Currency:

The local currency is the South African rand, which is divided into 100 cents. The official abbreviation is ZAR, but in the country the abbreviation R is usually used in front of the sum. There are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10 grades. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.

Banking

Banks can be found in most cities and are usually open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays (closed on Sundays and public holidays). Most of them offer an exchange office for exchanging cash, bank & credit cards as well as travelers checks. You can also get cash from cash machines (ATM). Several international banks have branches in the main city centers. We recommend that you inform your local bank of your travel plans in advance to prevent your cards from being blocked.

Traveling in South Africa is relatively easy – both by plane, train and car. 

Main air routes are served by South African Airways SAA and British Airways operated by Comair. There are two mainline low cost carriers, namely Kulula.com and Mango. There are also airlines with smaller planes that serve branch routes – including SA Express, SA Airlink and Federal Air. 

The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) operates 10 airports in South Africa. In addition, there are around 90 regional airports, including Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit and Skukuza Airport, that provide access to the Kruger National Park. 

An extensive network of tar roads makes it convenient and easy to get around South Africa by vehicle. In rural areas, however, you will find mostly gravel roads. Hints: 

• A valid international driver’s license is required. 

• We drive on the left side of the road. 

• It is compulsory to wear a seat belt and cell phones can only be used with a hands-free system. 

• Speed ​​limits: 120 km / h on motorways, 100 km / h on secondary roads and 60 km / h in urban areas. 

• Tolls on certain national roads – Tolls can be paid in cash at the toll stations or they are billed electronically and appear on your final rental car invoice. 

• Petrol stations are widespread. 

• Most global rental car companies have offices in South Africa. 

Another means of getting around South Africa are luxury intercity bus services such as Greyhound, Intercape and Trans-Lux. Metrobus or MyCiTi buses are available for city transport. Metered taxis must be ordered by telephone. There are hop-on hop-off buses in Cape Town and Johannesburg. 

Our long-haul rail system includes the inexpensive Shosholoza Meyl Metrorail trains. Other luxury options include the Blue Train, Premier Classe, and the Rovos Rail steam train. In the province of Gauteng, the new Gautrain Rapid Transit railway system connects Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekhuruleni and OR Tambo International Airport.

Healthcare in South Africa is world class. Every city has both public and private clinics. Resident doctors are well trained. Your hotel can also call a doctor for you in an emergency. 

Pharmacies can be found everywhere, often in supermarkets and shopping centers. The prescription requirement is taken very seriously.

The security situation in South Africa has improved massively in recent years, especially since the FIFA World Cup was held in 2010. 

As in all countries with a strong gap between rich and poor, you should leave expensive jewelry, extravagant accessories and large amounts of cash in your room safe – or even better at home. Since credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, even at the supermarket checkout, it is sufficient to take small amounts of cash with you. 

Tours to the townships should only be undertaken with a guide. It is better to buy excursions from your tour operator or from your africa220 representative. 

In the big cities you should behave carefully, especially at night – as is customary worldwide. 

Overall, however, South Africa is now one of the safer African countries.

South Africa’s standards of food hygiene, health, and safety are typically high in hotels, restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs. The tap water in the urban areas of South Africa is safe to drink. In rural areas, we rather advise against the consumption of tap water. 

It’s safe to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads, as well as adding ice to your drinks. South Africa’s fish, meat and chicken are of excellent quality – enjoy the local cuisine to the full. 

Restaurants in South Africa are subject to strict food safety controls implemented by the local government. Restaurants are regularly examined and certified by health inspectors for compliance with the prescribed hygiene standards. 

Street food is not as common in South Africa as it is in other countries, although stalls in city centers and communities offer traditional snacks and meals. Food safety in such cases cannot always be guaranteed.

Temperatures in South Africa are measured in degrees Celsius. In the summer months, the mercury rises to over 38 ° C, depending on the area, while it hardly gets cooler than 8 ° C at night. In the winter months, depending on the area and altitude, temperatures can drop below freezing at night, although 25 ° C can be reached during the day. Average annual rainfall is less than 500mm in most areas, so the country is a little dry. Much of the rain in the Western Cape falls in winter, while the rest of the country experiences rainfall in summer. On the plus side, the South African climate offers more than its fair share of sunshine, averaging 8.5 hours per day.

summer 

Pack cool, light and comfortable clothing – summer temperatures can easily exceed 30 ° C. For the nights and morning game drives, bring a fleece sweater, cardigan, or even a raincoat. But a swimsuit is much more important. 

winter 

The winters are generally mild and comparable to the central European summers. But there are days when temperatures drop below 10 ° C, especially in high-altitude areas such as the Drakensberg. Jerseys and jackets are appropriate. In Cape Town it rains in the winter season, we recommend that you bring a waterproof jacket. 

General recommendation 

Always bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, the sun can be strong even in the winter months. Comfortable shoes are a good idea all year round, and warm socks in summer. If you are traveling to South Africa on business, formal attire (suit and tie) is appropriate for appointments in the corporate and banking sectors, while in other sectors it is more informal. For game viewing, clothing in neutral colors is best, but there is no need to dress the same as a big game hunter. Also bring a good pair of exercise or walking shoes. To spend an evening in an upscale restaurant or in a show, we recommend casual evening wear.

The amperage is 220/240 volts / 50 Hz. Sockets are unusual by European standards and we recommend that you bring a three-point round pin adapter with you or buy one at one of the major airports.