 |
|
 |
South Africa - Facts for the Traveller
Full country name: The Republic of South Africa
Area: 1.23 million sq km
Population: 43.8 million
Capital City: Pretoria (official); Bloemfontein (judicial) and Cape Town (legislative).
People: 77% black, 10% white (60% of whites are of Afrikaaner descent, most of the rest are of British descent), 8% mixed race, 2.5% of Indian or Asian descent
Language: Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English, Tswana
Religion: Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and traditional religions
Visas: Entry permits are issued free on arrival to visitors on holiday from many Commonwealth and most western European countries, as well as Japan and the USA. If you aren't entitled to an entry permit, you'll need to get a visa (also free) before you arrive.
Health risks: Malaria (Malaria is mainly confined to the eastern half of South Africa, that is the Kruger National Park and KwaZulu Natal. If you are travelling in endemic areas it is extremely important to avoid mosquito bites and to take tablets to prevent this disease.
When to visit South Africa
Summer can be uncomfortably hot, especially in the lowveld. Higher-altitude areas are pleasantly warm over summer, but the mountains are rain- and mist-prone. The north-eastern regions can be annoyingly humid, but swimming on the east coast is a year-round proposition. Spring is the best time for wildflowers in the Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces. Winters are mild everywhere except in the highest country, where there are frosts and occasional snowfalls.
Holiday-makers stream out of the cities from mid-December to late January: resorts and national parks such as the Kruger Park are heavily booked and prices on the coast can more than double. School holidays in April, July and September can clog up beaches and national parks.
What to Pack for South Africa
What to pack is highly dependent on the time of year and what part of South Africa you intend visiting. If you intend visiting a malaria area, it is suggested that you wear long sleeve shirts and trousers. When on safari, you should wear comfortable safari clothes and comfortable walking shoes. Bring warm clothes for the early mornings and late evenings, particularly in the Winter months.
Do South Africans speak English?
Yes, we do. Everywhere you go, you can expect to find people who speak or understand English. English is the language of the cities, of commerce and banking, of government, of road signs and official documents. At any hotel, the receptionists, waiters and porters will speak English.
Do be aware that for most people English isn’t their first language, but all South Africans will try their best to help you out.
Which are the host cities in 2010?
The 2010 tournament will be staged in nine South African cities:
Johannesburg - The economic hub of Africa, Johannesburg is a bustling, sprawling city of contrasts, spread across the small but densely populated province of Gauteng. Two Johannesburg stadiums will be used for the event.
Pretoria - A pretty, quiet city north of Johannesburg in Gauteng, Pretoria is the capital of South Africa, with a long, involved and fascinating history.
Cape Town - South Africa's oldest and loveliest city lies in Table Bay on the Atlantic Ocean, in the south of the Western Cape province. Beautiful buildings, the nearby winelands, long white beaches and a rich cultural life make Cape Town South Africa's most favoured tourist destination.
Durban - If Johannesburg has a business culture and Cape Town a culture culture, Durban has a beach culture. The warm Indian Ocean and the city's tropical climate make it one of the nicest places to be in the South African winter.
Port Elizabeth - The Friendly City lies in Nelson Mandela Bay on the windswept Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape province.
Bloemfontein - The former capital of a Boer republic and now capital of the Free State, Bloemfontein - the name means "flower fountain" - is a pretty city with thousands of rose bushes and some poignant memorials.
Rustenburg - Its tranquil Jacaranda-lined streets belie the fact that the Rustenburg area in North West province is one of the world's most heavily mined regions, with a wealth of platinum underground.
Nelspruit - The capital of Mpumalanga province lies in the fertile valley of the Crocodile River, about 330km east of Johannesburg.
Polokwane - The capital of Limpopo province is ideally situated near the border of the wildlife-rich Kruger National Park.
How many tickets will be available?
Around 3-million tickets will be available for the 2010 World Cup's 64 matches. One third will be allocated to South African football fans, another million to international visitors, and the third million to sponsors, teams and the "Fifa family". Tickets are likely to go on sale in 2008.
What if I can’t get tickets? Should I still come?
Definitely! The 2010 tournament is guaranteed to be a party. As in Germany in 2006, public viewing areas accommodating vast numbers of fans watching the games on giant screens are likely to be set up. And you can always watch the tournament and get to know the locals at our numerous pubs, restaurants and sports bars.
How do I get to South Africa?
All the major airlines fly into South Africa including South African Airways, British Airways and Virgin Airlines. The main ports of entry are Johannesburg International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. From these two airports you can fly to all the major cities in South Africa as well as the Southern African countries of Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and Namibia
How do I travel within South Africa?
Usually it is easiest to travel by air. Our roads are great, so it is possible to drive – but beware of long distaces. All the 2010 Wold Cup host cities are all linked by air and train routes, and South Africa has a number of first-rate tour bus companies to carry you in comfort.
Is South Africa safe to walk around?
Like anywhere in the world you need to be careful at night and keep an eye out during the day. Don’t carry valuables around with you. As long as you act in a responsible manner, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Can I drink the tap water?
South Africa has a first-world infrastructure, but its water is far better than that of most developed countries. High-quality tap (faucet) water is available almost everywhere, treated to be free of harmful microorganisms and both palatable and safe to drink straight from the tap. Johannesburg's water, for one, is as good as anything you'll get in a bottle.
When is the best time to go on safari?
This is intrinsically related to whether the safari is the main reason for your holiday and where you intend to go.
If you’re coming to South Africa for a safari, try to come between May and September for superb game viewing and interestingly also for the best prices which is a lucky bonus for visitors. However, your safari is merely one part of your South African holiday, you may wish to visit at another time of year. You’ll still have a fabulous wildlife experience in the private game reserves, as experienced trackers are adept at locating the wildlife.
Safaris and Young Children
Generally, malarial areas are not recommended for very young children. They also tend not to enjoy the long and intense game drives.
For this reason, we primarily recommend the non-malarial areas in the Eastern Cape and Madikwe. A number of these lodges cater for children with special children’s drives and lots of fun kids activities.
Credit Cards
Most banks change travellers cheques in major currencies, usually at a commission of around 1%. Credit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted. More and more ATMs will give cash advances; if your card belongs to the worldwide Cirrus network you should have no problem using it across the country.
|
|
