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| Welcome to South Africa |
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Country Profile
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| The Republic of South Africa lies at the southern end of the African continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and is bordered to the north by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland and totally encloses Lesotho. South Africa has three major geographical regions, namely plateau, mountains and the coastal belt. The high plateau has sharp escarpments which rise above the plains, or
veld. Despite two major river systems, the Limpopo and the Orange, most of the plateau lacks surface water.
Along the coastline are sandy beaches and rocky coves, and the vegetation is
shrublike. The mountainous regions which run along the coastline from the Cape of Good Hope to the Limpopo Valley in the northeast of the country are split into the
Drakensberg, Nuweveldberg and Stormberg ranges.
Following the 1994 elections, South Africa was organised into nine regions. These comprise the Western Cape with its provincial and national capital of Cape Town, the Eastern Cape with its provincial capital of
Bisho, the Northern Cape with its provincial capital Kimberley,
KwaZulu-Natal with its provincial capital Pietermaritzburg, the Free State with its provincial capital of
Bloemfontein, the North West Province with its provincial capital
Mmabatho, the Northern Province with its provincial capital
Pietersburg, Mpumalanga with its provincial capital of
Nelspruit, and Gauteng with its provincial capital of Johannesburg.
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| Language |
| The official languages are Afrikaans, English,
isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana,
Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. |
| Religion |
| Most inhabitants profess Christianity of some form and belong to either Catholic, Anglican and other protestant denominations, Afrikaner Calvinist churches or African independent churches. There are also significant Hindu, Muslim and Jewish communities, and traditional beliefs are still practised widely, sometimes in conjunction with Christianity. |
| Passports |
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Passport valid for at least 30 days longer than the period
covering stay in South Africa required by all. |
| Visas |
Required by all except the following for business and tourist purposes:
(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above and nationals of Andorra, British Dependent Territories, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland for up to 90 days;
(b) nationals of Argentina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Israel, Jamaica, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Paraguay, San Marino, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Swaziland, Uruguay and Venezuela for visits of up to 90 days;
(c) nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Gabon, Guyana, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Jordan, Korea (Rep), Lesotho, Macau (SAR), Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Peru, Poland, Seychelles, Slovak Republic, Swaziland, Thailand, Turkey and Zambia for visits of up to 30 days;
(d) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Note: a) Nationals of China (PR) and Russian Federation must meet specific requirements before any visa application will be considered. Contact the Consulate for further details. (b) Holders of Visitors visas are not allowed to take up employment in South Africa. (c) Unaccompanied children under the age of 18 years must hold written consent from their parents when travelling alone. (d) Study or work permits must be obtained in the country of normal residence before entry into South Africa.
Types of visa and cost: Visitors, Business and Transit: £33. Study Permits: £89-118 (depending on level of education). Work Permits: £118. Workseekers Permits: £59. Nationals of India and Zimbabwe are exempt from visa fees. Other nationals must apply for a visa with the appropriate fee. All fees are subject to change without notice: please check with Embassy or Consulate to confirm costs.
Note: Visa fees will only be requested from nationals of Belize, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Hong Kong (SAR), Korea (Rep), Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Turkey if the intended visit exceeds 30 days.
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| Currency |
Rand (R) = 100 cents. 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.
Currency exchange: Money can be changed at banks, bureaux de change, some hotels, and larger shops and restaurants. Automated foreign exchange machines and ATMs are available at various locations.
Credit & debit cards: MasterCard and Visa are preferred. American Express and Diners Club are also widely accepted. Some ATMs will give cash advances with credit cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Valid at banks, hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
Currency restrictions: The import of local currency is limited to R5000 in cash. The export of local currency is limited to R500 in cash. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited provided it is declared upon arrival or departure.
Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1530, Sat 0800-1130. |
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| Health |
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas. African countries formerly classified as endemic zones are considered by the South African authorities to be infected areas. The yellow fever vaccination certificate only becomes valid ten days after
immunisation.
2: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.
3: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year in the low altitude areas of the Northern Province, Eastern Transvaal (including the Kruger National Park) and northeastern KwaZulu/Natal as far south as the Tugela River. The risk is highest from October to May. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. It is strongly recommended that visitors to these areas take anti-malaria tablets before entering these zones (tablets are available from pharmacies without prescription). The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine plus proguanil (World Health Organization), chloroquine plus pyrimethamine (South African High Commission) or mefloquine alone.
