South Africa is a relatively large country. Its is five times the size of Britain, twice as big as France and about one eighth the size of the United States of America.
Climate
South Africa ranks high in the world as far as sunshine days are concerned and the climate is generally mild throughout the year. Refer to the temperature charts for each region.
Safety
As in most countries in the world, travelers are advised to take the necessary safety precautions. Do not walk alone in unpopulated streets after dark or draw unneces-sary attention to money or jewellery on your person. Please make copies of passport and travel documents and keep in safe place. Only keep sufficient cash on your per-son for the days activities. Police emergency no is 10111
Dress
Light cotton clothing is normally the most comfortable in summer. Warm clothing is required for winter. South Africans dress casually on most occasions and for visits to theatres and restaurants smart casual dress is quite acceptable. Evenings can be cool pack accordingly.
Credit Cards
Most major credit cards are accepted, as well as traveller’s cheques in major curren-cies. Please note fuel cannot be purchased with standard credit cards.
Shopping
There are plenty of shopping opportunities. Centres such as the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and Sandton City in Johannesburg offer first world shopping expe-riences. Shops are generally open in major centers on Sundays and shopping hours are from 8.30am till late.
Price indicators
Cool drink – R5.00, Bottled Water – R5.00, Bottle red wine – R40.00, White Wine – R30.00, Beer – R9.00, Draught – R12.00, Spirit – R8.00 per tot, Shooter – R10.00, Cigarettes – R13.00, Steak – R60.00, Pizza – R40.00, MacDonalds meal – R23.00, Movies – R30.00, Game of Pool – R5.00, Milk – R5.00 per litre and loaf of bread R4.00.
Dining and entertainment
These facilities are good and you can choose from international standard cuisine in top class hotels and restaurants or try one of the smaller bistro restaurants found all over the country. Dining out would cost on average R100.00 per head
Tipping
Tipping for foodservice and guides is standard practice and while any tip is nor-mally welcome a good guideline is a 10% gratuity.
Immunisation
No international immunisation is needed when entering South Africa. Malaria though is a risk, which is predominant in the malignant form P. Falciparum, and exists through the year in certain areas of the country, mainly northern Kwazulu Natal and Mpumalanga (Kruger National Park). Resistance to Chloroquine has been reported.
Medical care
Medical services are readily available from Doctors in private practice and private hospitals. It is very important for visitors to have taken out travel insurance which incorporates medical cover. Medicine may be purchased at pharmacies and emergency pharmacies are open at night.
Language
Although there are 11 official languages, English, Afrikaans and a variety of African dialects. The English-speaking visitor will have no problem while traveling through the country.
Taxation
Tourists can have sales tax refunded at a port of exit, provided the value of each invoice for goods purchased exceeds R50.00 and the value of the total items purchased exceeds R250.00. Tax of 14% is normally included in the quoted price of goods and services. Your passport, invoices and goods purchased must be available when claiming the refund at the departure lounges of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban International Airports
Electricity
The standard power source is 220volts AC. Most foreign appliances will need an adaptor or transformer to link with local electrical power.
Driving in South Africa
We drive on the left hand side of the road. The roads are generally good and most National routes have toll fees. The cost varies from R7.00 to R40.00 The speed limit in built up areas is 60km per hour and varies from 100 to 120km on national roads.
Fuel
Many fuel stations throughout South Africa are open 24 hours a day and all with leaded and unleaded petrol and diesel. Fuel will cost approximately R4.8O per liter.
Seat Belts
It is compulsory to wear seat belts, both front and rear. Small children and babies must be restrained in an appropriate child seat or carrier. Child seats should be ordered when you book your car.
Drinking and Driving
You are strongly advised not to drink and drive. Penalties are severe.
Public Transport
Public Transport is not up to international standards. One needs a vehicle to get around effectively. Taxis are available but are quite expensive.
How fast by road? (hours)
Cape Town to Johannesburg – 16 hours
Cape Town to Port Elizabeth – 8 hours
Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay – 5 hours
Johannesburg to Nelspruit – 4 1�� hours
Durban to Johannesburg – 5 hours
Durban to Port Elizabeth – 10 hours
Johannesburg to Sun City – 2 hours
Sun Protection
The sun in Africa is harsh. Sun protection is strongly recommended.
Water
The water in most areas is drinkable however a wide range of still and sparkling water is sold throughout the country.
Source:Travel Tips for Traveling To South Africa
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Tags: Africa, South, Tips, Travel, Traveling
The continuous innovations in modes of travel and the growth of global awareness have incited an increase in the travel and tourist activities all over the world. With the hectic demanding, polluted city life a lot of travelers are in constant search for locations that are still environmentally healthy that will allow them to experience an unspoiled area of Nature. As the world’s population keep on increasing, most vacation spots will eventually become more crowded, making it unsuitable for relaxation. Ultimately those in search of a truly unique travel experience will tend to explore new areas of the world.
One such area that is still commercially unexploited is South America. Nowadays more and more people are becoming fascinated with South American vacations. Whether your interest lies in exploring the spectacular archaeological ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, or the mystery of Rapa Nui off the coast of Chile, or experience the majestic beauty of Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, this is one experience you will never forget.
