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| FAQ |
| Frequently
asked questions |
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Frequently
asked questions :: |
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| Here
are some frequently asked questions that may be usefull to
those who are planning to visit South Africa.
If you
have any other questions, or would like some advice or
travelling tips, please drop us a line via our contact
page. |
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| Time
Differences |
| South
Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time
throughout the year, making it an hour ahead of Central
European Winter Time, seven hours ahead of Eastern
Standard Winter Time and seven hours behind Australian
Central Time. |
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| Passports
and Visas |
For
the majority of foreign nationals who travel to South
Africa for vacation, entry is straightforward and
hassle-free. All visitors to South Africa must be in
possession of a valid passport in order to enter the
country, and in some cases, a visa.
Travellers from certain regions of the world (Scandinavia,
Japan, the USA, and most Western European and Commonwealth
countries) do not need to formally apply for a visa. Upon
arrival in South Africa, countries falling into this
category will automatically be given a free entry
permit sticker that outlines how long they may remain
in the country. This automatic entry permit is usually for
a maximum of 90 days, though the immigration
officer may tailor the time period according to the
airline tickets held. Foreign nationals from some other
countries are offered this service, but for a maximum
of 30 days. If visitors want to stay for a longer
period, they will have to apply formally for a visa, as
opposed to relying on the automatic entry permit.
For the majority of foreign nationals who travel to South
Africa for vacation, entry is straightforward and
hassle-free. All visitors to South Africa must be in
possession of a valid passport in order to enter the
country, and in some cases, a visa. However, it is
important to note that under South Africa's Immigration
Act of 2002 (Act. 13 of 2002) in force since 7 April 2003,
(a) Immigration Act, 2002 the passport shall contain at
least ONE unused page when presenting the passport for
endorsements'. This requirement, reflects the requirements
of many of the world's top travel destinations, in line
with the majority of global destinations' requirements and
failure to have a clear page can result in entry being
refused. |
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| Tax |
| Value-added-tax
(VAT) is charged on most items. Foreign tourists to South
Africa can have their 14% VAT refunded provided that the
value of the items purchased exceeds R250.00. VAT is
refunded at the point of departure provided receipts are
produced.
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| Malaria |
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Malaria is found only in the Lowveld of
Mpumalanga and Limpopo and on the Maputaland coast of
KwaZulu-Natal. Malaria is not much of a risk in the winter
months. Although the incidence of malaria is rare, it
would be best to take adequate precautions if you choose
to visit these areas.
Our
government has embarked on an extensive anti-malaria
programme (in co-operation with Swaziland and Mozambique)
and the incidence of malaria is decreasing. One reassuring
thing about malaria is that there is absolutely no way at
all that you can contract it unless you are bitten by an
infected mosquito. And with modern insect repellents and
some common sense one can reduce the chances of being
bitten to close to zero.
The
cheapest, safest and most effective measures against
malaria are physical barriers such as a mosquito net, and
the use of a good insect repellent. If you decide to take
malaria prophylaxis, it is essential that they take the
drugs according to the directions on the package insert.
You will need to start a week or two before entering a
malaria-endemic area and should continue taking the drugs
for four weeks after leaving the malaria risk area. It is
advisable to consult a medical professional before
embarking on a course of malaria prophylaxis. Note that
expectant mothers should avoid malaria medications. |
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| Personal
safety |
|
For
tourists, South Africa is as safe as any other destination
in the world. South Africa boasts a vast array of
cultures, communities, sites and attractions. Most parts
of the country can be safely visited by tourists provided
they take basic common-sense precautions (for example not
walking alone in deserted areas at night and being
circumspect about how much photographic equipment or
flashy jewellery you carr.y Most of the crime that takes
place in South Africa is between people who know each
other and random acts of violence are the minority of
cases. Most major cities run organized crime prevention
programmes Basic Safety Tip guidelines will be available
at hotels and tourism information offices
If
you are in doubt as to the safety of a particular area or
attraction, contact the National Tourism information and
Safety Line on 083 123 2345. This number may also be used
for practical assistance in replacing lost documents or
reporting incidents. |
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| Driving |
| All
visitors intending to drive are required to obtain an
international drivers permit, visitors found driving
without a permit will be fined and not permitted to
continue on their journey. Visitors will also not be able
to rent a car without a valid driver's permit. The wearing
of seatbelts is compulsory and strictly enforced by law. |
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| Road
safety |
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Our
transport infrastructure is excellent and our roads are in
good condition. However, the distances between towns are
significant, so if you're planning to self-drive, it is a
good idea to plan your itinerary to ensure they don't
drive long distances as fatigue is a major cause of road
accidents. Avoid long car journeys that necessitate
driving at night as it always carries more risk. Also, in
some of the more remote rural areas, the roads are not
fenced so there may be stray animals on the road - which
could be very dangerous at night. (Cows don't have
headlights.)
We
have very strict drinking and driving laws - with a
maximum allowable alcohol blood content of 0.05%.
Translated that means about one glass of wine for the
average woman and perhaps 1.5 or two for the average or
large man. Our speed limits are 120kmph on the open road,
100kmph on smaller roads and between 60 and 80kmph in
towns. Be aware that even major national roads cut through
residential areas so there may be a speed limit of 80 or
60kmph on a road that looks like an autobahn. This is to
protect pedestrians, especially children, so
we really do encourage people to comply. |
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