• The Country
• The Climate
• Clothing
• Local Time
• Measurement
• Electricity
• Water
• Telecommunications
   - International Dialling Code, Enquiries
• Banking & Finance
   - Credit Cards, VAT/Tax Refunds, Currency Control, Notes On South African Money Matters
• Customs
   - Green Channel, Duty Free Allowances, Customs Charges, Documentation
• Transportation & Travel
   - Air Travel, Rail Travel, Road Travel, Driver's License, Traffic, Road Signs In Afrikaans,
   - Third Party Insurance, Maps, Petrol, Automobile Association, Coach Travel
• Personal Safety
   - At Your Hotel, In The Street, In Your Car

International Dialling Code
To dial a telephone number in South Africa from outside of the country, the international dialling code "27" must precede the area code and subscriber's telephone number. Dialling within South Africa, a "0" must replace the 27.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATM's) are found in most towns and operate on a 24 hour basis. Most ATM machines will support your card if it bears the Cirrus Logo.

Travellers cheques and foreign currency notes of all major currencies can be exchanged at any commercial bank. Currency exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the press.

• Rennies Travel is an agent for Thomas Cook.
• First National Bank is the Visa agent.
• Nedbank is associated with American Express.

Credit Cards
South Africa accepts most major credit cards as well as Traveller's Cheques in most major currencies. Visa, American Express, Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted by most restaurants, stores, hotels, car rental firms and other points of sale and service. Proof of identity may be requested in some instances. It is therefore useful to carry a passport or some form of photo identification at all times.
Petrol cannot be purchased with standard credit cards.

VAT / Tax Refunds VAT (Value-Added-Tax) of 14% is levied on nearly all goods and services. Foreign tourists may claim back VAT paid on items, with a total value exceeding R250,00, that will be taken out of the country with them. Original tax invoices, foreign passport, plus all the items on which a refund is claimed, must be presented at the VAT refund administration office on departure, and the total VAT on these items will be refunded. The VAT can be claimed at airports and/or harbours of departure, and customs offices. 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.

Currency Control Travellers must obtain the necessary permit from the South African Reserve Bank should they have more than R500,00 in cash in their possession on leaving the country.

Notes On South African Money Matters... The exchange rate generally tends to be in the international tourist's favour. With the average value of the rand, this means that the overseas tourist should find most South African goods very affordable, but imported and specially manufactured items tend to be expensive. Generally, you will find that fine cuisine, wine and entertainment cost a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere in the world.

A general idea of what things cost in South Africa (average/approximated):

• A beer costs about R9,00.
• A can of Coca Cola R5,00.
• A bottle of water about R4,00.
• Petrol sells at about R6.00 per litre.

Green Channel
One may follow the "Green Channel" only if one has no more than the duty-free customs allowance, no goods for commercial purposes and no prohibited or restricted goods.

Duty Free Allowances

Customs Charges
One has to pay duty on items which are over the allowed limits, and this will normally have to be done before leaving the customs hall.

Documentation
Visitors to South Africa should hold :

• Valid return or onward tickets for travel.
• Sufficient means of support for the period.
• Valid entry documents for next destination.
• Valid Passport and Visa as necessary.

Air Travel

The country's major points of entry are Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airports, while Durban airport also has International status. Among domestic centres served by South African Airways are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and Upington. British Airways operated by Comair in South Africa and other small airlines serve the lesser towns and main tourist destinations. Air charter services (including helicopter hire) are widely available.

