South Africa Safari Tours
 South Africa Safari and Kruger Park Tours
Interesting facts about South Africa
The Republic of South Africa occupies 1 223 410 sq, km (472 659 sq, miles) at
the southern-most tip of the African continent, stretching from the Limpopo
River in the north to Cape Agulhas in the south. It is five times the size of
Britain, twice as big as France and about one-eighth of the size of the United
States. The West Coast borders the cool South Atlantic Ocean while the Eastern
Coastline runs along the warmer Indian Ocean. To the north, South Africa borders
Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. In the North-East Mozambique and Swaziland.
CLIMATE
 The
summer is normally from October through April, when you will often experience
rain showers in the Northern Highlands, but otherwise it is warm. The winters
are usually dry in the North, which makes game viewing excellent. Day
temperatures range from 15 deg C to 25 deg C, but cooler nights. In the Southern part of
the country, there will be winter rain showers. South Africa can be visited any
time of the year.
CREDIT CARDS
All major credit cards are accepted at hotels, shops and restaurants and the
country has a lot of Automatic Teller machines. Petrol cannot be purchased with
standard credit cards.
CURRENCY
The South African monetary unit is the Rand, divided into 100 cents. The banking
system is similar to and as sophisticated as those of the Western industrialized
countries. Normal banking hours in major centers are from 09:00 to 15:30 on
weekdays and from 08:30 to 11:00 on Saturdays. South African Rand can be used
1:1 in Namibia, and the Rand is widely accepted in Swaziland, Mozambique,
Zimbabwe and Botswana. We do not recommend you take Rand with you, when you
leave Africa.
DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT
These facilities are superb in South Africa. The gourmet can choose from
international standard cuisine in top-class hotels, or try one of the smaller
bistro restaurants found all over the country. A must is our traditional South
African food. The tap water in South Africa is drinkable, but that does not
apply in the rest of Africa. Theatre and film bookings can be made through
Computicket or direct with the theatre or cinema.
DRESS CODE
Dress code is casual in South Africa. Even more exclusive restaurants only
generally require smart casual wear.
DRIVING
 When
you are driving and you have a fast car approaching you from behind it is
courtesy to pull over into the emergency lane, permitting that there are no
blind rises or corners where your vision is obscured. They will either raise
their hand or flash their hazard lights at you as a thank you. You can either
flash your lights or raise your hand in acknowledgement. This is a friendly
gesture and it is not a requirement on the roads. Driving is done on the
left-hand side of the road. Speed restriction limits are strictly enforced with
a maximum of 60 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on country roads and 120 km/h on
freeways where signposted. The signboards are normally written in English and
Afrikaans, which derives from Dutch spoken by 17th century settlers.
ELECTRICITY
Generally, urban power systems are 220/230 volts. Plugs are 5-amp, two-pin or
15-amp, three pin (round point). Not all electric shavers will fit hotel and
game park plug points; visitors can purchase adapters in the country (O.R Tambo
Airport) or borrow from reception in the hotel.
MORE ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA
FLIGHTS
Remember to reconfirm your onward flights with the airline at least 72 hours
prior to departure. If you are on a guided tour the tour guide/leader will do
the reconfirmation.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Traveller,s cheques and foreign currency notes of all major currencies can be
exchanged at any commercial bank. Rennies Foreign Exchange Bureaux or American
Express and most hotels have exchange facilities for guests but at less
attractive rates. Fluctuations in foreign exchange markets are reflected in new
rates daily, but it is advisable to exchange at official Foreign Exchange
outlets only.
GAME PARKS
 One
of South Africa's greatest attractions is its wildlife. Great efforts have been
made to conserve this national heritage while at the same time providing the
facilities and opportunity to view game in their natural habitat. There is a
wide choice of parks and lodges, each offering a different experience. The
National Parks Board has a range of parks throughout the country and the Natal
Parks Board operates in the Natal area. In these parks you drive your own
vehicle, but in some camps there is the possibility of night game drives and
walks. Check with the reception or your tour guide. The independently, private
owned game lodges cater for a limited number of guests at a time and offer much
personalized attention. The accommodation and facilities are normally of an
extremely high standard. Major scene-stealers are the elephant, lion, leopard,
buffalo and rhino (Big Five). Conducted game trails feature on the agenda of
most parks. Some reserves offer four-wheel drive vehicles and the services of
experienced rangers. Beware of the animals and do not get out of your vehicle
and walk around. Read carefully the rules given to you at the entrance to the
National Parks, when you do self-drive.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
 No
international immunizations are needed when entering South Africa. The only
requirement is a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travelers over one
year of age entering South Africa within six days of leaving an infected
country. Visitors who travel through or disembark in these areas are advised to
be vaccinated against the disease before visiting the country. Malaria risks -
predominantly in the malignant form exist throughout the year, but mainly
October - April in certain areas of the country - mainly Northern Kruger and
Swaziland.
