal in South Africa and is common practice. When changing lanes, be aware of cars on your inside.

Afrikaans words to take cognisance of are:

Insurance. Your vehicle must be covered by a Third Party Insurance policy. If you're hiring a car, the rental firm will make the appropriate arrangements; for overland visitors, insurance tokens are available at Beitbridge and other major border control posts.

Maps. Excellent regional and city maps are available from Satour, the Automobile Association, from major bookstores and airport kiosks. Recommended are those in the Map Studio series.

Petrol. Cities, towns and main routes are very well served by filling stations. Many of these stay open 24 hours a day, others from 06h00 to 18h00. Pump attendants see to your fuel and other needs, leaded and unleaded fuel, as well as diesel are available.

Automobile Association. The AA is the country's biggest motoring club, and provides a wide range of services, including assistance with breakdowns and other emergencies, accommodation reservations and advice on touring, caravanning, camping, places of interest, insurance and car hire. Maps and brochures are available. These services are offered to visitors who belong to the AA or any affiliated motoring organisation. The AA's headquarters are in AA House, 66 Korte Street, Braamfontein ( Johannesburg) 2001; Telephone: (011) 407-1000. For AA offices in other centres, consult the relevant telephone directory.

Coach Travel. Luxury coach services link the major centres (Greyhound, Intercape Ferreira, Translux, Trancity); tour operators spread the network wider, including game parks, scenic attractions and other tourist venues.

CLIMATE

Summer temperatures average between 15 to 30 degrees Celsius at midday.

Despite regional differences, South Africa's climate is generally mild throughout the year. Snowfall is limited to the highest mountain peaks. South Africa is on the whole a dry country with a average annual rainfall of 502 mm. In fact, South Africa ranks high in the world as far as number of sunshine days per year is concerned.

KwaZulu Natal has a mostly sub tropical climate with a high humidity factor in the summer. The Southern Gauteng region has hot summers with occasional thundershowers and frosty winters, while the eastern part of this region (known as Lowveld) enjoys mild winters. The Cape interior and the Free State have similar weather conditions to the Southern Gauteng region. The Western Cape region has a Mediterranan climate with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.

Click here to enter the South African Weather Service's website.

CLOTHES: WHAT TO WEAR

South Africa enjoys long hot summers and generally mild winters, people dress informally wearing casual, comfortable wash and wear clothing, though "smart casual" dress, often jacket and tie, are required after dark at theatres and other art / entertainment venues, as well as the more sophisticated hotels and restaurants. Beachwear is acceptable only on the beach, casual clothing is customary at holiday resorts and in the game area. All the hotels offer extremely quick laundry turnaround, usually within a couple of hours. It is certainly not necessary to bring a separate change of clothes for each day and evening, and it is recommended that you keep luggage to a minimum for your own comfort and ease of transport, especially if you are using light aircraft transfers.

The following is a guideline of important items to bring:

Shorts & cotton T-shirts
Swimming costume
Good comfortable walking shoes
Casual lightweight cotton, khaki or neutral clothes for the safari
Include a jacket or jersey for the cooler, and occasionally chilly nights
Umbrella or raincoat if you visit an area during the rainy season
Wide rimmed hat
Personal toiletries, sun block creams and lip creams
Anti-malaria prophylactics
Binoculars, camera and accessories
Sunglasses

MEASUREMENTS

South Africa uses the metric system

COMMUNICATION

The telecommunication system is almost fully automatic and one can dial directly to most centres in South (and southern) Africa and to most parts of the world. Telephone directories list the dialling codes. For enquiries, if a number you need is not listed in the telephone directory, or the number has changed, dial 1023 / A direct international dialling service is available in the major hotels in South Africa. Both local and long distance calls are metered on a time basis and every second counts in terms of cost. Major hotels and businesses have a fax service. Remember that hotels levy a substantial surcharge on all calls. Most lodges have telephone communication facilities, unless they are in very remote areas, but they are able to maintain contact with the "outside world". Internet facilities are available at Cyber Cafes in most large centres.

Television is on the PAL system.

POSTAL SERVICES

Stamps can be purchased from the post offices and some news agencies (CNA for example). Post cards to be sent abroad require a R1-00 stamp, while standard letters differ from country to country and need to be weighed at the central post office. Enquiries can be made at any post office.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Most types of film material, colour slides, negatives and videotapes are readily available in all major centres and holiday resorts. We have fast and reliable processing services.

