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General Information About South Africa |
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South Africa may be one of the more visited areas of Africa with its many ocean beaches and the popular Kruger National Park. Other areas to visit include the several game preserves in the country, the Castle of Good Hope fortress at Capt Town, and the Kimberley Mine Museum at the site of the famous Big Hole diamond mine. For travel and tourism information, contact the South African Tourism Board at 1-800-822-8368.
Travel
Etiquette
Behavior and customs vary greatly from country to country. We
discuss the correct travel etiquette so that you won't be caught out.
TravelEtiquette was formed to offer a unique reference
point on essential etiquette advice and information for worldwide
travel. Our features and articles are written by professional
journalists and experts - who have a particular interest, or a
background in this area. So – know before you go. Visit
TravelEtiquette so you will know how to, as the old adage states, “When in Rome,
do as the Romans do.”
Passports,
Visas, and Immigration Information
Entry permits are issued on arrival to holiday visitors from most British
Commonwealth countries and to holders of Japanese, Irish, Swiss and German
passports. Currently holders of Scandinavian and Finnish passports do not
require visa but this situation could change and it is advisable to check with
your nearest South African Embassy/Consular. South Africa has at least consular
representation in most countries. It is possible that, on entry into South
Africa, you will be asked to show sufficient funds to support your stay or have
an onward ticket. Visa extensions are expensive and can be difficult to obtain
because of the recent influx of illegal immigrants.
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Listing of South African Tourist offices and/or embassies location around the world
Travel Warnings are issued to
describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or
unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to
assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or
consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below
meet those criteria. Additionally, the State Department issues
Country Specific Information for every
country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions,
crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the
location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. Check with the U.S. State Department for
Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public
Announcements.
Insurance
If you need medical
care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not
accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay
in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for
reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit
card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local
embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed
medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation
and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel
insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit
the Getting Away
Health
and Safety Tips for Travelers
page for additional information about insurance.
| TOURMED is a Medical Travel Insurance policy that has been specifically designed to ensure that any visitor to Southern Africa (being South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique) is able to receive the finest medical attention in the case of a medical emergency whilst visiting this Region. For many reasons, a number medical services and facilities are questionable and obtaining the best medical attention when it is needed, can be very challenging if not impossible. TOURMED who have for many years specialized in the development and delivery of state of the art healthcare programs and systems in Southern Africa, best understand this market and therefore are able to ensure that the finest and most appropriate of medical facilities and services are available for the Visitor should any medical emergency arise. TOURMED the only policy of its kind, is a cost effective Medical Travel Policy specially designed for the provision of emergency medical needs in the Southern Africa, and no foreign traveler should visit this Region without it. |
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Weather and Climate Information
For the latest
weather update for South Africa, check
TulipsWeather.com, your complete source for world-wide weather forecasts,
as well as for U.S. and Canadian forecasts and current conditions.
Currency and
Money Matters
The currency in South Africa is the South African
Rand. 1 South African Rand=100 cents.
Currency
Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports,
railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency
exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and
rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a
nightmare. Order in advance from
All
Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and
money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and
transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate:
Check Today's Exchange Rate
Credit and charge cards are widely accepted, including American Express, Bank of
America, Diners, MasterCard, Standard Bank Card and Visa. Some ATM's give cash
advances. Travelers cheques are also widely accepted and exchanged.
The costs in South Africa are not as cheap as many other African countries, but
it is good value by European , US and Australian standards. Most
banks are open Mon-Fri 0900-1530 and Sat 0900-1100. Autobanks are found in most
towns and operate on a 24-hour basis.
Books, Maps, and Other Resources
| Worldwide Riding Vacations : A Global Guide - Not just a guide to dude ranches, this handsome updated edition lists more strenuous and interesting equestrian trips by continent and then by country. Printed on heavy coated stock and illustrated with many color photographs, it includes over 100 entries. Each lists the company, address, phone number, E-mail, FAX, closest airports, price, and when available. There are descriptions of accommodations, meals, activities, and the horses and riding equipment, as well as a list of equestrian travel agencies and associations. British equestrian writer Ruler writes frequently on riding vacations and is an amateur horseman. Sacks, a former college professor, now owns a horse farm. Includes riding vacation ideas for South Africa. |
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My favorite guidebooks when I am traveling is
Fodor's. I find them to be quite complete, easy to use, and almost always on the
money with helps and tips for traveling in the country I am visiting. Click on
Fodor's Travel Guides
to find the perfect guidebook for your travels.
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I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
