Car hire
A number of international and local car hire companies offer a range of good-quality vehicles to suit all needs and budgets, like Avis Rent-a-Car, Budget-Rent-a-Car, Cape Car Hire, Car-Tel, Felix Unite, Europcar and Hertz and others
Caves
Of interest are the spectacular Cango Caves at Oudtshoorn, the famous archaeological site at the Sterkfontein Caves near Krugersdorp, the Sudwala and Echo caves in Mpumalanga and the Wonderwerk Cave in the Northern Cape which houses San (Bushmen) paintings dating back 10,000 years. The Sterkfontein Caves were declared a World Heritage Site in December 1999.
Climate
South Africa`s seasons are the reverse of those in the UK, with midwinter in June and July and midsummer in December and January.
On the highveld in the interior, there is sunshine the year round. Summers are hot and thundery; winters bright dry and cold at night. Cape Town and the southernmost part of Western Cape has a Mediterranean-type climate, with mild, changeable winters, when most of the rainfall occurs, and a warm to hot summer. Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal coast enjoys a sub-tropical climate, again with plenty of sunshine year round. Summers are hot, thundery and humid at sea level. June and July, when the humidity is low, are ideal months to visit Durban and the coast.
For the latest weather forecast, Tel: +27 12 082 162.
Clothing
What kind of clothing should I pack? Clothing: Lightweight clothing is the norm during the South African summer. In winter, a jacket or coat may be needed, particularly in the evenings. At game reserves, wear neutral colors.
Computicket
This computerised booking service has over 300 branches in South Africa, catering for more than 40,000 events countrywide - theatre and cinema reservations, tickets for dancing and skating championships, lotteries and bus tours.
Telephone +27 (0)11 445 8100, fax +27 (0)11 444 7606. Website: www.computicket.com
Conversions - distances and temperatures
Distances throughout South Africa are given in kilometres. One mile is equivalent to 1.62 kilometres.
For a quick conversion of kilometres into miles divide by eight and multiply by five.
Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius (Centigrade). Ten degrees Celsius is equivalent to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, 20�C = 68�F, 30�C = 86�F.
Cost of living
Your holiday spending money goes a long way in South Africa. Thanks to an extremely advantageous exchange rate costs are considerably lower than in the UK (see page 88 for a table of examples).
Conferences
More than 800 venues are available for conferences and meetings. They range in size and facilities from large city conference centres to smaller venues in resort areas, set in spectacular mountain, coastal or even bushveld surroundings. Conference facilities are comparable with the best in the world.
Credit Cards
Major international credit cards such as American Express, Bank of America, Diners, MasterCard, Standard Bank Card, Visa and their affiliates are accepted. However use may be restricted in small towns and country areas and in some retail shops. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are situated outside most banks in towns and cities and operate 24 hours a day. Credit cards are not generally accepted for the purchase of petrol.
Cruise Cargo ShipsFor those who are in no hurry, the following cruise and cargo ships offer passenger accommodation on services to South Africa: Curnow Shipping, Mediterranean Shipping, Noble Caledonia, P&O Nedloyd, Pathfinder (Safmarine), Strand Travel and Voyages.
Currency
The currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. All currency must be declared on entry. The amount of cash you brought in as South African currency is restricted to ZAR 5,000. Duty will be levied on the first R1,000 over this allowance.
Customs allowances
400 cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco and 50 cigars, one litre of spirit, two litres of wine, 50ml of perfume and 250ml of toilet water. Also gifts, souvenirs and all other goods to the value of R500. No person under 18 is entitled to the alcohol or tobacco allowance.Duty is levied at 20% thereafter.