| tourist info |
Cape Town Standard Time: 2 hrs in advance of GMT.
Visa Requirements:
Every person seeking to enter South Africa must be in
possession of a valid passport for travel to South Africa and,
where necessary, a visa. Enquiries can be directed to South
African diplomatic representatives abroad or the Department of
Home Affairs in Pretoria. Visitors who intend travelling to South
Africa's neighbouring countries and back into South Africa are
advised to apply for multiple entry visas. In terms of existing
arrangements, passport holders of certain countries are exempt
from visa requirements. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers
that they have the means to support themselves during their
stay, and that they are in possession of return or onward air
tickets. They must also have valid international health certificates.
Immunisations:
No international immunization is needed when entering South
Africa.
The only inoculation requirement is a yellow fever vaccination
certificate from travellers over one year of age entering South
Africa within six days of leaving an infected country. Visitors who
travel through or disembark in these areas are advised to be
inoculated against the disease before visiting South Africa.
Malaria:
This disease is to the larger extent under control in South Africa.
Regions that are affected are the Northern Province and
Mpumalanga, northern Natal and Zululand. The risk of
contracting the disease is negligible provided that you take the
standard precautions. Malaria tablets, a good insect repellent
particularly in the evening, long-sleeved shirts and mosquito coils
are advisable precautions.
Phoning:
If you wish to make a call overseas, you must first dial 00, which
is South Africa's international access code. You then dial the
country code, area code of the city or region and the number of
the person you wish to call. For example, if you make a call to
Sydney, Australia, telephone number 456 1234 you must dial
00 61 2 456 1234.
Telephone and fax numbers should be preceded by the area
code for Cape Town (021) or by the international code (+27-21)
if you are dialling from outside the country.
When dialling from a cell/mobile phone, land line telephone
numbers should be preceded by the area code of the number
you wish to dial. i.e. When you are in Cape Town you still have to
dial 021 + the phone number.
For national telephone enquiries: 1023
For international telephone enquiries: 0903
Public phones are either coin or card operated. Only green
public telephones use telephone cards. The cards can be bought
at various hotels, post offices, airports, bookshops and
supermarkets. Mobile phones, known as cell phones, are widely
used.
Electricity:
220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged plugs
are universal, so take an adapter. Most hotel rooms have 110-
volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances.
Water:
Tap water throughout the Cape Metropolitan Area is safe for
human consumption.
Currency:
One Rand (R) = 100 cents (c). Notes issued R200, R100, R50,
R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, & 1c. Currency
exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the
press
Post Offices:
Weekdays 08:00 to 16:00
Saturdays 08:00 to 12:00
Stamps can be bought at many stationery shops and
supermarkets. Private companies offer many of the postal
services supplied by the main post office as well as courier and
speed post services.
Tipping:
It is customary to tip waiters, waitresses, wine stewards, taxi
drivers, porters and caddies. Depending on service, the amount
should be at least 10%. Petrol station attendants often anticipate
a tip if they have gone beyond just filling your tank.
Traveller's Cheques:
Most international traveler's checks are accepted provided they
are in an acceptable currency and may be cashed at most banks.
Many hotels and shops also provide this service.
VAT Refunds:
Foreign tourists visiting South Africa can have their value-added
tax (VAT) refunded provided the value of each invoice for goods
purchased exceeds R50 the value of the total items purchased
exceeds R250. VAT is refunded on departure at the point of
departure.
VAT of 14% is levied on nearly all goods and services including
hotel accommodation, goods and transport.. Foreign tourists may
claim back VAT paid on items that will be taken out of the
country. Original tax invoices, foreign passport, plus all the items
on which a refund is claimed, must be presented at the VAT
refund administration office or an appointed RSA customs and
excise official on departure, and the total VAT on these items will
be refunded. Visitors will be requested to fill out a VAT Refund
Control Sheet (VAT 255). Where a visitor does not export all the
goods specified on a particular tax invoice, only the value of the
goods and the tax paid on such goods exported must be
declared on this form.
Driving:
Drive on the left and give way to traffic approaching from the
right. The general speed limit is 120km/h on open roads and
60km/h in urban areas. An international driver's licence is
required in SA as the licence must include a photograph as well
as the signature of the holder. Cash is required to pay for fuel.
Conversions - distances and temperatures:
Distances throughout SA are given in kilometres.
1 mile = 1,62 kilometres
Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius (Centigrade).
10 degrees Celsius = 50 degrees Fahrenheit
Cost of living:
Cape Town is rated as one of the best value for money tourist
destinations from a survey of international cities recently
conducted by Cape Metropolitan Tourism. To help you plan your
budget we have listed the average costs of some items of holiday
spending money. The prices listed may vary depending on the
service provided and the location.
Credit Cards:
Major international credit cards such as American Express, Bank
of America, Diners, MasterCard, Standard Bank Card, Visa and
their affiliates are accepted.
Customs allowances:
400 cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco, 50 cigars, one litre of
spirit, two litres of wine, 50 ml perfume, 250 ml of eau de toilette,
Also gifts, souvenirs and other goods to the value of R500. Duty
is levied at 20% thereafter.
Drinking:
Alcohol may only be purchased by persons over the age of 18.
Duty Free Shops:
Duty-free shops are situated at Cape Town, Johannesburg and
Durban International Airports.
Emergencies:
Dial 10111 for the Flying Squad and 10177 for an ambulance.
Dial 107 for any emergency in greater Cape Town and immediate
surroundings only.
Emergency numbers:
Police: 10111 (only in SA)
Crimestop: 0800 11 12 13 (only in SA)
Tourist Assistance Unit: +2721 418-2853
Emergencies: 107 - greater Cape Town and immediate
surroundings only.
Languages:
There are 11 official languages in SA. English is the language of
administration and is widely spoken. Other languages are:
Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi,
Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.
Medical Facilities:
Doctors are listed under "Mediese Praktisyns/Medical
Practitioners" in the telephone directory and Dentists can be
found under "Tandartse/Dentists".
Public Holidays:
South Africa has 12 public holidays that apply to commerce and
industry alike. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following
Monday becomes a public holiday. Please check calendars for
details.
Safety Tips:
Your safety and well being are of the utmost importance to the
tourism industry. As in other countries, there are a few basic
precautions to take in South Africa to ensure that your stay is as
pleasant and safe as possible:
In the street:
• Avoid ostentatious displays of expensive jewellery, cameras and
other valuables.
• It is definitely not advisable to carry large sums of money
around.
• At night, steer clear of dark, isolated areas.
• It's better to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit, busy
streets.
• Plan your route beforehand.
• A policeman or traffic officer will be glad to direct you if you get
lost.
• If you want to call a taxi, your hotel or the nearest tourism
information office can recommend a reliable service.
In the car:
• Plan your route in advance.
• Keep the doors locked at all times and wind the windows up.
• Lock valuable items in the boot (trunk).
• At night, park in well-lit areas.
• Never pick up strangers.
• If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station
for advice.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Price per night guide: Bronze (R500-R2000) Silver (R2000-R4000) Gold (R4000-R6000) Platinum (R6000+) |
| Everything you need to know about your Cape Winelands Holiday |