General Travel information

General information:

Accommodation - South Africa provides travellers with every kind of accommodation available. In South Africa you could come for a safari, beach holiday, spa and wellness break and stay at a golf estate, all in one trip.  Our top 5 star hotels compete equally with their international counterparts. Villas and Hotels for Africa will be able to provide you with the perfect holiday accommodation that will give you the special break you deserve.

Airports 

Flight information 086 727 7888

Cape Town - Cape Town International Airport

Johannesburg - O R Tambo International Airport

Durban - King Shaka International Airport

Bloemfortein - Bloemfontein International

Pilansberg - Pilanesberg International

Port Elizabeth - Port Elizabeth International Airport

Uppington - Uppington International Airport

East London - East London Airport

George - George Airport

Kimberley - Kimberley Airport

Banks are located throughout the cities and at most shopping centres and are open from Mon to Fri 09h00 - 15h30, Sat 08h30 - 11h00.  Commercial banking services are available at Cape Town International Airport and O R Tambo to coincide with international arrivals and departures.

Car Hire - There is extensive competition among the international and local car rental companies which means that there are always specials available.  If you plan to rent a car you will need valid international driver's license.  It is possible to pick up a car in one city and return it in another.  Villas and Hotels for Africa will be able to provide you with car rental information and assist in the booking process.

Climate - Winter runs from June to August and the sun normally shines on Christmas Day.

Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with four seasons. In the interior it becomes very hot in summer and during winter snow falls on the highest mountain peaks.  Durban has a summer rainfall season and Johannesburg is known for its lightning storms.

Clothing - in summer, Cape Town is informal. Businessmen wear suits and ties except on hot days when they discard their jackets. In less formal circumstances shorts and tee-shirts are the order of the day for both sexes. Most restaurants require smart casual attire and some prefer jacket and tie. Being a winter rainfall area, Cape Town is wet from May to August.

Credit Cards - Most international cards are accepted - petrol can now be purchased on a credit card although most petrol stations accept a garage or petrol card. 

Crime - Emergency number 10111.  Do not walk alone after dark in unpopulated streets or draw attention to money, electronics or jewellery.   More numbers are listed in our emergency numbers section.

Currency - One Rand (R) = 100 cents (c). Notes issued R200, R100, R50, R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, & 1c. Currency exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the newspapers or visit one of the numerous Bureau de Change kiosks situated all over the city.

Visas - All visitors need valid passports to enter South Africa. You should obtain your visa before leaving for South Africa as visas are not issued at South African border posts and you will not be allowed to board an aircraft without one.  Nationals of certain countries are exempt from obtaining a visa if visiting south Africa for 90 days or less.

Electricity - 220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged plugs are universal, so take an adapter. Most hotel rooms have international plug points, otherwise converters are available for sale at all of the major airports.

Embassies & Consulates - Most consulates are situated in Pretoria and Johannesburg, but many countries have consulates and embassies in Cape Town.  Visit www.dfa.gov.za for contact information of your ambassy in South Africa.

Etiquette - South Africa has an informal atmosphere and people usually introduce themselves by their first name, even in business relationships. In spite of the relaxed atmosphere, punctuality is the order of the day and visitors are expected to follow the rules.

Hours of Trading - Most shops Mon to Fri 08h30 - 17h00 (Sat 13h00). Most liquor stores close at 18h00. Supermarkets generally close at 18h00 (times vary according to the seasons) and some are open Saturday until 17h00 and Sunday to 14h00. There is late night shopping at the Victoria Wharf (Waterfront) seven days a week.

Information: Cape Town Tourism: Tourism Gateway Information Centre, Adderley Street, Cape Town, Tel: +27 (0) 21 - 4264260. 

Languages - There are now 11 official languages - the most common in the Cape are English, Afrikaans and Xhosa. The others are: Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, and Zulu.

Laundry - Hotels are very efficient in handling your laundry quickly.  There are also numerous laundromats located throughout the Peninsula where you may drop off your laundry to be done within a few hours.

Libraries - Visitors may register as temporary members at any Cape Town City Library branch (see telephone directory listed under Municipality of Cape Town).

Lost Property - Report your loss at the local police station and leave a contact telephone number and address.

Medical Care - South Africa has excellent medical services with highly trained doctors and fully equipped hospitals. Your hotel can call a doctor or you can get a list of approved doctors from your embassy. Doctors are listed in the telephone directory under "Medical", Hospitals under "H". Hospitalisation is generally arranged through a medical practitioner but in the event of an emergency visitors may telephone or go directly to the casualty department of any general hospital.  Outpatient treatment may be obtained at hospitals for a nominal fee. Visitors are advised to take out medical insurance for the duration of their trip. Visitors may drink tap water anywhere unless a notice specifically warns otherwise. The sun in South Africa is much stronger than in Europe and it is essential for visitors to use a good sun screen for protection. Skin cancer has become a serious concern in sun worshipping Cape Town. Poisonous snakes and spiders might be encountered in many places. Bluebottle stings are quite common in summer.  You will need a yellow fever vaccination to enter South Africa from an infected country. 

Newspapers - Morning: Cape Times and Business Day (English), Die Burger (Afrikaans) - Afternoon: The Argus (English) - Sunday: Sunday Argus (English), Sunday Times (English), Rapport (Afrikaans).

Post Offices are open Mon - Fri 08h00 - 16h30 & Sat 08h00 - 12h00. Mail may be addressed to you Post Restante. The main post office in Cape Town has special counters for this purpose. Postage stamps are widely available.

Public Holidays - January 1 - New Years Day, March 21 - Human Rights Day, Good Friday, Family Day (Easter Monday), April 27 - Freedom Day, May 1 - Worker's Day, June 16 - Youth Day, August 9 - National Woman's Day, September 24 - Heritage Day, December 16 - Day of Reconciliation, December 25 - Christmas Day, December 26 - Day of Goodwill.

Religion - Most South Africans are Christians. The largest denominations are Anglican (Church of England), Roman Catholic and Dutch Reformed. There are also large Jewish and Muslim communities living in the Western Cape. To find the place of worship of your choice, consult your hotel, information bureaux and the weekend press for details.

Standard Time is two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time, one hour in advance of central European winter time and seven hours in advance of United States eastern standard time throughout the year.

Taxis - there are no roving taxis in Cape Town. They are either hired at taxi-ranks or summoned by telephone. Rikkis (tuk-tuks) are three wheeled vehicles that carry up to six passengers and may be hailed or called.  Your hotel may also have an inhouse shuttle service or be able to arrange transport for you.  If in doubt you can always contact anyone at Villas and Hotels for Africa for assistance.


Tipping is expected in South Africa. A guideline for visitors is the following: Porters R5 per item, 10%, waiters & waitresses in restaurants 10%.

Traveller's Cheques - most international traveller's cheques are accepted, provided they are in an acceptable currency and may be cashed at most banks. Many hotels and shops also provide this service.

Vat / Tax Refunds - VAT of 14% is levied on nearly all goods and services. Foreign tourists may claim back a portion of the VAT paid on items that will be taken out of the country. Original tax invoices, foreign passport, plus all the items on which a refund is claimed, must be presented at the VAT refund administration of fice or an appointed RSA customs and excise official on departure, and the total VAT on these items will be refunded. 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.