Essential Information for SOUTH AFRICA
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: The information provided is based on Australian passport holders. If you are
holding a foreign passport please check direct with the Embassy for visa requirements. Our information
is correct at time of printing, but we take no responsibility for any changes by the Governments. We
therefore recommend that clients carry extra $RAND cash in case of such events. All visitors must hold
onward tickets, documents and sufficient funds for duration of travel.
PASSPORT VALIDITY You will require a valid acceptable passport or travel document good for a
sufficient period to cover your intended stay (at least 6 months), a valid visa if required, sufficient
funds, a return or onward ticket and at least two blank pages for each visiting country.
Travelling with Children: Important information surrounding the new South African requirements for
minors traveling to South Africa that go into effect on June 1. Please find the document from Home
Affairs at the link below:
http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/statements-speeches/621-advisory-new-requirements-for-childrentravelling-through-south-african-ports-of-entry-effective-1-june-2015 - PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED
SHEET ONLY NECESSARY IF TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE.
YELLOW FEVER POLICY - This is the revised Yellow Fever (YF) vaccination requirements for Africa. It is
compulsory that you have the YF inoculation and carry your certificate with you when you are travelling
through South Africa if you have visited the following countries - The Congo, The Democratic Republic
of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda & Uganda.
MALARIA: Please consult your Physician before you travel to Africa for advice on precautions against
malaria prior to departure.
*** It is recommended that you travel with foreign cash (preferably in small denomination bills of US
Dollars or Rand) places will NOT accept any US Dollars printed prior 2006 or in poor condition. ***
***There are constant changes to the cost of visas, park fees, entry fees etc. Please be sure to carry
extra $RAND cash with you for these instances. We do our best to advise prior to departure of any
changes BUT sometimes circumstances change quickly and are totally out of our control***.
Time difference to Australia: -8 Eastern Standard time
Currency: the monetary unit in South Africa is the Rand (R) = 100 cents, with the international symbol
ZAR. The current rate of exchange is 1 USD = ZAR 7.00. The currency exchange is subject to fluctuations
and thus just an indication. Most credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, and American Express) are accepted you
must have a PIN number for your credit cards. Petrol/gasoline cannot be purchased with standard credit
cards. You MUST have a credit card when hiring a car (a debit or cash card will NOT suffice).
Banking hours:
Monday – Friday 09.00 – 15.30/Saturday
08.00 – 11.00
Electricity: 220/250 V AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are of the round 3-pin variety. Bathroom
plugs have two pins.
The Africa Safari Co. www.africasafarico.com.au
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Dietary requirements: Most dietary requirements can be catered for but please tell us well in advance so
we can inform lodges, hotels and resorts. With most lodges a shop isn’t simply around the corner so
lodges need all information well in advance.
Language: English is widely spoken throughout the country, although there are 11 official languages.
English is commonly accepted as the business/commercial form of communication.
Climate: South Africa’s climate is generally mild throughout the year with summer from October until
March and temperatures between 15C/59F and 36C/97F. Winter temperatures vary between 2C/36F and
15C/59F. Rainfall occurs in winter months in the Cape and along the Garden Route, between Port
Elizabeth and Cape Town. The rest of the country experiences summer rainfall.
Shops: open from 08H30 to 17H00 Monday to Friday, and generally closing at 12H30 on Saturdays. In
tourist areas shops are often open later during the week as well as over weekends.
Taxis: cannot be hailed on the street and must be ordered by telephone.
Accommodation: photographs shown in your itinerary may not reflect the room allocated to you upon
check in. Personal identification will be required upon check in; please ensure that you are in possession
of the necessary documentation – e.g. a valid passport, driver’s license. *** For double room
configurations, certain properties ONLY have twin bed configuration – room requests are NOT
guaranteed.
Check in / out times: Standard hotel check in times is between 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm / check out times is
between 1000 am – 1100 am. For early arrival flights, The Africa Safari Co. can request early check in BUT
is not guaranteed. This is strictly subject to availability upon check in with the hotel. To guarantee a room
upon your early check in - you will have to pre-book and pay for an additional night. For late departure
flights, your luggage may be left with the hotel concierge until your departure transfer time.
