About Africa Tour

Climate:
The climate of Africa, more than that of any other continent, is generally uniform. This results from the position of the continent in the Tropical Zone, the impact of cool ocean currents, and the absence of mountain chains serving as climatic barriers. Seven main African climatic zones can be distinguished..
The central portion of the continent and the eastern coast of Madagascar have a tropical rain forest climate. Here the average annual temperature is about 26.7° C (about 80° F), and the average annual rainfall is about 1780 mm (about 70 in). The climate of the Guinea coast resembles the equatorial climate, except that rainfall is concentrated in one season; no months, however, are rainless.
Credit Cards:
Unless you are travelling in cities and well developed countries, such as Southern Africa you will find that very few places accept payment by credit card.
If you are going to make payment via credit card for a hotel room, safari or activity, ensure that you know exactly what exchange rate they are going to use and if there are any additional fees for paying by credit card. When you have made a payment using credit card - always keep your credit card receipt in a safe place

Currency:
The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand (White-waters-ridge in English), the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivid

Coins

In an effort to curb counterfeiting, a new R 5 coin was released in August 2004. Security features introduced on the coin include a bi-metal design (similar to the €1 and €2 coins, the Thai 10 Baht coin, the British £2 coin and the Canadian $2 coin), a specially-serrated security groove along the rim and micro-lettering.

Banknotes

The series has the same principal design, but with additional security features such as colour shifting ink on the 50 rand and higher and the EURion constellation. The obverses of all denominations are printed in English, while two other languages are printed on the reverses, making all eleven official languages of South Africa available.
In 2010 the South African Reserve Bank and commercial banks withdrew all 1990 series R200 banknotes due to relatively high quality counterfeit notes in circulation.

Customs:
South African customs passenger allowances entitle you to bring new or used goods of up to R3 000 in value into the country without paying any duty. For additional goods, new or used, of up to R12 000 in value, you will be charged a flat rate 20% duty. Thereafter, normal customs duties apply.
Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, business equipment and other items . It is advisable to contact the Embassy of your destination country in Washington or one of that countrys consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Driving:
South Africa has excellent road infrastructure, large vehicle hire fleets run by international and local rental companies, great weather and plenty of stunning scenery – which combines to make self-driving a viable and enjoyable option. If you're thinking of taking it, here's a few tips to enhance your trip.
The general speed limit on South Africa's national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph). On secondary (rural) roads it is 100km/h (60mph). In built-up areas it is usually 60km/h (35mph), unless otherwise indicated.
Any valid driver's licence is accepted in South Africa, provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is printed in English.
However, vehicle hire companies may also require an international driver's licence. It is worth confirming this with your travel agent or the vehicle hire company when making your booking.

Duty Free Procedures:
Shopping duty free can be a great way to save a couple of bucks. Duty free means items are without government tariffs, taxes and levies that are normally charged. Popular duty free items include alcohol, cigarettes, fragrances and technological products. Non-travelers cannot buy these items, and you usually cannot buy them less than 30 days before you leave a country. In many cases, the items must remain sealed until you leave the country, and displayed for inspection at the airport. Duty free fragrances and spirits are generally 40%-60% larger than domestic sizes. The Downtown Duty Free chain,

Economy:
South Africa is the economic powerhouse of Africa, leading the continent in industrial output and mineral production and generating a large proportion of Africa's electricity.
The country has abundant natural resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy and transport sectors, a stock exchange ranked among the top 20 in the world, and a modern infrastructure supporting efficient distribution of goods throughout the southern African region
The country's financial systems are sophisticated and robust. The banking regulations rank with the best in the world, and the sector has long been rated among the top 10 globally.
Economic growth and prudent fiscal management have seen South Africa's budget deficit (the difference between the government's total expenditure and its total receipts, excluding borrowing) drop dramatically, from 5.1% of GDP in 1993/94 to 0.5% in 2005/06 - the second-lowest fiscal deficit in the country's history after the 0.1% reached during the gold boom

