• South Africa:
• Society:
• Traveller information

South Africa - Traveller information

Local laws and conventions: All drug-related offences carry severe penalties.

South Africa is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and social etiquette and culture vary between the different ethnic groups. Handshaking is the most common greeting.

Dress is generally casual, though usually formal for business meetings. Appointments are necessary and punctuality is expected. Business cards are commonly exchanged. Mid-December to mid-January is the holiday period and is not a good time for scheduling business meetings. Office hours are Mon–Fri 0830–1630.

Immigration and customs: Passports must be valid for at least 30 days from the intended length of stay. Visitors from the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and most European Union countries do not require visas. All other nationals should contact their local embassy for visa requirements. Passports must have at least one page left blank, or two pages if a visa is required.

Plant and plant materials – including margarine, honey and other vegetable oils – are restricted imports. Narcotics, flick knives, ammunition, explosives, meat, processed cheese and other dairy products, and obscene literature are all prohibited imports.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required by those arriving from an infected area.

Travel within the country: Traffic drives on the left and visitors can drive on a national driving licence if it is in English. International car hire companies are available in most city centres and airports. The road network is well maintained and mostly tarred except for the very rural areas and some of the game parks.

The national roads are tolled but provide good facilities; visitors should note that credit cards cannot be used to buy petrol. Speed limits are 60kph in urban areas and 120kph on the main roads and are strictly enforced with steep fines. Seatbelts are obligatory and no additional petrol is allowed to be carried other than in the fuel tank.

A reliable national bus network connects much of the country and runs air-conditioned coaches which provide good facilities for passengers. The country is well served with domestic airlines that link the main towns, and intercity rail services, though slow, are a reliable way of travelling across the country. There are also luxury trains that run between Cape Town and Tshwane (Pretoria).

All towns have a good bus network. Taxis are widely available in the major cities, and fares are charged by distance and travel time; for longer routes fares should be negotiated.

Travel health: Medical facilities are good in towns and cities but limited in rural areas. Doctors and hospitals require cash payment, and treatment can be expensive. Visitors should ensure they have comprehensive health insurance.

Malaria is present in the eastern half of the country, and visitors should ensure they take insect repellent and suitable clothing to avoid mosquito bites. Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, tetanus, rabies and typhoid are also present. Visitors should avoid swimming or paddling in fresh water due to the risk of bilharzia.

Tap water is safe to drink and bottled water is available everywhere.

Money: Money can be changed at banks, bureaux de change and some hotels. Credit cards are widely accepted, though Visa and Mastercard are preferred. ATMs are located in all towns and cities. Travellers cheques are accepted at banks, restaurants, hotels and some shops, and should be taken in US dollars or pounds sterling to avoid additional exchange rate charges. Banking hours are Mon–Fri 0900–1530 and Sat 0830–1100.

There were 6,815,000 tourist arrivals in 2004.