BEFORE YOU LEAVE:

1.	Make sure you are in possession of a valid passport and if necessary a visa (some countries are exempt from visa requirements). A minimum of one blank page (back and front) is required to facilitate the entry visa – entry will be denied if there is insufficient space in your passport. Multiple-entry visas are required if you intend to travel to South Africa’s neighbouring countries and back into South Africa. For more information click on the following link VISA INFORMATION
2.	There is no risk for of yellow fever in Southern Africa, however, visitors to South Africa from the yellow fever belt (countries in tropical South America or elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa) including those who travelled through or disembarked in these areas have to be inoculated against the disease. A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required for entry and the inoculation certificate only becomes valid 10 days after inoculation, after which it remains valid for 10 years. For more information on the following link MD Travel Health
3.	South Africa does not require vaccinations. Please see the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) for more information. If you decide to have the CDC recommended vaccinations remember to allow at least 4-6 weeks for the vaccines to take effect.
4.	Malaria is endemic in the low altitude areas of the Mpumalanga Province, Limpopo and north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal as far south as the Tugela (Thukela) River. (Risk in Kruger National Park too). You are advised to take the necessary precautions when visiting these areas. For more information: Regional Malaria Information & Malaria in South Africa Whether you take oral prophylaxis or not, always use mosquito repellent, wear long pants, closed shoes and light long-sleeved shirts at night, and sleep under a mosquito net in endemic areas. The anopheles mosquito, which carries malaria, operates almost exclusively after dark. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while travelling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should inform the physician about your travel history. (Malaria-free destinations Cape Town, Garden Route, Southern KwaZulu Natal (Beach), Drakensberg Mountains, Kalahari , Johannesburg, Pretoria and Sun City)
5.	Make two photocopies of your passport information page, visa (if necessary), driver’s licence, airline ticket, travellers cheques and the credit and/or debit cards that you plan to bring with you. Leave one set of photocopies at home with responsible and reliable family or friends. Pack the other set of photocopies separate from your valuables.
6.	If you are on medication, you are advised to keep your medicines in their original labelled containers and bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names of your drugs. Should your medication be unusual or contain narcotics, please arrange a letter from your doctor testifying that you need to take these drugs.
7.	South Africa has a tourism call centre that will provide you with all the information you may need before coming to South Africa and while in the country. Callers can be assisted in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin and Portuguese. For European languages, the centre operates from 09:00 to 19:00 local time, and for Mandarin from 13:00 to 21:00 China time. The centre operates around the clock for English speaking tourists.
	Calling from within South Africa South Africans, or international visitors already in South Africa, should call 083 123 6789 or e-mail info@southafrica.net
	International callers International callers can also use the above number (+27 83 123 6789) and e-mail address info@southafrica.net
	Callers from the countries listed below will find it cheaper and quicker to use the following local numbers and language-specific e-mail addresses:
	COUNTRY NUMBER E-MAIL Australia 1800238643 info.au@southafrica.net  Austria 0820 500739 info.de@southafrica.net Belgium 0800 74283 info.nl@southafrica.net China (86) 10 65 320171 satinfo.ma@ccn.co.za France 0810 203 403 info.fr@southafrica.net Germany 01805 722255 info.de@southafrica.net India 0008004401083 info@southafrica.net Italy 800-925245 info.it@southafrica.net Ireland 01-6030996 info@southafrica.net Netherlands 0900 2020433 info.nl@southafrica.net Sweden 08 302626 info@southafrica.net Switzerland 0848 663522 info.de@southafrica.net United Kingdom 0870 1550 044 info.uk@southafrica.net United States of America 1-800-593-1318 info.us@southafrica.net
8.	Travel Buddy was introduced in 2003 to assist and protect tourists in conjunction with the South African Police Services. Before leaving your home country register for free on the Travel Buddy Website. When you arrive in South Africa buy a local SIM card for your cell phone, contact Travel Buddy and get a phone number to use in emergencies. Throughout your stay, someone will call or send a text message asking how things are going. Find out more by visiting the Travel Buddy website.

WHAT TO PACK

1.	Pack lightly with a conservative dress code in mind.
2.	Pack your set of photocopies as explained in item no. 5 above and an extra set of passport photo’s. This will help to expedite the replacement of your passport in the event that it is lost or stolen.
3.	Pack the least amount of valuables required for your trip. Ensure that you have a safe place or places to hide them.
4.	Pack your prescription glasses and any medicines you may need into your carry-on luggage including copies of your prescription and the generic names of your drugs. Medicines must be kept in their original labelled containers. If your medication is unusual or contains narcotics, please carry a letter from your doctor testifying to your need to take these drugs.
5.	Carry travellers cheques and one major credit card instead of cash. Please note that Diners and American Express are not always accepted.
6.	Don’t pack expensive jewellery, valuable items, objects of sentimental value, unnecessary credit or debit cards or any day-to-day items unrelated to your trip e.g. library cards etc.
7.	Pack comfortable shoes if you plan on hiking or going on safari.
8.	Sun block, sunglasses and a hat.
9.	Make sure that your luggage is clearly labelled (include your name, address, telephone numbers and email addresses) inside and outside. It is strongly recommended that you lock your luggage.

