THE COUNTRY
• We have a population of 60-million+, beautiful, warm and friendly people.
• We have 11 official languages – Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.
• We have nine exquisite provinces, each more different than the next.
• Our country is five times the size of Japan and three times the size of Texas.
• South Africa is home to deserts, mountains, escarpments, plateaus, grasslands, bush, wetlands and subtropical forests.
• We have three mainstream international airports, (a total of eight international airports), 90 other airports and excellent road infrastructure make it easy to get around.
• Our hotels, lodges and restaurants are frequent winners of top global awards.
• The country does not apply daylight saving, so its relative time remains constant.
• Several international banks have branches in the main city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block your purchases if they are not informed.
• We have Value Added Tax (VAT) of 15%.
THE COUNTRY KEEPING TRACK OF TIME
South Africa is in the GMT+2 time zone (UTC+2), which is the same as Athens, Bucharest, Cairo, Istanbul, Jerusalem, Harare and Helsinki. The country does not apply daylight saving, so its relative time remains constant.
MAKING SENSE OF CENTS
• The currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. Notes come in R200, R100, R50, R20and R10 notes. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.
• Banking hours are Monday to Friday (generally) from 9h00 to 15h30 and on Saturdays from 9h00 to 11h00. Our banks are usually closed Sundays and Public Holidays.
• Most banks offer foreign exchange services - with cash, bank & credit cards as well as travellers cheques.
• All major credit cards are accepted.
• You can also obtain cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs) which are open 23 hours a day. Like anywhere in the world, keep your eyes peeled if you’re drawing cash in a deserted spot after hours.
• Several international banks have branches in the main city centers. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block your purchases if they are not informed.
• Like anywhere in the world, keep your eyes peeled if you’re drawing cash in a deserted spot after hours.
THE BIG FIVE
A term originally coined by early game hunters as the five species that were the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot—elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and Cape buffalo—today the Big Five are the species that safari-goers are most anxious to shoot with cameras. You can spot the Big Five in many safari destinations including Botswana and South Africa.
WILD DOGS
The African wild dog (also known as the hunting dog or painted dog) is one of the most successful predators in Africa. They hunt in packs with incredible speed and stamina and are known to cover large distances while pursuing their prey. Wild dogs occur in many of Africa’s big game reserves.
BIRDS
Africa is a fantastic bird-watching destination. With the sheer diversity of habitats, nearly 2,500 species are at home somewhere on the continent. If you would like to do some birding during your safari, the most popular and rewarding destinations include South Africa and Botswana. The best time of year is usually during the African summer, November to March when local birds are joined by thousands of migratory species from the north.
THE LITTLE FIVE
You’ve probably heard of the “Big Five” – a must-see list of animals to look out for whilst on safari: (Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, Lion and Rhino), but did you know Africa also has a “Little Five”? Here is the other must-see list, the “Little Five”. They are the Elephant Shrew, Ant Lion, Rhinoceros Beetle, Buffalo Weaver and Leopard Tortoise. Africa’s big game is awesome, but there is also a wealth of interesting smaller species including remarkable birdlife, small game and strange insects.
CHEETAHS
From an estimated 100,000 cheetahs at the turn of the 20th century the population is currently estimated to be 7,100. Shrinking habitat, dwindling of natural prey, and conflict with human activities are the primary causes of this critical situation.
WILDLIFE
The main objective of most African safaris is wildlife viewing. While the variety of African wildlife could fill its own guide, here are a few of the most popular wildlife experiences that travelers seek and where to find them.
TRAVEL BY AIR
South Africa has a number of international and domestic airports. Smaller and private airports handle regional and unscheduled flights.
GATEWAY AIRPORTS
Oliver Tambo International Airport (previously known as Johannesburg International Airport), Cape Town International Airport & King Shaka International Airport
DOMESTIC AIRLINES
In recent years, South Africa has seen the emergence of low-cost airlines, which means that getting around is easy
and affordable.
TRAVEL BY RAIL
• Passenger trains are a popular way of moving around South Africa.
• Train travel is an inexpensive option for getting around, but the quality of experiences is not always front of mind.
• The Shosholza Meyl, Rovos Rail and the Blue train offer exceptional comfort and style.