Rail Travel

Spoornet is a South African company that operates in the freight logistics and passenger markets in Southern Africa. In the domestic passenger market, Spoornet provides safe and cost-effective transportation to more than 5-million people each year. South Africa has an extensive rail network that connects all the major centres in the country and is one of the most relaxing modes of transport while giving the passenger a scenic view of the beautiful countryside. Spoornet operates the world-famous Blue Train that travels four return routes: Pretoria - Cape Town (1 Night), Pretoria - Victoria Falls (2 Nights), Pretoria - Hoedspruit (1 Night) and Cape Town - Port Elizabeth, Garden Route (2 Nights).
Metrorail is the preferred operator for urban and suburban rail commuter transport in South Africa. Their core business is to provide rail services that meet the region's needs for affordable public transport. The company strives to be client oriented and are constantly devising ways to enhance their performance with the aim of positioning Cape Metrorail as the first choice of transport in the Western Cape. Metrorail provides extensive coverage in the province with a well serviced line between Cape Town and Simon's Town. Road Travel South Africa has an extensive and well-signposted road network comprising some 200 000 kilometers (124,280 miles) of national and provincial highways. Surfaces are generally in very good condition, though the going can be a bit rugged in the remoter and hillier country areas. Driver's License Drivers are compelled by law to carry their Driver's Licenses on them at all times when driving. Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland licenses are valid in South Africa. So too are other foreign licenses, provided they carry a photograph and are either printed in English or accompanied by an English-language certificate of authenticity. Alternatively, an International Driving Permit should be obtained before departure. Traffic Motor vehicles drive on the left side of the road. The general speed limit on national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120 km/h (75 mph), that on secondary (rural) roads is 100 km/h (60 mph), and in built-up areas 60 km/h (35 mph) unless otherwise indicated. Note that in South Africa, a set of traffic lights is referred to as "robots". Main roads are identified by colour and number rather than by name. Using a good map (one which incorporates the route marker system), the visitor should have little difficulty in finding his or her way around city and country. Road Signs In Afrikaans Words to watch out for are: Links = Left Regs = Right Stad = City Lughawe = Airport Straat = Street Weg = Road Rylaan = Avenue Hou = Keep Slegs = Only Verkeer = Traffic Oop = Open Gesluit = Closed Gevaar = Danger (Beware Hazard) Verbode = Forbidden, Prohibited Ompad = Detour Tuin = Garden Wildtuin = Game Reserve Strand = Beach Hawe = Harbour Polisie = Police Third party Insurance Your motor vehicle must be covered by a Third Party Insurance policy; if you're hiring a car, the rental firm will make the appropriate arrangements; for overland visitors, insurance tokens are available at Beit Bridge and other major border control posts. Maps Excellent regional and city maps are available from Satour, the Automobile Association, from major book stores and airport kiosks. Recommended are those in the Map Studio series. Petrol Cities, towns and main routes are very well served by filling stations. Many of these stay open 24 hours a day, others from 06:00 to 18:00. Pump attendants see to your fuel and other needs, both unleaded and lead replacement as well as diesel fuel is available. Automobile Association The Automobile Association (AA) is the country's biggest motoring club, and provides a wide range of services, including assistance with breakdowns and other emergencies, accommodation reservations and advice on touring, caravanning, camping, places of interest, insurance and car hire. Maps and brochures are available. These services are offered to visitors who belong to the AA or any affiliated motoring organization. Coach Travel Luxury coach services link the major centres (Greyhound, Intercape Ferreira, Translux, Trancity); tour operators spread the network wider, taking in game parks, scenic attractions and other tourist venues.
Personal Safety
At Your Hotel Never leave your luggage unattended. Store valuables in the hotel's safety deposit box. Keep room locked, whether you are in it or out. Check who is at your door before opening it. Hand your keys into reception whenever leaving the hotel. In The Street Avoid displaying expensive jewellery, cameras and valuables. Do not carry large sums of money. Keep away from dark, isolated areas at night. It is better to be in groups and stick to busy well lit streets. Plan your route. Call a taxi from your hotel. In Your Car Plan your route in advance. Lock the doors and close the windows. Lock valuable items in the boot (trunk). Park in well lit areas at night. Never pick up strangers or hitch hikers. If in doubt about your safety, phone the police or drive to the nearest police station.