Frequently asked questions

Question: How long does it take to get to South Africa? South Africa is served by more than 70 international airlines and our national carrier, South African Airways, flies to many destinations in Europe, north and South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. So we are never more than a flight away if you are on a major air route internationally. The flights from Europe are generally overnight and are a dinner- bed-and-breakfast away. The direct flights between the USA and and Johannesburg or Cape Town are about 15 hours and flights between London and Johannesburg take about 12 hours. Question: What is the infrastructure like for business travellers? If you are travelling to South Africa on business, you'll find that most things work far better than you may have imagined. Our cities are about as sophisticated as anywhere, and our transport and telecom infrastructure is equal to the best in the world. So you won't find much in the way of culture shock – even the legendary "African time" is a myth. We really do work to deadlines, keep appointments and, as a nation, are rather depressingly organised. Probably the only real frustration you will experience is finding parking in the cities. And if you're thinking of South Africa as a destination for incentive travel, meetings or conferences, you'll find our facilities world class.

Question: Must foreign visitors pay VAT?

Foreign tourists visiting South Africa can have their value-added tax (VAT) refunded provided the value of the 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. 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 complete 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.

For additional information: Contact: VAT Refund Administrator (Pty) Ltd,

Address: P O Box 107, OR-Tambo Airport Post Office 1627

Tel: +27 (0)11 390 2970; Fax: +27 (0)11 390 2787; Toll-free no: 0800119868

Question: What languages do you speak in South Africa?

We are a multi-lingual country. Besides the 11 officially recognised languages, there are scores of others because South Africa is the crossroads of southern Africa. However, most of us speak English - even if not at home - so you'll have very little trouble communicating.

Question: What do I need to know before I do a self-drive tour?

If your driver’s licence has a photo and is in English, you don’t need an international driver’s licence. We drive on the left hand side of the road, safety belts are mandatory. Car rental companies operate in all major centres, at all airports and at the Kruger National Park. The Automobile Association produces excellent maps and can help with most queries. Fuel must be bought with cash – as petrol stations do not accept credit cards or traveller’s cheques. However, you can pay at toll roads with Visa or MasterCard.

Question: What's the postal service like?

Post offices are open from about 08:30 or 09:00 to about 16:00 on weekdays and on Saturday mornings. As well as our standard official post offices, we have Postnet franchises, which are open for longer hours and are often more conveniently situated in shopping malls and other high traffic areas. They utilise the post office system and are very efficient. Postnet franchises also do couriering, faxes, email and such. There are a number of courier services available and, of course, parcels can be sent via the post office. Many stores, such as curio stores, wineries, etc, will undertake to courier or post your purchases for you.

Question: What's the transport network like?

The roads are great, the long-distance bus services are fine, trains range from safe, clean and OK to superbly luxurious. There are airports in almost every town, and South African Airways and its subsidiaries, SA Airlink and SA Express, offer scheduled flights to even the most out-of-the-way towns. Within and between the cities, there is a public transport network largely made up of minibus taxis, but it isn't that easy to access if you don't know the routes.

Question: What about laundry?

Your hotel is bound to have a laundry service but if you have a whole lot of stuff to be washed it is probably much cheaper to go to a laundrette. You will find them everywhere, and you can choose between doing it yourself, and spending half an hour enthralled watching the dryer go round, or, for a small fee, leave it and get it washed, dried and expertly folded. Ironing is optional. You will also find dry cleaners all over, and your hotel will probably handle dry cleaning for you – at a small premium.

Question: How does the metric system work?

We work on the metric system – for everything except aviation. So distances are in kilometre or metres, area in hectares, weights in kilograms, and temperature in Celsius.

Generally, one metre is 39 inches, a mile is 1.6km, a hectare is about 2.4 acres (and there are about 4,000 m2 in a hectare). A square mile is about 2.5 square kilometres; a kilogram=2,2lbs.

Temperature conversions are a little trickier. To change a Celsius temperature to a Fahrenheit one, multiply by 9, divide by 5, and add 32.

