Sightseeing Situated amidst some of the world’s most outstanding coastal scenery, sheltered by mighty mountains and surrounded by fertile farmlands and extensive vineyards, Cape Town’s location is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world.
Dominating the landscape is Table Mountain. A must for visitors is a ride to the summit by cable car for unparalleled views of the city and coast. Also high on most travellers’ list is Cape Peninsula, with the shoreline between Clifton and Kommetjie being particularly dramatic.
Nearby are the Cape Winelands. A journey along the Wine Route takes you through country that not only produces exceptional wines and offers opportunities to sample them but also possesses outstandingly beautiful pastoral landscapes.
The Garden Route, stretching from Mossel Bay to Port Elizabeth, is one of the world’s most scenic journeys, taking you through amazingly varied landscapes of soaring cliffs, spectacular beaches, rocky coves, thick forests, tranquil lakes and rugged mountains. Nearly 300 species of birds are to be found in a variety of habitats along the route, whilst nature reserves embrace the varied ecosystems of the area.
Marine reserves provide a protected habitat for soft coral reefs, dolphins, seals and other marine life, including the endangered Southern Right Whale which come to calve in the winter and spring.
Kruger National Park is home to an unrivalled range of animals, including lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, rhinoceros, hippopotamus and antelope. Although the largest game reserve in South Africa, it is easy to explore – there are restaurants, petrol stations, shops and rest camps.
Sun City, less than two hours’ drive from Johannesburg, is one of the world’s truly great resorts. Fine hotels, excellent sports facilities, the wildlife of Pilansberg National Park, a casino and superb entertainment at the Superbowl combine to make this a complete holiday destination. For sports enthusiasts, there is tennis, squash, bowling, swimming, a host of water activities at Waterworld and two Gary Player-designed golf courses, one with live crocodiles as a permanent hazard.
Accommodation
Deluxe city hotels, luxurious game lodges, rest camps, charming manor houses, wine estates and entertainment centres.
Family activities
Safaris in game reserves or Kruger National Park, varied entertainment in Sun City, exploring the Garden Route with the freedom of a self-drive car.
Shopping
What you can buy – African art, curios, handicrafts, ebony woodwork, antiques, diamond and gold jewellery.
Where you can buy – Johannesburg’s Rosebank and Sandton shopping malls; numerous flea markets and Cape Town’s waterfront and shopping malls.
If you are into shopping, South Africa offers so much choice and great value for money.
Entertainment
Centuries of mingling between peoples of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds have made South Africa a melting pot of rich flavours and fascinating surprises. Restaurants, bars, cafés, discothèques, casinos, show extravaganzas and wine valley tours abound.
Sports and leisure
South Africa is home to world-class sporting and leisure activities like safaris; water sports including windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving, boat cruises, canoeing, whale watching; a variety of golf courses; trekking, cycling, horse riding; spa and beauty treatments.
Honeymoon
Excellent accommodation and unspoilt beauty makes South Africa perfect for a magical honeymoon.
Exploring by road
Excellent road networks make exploration by car easy and enjoyable.
Two Oceans Marathon, Cape Town (March); The National Art Festival, Grahamstown (June – July); Stellenbosch Festival, Western Cape (September – October); Hermanus Whale Festival, Western Cape (September).
Visas:
Most Gulf and Middle East nationals, including UAE nationals, require a visa. (One blank page in the passport is compulsory when applying for a visa).
Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa to enter South Africa: Australia, British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, British Overseas territories, Isle of Mann and Virgin Islands, Northern Ireland, The Republic of Ireland as well as United Kingdom.
Visas are not required by nationals of the following countries for a stay of up to three months: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
Note: Nationals of the British Dependant Territories get a 90-day visa except for nationals of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antartic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Henderson, Cucie and Oeno Islands, The Sovereign Base Area if Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Visas are not required by nationals of the following countries for a stay of up to one month: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Hungary, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Peru, Poland, Seychelles, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Swaziland, Thailand, Turkey and Zambia.
Nationals of all other countries require a visa to enter South Africa.
Health Requirements:
No compulsory vaccinations are required. However, a yellow fever certificate id necessary if arriving from infected areas. Typhoid, hepatistis A, polio and tetanus immunisations are recommended and in some circumstances, diphtheria and hepatitis B are also advisiable. Precautions should be taken against malaria. Please seek further advice from your doctor.
Note: Malaria ( throughout the year in the low altitude areas of Mpumalanga and north-eastern Kwa-Zulu Natal as far south as the Tugela river) and rabies are present. The bilharzias parasite is present in stagnant water in some rural areas.
Travel insurance:
Adequate holiday and travel insurance is vital. Emirates Holidays offers a comprehensive insurance package to enable you and your family to travel with peace if mind. Please contact your nearest Emirates Holidays office or your travel agent for details of our HolidayGuard Travel Insurance cover.