Food & drink
Tap water is considered safe to drink in urban areas but may be contaminated elsewhere and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the north and east and may be present elsewhere. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A occurs and hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Dengue fever and filariasis are present. Rabies may be present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Health care:Medical facilities are excellent. Health insurance is recommended. |
| Climate |
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South Africa's climate is generally sunny and pleasant. Winters
are usually mild, although snow falls on the mountain ranges
of the Cape and Natal and occasionally in lower-lying areas,
when a brief cold spell can be expected throughout the country.
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| Suggested tours for South Africa |
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Referred to as a 'world in one country', South Africa offers an extraordinary variety of leisure opportunities in a country where the scenery is magnificent, the climate sunny and mild and the hospitality legendary. |
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From modern cities, moonscape deserts, lush farmlands, Table Mountain, white sandy beaches, private game reserves, the picturesque winelands of the Cape and the fantasy resort of Sun City - South Africa has it all!
Here are some of the many tours you can do in South Africa. |
| Tour 1 - Honeymoon in South Africa. |
Day 1 - Arrive Capetown
Flowers await your arrival in Capetown today. Transfer by hotel limousine to your deluxe hotel just minutes from the waterfront. Flowers and champagne await in your room. This evening, enjoy dinner on your suite's private ocean-view balcony.
Overnight :- Ellerman House
Day 2 - Cape Town
After a leisurely morning, enjoy a private orientation tour of Cape Town.
Overnight:- Ellerman House
Day 3 - Cape Town
Enjoy a day exploring on your own, shopping along the water front, taking an optional tour to Table Mountain or just relaxing on your suites private balcony. (Optional private sightseeing or a rental car can be arranged upon request)
Overnight - Ellerman House
Day 4 - Cape Town - Blue Train
After a leisurely morning transfer to the railway station to board the exquisite Blue Train for the overnight train to Pretoria.
Overnight - The Blue Train
Day 5- Arrive Pretoria
Upon arrival in Pretoria you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the quiet suburb of Rosebank. Glasses of sparkling wine and flowers await in your room.
Overnight - The Grace
Day 6 - Johannesburg - Singita Private Reserve
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Singita Private Reserve where sparkling wine awaits in your room. Later, enjoy a game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle. The Sabi Sand Reserve is home to abundant game, including the Big 5. Tonight, dinner by candlelight on the deck of your suite.
Overnight - Singita
Day 7 - Singita
After your morning game drive, enjoy a private bush breakfast - the perfect way to start your day in the bush. Later enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Overnight - Singita
Day 8 - Singita - Johannesburg
Enjoy a last game drive this morning before the flight to Johannesburg.
Note: Private use of a 4x4 vehicle at an additional cost can be arranged at Singita upon request (subject to availability) |
| Tour 2-Sun City Break |
Day 1 - Johannesburg Sun City
Transfer by road to Sun City Resort where you can choose from 4 different hotels. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the resort's many activities featuring excellent sporting facilities (including 2 major golf courses), the Valley of Waves water adventure park, casinos and nightly entertainment. Pilanesburg National Park, a malaria free 'Big 5'game reserve is adjacent to Sun City and optional daily game drives are available.
Overnight :- Your choice of hotel
Day 2 - Sun City
The day is at leisure to explore the complex.
Day 3- Sun City - Johannesburg
At leisure until the return transfer to Johannesburg. |
| Short Day Tours |
1. Johannesburg & Soweto
Perfect for an overall impression of Égoli' the City of Gold. See the affluent Northern residential areas, downtown Johannesburg, Hillbrow, and Soweto, the largest black residential are in South Africa where all major points of interest are seen - Baragwanath Hospital, Freedom Square and Nelson Mandela's former home(among others)
2. Lesedi Cultural Village
This unique multi-cultural African Village is populated by families of the Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Pedi Tribes. Experience a traditional welcome, a guided walk through two of the homesteads and enjoy vibrant song and dance during a traditional meal. |
These are some of the tours you can take while in South Africa
· Battlefields Tours
· Winelands Tours
· Whale Watching
· Flora & Fauna Tours
· Safari Tours
· Cultural Tours
Please send us information and tell us what you would like to see and we will tailor make it for you.
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