South Africa

Traveling

Entry requirements

Passport and visa service

South African Department of House Affairs
Visiting South Africa

Diplomatic representations

Department of Foreign Affairs

Organizing your trip

Means of transport recommended in town

Recommendation

Transport system is comparatively better in major centers but can be unreliable in smaller towns. Hiring a car is advisable to avoid difficulty traveling in those areas. On a general note public system in the country is unreliable and inefficient.

Road signs are in English and Afrikaans. Metros are extensive though low on comfort quotient. Foreigners need to be extra cautious while traveling; do not carry expensive articles and jewellery.

Taxis are generally available in all towns and are relatively more expensive. Taxis do not cruise in South Africa and need to be called from a rank.

Maps of urban networks

Mapblast
Maporama
UT Library online
South African Rail Commuter Corporation
Map of Western Cape Rail Network
Map of South African provinces

Means of transport recommended in the rest of the country

Recommendation

Buses and suburban rails operate in all the main towns of South Africa. Fares are not expensive.

In some cities conventional buses face stiff competition from minibuses and combi-taxis (both legal and illegal). Although cheap and very fast, these should be used with care.

Rail companies

Railroad association of South Africa
Spoornet- South Africa Rail

Airlines

Traveling by yourself

Recommendation

The road infrastructure in South Africa is good, so driving is a viable option. However, South Africa is a huge country and in case you not used to driving long distances, rather break the journey, as fatigue is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents. While most national roads are tarred and in good condition, the more rural the road, the more likely it is to be pot-holed and poorly surfaced. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory. Using hand-held phones while driving is against the law. Visit : Self Drive –Southern Africa

Road maps

Maps of South Africa
Brabys Road Maps

Find an itinerary

Via Michelin
The World Maporama
Routes Travel Info Portal

Visiting

Different forms of tourism

Historical

The country’s rich culture and its colonial past is being reflected by its historical places. Some of them are Robben Island, Cradle of Humankind, Apartheid Museum, Voortrekker Monument, Bo- Kaap, Castle of Good Hope.

Cultural

Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape

Robben Island

Nature

Cape Floral Region Protected Areas

Greater St Lucia Wetland Park

Vredefort Dome

uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park

Religious

Cathedral of St George's in Cape Town – one of the most popular places Roman Catholic cathedral at Pella Mission station in Cape Town – an incredible sight.

 

Kimberley’s St Cyprians Anglican Cathedral – said to have the longest nave in the country.

Johannesburg’s oldest monument to Islam is the Jummah Mosque. However, one of the most significant mosques in the city is the Hamidia Masjid (found in Newtown).

In Durban the Juma Masjid (mosque) is a bold testament to Islam.

For information on Hinduism in South Africa, visit: http://www.hinduism.co.za/

For information on Islam in South Africa, visit: http://www.jamiat.co.za/

Thermal

Bela Bela is the destination for hot springs. Natural hot water springs also found near the town of Citrusdal in the Western Cape of South Africa.

 

Visit: www.thebaths.co.za/

Beach

South Africa has numerous beautiful beaches. Visit: www.drakensberg-tourism.com

 

The country is a paradise for sea lovers. Visit: www.southafrica.info

Winter sports

Winter sports are not common in south Africa. Drakensberg in the eastern cape offers skiing options.

Outdoor activities

Whale watching, shark-cage diving, reef diving, surfing, Bungee jump, fishing, hand gliding.

 

Visit: Adventure Activities in South Africa

Shopping

South Africa is renowned for its exceptional quality of gemstones and hand crafted precious metal jewellery. The country offers unique shopping experience of high end boutiques and shopping malls along with vendors selling local crafts. Visit:

 

 African Craft Market

Gateway Theatre of Shopping

Red Shed Craft Workshop

Canal Walk

Tourism organizations

South African Tourism Board
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT)
Lescha Tours
Tourism Organization

Living conditions

Health and safety

Health precautions

- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age arriving from an infected area. There are no other obligatory vaccinations.

- Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the low altitude areas of the country. Risk is highest from October to May.

- Avoid swimming and paddling in stagnant or slow-moving water as there is a low risk of contracting bilharzia.

- Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are recommended.

International hospitals

Hospital Association of South Africa

Cohsasa

For further information on sanitary conditions

Department of Health
World Health Organization about South Africa
Health Information for South Africa

For further information on safety conditions

Foreign Affairs and International and International Trade Canada
U.S. Department of State

Emergency numbers

Time difference and climate

Time and time difference

It is %T:%M %A in Pretoria (GMT+2)

Summer time period

None

Map of the time zone

Type of climate

South Africa experiences pleasant and sunny summers, mild winters, with occasional snow falls on the mountain ranges of the Cape and Natal and in lower-lying areas. There are heavy rains along the south coast from June to September.

For further information

South African weather service

Average annual temperatures and rainfall

Eating

Culinary specialties

South Africans like to eat out so. This has resulted into creation of a wide range of restaurants. Fruity and sweet Cape Malay cuisine can be found in Cape Town, while the Indian influence in Durban provides some authentic Asian food on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, and Mozambique peri peri spicy chicken and prawns are popular all over the country. Braais (barbeques) are hugely popular and every campsite. Meat is a well-loved staple in South Africa, although vegetarians are offered at least a couple of dishes in even small-town eateries.

Drinks

Legal drinking age is 18. Some of the most common drinks in South Africa are:

• Umqombothi: a home-brewed sorghum beer.

• Excellent local red and white wines (including chardonnay), sherries and brandies.

• Rooibos: a red-leafed tea grown in the Western Cape.

• Amarula Cream: a sweet creamy liqueur made from the fruit of the Marula tree.

Dietary taboos

Paying

Domestic currency

Rand

ISO Code

ZAR

To obtain domestic currency

It is possible to exchange foreign currency at the banks, hotels, big shops and eating joints. ATMs are available. Traveller’s cheques are also accepted. Travelers should preferably carry cheques inPounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Possible means of payment

MasterCard and Visa are preferred. American Express and Diners Club are also widely accepted. ATMs are available all over the towns and cities including shopping malls and petrol stations, and accept all international debit and credit cards.

Speaking

Official language

Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu.

Other languages spoken

Fanagalo, Hindi, Sotho, Tsotsitaal, Venda,

Business language

English.However advertising in local languages has a wider reach.

Getting some knowledge

The Travlang website gives you some typical phrases to learn in South Africa.

Free translation tools

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Useful resources

To find an accommodation

Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa Guest House Association of South Africa
Bed and Breakfast Association of South Africa South Africa Caravan Parks and Camping Sites South Africa Youth Hostel Association
The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA)

To find an apartment

South African Agents

Sarental.co.za

To find a job

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