JEWELLERY
Because of the country's large resources of gold and diamonds the prices are
very reasonable. There are a wide variety of jewelery shops to choose from,
when you are in the country and you must be very careful of the quality and
prices. Ask your tourist guide to assist you to the best.
LANGUAGES
South Africa,s ethnic diversity is reflected in the 11 official languages spoken
by its people. The English-speaking visitor will have no problem while
travelling through the country.
PHOTOGRAPHY
 Most
International film brands and sizes are readily available from shops. Processing
is quick with same day service. For game viewing telephoto lenses are
recommended, as well as a good pair of binoculars.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
01 January - New Year,s Day
21 March - Human Rights Day
March/April - Good Friday
March/April - Family Day
27 April - Freedom Day
01 May - Workers Day
16 June - Youth Day
09 August - National Woman's Day
24 September - Heritage Day
16 December - Day of Reconciliation
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Day of Goodwill
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
South Africa has a good network of railway and roads, but public transport can
sometimes be a problem especially away from major centers. Transnet and Spoornet
train and bus services are good but finding taxi services in smaller places can
be difficult. Local bus service in smaller towns is also unreliable and it is
advisable for a visitor to make arrangements for car hire.
BigSix TourSafaris can assist you with car hire, also with driver/guides.
Taxis are available at airports/hotels and restaurants and on call. Trains and
buses run between towns and cities. The major cities have regular bus services.
Tourists can make use of one of the many luxury coach tours to see the country.
Please contact BigSix TourSafaris for advice.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
 Valuables,
including traveller's cheques, should be locked up when away from your hotel or
lodge. All hotel/lodges have safe deposits. Use traveller,s cheques or credit
cards rather than carrying large amounts of cash on your person. The streets in
the cities are not dangerous but it is unwise to walk alone after dark or away
from well-lit streets, especially carrying bags and cameras. Use taxis at night
and only use those, which are booked through a reputable taxi company. Keep your
car doors locked at all times. It is not advisable to resist if confronted. When
in the cities, take the same precautions that you would anywhere in the world.
SHOPPING
There are modern shopping complexes in and around all major centers offering the
visitor a variety of choices to purchase jewelry, curios, artifacts, wine and
liquor, clothing, books and anything else they require. Normal shopping hours
are 08:30 to 17:00 on weekdays with most major centers open on Saturday for the
same hours and Sunday from 08:30 - 13:00. There are the exceptions that stay
open until 21:00. Please keep the receipt for presentation at border posts.
Handicrafts are generally cheaper in Swaziland.
TAXATION
Foreign tourists visiting South Africa can have sales tax paid (known as Value
Added Tax - VAT), refunded at a port of exit, provided the total items purchase
exceeds R250. To qualify for a refund, visitors must be in possession of a valid
passport; valid tax invoices and must produce the goods purchased. The VAT rate
is 14% and is levied on most products.
TELEPHONES
 South Africa has a sophisticated telecommunications network. International
dialing
and full telex, telefax, and electronic mail facilities are widely available.
Phone cards and cellular phones are also on the market and readily available.
International dialing codes can be found in South African telephone
directories. Dial 09 + Country code + number.
TIME
Throughout the year, South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich
Mean Time. Consult the international section of the local telephone directory
for detailed world time zones.
TIPPING
Providing the service is satisfactory, it is usual to tip porters, waiters, taxi
drivers, room attendants, golf caddies, game rangers and trackers, guides and
drivers. Generally speaking, gratuities should be at least 10% of the cost of
the service. Some times it is the only pay they get! For tour guides and drivers
we recommend R30 to R40 per person per day on group tours.
TOURS
We offer regular Vacations Tours & Safaris throughout South Africa. All Vacations can be
booked through our office, and we also offer special tailor-made Vacations with
multi-lingual guides. ENJOY YOUR TRIP with
BigSixTourSafaris
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