Secrets of the South Atlantic

One of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth, South Africa, fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', boasts 11 official languages, and its inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover the gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful beaches of Cape Town. Enjoy a local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township, browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban, or sample some of the world's finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotting the Cape Winelands. Some historical attractions to explore include the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, its untamed wilderness is astonishing: wildlife roams freely across massive unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park.

Currency

The currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. There are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10 notes. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, and 10c.

Banking

Banks are found in most towns and are generally open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays (Closed Sundays and Public Holidays). Most of them offer foreign exchange services - with cash, bank & credit cards as well as travellers cheques. You can also obtain cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs). Several international banks have branches in the main city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside the country as they might block your purchases if they are not informed. 

Travelling around South Africa is relatively easy by air, road and rail.

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An extensive tarred road system makes travelling in South Africa by vehicle convenient and easy. You will find gravel roads in rural areas though. Please note that a valid international driver's licence is required. We drive on the left-hand side of the road. Most global car hire firms have branches in South Africa.

Another means of getting around South Africa are inter-city bus services. Metrobus buses are available for in-city transport. Metered taxis can be ordered and e-hailing services are available. There is the popular MyCityBus system in Cape Town and a hop-on-hop-off tourist bus in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The rail system includes the long-haul, inexpensive Shosholoza Meyl Metrorail trains with  more luxurious options are available. There is also the Gautrain rapid transit railway system in Gauteng Province.

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 local government. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to maintain hygienic standards.

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.

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 during the day. Average annual rainfall is on the low side at under 500mm a year, making the country somewhat dry. Much of the rain falls in the Western Cape in the winter, differing from the rest of the country, which experiences summer rainfall. 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.

Summer

Bring cool, light and comfortable clothes 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. Cape Town gets its rain during the winter season so it's advisable to bring rain gear along.

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 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.

Most accommodation offer Wifi in their business centres, rooms or restaurants. Internet cafes are found in most business areas and shopping malls. In addition, some South African restaurants offer WiFi access.

There are also outlets such as PostNet that offer internet, fax and postage facilities.  

Electrical sockets in the Republic of South Africa are Type M (SABS-1661). If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug it in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in South Africa usually supply electricity at 230 volts AC / 50 Hz frequency. If you're plugging in an appliance built for 230-volt electrical input, or an appliance compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. A voltage converter will be necessary if your appliance isn't compatible with 230 volts.

Dotting the South Atlantic between Africa and South America, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are British Overseas Territories consisting of the Saint Helena Island, Ascension Island and the Tristan da Cunha archipelago including Gough Island. These remote islands are set rather far from each other, but belong under one single territorial group and have a rich military history owing to their strategic positioning. The best known of the islands, St Helena, once home to the exiled French Emperor Napolean Bonaparte, features beautiful landscapes and world-class opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities. To the north, Ascension Island boasts magnificent volcanic landscapes and top-notch diving, and to the south, Tristan da Cunha forms part of the most isolated inhabited archipelago in the world, featuring Queen Mary’s Peak Volcano.

Currency

The local currency is the Saint Helena Pound which is linked at parity to the British Pound (Sterling). Notes and coins are similar in denomination and appearance to their UK counterparts. The bank notes from 5 to 20 pounds and coins from 1 pence to 2 pounds are in circulation.

The tourists can exchange currency and cash traveler’s checks only at banks. The British sterling pound is accepted everywhere on the islands and the local currency is pegged at 1:1. It is better to have traveler’s checks in British pounds.

The Saint Helena currency circulates on Saint Helena and Ascension Island, but not in the other territory, Tristan da Cunha, where UK currency circulates.

Banking

Saint Helena Banking hours: Monday- Friday 08h45 - 15h00, Saturdays 09h00-12h00

Saint Helena Wharf Kiosk: Thursday - Friday 09h00 - 14:30

Saint Helena Airport Kiosk: Every Saturday 10h00 - 14h30 and on one Sunday a month when the flight from Ascension lands (10h00 - 14h30).