But, just to give you an idea – O°C = 32°F (freezing point), 10°C = 50°F (pretty cool), 20°C = 68°F (comfortable), 30°C = 86°F (nice and warm) 40°C = 104°F (very hot). And, just to round things off: 100°C = 212°F (which is boiling point).

Question: Can I bring electrical appliances?

Our electricity is 220 volts, so if you bring hairdryers or such over, make sure they can handle it. Our plugs are round, 3-pin 15 amp plugs. You can buy adapters here if you forget to bring. Please be conservative in your use of power, switching lights, heaters and air conditioners off when not necessary, as power is a finite resource.

You can buy fuel everywhere. We have both leaded and unleaded fuel, as many older cars run on leaded fuel.

Question: What are the business hours in South Africa?

Banks and Post offices are open from about 08:30 to about 15:30 or 16:00, weekdays and on Saturday mornings, and most offices operate from Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:00.

Supermarkets and shops in malls are open from about 09:00 to 18:00 in Johannesburg, and later at the coast.

Obviously, there are exceptions to all of the above. Banks at airports, for example, stay open to accommodate international flights.

Question: Can I bring my mobile phone to South Africa?

es, but you will have to organise international roaming with your service provider before you leave home. Another alternative would be to rent a phone at the airport on arrival, and use a pay-as-you-go card.

Question: How far will my pound/dollar go in South Africa?

A long, long way. For a pound you can buy six daily newspapers, one hamburger, about four cans of Coke, about three beers, two cappuccinos or a pound of cheese. Ten pounds will get you bed and breakfast in a lovely guesthouse or hotel, or four nights in a backpackers dorm, or a bus ticket for a ride of a few hundred kilometres. A dollar will get you four daily newspapers, a takeaway meal of chicken and chips, two cans of baked beans, half an hour's internet surfing, or a Big Mac. For 10 dollars, you can have a smart three-course meal in a good restaurant (a bottle of nice wine will cost you another $2), a CD or a night in a basic, but comfortable, guesthouse. p>Notes issued : R200, R100, R50, R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, & 1c One (R)and = 100 (c)ents

Question: Do I need vaccinations or inoculations to enter South Africa?

IMMUNISATION

No international immunisation is needed when entering South Africa. The yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers older than one entering South Africa within six days of leaving an infected country is the only inoculation requirement. It is advisable that visitors who travel through any of these areas 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.

Question: Is it safe to travel as a single woman?

Many women have travelled all over South Africa on their own in many different ways - either backpacking, driving a rented car, or using public transport. Now obviously, this involves some risk and you shouldn’t take unnecessary chances. As a rule, travelling in South Africa as a single woman is fine, as long as you stick to the same sort of everyday precautions women all over the world have to take in our homes, workplaces, schools and city streets. Hitchhiking, obviously, is a risky venture and is not recommended. In fact, even when using public transport, be aware of your surroundings and don’t take directions or offers of lifts from strangers (just as you probably wouldn’t at home.) As long as you ensure that you are met at your destination and dropped off in a safe place at the airport or bus station, you should be fine. And, like anywhere else, lock your room when you’re in it, and don’t open the door to just anyone – especially at night.

Many women wouldn’t ever consider travelling alone, but if you are the type who does, then you’ll find that South Africa is much like anywhere else. And, like anywhere else, you do have to be that little bit more aware if you’re travelling on your own. You may find that you will be far happier in a guest house or B&B than in a large hotel, as the staff of these smaller, often owner-managed, establishments usually take a personal interest in their guests. Incidentally, the backpackers infrastructure in South Africa is excellent, with a dedicated backpackers bus that transports you door-to-door, so you don’t have to wander around a strange town with all your belongings, looking like a potential victim. And single women find the atmosphere at backpackers’ hostels very unthreatening and welcoming – as opposed to hotels, which can be a little daunting. Also, if you’d like to travel to South Africa but can’t persuade someone to come along and really don’t fancy travelling on your own, join a tour group. You’ll find loads to choose from.