Visas: No visas are
required for travellers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan,
the USA and the European Union for visits of up to 90 days.
Health risks: Malaria is mainly confined to the eastern half
of the region, especially on the lowveld. Bilharzia is also found
mainly in the east but outbreaks do occur in other places so you
should always check with knowledgeable local people before drinking
water or swimming in it.
Electricity: 220/230V (250V in Pretoria), 50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
Clothing: Casual, comfortable wash and wear clothing is most useful.
Jackets and ties are required in city hotel restaurants and golf clubs.
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 clothing for each day and evening and it is recommended to keep baggage
to a minimum for your own comfort and ease of transport, especially if
you are utilising light aircraft transfers.
A guideline checklist of important items is given below:
* Shorts
* Cotton T shirts
* Swimming costumes
* Good comfortable walking shoes
* Casual lightweight cotton, khaki or neutral coloured clothes.
In game parks one should blend in with the environment rather
than intrude.
* Wide brimmed hat
* Personal toiletries
* Sun barrier creams and lip creams
* Anti malaria pills
* Binoculars
* Camera and accessories
* Sunglasses
Photography: Most types of film material, colour slides,
negatives and video tapes are readily available in all major centres
and holiday resorts, as are
fast, reliable processing services.
Accommodation: It is strongly recommended that you reserve all your accommodation
as far in advance as possible if you plan to visit South Africa during the peak
season , since availability is at a premium during this period.
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Postage: Stamps can be purchased from the post offices and some
news agencies (CNA for example). Post cards to be sent abroad require R1.20
stamp, while standard letters differ from country to country and need to
be weighed at the central post office.
Communication: A direct International dialing service is available from
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. Hotels do charge a 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".
Electricity: Voltage in South Africa is 230 to 240 volts, 50Hz. You will
need an adapter 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 generator
power for lighting and refrigeration and this power only runs at certain times
of the day. Please be aware that you will therefore not find plug sockets in
your rooms / tents at these lodges.
Entry Requirements:
Passports& Visas:As for all international travel, the visitor to South
Africa is required to be in possession of a valid passport with at least 6
months validity from departure date. Travellers from certain countries also
need a visa. Enquiries can be directed to South African diplomatic representatives
abroad or the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria at
Civitas Building, Struben Street, Private Bag X114, Pretoria 0001. Tel: (02 )
314 8911 , Fax (021) 314 8516
Visas are issued free of charge. Visitors who intend travelling to South Africa's
neighbouring countries and back to South Africa are advised to apply for multiple
entry visas. In terms of existing arrangements, passport holders of certain countries
are exempt from visa requirements.
Tourism: 1 million visitors per year
Time: GMT/UTC plus two hours (GMT Winter), one hour (GMT
Summer) |