Ascension Island Banking hours: Monday- Friday 08h45 - 15h00, Saturdays 09h00-12h00

Tristan da Cunha Treasury in the Administration Building hours: Monday-Thursday 08h00-14h30 (summer), 0830-15.00 (winter), and Fridays 08h00-13h00  (08h30-14h30 in winter).

Banking services on St Helena and Ascension Island are provided by the Bank of St Helena. Sterling is accepted in shops and restaurants on the island but change will often be given in Saint Helena Pounds. 

Visa and MasterCard are accepted by some large stores on the Saint Helena island but generally, the cards are not willingly accepted. There are no ATMs on the islands so the tourists can withdraw the money only at banks. 

Saint Helena

Credit cards are not widely used, although a few outlets and businesses will accept them. You will be charged a commission for using your credit card. Bank of St. Helena can advance cash against credit or debit cards. All cash advances are subject to charges and you will need identification bearing a photograph and signature. The Bank of St Helena also offers foreign exchange facilities.

Travellers’ cheques can be cashed at the Bank. You will need to change back any surplus local currency before leaving, as it is not possible to exchange St Helenian notes or coins once back in the UK. St Helena currency is accepted on Ascension Island.

Ascension

Credit cards are accepted at the Chandlery and the NAAFI shop on Travellers Hill, but otherwise are not in general use. There is one bank - the Bank of St Helena - but no cash machines, although cashback is available at some stores. Travellers’ cheques can be cashed at the Bank.

While the official currency is the St Helena pound, sterling bank notes are accepted in all shops and bars and the US base will accept US dollars, sterling or St Helena currency. The St Helena pound is fixed at a rate of one pound Sterling. Foreign currency (including Euros) can be exchanged at the bank, which also cashes UK cheques with proof of identify and a cheque guarantee card.   The Bank can also accept debit and credit cards. Charges may apply.

You will need to change back any surplus local currency before leaving, as it is not possible to exchange St Helenian notes or coins once back in the UK.

Tristan da Cunha

Tristan does not have the facilities to accept credit cards, only hard currency (British Sterling). Sterling is the currency used on the Island. There is a small bank that can exchange currency but supply is limited. Euro/Dollars/Rand may be exchanged at the Treasury in the Administration Building during office hours.

By Plane

It is not easy to get to the  islands of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The civil airport is being built now so the easiest way to get to the islands is by a military plane of the Great Britain Royal Air Force. The plane departs from London or Oxford once a week and can take thirty passengers. This plane can also take you to the British military base on the Ascension island. If you want to travel to other islands, you can do it only by sea.

By Sea

The Royal Mail Ship departs from Cape Town to the Saint Helena island once a month and makes a stop on the Ascension island and sometimes at the port of Tristan da Cunha. There are 130 places for the tourists on the ship. The traveling time is 5 days. South African fishing and research vessels willingly to transfer tourists to Tristan da Cunha.

The most convenient way to get to the islands is to rent a yacht.

St Helena

Many roads on St Helena are single lanes. Speed limits are signed across the island but drivers are unlikely to travel at speeds in excess of 30 miles an hour or above third gear. Vehicles travelling downhill must give way to those travelling uphill. Driving is on the left. Drink drive laws are strictly applied with a limit of 50 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Public transport on St Helena is very limited but hire cars are available.

UK driving licences are valid on St Helena for three months after which a local (St Helena) licence must be obtained. Licences can be purchased from the Post Office in Jamestown and are valid for one year.

Ascension

There is a public minibus service which operates on Friday and Saturday nights only. There is no other public transport on Ascension Island, but bus tours with a driver can be arranged. There are a limited number of hire cars.

The speed limit is 20mph in Georgetown and Two Boats Village, and when passing the US Base. It’s either 30mph or 40 mph elsewhere. If you’re expecting to stay for more than 3 months, you must apply for an Ascension Island Driving Licence from the Post Office.