Salsa, cumbia, Samba and Tango, life really swings in the rhythmic continent of South America. A variety of influences from different countries like Africa, India and Europe penetrated this undiscovered area giving it a very distinct flavor that lures travelers in embarking on an adventurous South American travel.
The exotic continent offers amazing Pre-Columbian sights all along the Andes in Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. The most popular of these are the Nazca and Machu Picchu in Peru and Ciudad Perdida in Colombia. In addition, tourists are also treated to a tour of stylish colonial churches and palaces in each South-American country. Without doubt architecture lovers and avid historians will flock at South American airlines.
People with a more active and sporty lifestyle are captivated with the idea of skiing in exotic Latin countries like Chile, Bolivia and Argentina during their South American vacations. Meanwhile, innate environmentalists cannot wait for an opportunity to see the biggest rainforest and the longest river in the world in Brazil. The abundance of wildlife, especially on the Wadden islands, also added to its appeal.
People who are intend on finding quite and relaxation usually headed for the Carribean, where the coast of Venezuela and Colombia, as well as the beaches of Brazil, offers great beaches and a relaxing atmosphere. If you had enough of the peace and quite and crave some city action, head for the nearest city. There are several to choose from: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago or Lima all of which offers attractions that you will normally find in the city but still with a touch of South America’s exotic culture.
South America is a very diverse continent. Although most countries are speaks Spanish, with the exception of Brazil and three Guyana’s. French Guiana, British Guyana and Suriname still speaks the language of their former colonial masters as well as their own languages. Majority of South America’s still utilizes the native Indian languages however they becoming less frequent nowadays.
Planning for a dream vacation in South America can now be arranged quite easily and quickly. Gone is the time when planning and booking a dream vacation meant getting in touch with a travel agent, today there are numerous sites dedicated to travel in the internet.
So, if you have been yearning to get away, start logging on to the internet and check out all the details on South American travel and destinations. You’ll find all the information on hotels, tours and South American airlines, taking it from there will get you to South America in no time.
Tags: America, Destinations, South, Travel
Until recently, south west Lombok was known mostly to surfers, who enjoy the fantastic reef breaks at dessert point (Bangko Bangko), and now we discovered it for spectacular diving opportunities. This means, at the moment south Lombok is still a insider tip amongst the diving community.
You will not find many tourists on the beaches of South Lombok, and it’s one of the most beautiful places for sunsets and relaxing walks on the beach, without being hassled by flying salesmen with watches and souvenirs.
The local people are very friendly and curios, and you can experience rural Lombok at its finest. (more…)
Tags: Destination, Indonesia, Lombok, South, Unspoiled
The continuous innovations in modes of travel and the growth of global awareness have incited an increase in the travel and tourist activities all over the world. With the hectic demanding, polluted city life a lot of travelers are in constant search for locations that are still environmentally healthy that will allow them to experience an unspoiled area of Nature. As the world’s population keep on increasing, most vacation spots will eventually become more crowded, making it unsuitable for relaxation. Ultimately those in search of a truly unique travel experience will tend to explore new areas of the world.
One such area that is still commercially unexploited is South America. Nowadays more and more people are becoming fascinated with South American vacations. Whether your interest lies in exploring the spectacular archaeological ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, or the mystery of Rapa Nui off the coast of Chile, or experience the majestic beauty of Ecuador?s Galapagos Islands, this is one experience you will never forget.
Salsa, cumbia, Samba and Tango, life really swings in the rhythmic continent of South America. A variety of influences from different countries like Africa, India and Europe penetrated this undiscovered area giving it a very distinct flavor that lures travelers in embarking on an adventurous South American travel.
The exotic continent offers amazing Pre-Columbian sights all along the Andes in Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. The most popular of these are the Nazca and Machu Picchu in Peru and Ciudad Perdida in Colombia. In addition, tourists are also treated to a tour of stylish colonial churches and palaces in each South-American country. Without doubt architecture lovers and avid historians will flock at South American airlines.
People with a more active and sporty lifestyle are captivated with the idea of skiing in exotic Latin countries like Chile, Bolivia and Argentina during their South American vacations. Meanwhile, innate environmentalists cannot wait for an opportunity to see the biggest rainforest and the longest river in the world in Brazil. The abundance of wildlife, especially on the Wadden islands, also added to its appeal.
People who are intend on finding quite and relaxation usually headed for the Carribean, where the coast of Venezuela and Colombia, as well as the beaches of Brazil, offers great beaches and a relaxing atmosphere. If you had enough of the peace and quite and crave some city action, head for the nearest city. There are several to choose from: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago or Lima all of which offers attractions that you will normally find in the city but still with a touch of South America?s exotic culture.
South America is a very diverse continent. Although most countries are speaks Spanish, with the exception of Brazil and three Guyana’s. French Guiana, British Guyana and Suriname still speaks the language of their former colonial masters as well as their own languages. Majority of South America?s still utilizes the native Indian languages however they becoming less frequent nowadays.
Planning for a dream vacation in South America can now be arranged quite easily and quickly. Gone is the time when planning and booking a dream vacation meant getting in touch with a travel agent, today there are numerous sites dedicated to travel in the internet.
So, if you have been yearning to get away, start logging on to the internet and check out all the details on South American travel and destinations. You?ll find all the information on hotels, tours and South American airlines, taking it from there will get you to South America in no time.
Tags: American, Destinations, South, Travel