Please note that South Africa has no national health scheme, therefore it is advisable to purchase travel insurance which covers medical expenses during the period of your stay.
Currency:
South African Rand (ZAR). Notes in denominations of ZAR200, 100, 50, 20 and 10.
Coins in denominations of ZAR5, 2 and 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent.
Approximate exchange rate:
AED1 = ZAR2, 10
EUR1 = ZAR11.33
USD1 = ZAR 7.74
Please check the rate of exchange prior to travel.
Banking Hours -
0830 to 1530 hours, Monday – Friday
0800 to 1130 hours, Saturday.
US Dollars are accepted in hotels and select department stores. Clients are advised to exchange money at Johanesburg International Airport. This is cheaper than exchanging money at banks or hotels. Credit Cards are accepted in most stores, hotels and restaurants. In Johannesburg and Cape Town, local currency can be withdrawn using MasterCard and Visa from the numerous ATMs in the city as well as at the respective international airports. Travellers cheques, whether issued in South African Rand or in other currencies, can be converted in banks.
Clothing:
Lightweight clothing is advisable in the summer, with warm clothing for the winter. An umbrella is required during the summer in Johannesburg and also during the winter months in the Cape Province.
Airport Information:
O.R. Tambo International Airport is approximately 30 minutes by car (taxi fare is between ZAR120 and ZAR150) and 40 minutes by shuttle bus from Sandton and Rosebank. The International airport telephone number is 011 921 6911. The domestic airport telephone number in Johannesburg is 011 921 6262. The Emirates Telephone number at O.R. Tambo International Airport is 011 390 1215/6.
Cape Town International Airport is approximately 22 kilometres, a 15 to 20 minute drive from the city centre. There is no rail service to the airport but transfers can easily be arranged on taxis, buses and shuttles. The airport information telephone number is 086 727 7888. The Emirates telephone number at Cape Town International Airport is 021 937 1257.
Customs:
Duty free allowance for persons 18 years and over: 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco, two litres of wine, one litre of spirits 50 millilitres of perfume, 250 millitlitres of eau de toilette and goods up to a value of ZAR3,000. The following goods are prohibited: narcotics, flick knives, ammunition, explosives and obscene literature.
Value Added Tax (VAT) Refund Scheme:
Currently set at 14 per cent. VAT is included in the marked or quoted price of most goods and services. Identify yourself as a tourist and request an original tax invoice or a VAT 263 certificate when you purchase goods.
Departure Tax:
ZAR100 is included in your air ticket.
Driving licence:
Driving is on the left-hand side of road and an International Driving Permit is required along with your local driving licence from your country of residence. Traffic laws are strictly enforced, so it is worth familiarising yourself with them.
Emergency telephone numbers:
Ambulance: 10177
Central Emergency Centre: 331222
Fire and Police – 10111
Medical services:
Johannesburg
Sandton Medi-Clinic
Tel:011 709 2000
Morningside Medi-Clinic
Tel: 011 282 5000
Cape Town
Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic
Tel: 021 799 2911
Tygerberg Hospital
Tel: 021 938 4911
Pharmacies are also located in various shopping malls.
Hours of work:
Business: 0830 to 1700 hours, Monday – Friday.
Shopping: 0830 to 1700 hours, Monday – Friday,
0830 to 1230 hours, Saturday.
Shopping centres are open from 0900 to 1700 hours throughout the week and on flexitime basis on Saturdays and Sundays.
Public holidays(fixed):
1st January – New Year’s Day
21st March – Human Rights Day
27th April – Freedom Day
1st May – Worker’s Day
16th June – Youth Day
9th August – National Women’s Day
24th September – Heritage Day
16th December – Day of Reconciliation
25th December – Christmas Day
26th December – Day of Goodwill
Public Holidays(moveable):
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Family Day
Time Zone:
GMT + 2 hours.
Language:
South Africa has 11 official languages. However, English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu are the main languages spoken.
Tipping:
Most restaurants and hotels impose a 10 per cent service charge. Extra tipping is optional.
Dress Code:
While on safari – Neutral coloured clothing is recommended. From June to September, it could be cold in the morning and evening. It is advisable to carry a jacket and scarf.
Electricity:
220/240 volts AC, 50 cycles.
Safety tips:
It is sensible to take the same precautions in major cities as you would in any of the world’s metropolitan areas. Don’t stroll around the streets after dark. Always lock your car doors and keep the windows closed. Carry minimum cash on you and use small denomination bills. Keep a photocopy of your identity papers. Never leave luggage unattended in front of the hotel or in the lobby. It is advisable to keep valuables and passports in the hotels safety deposit box.