The Foreign & Commonwealth
Office produces up to date travel
information to assist British
travellers make informed decisions
about travelling abroad. For the
latest information visit www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
Climate:
South Africa enjoys a temperate
climate, with lovely warm sunny
days most of the year. The seasons
of the southern hemisphere are
opposite to those in the northern
hemisphere so summer runs from
November to February, when most
of the country is characterised
by hot weather with afternoon
thunderstorms. Winters are generally
mild and dry. South Africa enjoys
one of the world's highest average
daily hours of sunshine - 8.5
compared with 3.8 in London.
| Average
temperatures in ºC |
| |
Summer |
Winter |
| Cape Town |
20 |
12.6 |
| Durban |
23.6 |
17 |
| Johannesburg |
19.4 |
11.1 |
| Pretoria |
22.4 |
12.9 |
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Clothing:
The seasons in the southern hemisphere
are directly opposite to those
of the northern hemisphere. For
summer months, lightweight (cottons
and linens), short-sleeved clothes
are best, although a light jersey/jumper
might be needed for the cooler
evenings. Umbrellas and raincoats
are essential for the summers
and the Western Cape winters.
Warmer clothes are needed for
the winter months. |
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Currency
& Exchange rate:
The currency is the Rand. 1 Rand
= 100 cents.
The approximate exchange rate
£1 = ZAR 12.6
Most major international credit
cards such as American Express,
Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa
and their affiliates are widely
accepted. ATMS are widely available
and Travellers Cheques can be
changed at local banks and some
hotels. |
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Electricity:
220/240 Volts AC50Hz. Plugs are
large round 3-pin. Exceptions:
Pretoria (230 V) and Port Elizabeth
(200/250 V). |
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GMT:
Local standard time is 2 hours
ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+
2) (GMT + 1 during British Summer
Time). |
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Health:
Although no vaccinations are required
for travel to South Africa, inoculations
against Typhoid, Diptheria and
Hepatitis A and B are advisable.
Also anti malarial tablets are
recommended. For full information,
contact your GP or a specialised
vaccination clinic. The Department
of Health 'Travellers Guide to
Health' is available at main
Post Offices or by calling 0800
555 777 and provides very useful
information. |
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Passport/Visa
Information:
The name on your passport must
match your name on the ticket,
otherwise you may not be able
to travel and your insurance may
be invalid. It is your responsibility
to ensure the correct details
are advised to us at the time
of booking.
A standard ten-year British passport
is required which must be valid
for at least six months beyond
your planned date of return travel. |
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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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Clients
with Disabilities:
Please let us know at the time
of booking if you or anyone in
your party suffers from a serious
medical condition or physical
disability before a booking is
made, as we cannot provide individual
assistance with boarding coaches
or forms of transport, baggage
handling, walking or other personal
requirements etc. Clients should
be confident that they can do
the tasks unaided. We are happy
to give advice and assistance
which will be dependent on the
nature of the disability and whether
the person with the disability
is accompanied by an able bodied
person. Some suppliers may request
certification from your GP to
confirm that you are fit to travel
and we regret that we cannot be
held liable for any costs you
may incur as a result. Measurements
of wheelchairs must be given at
the time of booking.
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