TRAVEL BY ROAD
South Africa has extensive road infrastructure with its highways and byways most of it is well maintained. Potholes are most commonly found on rural roads, those roads between smaller towns where the road maintenance falls under the control of the local authorities. They are also often found in residential areas where road maintenance has been neglected and where trucks often pass to make deliveries to shopping centers in those areas.
CAR HIRE
• One of the best ways of travelling in and around South Africa is by car, which makes self-drive routes extremely popular.
• Most of the reputable international car hire agencies have offices in South Africa, offering a wide range of vehicles that vary according to the traveller’s needs.
BUSES/COACHES
• There are a number of bus shuttle services that operate around the major airports and railway stations.
• In terms of long-distance travel, there are a number of excellent bus companies offering cost effective deals for people to travel around the country.
METERED TAXIS
• South Africa has a network of minibus taxis servicing most major routes – these are better suited to local travelers because one needs to know their routing and how to ‘hail’ them.
GETTING AROUND
Non-residents can drive with a driving license that’s valid in their own country, provided it bears a photograph, the signature of the holder and the license is in English. Alternatively, an international driver’s license is required.
CLIMATE
• Our weather is great! It is generally warm, dry and sunny.
• South African temperatures, which are measured in centigrade, average at highs of 28°C to average lows of 8°C in the summer months, while winter temperatures range from 1°C at night to around 18°C in the day.
• Average annual rainfall is on the low side at under 500mm a year, making the country somewhat dry.
• The Western Cape has dry summers and wet winters. Kwazulu Natal is subtropical on the coast and gets very hot and humid, as can Mpumalanga, Lowveld and the Kruger National Park.
• The interior is hot with spectacular thunderstorms in summer and is dry, frosty and sunny in winter.
• On the plus side, the South African climate boasts more than its fair share of sunshine, recording an average of 8.5 hours a day.
MALARIA
• Malaria is found only in some parts of the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and on the Maputaland coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
• The most effective measures against malaria are mechanical barriers and the use of insect repellent, body lotions and mosquito nets. Visitors are advised to take prophylactics and should always consult a health practitioner or travel wellness clinic before entering a malaria area.
• Even though there are parts of South Africa where there is a malaria risk, this is minimized by annual spraying to kill mosquito eggs.
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT
• With a few exceptions in deep rural areas, electricity in South Africa is available almost everywhere. With the growth of the population, business and industry, the electricity supply are sometimes under pressure, and when usage reaches a peak, resulting in a power
outage…. Which we call load shedding.
• Load shedding is when there is not enough electricity available to meet the demand from all Eskom’s customers and it could be necessary to interrupt the supply to our area. Schedules are drawn up to ensure that a few areas do not bear the brunt of the shortages.
• By spreading the impact, affected areas are not interrupted for more than two hours at a time, and in most cases, customers can be informed of
interruptions in advance.
HOSPITALS AND DOCTORS
There are private and public hospitals in most areas and many well-qualified general practitioners in every town and city can help with medical matters.
CUISINE
Standards of hygiene in relation to food health and safety in South Africa, are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots. Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps in urban areas.
Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary. It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables and salads and put ice in your drinks. South Africa’s fish, meat and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the
local cuisine. Restaurants are subject to South Africa’s food safety control legislation, which is implemented by the local government. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to ensure hygienic standards are maintained. Street food is not
as common in South Africa as it is in other countries, although vendors selling traditional snacks and meals can be found in city centres and townships. Food safety in such instances cannot always be guaranteed.
DRESS
Summer: Bring clothes that are cool, light and comfortable because summer temperatures can get well into the 30 - 40-degree Celsius range in some areas. Also, bring an umbrella or raincoat during summer as this is when most of the country gets its rain, but don’t forget a swimming
costume (bathing suit).
Winter: The winters are generally mild, comparing favourably with European summers. But there are days when temperatures dive, especially in high-lying areas such as the Drakensberg, so be prepared with jerseys and jackets.
GENERAL
Always bring a hat, sunglasses and sunblock as the sun can be strong even in the winter months. Walking shoes are a good idea all year round, with warm socks in the winter. If you are doing business in the country, business attire (suit and tie) is generally called for in the corporate
sector, but media for example generally dress more casually.
For game viewing, a couple of neutral-toned items will be useful, but there’s no need to go overboard. A good pair of walking shoes is also advisable. For the evening, if you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended.
