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Accommodation:
a wide variety is available from hotels to guest houses,
game lodges, 'bed and breakfasts', caravan parks and
camps. Be warned: lodging may be hard to find during
school holidays around Xmas and Easter.
Grading: The
Tourism Grading Council uses the star system to indicate
the quality of accommodation on offer:
one star = fair to good (though modest)
two stars = good overall quality
three stars = very good quality
four stars = superior, excellent comfort
five stars = exceptional, luxurious
See section at the back of this book and our website
www.satravelguide.com for accommodation listings
Backpacking:
VIP Backpackers Resorts is a network of independent
hostels offering excellent budget accommodation.
www.vipbackpackers.com or Tel: 021 438 0378
Banking:
Banks are open from 09 00 to 15 30 hrs on weekdays
and 08 30 to 11 00 hrs on Saturdays. Automated Teller
Machines (ATMs) are readily available in cities and
towns.
Beaches:
Swimming is generally safe and hygienic. Eight
SA beaches enjoy international Blue Flag status. Shark
nets protect beaches in KwaZulu-Natal
Computicket:
The nationwide electronic booking service for
cinemas, theatres, buses, sporting events etc Tel: 011
978 5315 or 083 915 8000. Website:www.computicket.com
Conferences:
Facilities range from international conference venues
in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg to smaller venues
in game parks and resort areas
Tel: SAAACI 012 804 8110 www.saaci.co.za
Conversions:
Distances are given in kilometres (1 mile = 1.62 kilometres)
Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius (Centigrade)
(20o C = 68oF)
Credit
Cards: Most major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard,
American Express etc) are accepted. They may also
be used to draw cash from ATMs. Petrol may only be
purchased with a special card
Currency:
The main unit of currency is the Rand, divided
into 100 cents. The most widely-used coins are 50c,
R1, R2 and R5 pieces The most widely used notes -
R10, R20, R30, R50, R100, R200 Foreign currency should
be declared on entry
Customs
allowances: Personal effects are allowed in
duty free. Visitors may bring in goods worth R1250;
duty is levelled at 20% up to R 10 000.
Disabled,
Facilities for: SAA provides passenger aid
units. Many hotels offer special facilities, as do
most Kruger Park rest camps. Wheelchairs may be hired
in most cities
Dress:
South Africa's dress code is casual, except in some
hotels, clubs and restaurants that require more formal
attire. Topless swimming and sunbathing is not officially
allowed
Drinking:
Water - Tap water is safe to drink. Alcohol
- only over 18s may purchase; may not be consumed
in public. For drivers, the legal blood/alcohol limit
is 0.05mg per 100 ml. Do NOT drink and drive.
Driving:
South Africans drive on the left, and give
way to the right. Drivers must have a valid licence,
with photo, or an international driving permit. Seatbelts
are mandatory. Speed limits (on motorways- 120kph;
elsewhere - 100kph; built-up areas - 60kph
Electricity:
Current is 200/230 volts at 50 cycles per second.
A three-point round-pin adaptor is required for razors
and hairdryers
Fishing:
Angling is one of the country's most popular
sports. There are some 250 species of freshwater fish
and 1500 seawater fish species in southern Africa.
A fishing permit is required along the coast.
Foreign Exchange:
can be converted into rands at commercial banks,
bureaux de change and most hotels. Do not exchange
money on the street.
Golf: South
Africa offers a wide range of spectacular golf courses,
at reasonable prices for visitors. See elsewhere in
this guide for details or e-mail: sagolf@global.co.za
or Tel: 011 442 3723
Health/Medical:
Vaccinations for cholera and small pox are
not required, but travellers from a yellow fever zone
must have a valid certificate. Visitors to game parks
must take anti malarial tablets
available from pharmacies (drugstores). Medical and
hospital charges must be paid for mmediately
Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Passports/Visas:
Passports must be valid for six months after
date of departure from SA. Visas are not generally
required. Visitors must have a return ticket .
Public holidays: Fixed: 1 Jan;
21 Mar; 27 April; 1 May; 16 June; 9 Aug; 24 Sept; 16 Dec; 25 &
26 Dec. Variable: Good Friday; Easter Sunday
Inland provinces:
Gauteng, Limpopo, North-West; Free State; Mpumalanga:
13 Jan-26 Mar; 14 Apr-25 Jun; 19 Jul-22 Sept; 4 Oct-3
Dec
Shopping:
Hours are generally 0800 to 1700 on weekdays and 0830
to 1300 on Saturdays. Many shops in the bigger cities
and most supermarkets are open on Saturdays and Sundays.
Smoking:
Is not permitted in enclosed public premises
Taxis:
Telephone for a taxi or go to a taxi rank as taxis
do not cruise. Only take taxis with a working meter.
Cab services do not always accord with international
standards, so be cautious. A small tip is expected.
Telephones:
Public phones are coin or card operated. Green
public phones use telephone cards in denominations
of R 10 to R 200, which may be bought at hotels, post
offices and supermarkets. Cellular phones are widely
used and may be hired at airports. Useful numbers:
Directory assistance 1023. International Directory
Enquiries 0903. Time 1026
Tipping:
Waiters and taxi drivers generally expect 10%
of the bill. Porters expect from R2 per bag.
VAT:
Value Added Tax, currently at 14 %, is levied
on most goods and services. Visitors may reclaim VAT
on purchases over R 250 at international points of
departure.
Weather
report: for up to date information, Tel: 012
219 621
For
your Safety
As in other countries, you should take
a few basic precautions to ensure that your stay in
South Africa is safe and trouble-free.
In the
car
-
Plan your route in advance
-
Keep your car doors are locked
at all times and wind the windows up
-
Lock valuable items in the boot
(trunk)
-
At night, park in well-lit areas
-
Never pick up strangers or hitch-hikers
-
If in doubt about the safety of
an area, phone a police station for advice
At the
hotel
-
Never leave your luggage unattended
-
Store valuables in the hotel's
safe-deposit box
-
Keep your room locked, whether
you're in it or not
-
If someone knocks, check who it
is before opening the door
-
Hand the keys in at reception whenever
you leave the hotel
In the
street
-
Avoid ostentatious displays of expensive
jewellery, cameras and other valuables
-
Don't carry large sums of money
around
-
At night, steer clear of dark,
isolated areas
-
It's better to explore in groups
and to stick to well-lit, busy streets
-
Plan your route beforehand
-
A policeman or traffic officer
will be glad to direct you if you get lost
-
If you want to call a taxi, your
hotel or the nearest tourist information office
will recommend a reliable service.
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