General Information

GENERAL INFORMATION ON SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA occupies the southernmost part of the African continent, mostly to the south of the Tropic of Capricorn, covering an area of approximately 1.22 million sq km (472,281 sq miles).

Click on map for an enlarged version

BANKS
Banking hours at most commercial banks are:
Mon - Fri 09h00 - 15h30
Sat 09h00 - 11h00
Major hotels have foreign exchange facilities and most shops, lodges and travel agencies accept travellers’ cheques. Johannesburg International Airport offers a number of banks and Bureaux de Change dealing in the purchase and exchange of foreign currency. Please note that the exchange rate offered at hotels is generally not advantageous.

BEST TIME TO VISIT
South Africa is a popular year-round destination. Traditionally the peak season is from October to the end of March, plus the Easter long weekend in April. Availability is at a premium during these periods, so it is strongly recommended to book accommodation and other travel arrangements in advance. The northern regions are good destinations in the winter months (July to September) because the grass is not high so game viewing is thus excellent – also, temperatures are mild (maximum 20'-23'C). There is very little rainfall in the north during winter months.
The southern regions are summer destinations (November to April) to with low summer rainfall and temperatures reaching 28-30'C or higher with beautiful clear sunny days.The east coast of KwaZulu-Natal is a year-round holiday destination offering sandy beaches and swimming in the warm Indian Ocean current – temperatures range generally between 18’-38’. Because this is a semi-tropical region, humidity can be high during summer. The most comfortable months to visit are March – November.

CLIMATE

Summer: November to April with hot days and warm nights.
Winter: July to mid-September with cold conditions.
Spring: Mid-September to October with warm days and cool nights.
Autumn: (Fall): May to June with warm days and relatively cool nights.

Summer temperatures average between 15'-38'C (60-96F) at midday but can reach 42’C on occasions. 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 mean annual rainfall of 500 mm as compared to a world average of 857 mm. South Africa has one of the highest daily sunshine rates in the world. KwaZulu-Natal has a mostly sub-tropical climate with a high humidity in summer. The Southern Gauteng region has hot summers with occasional late afternoon thundershowers and frosty winters, while the Eastern part of this region (known as the Lowveld) enjoys mild winters. The Cape interior and the centrally located 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.

CLOTHING
Casual, comfortable wash-and-wear clothing is most useful. Jackets and ties are required in city hotel restaurants and golf clubs. Many 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.

Here is a guideline list of important items to bring:

Shorts, slacks & Cotton T-shirts
Swimming Costume
Good comfortable walking shoes
Casual light-weight cotton, khaki or neutral coloured clothes for safaris
Wide brimmed hat and sunglasses
Personal toiletries, sun barrier creams and lip creams
Anti-malaria prophylactics
Binoculars, camera and accessories
If you are on any medication, a copy of your prescription drugs and also your reading glasses

COMMUNICATIONS
A direct international dialling 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 fax services and Internet facilities. Remember that hotels levy a substantial surcharge on all calls – we suggest that you first enquire from the hotel switchboard operator concerning the hotel charge for international calls, before making any calls from your room. . Most lodges have telephone communication facilities. If located in very remote areas, such as the Okavango Delta, Botswana, they maintain radio contact with ‘the outside world’ if no telephone service is available.

CONFERENCE FACILITIES
South Africa has a wealth of conference and exhibition facilities on offer. The Durban International Convention Centre and the Sandton Convention Centre are but two such very large facilities available for large international conferences and exhibitions. A variety of smaller centres and meeting rooms, conference coaches on luxury trains, cruise liners plying the South African coast and the Indian Ocean, plus facilities at game lodges and country inns are also attractive unusual options for the Conference Planner. KOKANYA TOURS offers our expertise and experience in organising meetings both large and small, with attention to detail.

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 service. 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 accepted at petrol stations –only cash. Rand travellers’ cheques are handy to have.

CULTURAL POPULATION PROFILE

A fascinating mix of African, Eastern and Western cultural influences is reflected in South African society. More than 75% of the population of approximately 42 million people are Africans, around 3% are of Indian or Chinese origin, around 9% are coloureds and around 13% are whites – a truly ‘Rainbow Nation’.

50% of the population still live in rural areas, mainly the Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, the province with the highest number of inhabitants. Gauteng has the largest proportion of urban inhabitants followed by the Western Cape.

CURRENCY
The unit of currency in South Africa is the Rand where R1 is made up of 100 cents. Bank notes are R200 (orange), R100 (blue), R50 (pink), R20 (brown) and R10 (green). Coins are R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1c.
Many tourist shops are beginning to accept foreign currency such as the US Dollar, British Sterling, German Mark and Japanese Yen, in payment for goods purchased. Please enquire if they accept foreign currency before making a purchase and the rate of exchange offered.

ELECTRICITY
Voltage in South Africa is 230 to 240 volts, 50 Hz. 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 some lodges.

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. 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.
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 return to their home country.

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.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

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 KwaZulu-Natal. Anti-malaria precautions such as Daraclor 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 through over-indulging in the African sun. Plenty of sun cream, a good sun hat and gradual adjustment are recommended. Sun tanning at the beach or beside the hotel pool is not recommended during the hours of 11h30-14h30 when the sun is directly overhead – it is preferable to remain in the shade during those hours to avoid possibly being badly burnt, especially if you are not used to the African sun.

INSURANCE

Health insurance is advisable. Health services are of a high standard in South Africa but a private system is in operation for which you would require medical insurance. Insurance is also recommended to cover baggage. KOKANYA TOURS is able to provide holidaymakers with comprehensive medical and travel insurance for cover from time of arrival in South Africa to time of departure. This includes cover on the international flights to and from South Africa. Comprehensive insurance cover must be taken out before leaving home, so if you would like us to assist with this aspect of your travel arrangements as well, please let us know and we will advise the policy details and cost.

