Country
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.
The Republic of South Africa (RSA) has +/- 45,000,000 inhabitants and 1,219,912 km2 area. Voltage 220 V" (3 pins plug)
Time Zone
GMT +2 hours
Weather
Summer: September – April
Winter: May – August
South Africa is a big country just south of the tropic of Capricorn, but it is the topography and surrounding oceans that influence its climate, rather than the latitude. Although the climate varies from region to region, it is generally mild and sunny throughout the year. On the whole it is a dry country with a mean annual rainfall of 502 mm. Snowfall is limited to the highest mountain peaks. Summer temperatures average between 15-30ºC (60-96ºF) at midday. KwaZulu-Natal has a sub- tropical climate with high humidity in summer. The southern Gauteng region has hot summers with occasional thundershowers and frosty winters, while the eastern part of this region (known as the 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 Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.
When to go
South Africa is an all year round destination. However there are certain regions that are more popular at different times:
o The northern regions are good destinations in the winter months as game viewing is at its best and the temperatures are very mild (maximum 20-23ºC). There is very little winter rainfall in the north.
o The southern regions are summer destinations with low summer rainfall and temperatures reaching 28-30ºC or higher on beautiful days.
o Namaqualand in the Western and Northern Cape Provinces becomes a floral masterpiece in spring (mid-August to mid-September), when the desert-like terrain is transformed into a carpet of flowers and draws thousands of visitors.
o The warm waters of the east coast make for almost year-round swimming.
o Winter is mild, except in the highest parts of the country.
o South Africans tend to take their annual holidays in summer and this causes tourist destinations to be overcrowded from mid-December to late January, as well as during the other school holidays (check these dates with your travel agent).
What to pack
Casual, comfortable wash and wear clothing is most useful. Jackets and ties are required in city hotel restaurants and golf clubs. All 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 that you keep luggage to a minimum for your own comfort and ease of transport, especially if you are using light aircraft transfers.
The most practical items to pack for your South African holiday are:
o Shorts & Cotton T-shirts
o Swimming costume
o Good comfortable walking shoes
o Casual lightweight cotton, khaki or neutral coloured clothes for safari
o Fleece or sweater and a warm jacket for game drives or cool evenings
o Wide brimmed hat
o Personal toiletries, sun barrier creams and lip creams
o Anti-malaria prophylactics
o Binoculars, camera and accessories
o Sunglasses
Health (Vaccinations)
Apart from malaria in certain areas, travel to South Africa generally poses no medical threat. Malaria prophylactics are recommended for travellers to Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu- Natal. Precautions such as Daramal are available from South African chemists but you are advised to consult your local pharmacist regarding malaria. If you have any concerns you should consult your own doctor. For travellers entering South Africa within six days of leaving an infected area, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required. Apart from this, there are no compulsory inoculations. The only other medical threat is the hot, strong African sun. One must be careful not to underestimate the effects of the sun; it is quite common for visitors to lose a day of holiday to sunstroke, by overindulging in the sun. Plenty of sun cream, a good sun hat and gradual adjustment are recommended.
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.
Visa
Important Note: 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. The Immigration Act, 2002 (Act 13 of 2002) requires at least one unused visa page each time a passport is presented for endorsement (e.g. visa, an entry stamp, a temporary residence permit, etc). Note: the last three pages in the passport are reserved for Passport Amendments and can not be used as visa pages. Travellers arriving in South Africa with passports which do not comply with these requirements will either be prevented from boarding the aircraft or risk deportation on arrival in South Africa. Also note that if you will be travelling to neighbouring countries and back, you should apply for a multiple entry visa.
Most nationalities do not require a visa for entry into South Africa. South Africa signed a visa waiver agreement with Mozambique on April 15th 2005 which means that citizens of both countries can stay in South Africa or Mozambique for 30 days without a visa. In regard to visa validity and requirements, please consult the nearest embassy and / or consult the South African Home Affairs website.
All other nationals should obtain an entry visa from the nearest South African Consulate, at a cost of approximately US$47. When applying for a visa, be sure to have a valid passport, documentation confirming purpose and duration of visit, 2 passport photographs, an application form, proof of sufficient funds and onward travel / return ticket.
Visas are not issued on arrival at South African ports of entry and should be affixed in your passport before you travel. Visitors arriving in South Africa without visas, when one is required, will be refused entry and placed on return flights.
Currency
The unit of currency is the rand (R), which is divided into 100 cents. Notes are in R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10. Coins are in denominations of R5, R2, R1 and 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1c.
Tax
Note that you will be charged directly a 1% tourism levy for your accommodation
Roads
Driving in South Africa is easy to adapt to, with sign posting in English and driving on the left on well-maintained roads. Your home driving licence is accepted if it has your photo; if not, an International Driving Permit should be obtained. In order to hire a car in South Africa, you must have held a valid driver’s license for at least five years. The age limit for car rental is a minimum of 23, and maximum of 70 years. 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).