It is highly recommended to get Trip Cancellation Insurance.
Please see the links to find more information on how to get the recommended travel insurance:
All payments must be made by credit card or check. Cash and travelers checks are not accepted.
No payment of the aforementioned payments on or before the due date will lead to cancellation of booked services and the loss of all monies paid to date
Whilst every effort is made to adhere to confirmed itineraries System Pavers Marketing Inc reserves the right to make amendments thereto where necessary, and provide a reasonable alternative without refunding the Client.
INNOCULATION, IMMUNIZATION AND MEDICATION
It is the Client’s sole responsibility to ensure that they have had all necessary inoculations, immunizations and medications required prior to departure. The Company cannot be held liable for the Client’s failure to ensure the aforementioned has been attended to.
It is the Client’s obligation to ensure that he/she is medically fit to participate in travel.
INSURANCE
Health insurance is advisable. The health services are of a high standard in South Africa but a private system is in operation for which you would require medical insurance. Insurance is also recommended to cover baggage loss as we cannot be held responsible for the loss of or damage to passengers’ belongings.
BANKS
Banking hours at most commercial banks are:
Mon – Fri 09h00 – 15h30
Sat 08h00 – 11h00
Major hotels have foreign exchange facilities and most shops, lodges and travel agencies take travellers cheques. Automated teller machines (ATM’s) are readily available in cities and towns.
CLIMATE
Casual, comfortable wash and wear clothing is most useful. It is recommended that you keep luggage to a minimum for your own comfort and ease of transport, especially if you are using light aircraft transfers.
Here is a guideline list of important items to bring:
- Shorts & Cotton T-shirts
- Swimming costume
- Good comfortable walking shoes
- Casual light-weight cotton, khaki or neutral coloured clothes for safari.
- Wide brimmed hat
- Personal toiletries, sun barrier creams and lip creams
- Anti-malaria prophylactics
- Binoculars, camera and accessories
- Sunglasses
CREDIT CARDS
Visa, American Express, Diners Club and Mastercard are honoured by most restaurants, stores, hotels, car rental firms and other points of sale and service. Proof of identity may be requested in some instances and it is therefore useful to carry a passport or some form of photo identification at all times Rand travellers’ cheques are handy to have. Please note that a VAT of 14% is levied in South Africa.
CURRENCY
The unit of currency in South Africa is the Rand where R1 is made up of 100 cents. Bank notes are R200 (orange), R100 (blue), R50 (pink), R20 (brown) and R10 (green). Coins are R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.
ELECTRICITY
Voltage in South Africa is 200 to 240 volts, 50Hz. You will need an adaptor, which can be purchased in South Africa. Hotels usually provide dual voltage razor sockets, 110 to 210 volts or 220 to 250 volts
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
As for all international travel, the visitor to South Africa is required to be in possession of a valid passport. Travellers from certain countries also need a visa. All passports must have at least 2 blank pages.
No Visas required travelling on US
EXCHANGE RATE
The exchange rate tends to be in the international tourist’s favour. Generally, you will find that fine cuisine, wine and entertainment cost a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere in the world.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
There are no compulsory inoculations. However, please do note that a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 1 year and entering South Africa within 6 days of leaving an infected area.
Anti-Malaria prophylactics are recommended for travellers to Mpumalanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal. Precautions are at South Africa chemists but you are advised to consult your local pharmacist regarding malaria. If you have any concerns you should consult your own doctor.
At the risk of stating the obvious, please do not underestimate the effects of the sun. It would be a pity to lose a day of your holiday to sunstroke, by over indulging in the African sun. Plenty of sun cream, a good sun hat and gradual adjustment are recommended.
LANGUAGES
There are 11 official languages in South Africa: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsongo, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. The English-speaking visitor will have no problem while travelling through the country. Below are a few words and phrases which have been translated into three of the country’s official languages – they should be helpful (and fun to use) in most regions:
ENGLISH |
AFRIKAANS |
ZULU |
XHOSA |
Good morning |
Goeie môre |
Sawubona |
Molo |
Good afternoon |
Goeie middag |
Sawubona |
Molo |
Good evening |
Goeie naand |
Sawubona |
Molo |
Goodbye |
Totsiens |
Hamba kahle |
Hamba kakuhle |
Thank you |
Dankie |
Ngiyabonga |
Enkosi |
Yes |
Ja |
Yebo |
Ewe |
My name is… |
My naam is… |
Igama lam ngu… |
Gam lam ngu… |
What is your name? |
Wat is jou naam? |
Igama lakho ngubani? |
Ungubani Igama lakho? |
Where is the nearest telephone? |
Waar is die naaste telefoon? |
Iphi itelefoni eseduzane? |
Ikuphi itelefoni ekufutyane lapho? |
Show me the way to... |
Waar is… |
Ngikhombise umgwaqo oya… |
Ungandikhombisa indela eya… |
MEDICAL CARE
Medical services in South Africa are readily available. Visitors are advised to secure medical cover on their medical insurance before arriving in the country. Major hotels have contracts with physicians and dentists. Visitors are however advised to bring along supplies of specialised medication they may require. Otherwise, medicine may be purchased at pharmacies and emergency pharmacies.
WILDLIFE
THE BIG FIVE: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo
THE MARINE BIG FIVE: Whale, Shark, Dolphin, Marlin, Tuna
PHOTOGRAPHY
Most types of film material, colour slide negatives and video tapes are readily available in all major centres and holiday resorts, as are fast, reliable processing services.
POSTAGE
Stamps can be purchased from the post offices and some news agencies. Post cards to be sent abroad require stamps (please ask at concierge), while standard letters differ from country to country and need to be weighed at a post office.
SOUVENIRS & VAT
A range of South African souvenirs are available: from handicrafts to animal skins. As you would expect from a country rich in gold and diamonds, there is an excellent selection of jewellery and the opportunity to watch goldsmiths in action. Golfing equipment, including clothing, is reasonably priced. Overseas visitors taking goods out of South Africa are able to reclaim the VAT which they paid on these goods. Reclaiming VAT is only applicable for goods that you are able to produce at the airport and not for any services whatsoever. When purchasing your products you must inform the shop attendant that you are a visitor to South Africa and request a tax invoice from him/her. The shop’s VAT number must appear on this invoice. As you are checking in at the airport ready to depart from South Africa, you need to approach the customs official who will compare your invoices with the goods purchased. When the customs official has approved and stamped your invoices the VAT Reclaim Office will refund you the appropriate amount. VAT Reclaim Offices are found at Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town Airports.
TIPPING
It is customary to tip 10 to 15% of the bill at hotels and restaurants and 10% of the fare to taxi drivers. It is also the custom to tip local guides and drivers. Hairdressers and theatre ushers are not usually tipped for their services.
WATER
The tap water in South Africa is safe to drink.
MORE LINKS