Wild sheep, donkeys and land crabs (protected species) can gather on the roads, especially during wet weather.

There are a number of sites which are out of bounds. On arrival to Ascension visitors are briefed where they’re permitted to visit but if you’re unsure it’s always worth checking with either the police station, harbour authorities or Ascension Island Government personnel first.

Tristan da Cunha

You’re not allowed to hike up the Base or to Marys Peak unless accompanied by a Tristan guide. Trips to areas away from the main settlement on Tristan, including to Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands, must be made with a guide for safety reasons. A fee is payable and an indemnity declaration must be signed. You need prior approval from the Administrator to visit Gough Island, which is 200 miles away by sea to the south. Permission to land will rarely be granted as Gough is a World Heritage Site. If you intend to hill walk, fish or undertake any pursuit away from the Settlement, seek the advice of a local guide and let others know where you are going and when you intend to return.

Getting to St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSt Helena

St Helena airport offers weekly flights via Windhoek or Walvis Bay to Johannesburg provided by SA Airlink.

Ascension

Due to runway repairs required to the Ascension Island runway, the Ministry of Defence has temporarily rerouted the South Atlantic Airbridge via an alternative location. Until further notice, the only means of access to Ascension Island is via a monthly flight from Johannesburg via St Helena. You should contact your travel agent, local tour booking office, or Ascension Island employer for the latest up-to-date information.

There is limited accommodation available to tourists on Ascension Island.

Tristan da Cunha

Travel to the Island is by sea only. Fishing vessels from Cape Town visit the Island nine times a year, and there is one annual visit made by a South African research vessel in September/October. Due to the limited harbour facilities, vessels have to anchor offshore and passengers are ferried by smaller local boats. This can be hazardous in bad weather. Approaching bad weather can mean that you have to return to your ship ahead of schedule. Fishing requirements may mean that ships need to depart Tristan ahead of or behind schedule. Airline bookings should be flexible.

The cuisine of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha was developing under a great influence of English cooking traditions but with a very poor choice of ingredients and under conditions of almost complete isolation. The staple food on the islands is fish, seafood, rice, potatoes and other vegetables.

Traditional meat dishes are very simple. The locals use cattle for cooking such as pork bacon, beef and chicken. People also make very simple sausages from meat. The foodies will not be very happy with the simple cuisine but the tourists who do not care much about food will like the seafood dishes. The locals created a lot of recipes for fish pies.

On these tropical islands, there are many exotic fruits and tourists can treat themselves to them. The offspring of the British sailors learned to fry bananas, to use coconut flakes, nutmeg and local herbs and spices in cooking. Coconut cakes and tarts are usually served for a dessert. The locals prefer coffee and they prepare it according to an old marine recipe.

Among the alcoholic drinks, are home-made fruit liqueurs and imported alcoholic drinks sold in the local shops. 

There is a massive distance between the island stretching from north to south (over 3,600 kilometres) and so the territories have various climates. Ascension has a warm, arid climate, with temperatures all year long into the 20 °C. St Helena is more moderate (and arid near the coasts). Tristan da Cunha, being closer to the Antarctic Circle, is much cooler and a lot wetter. The uninhabited southernmost Gough Island is wetter and has freezing winter temperatures.

Bring an array of clothing as the islands have various climates. Tropical, light clothing for Ascension's warmer climate. Bring light cottons and heavier jerseys for St Helena's moderate climate. Bring heavier, warmer, waterproof clothes for Tristan da Cunha as it is closer to the Antarctic Circle and is much cooler and a lot wetter. If travelling to the uninhabited southernmost Gough Island, bring waterproofs and warm clothes as it is wetter and has freezing winter temperatures.

In Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, the electrical sockets are Type G (BS-1363) If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha usually supply electricity at Voltage230 volts AC @ 50 Hz. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.