What to pack: As a general guide, comfortable, casual wash-and-wear clothes are recommended. Please
note that muted colours are recommended for game-viewing. Game-drives are conducted in the early
morning and late afternoon, which can be very cold, especially in winter. The most practical items to pack
for safari are: Khaki, green, beige and neutral colours, Shirts with long sleeves (even in summer, as
protection from the sun and mosquitoes),T shirts, Shorts or a light skirt, Jeans or safari trousers for
evenings and cooler days, A jacket and sweater are recommended for early morning and evening game
drives, Lightweight water-proof jacket, Swim and beachwear, Comfortable walking shoes, Sun block,
sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, moisturizer and lip-salve are all essentials, Binoculars and camera
equipment, Jackets and ties are required in some city hotel restaurants and golf clubs and luxury train
journeys.
Baggage Restrictions: One average sized suitcase with a luggage limit of 23kgs
is allowed on normal scheduled flights in economy class to/from and within
Africa, however, clients who will be travelling by light aircraft (often referred
to as Charter Flights) on safari must adhere to the following baggage
restrictions when travelling in small light aircraft which have limited space for
baggage and a weight restriction. If not using these light aircraft, normal
luggage restrictions of 23kgs apply. City hotels do store luggage for guests
while they are out on safari. Please check directly with your carrier’s website
for the most up to date information on baggage requirements.
The Africa Safari Co. www.africasafarico.com.au
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All charter Flights: SOFT SIDED BAGS ONLY. NO HARD SUITCASES WILL BE PERMITTED ON LIGHT
AIRCRAFTS.
Federal Air 20kgs soft sided bags plus 5kg hand luggage.
Luggage Storage at Johannesburg Airport: Located on the upper of the underground Parkade near the
main lift lobby at the International arrivals terminal. ZAR 50 per item for the first day & ZAR 40 per item
every day after. Visa & Mastercard accepted. Open 24 hour a day 7 days a week.
**Please note that you will have to clear immigration and customs formalities as the luggage storage is
located outside the terminal**
Lounge Access at O.R Tambo Int’l Airport Johannesburg: You can access the Airport Lounge from
R250.00pp for 2 hours OR R350.00pp for up to 4 hours. This is a great opportunity for long haul
passengers connecting onto their onward flight instead of waiting around at the Airport. To make a
reservation and pre-pay please email [email protected]
Tax Refund for Tourists: 14% VAT (Value added Tax) is levied on goods and services. Foreign tourists can
have their VAT refunded at a port of exit, provided the value of items purchased exceed ZAR500.00. Proof
of payment will be required for claims. No refund on services. For more information Visit
www.taxrefunds.co.za
Tipping: It is customary to tip 10% of the bill at all restaurants. It is also the custom to tip when staying in
Game lodges/camps to local rangers/guides, and Game lodge/camp staff of US$5-$10 per person per day
for each the guide and the staff. Porters are given a tip of R$3 – R$5 per item of luggage, paid directly at
the time they provided the service.
E ticket information: WHEN FLIGHTS ARE BOOKED WITH THE AFRICA SAFARI CO., your airline tickets are
pre paid and have been issued electronically. Please refer to your copy of itinerary with electronic ticket
numbers. All passengers must be in possession of an e-ticket receipt. This should be the printed page
which contains all flight details, vendor locator & ticket number. Having a print out of your e-ticket will
eliminate unnecessary delays and frustrations.
***Please note that South African Airways / South African Airlink Codeshare flights has amended their
fare rules to stipulate that if a passenger no-shows on a flight, the passenger forfeits that particular
ticketed sector******ALL departure transfer times, scheduled activities, tour times, and
light/schedule/charter aircraft flights will be re-confirmed to you locally by your Ground Operators as
per your dates shown in your itinerary***.
The Africa Safari Co. www.africasafarico.com.au
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