TIME

Throughout the year, South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean (or Universal Standard) Time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and seven hours ahead of the USA's Eastern Standard Winter Time.

ELECTRICITY

Voltage in South Africa is generally 220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Pretoria's system generates 250 volts and Port Elizabeth's 220/250 volts. Plugs are 5-amp 2-pin or 15-amp 3-pin (round pins). You will need an adaptor which can be purchased in South Africa. Hotels usually provide dual voltage razor sockets, 110 to 210 volts or 220 to 250 volts. Some of the game lodges do not have electricity. These lodges generally run on a generator for lighting and refrigeration and thus power only runs at certain times of the day. Please be aware that you will not find plug sockets in your rooms/tents at these lodges.

WATER

South Africa is one of the few countries in the world where the tap water is extremely palatable and perfectly safe to drink. Bottled water is readily available in shops, lodges and hotels. Water in streams and rivers could be polluted and Bilharzia is commonly found in rivers and streams in the northern and eastern region of the country.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Immunisation. There are no compulsory inoculations. However, please do note that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age entering South Africa within 6 days of leaving an infected area.

Anti-Malaria prophylactics are recommended for the Mpumalanga Lowveld and Northern Natal. Anti-malaria precautions such as Daraclore are readily obtainable at chemists in South Africa but you are advised to consult your local pharmacist regarding malaria. Obviously if you have any concerns you should consult your own doctor.

At the risk of stating the obvious, please do not underestimate the effects of the sun. It would be a pity to lose a day of your holiday due to over indulging in the African sun. Plenty of sun cream, a good sun hat and gradual adjustment to the sun are recommended.

Health Insurance. Health insurance is advisable. The health services are of a high standard in South Africa but a private system is in operation for which you would require medical insurance.

HEALTH HAZARDS

Malaria. The disease is largely but not completely under control in South Africa; the risky regions are the Northern and Eastern Transvaal, Northern Natal, Zululand and Kruger National Park. If you are planning to visit one of these areas, embark on a course of anti-malaria tablets before arrival. Tablets are available without prescription from local pharmacies. Note that strains of this disease are becoming immune to chloroquine (the most common anti-malaria drug) so rather use a substitute prophylactic.

Warning signs: The symptoms of Malaria are similar to flu and include: headaches - fever -, muscular and joint pains -, nausea - diarrhoea and fatigue.

Precautions: In addition to taking prophylaxis, visitors to high risk areas should take further precautions including: avoid being outdoors between dusk and dawn - wear long sleeves, trousers and socks - apply mosquito repellent every three to four hours - keep doors and windows closed unless screened - use insecticide.

Bilharzia. Also known as schistosomiasis, this debilitating disease is caused by a parasitical worm common in the lower-lying northern and eastern regions. Be circumspect about swimming in rivers and dams unless the assurance is clear that the water is Bilharzia free.

HIV/AIDS. Although the occurrence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa remained low during the early 1990's, the disease is likely to reach critical proportions. The risk of contacting Aids, however, is no greater here than in any other country, provided that the standard and well-publicised precautions are taken.

Bites & Stings. South Africa has its fair share of snakes, spiders, scorpions and sundry stinging insects, but surprisingly, few travellers, even those on safari, suffer serious attack or even discomfort. However, those holidaying in the bush, or even on walking trails, should obviously be more wary, and follow the advice of the professional hunter, ranger or group leader. For protection against tics (the small red, hard-backed one can transmit tick-bite fever), wear long pants on walks through long grass; apply insect repellent to bare legs, arms and on clothing.

Emergencies. The national number for an ambulance is 10177; for the police flying squad, 10111.

MEDICAL CARE

Medical services in South Africa are readily available. Doctors are listed under "Medical" and hospitals under "H" in all telephone directories. Visitors are advised to secure medical cover on their medical insurance before arriving in the country as there is no established national health and welfare scheme in the country. Major hotels have contracts with physicians and dentists. Visitors are advised to bring any medical supplies of specialised medication they may require with them. Medicine may be purchased at pharmacies and emergency pharmacies are open all night.

LANGUAGES

There are 11 official languages in South Africa: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. The English speaking visitor will have no problem while travelling through the country.

Here are a few words and phrases which have been translated into three of the country's official languages - they should be helpful (and fun to use) in most regions: