| 1. |
Is it necessary to have travel insurance?
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It is highly recommended to have travel insurance as
it covers the traveller against unexpected losses.
Travel Today offers two good and comprehensive policies
at excellent rates. Minimal travel insurance is included
without additional cost when paying for tickets with a
S.A. credit card. |
| 2. |
Is there safe parking available at
Johannesburg International Airport? |
| |
Yes. Two parking areas are available for short to
long term parking and is attended on a 24h basis. The
Executive parking is in an undercover parking garage,
whereas the other parking area utilizes covered
carports. www.acsa.co.za |
| 3. |
What do I need to hire a car overseas? |
| |
You will need a valid South African driver's
license. It is further recommended to obtain an
international driver's license. To obtain this, you will
need certified copies of your identity document (ID), a
valid driver's license, two passport size photographs
and an application form. |
| 4. |
For which countries do I need a visa as a
South African citizen? |
| |
You will need a visa when entering UK, USA, Canada,
European Union, Scandinavia and Australia; to name a few
examples. |
| 5. |
What about vaccinations & inoculations? |
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Travel vaccines are available at the Nelspruit
Travel Advisory and Immunization Clinic. To enquire
further, please phone Dr's Dave Dürrheim and Kelvin
Billinghurst at +27(0)13 753 2935 or visit the Nelspruit
Civic Centre, 1 Nel Street. We are happy to assist with
other information at request, including the closest
centres for non-Nelspruit residents. Please check with
your doctor on what inoculations you require for the
country(s) you will be visiting. If you require a Yellow
Fever vaccination then you will need an inoculation
certificate to take with you on holiday. Failure to do
this will definitely result in you not being allowed to
enter that country. |
| 6. |
What are the check-in times? |
| |
Domestic air travellers are required to check-in at
least one hour prior to departure, while international
travellers are expected to check-in at least two hours
prior to departure, except when travelling on direct
flights to the USA, where you will be required to
check-in at least 3 hours prior to departure. |
| 7. |
What are the baggage allowances? |
| |
For European, African and Australian destinations 20
kg of check-in baggage are allowed in Economy Class, as
well as 7 kg of hand baggage. In Business Class the
limitation on check-in baggage is 30 kg and in First
Class 40 kg. Travelers to American (USA, Canada, Mexico
and the Caribbean) to please enquire as the airline’s
allowances vary. |
| 8. |
Do I have to take Malaria tablets? |
| |
Northern parts of South Africa and most countries in
Africa and Asia are Malaria areas. Malaria is a
potentially fatal disease. Please ensure that you have
consulted your doctor as to what prophylactics you
should take for that particular country. Please also use
insect repellent at all time. |
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Other Useful Information
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| 1. |
VAT Refunds (South Africa) |
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Purchases made in South Africa are subject to a
government Value Added Tax (VAT). You, as a visitor, can
often recover most of the tax on items not intended for
use in Africa. The amount of tax refunded varies for
each country and sometimes from store to store. Minimum
Purchase: Most countries require a minimum amount of
purchase before VAT refunds apply. The amount varies by
country, and in South Africa, the minimum is established
by the stores themselves. The minimums range from about
$15 to $340, valued in U.S. dollars. In South Africa, to
claim a VAT refund, the total value of items on which a
refund is claimed must exceed R250.00 (approximately
$30.00). On small purchases, a refund isn't usually
worth the effort, but it can be rewarding on larger
purchases. Here are the general procedures: 1.
Documentation - Simply identify yourself as a tourist to
the shop assistant, and request a Tax Invoice for the
goods that you have purchased. 2. Inspection -
Inspections must be evidenced by an endorsement on the
relevant tax invoice by a VAT Refund Official or South
African Customs official. On departure from the airport
you must present your purchases as well as the relevant
tax invoices to the VAT Refund Official for inspection.
If your purchases are too large to be kept as hand
-luggage and are to be transported as part of checked
luggage, you must present the goods and relevant tax
invoices to an official prior to the goods being checked
in. 3. Claim your VAT refund - on departure form one of
the international airport present your claim to the VAT
Refund office. Your refund will be made by rand cheque
payable anywhere in the world except South Africa. The
Cheques may be cashed at the airport banking facilities,
into major currency of your choice, details will be
provided by the Administrators office at the airport
|
| 2 |
Customs Information |
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Prior to Departure: Be sure to declare valuable
foreign-made articles (cameras, watches, etc.) at a
customs office in your home city before departing for
your trip. Without a customs declaration or sales
receipt, the customs official may assess duty on these
items upon your return. Customs Restrictions for
Entering (South Africa): South Africa has set the
following amounts of tobacco and alcoholic beverages
that non residents may bring into the country -- duty
free: You may take 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 8.8
ounces (250 grams) of tobacco; 33.8 ounces (1 litre) of
liquor and 67.6 ounces (2 litres) of wine. Amounts above
these limitations may be subject to a high import tax.
