To enter South Africa, you must be in possession of a valid passport and a visa. Visitors who intend traveling to South Africa's neighboring countries and back into South Africa are advised to apply for multiple entry visas.
Traveler's cheques are accepted in most stores, hotels and restaurants and may be cashed in most banks.
South Africa has an excellent banking system and there are ATM's scattered throughout South Africa and with any major credit or debit card you can withdraw money.
Hotels will exchange foreign notes for you but you will get a better exchange rate at a bank or travel agency.
South African shops and restaurants all accept Visa and Mastercard. Check first for America Express or Dinners Club cards.
VAT of 14% is levied on nearly all goods and services. Foreign tourists may claim on items that will be taken out of the country. Original tax invoices, foreign passport items on which a refund is claimed, must be presented at eh VAT refund administration.
No international immunization is needed when entering South Africa.
Although this disease is to the larger extent under control in South Africa, precautions against Malaria should always be taken when visiting Africa. It is advised that you seek advice to whether you will be traveling to a Malaria infected area and if so to take anti- malaria prophylactics. A general list of the areas in South Africa that are prone to Malaria include:
Kwazulu Natal
Mpumalanga
Northern Province
Swaziland
South Africa is a country in a state of change. This has unfortunately allowed criminals to take hold of certain areas. However by following a few simple rules you will be fine:
- Stay in the tourist areas and with the tour guides
- Never walk on your own in the street - especially at night, rather catch a taxi even if it is only a 5-minute walk.
- Leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- When driving keep your doors locked at all times and put your bags in the boot - do not leave them on the seat.
- Do not keep your wallet in your back pocket - use your front pocket.
- Keep handbags and cameras in front of you.
* If you renting a house or bungalow make sure the windows are closed and the doors are locked if you leave it unattended. - Generally keep aware of your surroundings and the people around you
220/230 volts AC at 50 Cycles per second. Three pronged plugs are universal., but European adapters are available to bye in South Africa. Most hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and small applets.
the country code.
South Africa also has a mature digital mobile phone network. This means any GSM compliant phone will work in South Africa. Unfortunately South Africa does not cater for analogue cell phones.
For access to e-mail you will find that most hotels will have Internet access but if they don't ask where the nearest Internet cafe is.
Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink. However there is a vast selection of inexpensive bottled water available.
Do not drink water from any dam or river - no matter how inviting it may look as Cholera and other water borne diseases are common in certain areas of South Africa.