IN SOUTH AFRICA

1.	The Metrorail suburban trains aren't safe please refer to our transportation page (By Train, By Plan & By Automible) for information on how to get around South Africa.
2.	Never leave your luggage unattended.
3.	Dress conservatively.
4.	Do not wear flashy jewellery.
5.	Make use of hotel safes to lock your cash, passport and other valuables.
6.	Avoid, where possible, carrying large sums of cash and other valuables around, e.g. cameras, video cameras, etc. Make use of inside pockets or a strong shoulder bag or a moneybag worn under your clothing instead of handbags and outside pockets to carry your valuables.
7.	Do not stroll around the streets after dark.
8.	Always lock your car when driving around. At night park in secure well lit areas.
9.	Do not leave valuable belongings in your car, rather lock everything in the boot where they are not visible.
10.	Uniformed car guards offer to watch your vehicle for a small fee.
11.	Take special precautions in secluded areas (including parks & gardens, beaches, nature reserves and walks/trails), especially at dusk and after dark.
12.	Please do not give street children and beggars money.
13.	Bilharzia or schistosomiasis, is a parasitic disease carried in sub-Saharan Africa fresh waterways and is also present in some of the east-flowing rivers with the exception of mountainous areas. Transmission occurs when an individual's skin comes into contact with infected water, for example, during activities such as swimming, washing or paddling. Symptoms may be mild but blood in urine or stools indicate advanced Bilharzia symptoms. It is easily treated if contracted. For more information please see Bilharzia Information and Bilharzia distribution in South Africa

USEFUL INFORMATION

1.	A brochure entitled Helpful Hints to Make Your Stay Enjoyable and Safe is distributed to tourists at international airports.
2.	Time: South Africa is 2 hours ahead of GMT, one hour ahead of Central European wintertime and 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard wintertime (USA).
3.	Credit & debit cards: MasterCard and Visa are preferred. American Express and Diners Club are also accepted at some establishments. Credit cards are not acceptable for fuel purchases in South Africa. Visa ATM Locator
4.	Currency: Rand (R) = 100 cents, the international symbol is ZAR. Notes are in denominations of R200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of R5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
5.	Banking Hours: Mon-Fri 08:30-15:30 and Sat 08:00-11:30
6.	Foreign Exchange: Travellers cheques and foreign currency notes of all major currencies can be exchanged at airports, commercial banks as well as at major hotels. Fluctuations in foreign exchange markets are reflected in rates quoted on a daily basis.
7.	Electricity: The electricity supply in South Africa is 220/230 volts AC 50 Hz. Appliances of lesser voltage require a transformer. Adapters are obtainable locally.
8.	Languages: South Africa has 11 official languages - English is understood and spoken by most people.
9.	Driving: South Africans drive on the left hand side and the public roads are well developed. International drivers are required to carry an international driver’s licence and have a minimum of five years driving experience.
10.	Fuel: Inland: 93 (leaded). Coast: 97 (leaded), 95 unleaded, (both)
11.	Water: Most of South Africa’s tap (faucet) water is safe to drink straight from the tap except in informal or shack settlements. Do not drink water from rivers or streams. Bottled mineral water, both sparkling and still, is readily available in most places.
12	Tax: Foreign tourists visiting South Africa can have their value-added tax (VAT) refunded, provided the value of the items purchased exceeds R20. VAT is refunded on departure at the point of exit.
13.	Seasons: Summer - December to March, AUTUM April to June, WINTER – July to September and SPRING – September to November.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

1.	Tourism Information and Safety Call Line, 083 123 2345 (provides tourists with information on what to do in an emergency and where to locate services)
2.	Police 10111
3.	Ambulance 999
4.	Crime Stop 0800 11 12 13
5.	Medical Rescue International (011) 403 7080 (24hrs)
6.	Mobile Phones (Emergencies) 112
7.	SOS 147
8.	General Information 10118 / 1023
9.	International Enquiries 0903
10.	Time 1026
11.	American Express (011) 359 0111
12.	Diners Club (011) 358 8400
13.	Mastercard International 0800 990 418 (Toll Free)
14.	VISA Interantional 0800 990 475 (Toll Free)
15.	Thomas Cook Rennies 0800 998 175 (Toll Free)
16.	Europe Assistance (011) 315 3999 (24hrs)
17.	Telkom/Telephone Enquiries 1023
18.	Telkom Information Centre 080 111 1189