Duty-free products should be carried in your hand
luggage for easy inspection. There is a flat-rate duty
of 20% on gifts in excess of R500 up to R10, 000.
www.asca.co.za |
| 3. |
Sun Warning |
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The sun's intensity is quite strong in Southern
Africa. To avoid serious burns, use plenty of sunscreen.
You'll also want to bring along a hat and sunglasses. |
| 4. |
Cameras and Film |
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Most types of film material, colour slide and
negatives as well as video tapes are readily available
in all major centres and holiday resorts, fast reliable
processing services are available in the major centres
and some resorts. Binoculars are always useful, though
not essential, in the game parks and on tour. Digital is
for most a better option, since the temperatures in
Africa can affect film. |
| 5. |
What Clothes to pack |
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Pack what you normally wear in warm, temperature
climate. In game parks, at holiday resorts and on tour,
casual clothing is advisable. In city hotels and
restaurants dress is more formal in the evenings. On
tour, wear comfortable clothing for travelling and
comfortable shoes for walking. Warm clothing must be
packed for the later afternoon and early morning game
viewing in the game parks. Deserts like the Namib and
Sahara can get extremely cold during the night. |
| 6. |
Personal Safety |
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It is advisable to follow internationally accepted
guidelines with regards to personal safety Carry only as
much cash as necessary. Leave valuables in the hotel
safety deposit facility. Do not walk alone in apparently
deserted places. Be aware of the possibility of
pickpockets and bag-snatchers. Ensure you have adequate
and appropriate insurance cover. Carry separately, a
photocopy of your passport details. Trust your instincts
and go where other tourists go and speak to locals about
good spots. |
| 7. |
Electricity |
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The standard electricity supply in South Africa is
220/230 volts AC 50 Hz. Appliances compatible with all
international plugs are obtainable locally. Most of the
rated hotels will have such adapters available. |
| 8. |
Tipping |
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In restaurants a gratuity of 10% of the bill (tab)
is generally applied, depending on the standard of
services. Restaurants do not usually include the tip in
the bill. Luggage Porters are as a rule given R1 per
item of luggage, while taxi drivers expect 10% of the
fare. |
| 9 |
Banking Hours |
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Commercial banks are open from 09H00 to 15H30 on
weekdays and from 08H30 to 11H00 on Saturdays. Banks are
closed on Public Holidays. |
| 10. |
Shopping |
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Trading Hours are generally from 08H00 to 17H00 on
weekdays and from 08H00 to 13H00 on Saturdays. In cities
shopping centres are open on Sunday Mornings. Flea
markets and informal street vendors trade throughout the
week. |
| 11. |
Language |
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South Africa embraces a diversity of cultures often
contrasting in lifestyles. Eleven languages have
official status; they are English, Afrikaans,
isiNdebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, siSwati,
Xitsonga, Setswana, Tshivenda, isiXhosa, and isiZulu. |
| 12. |
Climate |
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An extended summer season from October to March is
enjoyed throughout the country. The Cape coastal belt,
famed for the excellence of its wines, has a distinctive
Mediterranean climate, while sugar-cane and bananas
flourish in the subtropical conditions of KwaZulu
-Natal. The high inland plateau has sharper variations
in temperature. South Africa is generally sunny and the
precipitation levels are approx. 502 mm annually, making
it ideal to visit throughout the year. South Africa
boasts and average of 8.5 daily hours of sunshine
compared to 6.9 hours of sunshine in New York. The sun
can be fierce and use of a sunscreen is recommended. |
| 13. |
Water |
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South Africa has an abundance of water and most
cities and towns have completely safe drinking water
from the tap. Mineral water is as available as well as
Sodas. Elsewhere in Africa always carry sufficient water
supplies for your Safari or Tour. Never drink water from
a stale source or that has a bad odour but rather look
for running water. Always confirm with locals if water
sources are drinkable. |