LANGUAGES
There are 11 official languages in South Africa: Afrikaans (developed from the Dutch settlers), English, which is spoken country-wide plus 9 African languages, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsongo, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. The English-speaking visitor will experience no problems while travelling through the country or our neighbouring states of Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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 insurance before arriving in the country. Major hotels have contracts with physicians and dentists. Visitors are advised to bring any medical supplies of specialised medication that they may require with them plus a copy of the doctor’s prescription. Medicine may be purchased at pharmacies and emergency pharmacies are open all night.

NATIONAL ANTHEM
In 1994 the South African government approved the adoption ofNkosi Sikele’ iAfrika, the anthem adopted by the African National Congress (ANC) and Die Stem, the anthem of the Republic of South Africa prior to 1994, as joint anthems for the ‘Rainbow Nation’, to be sung by a unified nation.

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

POSTAGE
Stamps can be purchased from the post offices and some news agencies, such as CNA.
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PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Luxury inter-city coaches operate nation-wide on all main routes. Large cities have buses on various routes between the suburbs and downtown. Train services are available countrywide and also locally in some cities such as Cape Town and between Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto.
Taxis (cabs) are the most frequently used means of public transport in both cities and in rural areas as they offer a cheap means of transport. Many hotels have taxi ranks outside their lobbies. Fares are in accordance with the taxi metres. Surcharges apply after hours and for extra luggage. When returning to your hotel after an outing, always make use of taxis parked at official taxi ranks.
A number of airlines operate around South Africa and to neighbouring states, including the national carrier, South African Airways, Comair (in association with British Airways) and Nationwide (in association with Virgin Atlantic Airlines).

RESTAURANTS AND DINING OUT
Superb facilities exist in South Africa – the gourmet may choose from international and local cuisine in top-class hotels, local restaurants and bistros countrywide. Selections include Chinese, French, German, Greek, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mexican, Portuguese and Thai, as well as traditional South African food. Halaal and Kosher food is also available. Many international chains catering to families with children also operate around South Africa, including Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), MacDonalds and Wimpy.
Tipping - It is customary to tip 10 to 15% of the bill at restaurants and 10% of the fare to taxi drivers. It is also the custom to tip local guides and drivers. Hairdressers and theatre ushers are not usually tipped for their services.

SAFETY GUIDELINES
It is sensible to take the same precautions in major cities as you would in any other metropolitan area in the world to ensure a pleasant and safe stay. Never leave your luggage unattended at an airport, in front of the hotel or in the lobby. Deposit all valuables and documents in your hotel’s safety deposit box. Carry photocopies of your passport for identification purposes when paying for goods with travellers’ cheques or credit cards. Do not wear expensive jewellery in the streets. Try to blend with the locals rather than stand out as a tourist. As with large cities worldwide, pickpockets may separate you from your treasures without you even noticing, so better to leave them behind. Do not stroll around the streets after dark and avoid dark places in daylight hours. Always keep your car doors locked and the windows closed. Make use of taxis when travelling from your hotel to a local restaurant or theatre at night.

SOUVENIRS & SHOPPING

South African offers a vast range of irresistible bargains. Large shopping centres are located in most towns and cities, with department stores and boutiques selling clothing, books and local handicrafts such as beadwork, woven baskets, woodcarvings, ostrich eggs, wall tapestries and animal skins. Clothing is of good quality and generally a fraction of the cost of similar items of the same standard sold in Europe. the United States, Australia or Singapore. Golfing equipment is reasonably priced. Sidewalk stalls and flea markets are also popular and they sell a variety of creative and trendy curios, local artwork and cottage industry products. As you would expect from a country rich in gold and diamonds, there is an excellent selection of fine jewellery - plus the opportunity to watch goldsmiths at work. A wide variety of semi-precious stones are also available.
Trading hours at shopping centres are normally 09h00 to 17h00 Mondays to Fridays and 09h00 to 13h00 on Saturdays. Many shopping centres in metropolitan areas are also open Saturdays 13h00 to 17h00 and on Sundays 09h00/10h00 to 13h00.

SPORT
South Africans are a sport mad nation. The most popular sport is soccer and most townships and cities have soccer stadiums packed to capacity whenever matches are played. Other popular sports are rugby, cricket, tennis, athletics and golf. Numerous excellent country clubs throughout the country have superb golf courses of international standard. KOKANYA TOURS organises Golf Tournaments and rounds for guests including club rentals whenever required. Larger cities have Health and Fitness Clubs with the latest training equipment available.

TIME
Throughout the year, South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, 1 hour ahead of Central European Winter Time and 7 hours in advance of Eastern Standard Winter Time.

VAT
Please note that a VAT of 14% is levied in South Africa. This is normally always already included in the published price of all goods and services.
Overseas visitors taking goods out of South Africa are able to reclaim VAT which they paid on most goods. VAT cannot be reclaimed on services provided, only on goods purchased at participating outlets.
When making a purchase, please inform the sales assistant that you are a visitor to South Africa and request a tax invoice from him/her. The shop’s VAT Number must appear on this invoice. VAT Reclaim is only applicable for goods which are produced at the airport, so keep all goods with the relative invoices in your hand luggage when leaving South Africa. 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 international airports: Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Remember to allow sufficient time - generally one extra hour - between checking-in and boarding your flight as queues at customs may delay you.

WATER
The tap water in South Africa is safe to drink, but if you prefer, bottled water is available.