CAPE TOWN STANDARD TIME
Two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time |
CONVERSIONS: DISTANCE
AND TEMPERATURE
Distances throughout South Africa are given in kilometres.
1 mile = 1.62 kilometres
Temperature is given in degrees Celsius. |
CURRENCY AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE
The South African currency is the Rand
Exchange rates in May 2006:
US $1 = ZAR 6.2
EUR 1 = ZAR 7.90
Foreign currency can be exchanged at most commercial banks and Bureaux de Change are widely
available.
Banking Hours:
Monday – Friday: 09h00 – 15h30
Saturdays: 08h30 – 11h00
ATMs are widely available and are mostly open 24 hours a day for cash withdrawals and statements. |
ELECTRICITY
220/230 volts, 50Hz, single phase |
EMERGENCIES
Dial 10111 for the Flying Squad (special police services) and 10177 for an ambulance. |
ETIQUETTE
The dress code across South Africa is mainly casual and smart casual, except in some restaurants
and clubs that require more formal attire.
Smoking is banned in public buildings and on planes, buses and trains. |
FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED
South African Airways provides passenger aid units at all major airports. Many hotels offer
facilities for the disabled, as do most rest camps in the Kruger National Park.
Wheelchairs and other aides are available for hire in most cities. The larger rental car agencies
can provide vehicles with hand controls. |
HEALTH AND IMMUNISATION
The only inoculation requirement for visitors is a yellow fever vaccination certificate for
those entering South Africa within six days of leaving a yellow fever zone. Babies of one year
old or less are exempt. Malaria is endemic in some parts of Mpumalanga, Northern Province,
and KwaZulu-Natal and it is essential to take precautions if you intend to visit these areas.
The bilharzia parasite is present in streams, rivers, lakes and dams in some of the northern
and eastern parts of the country, and visitors should avoid contact with the water in these
regions. There is no immunisation against bilharzia. |
LANGUAGE
South Africa has 11 official languages and English is spoken throughout the country. French,
German and Italian are also spoken at many larger hotels and popular tourist destinations around
Cape Town. |
MEDICAL SERVICES
Emergency care is excellent and widely available in Cape Town. South Africa has no national
health scheme, so it is advisable to purchase travel insurance that will cover medical expenses
during the period of your stay. |
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
A list of South African consulates and embassies may be found on the South African Department
of Foreign Affairs website or visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website:
{w} Foreign
Affairs
{w} South African Department of Home Affairs
Visa application forms can be downloaded from the South African Home Affairs website:
{w} South African Department of Home Affairs |
PETROL (GASOLINE) FILLING STATIONS
Filling stations are conveniently situated throughout the country. Unleaded petrol is available.
Most filling stations in major cities are open 24 hours a day. South African filling stations
will not accept credit cards so be sure to have enough cash available for filling up. |
RULES OF THE ROAD
An excellent road network links the largest metropolitan areas with even the smallest villages.
South Africa drives on the LEFT.
The speed limit in urban areas is usually 60km per hour; on rural roads 100km per hour and
on freeways 120km per hour unless otherwise indicated.
Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory; driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence;
and traffic laws are strictly enforced.
Valid driver's licenses from visitors’ home countries are acceptable provided that they
are in English and include the driver’s photograph. If your driver’s license does
not comply with these requirements, you should obtain an International Driving Permit before
your departure to South Africa. |
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Your safety and well-being are of utmost importance to Capetonians, but, as always, travellers
should take a few basic precautions to ensure a safe and pleasant visit:
• Never leave personal property unattended
• Store valuables in your hotel’s safety deposit box
• Keep your hotel room locked
• Use reliable taxi services
• Avoid displaying expensive jewellery and cameras
• Do not carry large sums of money on your person
• Stay away from dark, isolated areas
• When travelling by car, plan your route in advance
• Keep car doors locked and windows closed, and stay aware when stopped at a stoplight
• When parked or driving, place valuables out of sight in the boot (trunk)
• Never give strangers a lift |
SHOPPING
Local manufacturers set a high premium on workmanship, and with a favourable exchange rate,
visitors can afford to indulge.
Shopping hours in the bigger cities are generally 08h00 to 17h00 on weekdays, 08h00 to 13h00
on Saturdays, and some shops outside of malls are still closed on Sundays. Malls are generally
open until 17h00 on Saturday and Sunday, and the V&A Waterfront is open 09h00 – 21h00
7 days a week! |
SUN PROTECTION
The South African sun is strong, with a high ultraviolet rating. Sunscreen with a sun protection
factor of 15 or higher is recommended, as well as a hat. |
TELEPHONES
Cape Town telephone dialling codes:
International: +27-21-
National: 021-
National Directory Enquiries: 1023
International Directory Enquiries: 0903
To call internationally out of South Africa, dial 09 and then the country code. Cell phones
are widely available for hire, as are ‘starter packs’ if your personal handset
is compatible with the South African system. |
TIPPING
It is customary to tip waiters, wine stewards, taxi drivers, porters, caddies and other service
providers. Depending on the service, the amount should be around 10%-15% of the bill, R5 per
suitcase or R20 per golf bag. |
VAT (Value Added Tax)
Currently set at 14%, VAT is included in the marked/quoted price of most goods and services.
Foreign visitors may claim back VAT paid on items to be taken out of the country when the total
value exceeds ZAR 250.00. Information leaflets on the procedure to follow are available from
VAT Refund Administration offices at the Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban International Airports,
and at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. |
WATER
In the major cities and towns and at most game reserves, tap water is purified, tastes good
and 100% safe to drink. |
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