Electricity:

220/230 volts

Emergency:

The national telephone number for all emergency services in Africa including
Western Cape Police Flying Squad 10111
Western Cape Ambulance 10177
Cell phone Emergency Number 112
Geography:

South Africa occupies the southern tip of Africa, its long coastline stretching more than 2 500km from the desert border with Namibia on the Atlantic coast, southwards around the tip of Africa, then north to the border with subtropical Mozambique on the Indian Ocean.
The low-lying coastal zone is narrow for much of that distance, soon giving way to a mountainous escarpment that separates it from the high inland plateau. In some places, notably the province of KwaZulu-Natal in the east, a greater distance separates the coast from the escarpment.
Capital: Canberra
Major cities and population: Cape Town Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria , Port Elizabeth.
Government:

South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary. The national, provincial and local levels of government all have legislative and executive authority in their own spheres, and are defined in the Constitution as "distinctive, interdependent and interrelated".
Operating at both national and provincial levels are advisory bodies drawn from South Africa's traditional leaders.

Health:
South Africa's health system consists of a large public sector and a smaller but fast-growing private sector. Health care varies from the most basic primary health care, offered free by the state, to highly specialised hi-tech health services available in the private sector for those who can afford it.
The public sector is under-resourced and over-used, while the mushrooming private sector, run largely on commercial lines, caters to middle- and high-income earners who tend to be members of medical schemes (18% of the population), and to foreigners looking for top-quality surgical procedures at relatively affordable prices. The private sector also attracts most of the country's health professionals.

Language:
South Africa is a multilingual country. Besides the 11 officially recognised languages, scores of others - African, European, Asian and more - are spoken here, as the country lies at the crossroads of southern Africa.
The country's Constitution guarantees equal status to 11 official languages to cater for the country's diverse peoples and their cultures

Medical services:
Emergency medical services in South Africa are a public/private system aimed at the provision of emergency ambulance service, including emergency care and transportation to hospital..

Newspapers:
Africa News Netwoker, Africa Online News, African Sporting Gazette, AfroNews24 , Business in Africa (Gauteng)

Population:
It is the land of immigrants and as far as data is considered as on July 2010 it was estimated 49,320,000 .

Population literacy rate:
86.4%

Public holidays:
South Africa has 12 public holidays as determined by the Public Holidays The determines whenever any public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following on it shall be a public holiday.

Security:
South Africa, although in the past there have been isolated incidents perpetrated by parties unhappy about U.S. foreign policy. Nevertheless, the Department of State remains concerned about the continued worldwide threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Travelers are encouraged to review the most recent Worldwide Caution issued by the Department of State. In particular, visitors to South Africa during the World Cup should be vigilant and avoid protests and demonstrations.
South Africa has seen a number of attacks directed at refugees or immigrants from other African nations in the last two years. Many of the attacks were centered in Johannesburg and the province of Gauteng in low income neighborhoods and informal settlements, but other incidents have taken place throughout the country. Many individuals were killed in these incidents and others, both targeted victims and bystanders, were injured. While there have been no reports of Americans or other non-African visitors being targeted, these incidents of mob violence have sprung up quickly and proven difficult for local authorities to control

Tipping:
Tipping is not compulsory.

Time
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +2 hours

Telecommunications:
Telecommunications is one of the fastest growing sectors of South Africa's economy, reflecting the rapid growth of mobile telephony in the country. The communications sector, together with transport and storage, accounts for almost 10% of gross domestic product (GDP).
With a network that is 99.9% digital and includes the latest in fixed-line, wireless and satellite communication, the country has the most developed telecoms network in Africa.
The fixed-line monopoly of Telkom, a listed company in which the government is the largest shareholder, expired with the licensing of Neotel as South Africa's second national operator.

TV channels:
Satellite TV and local tv & radio are available in most of the hotels.

VAT:
A value added tax of 10% is payable on goods and services including hotel and restaurant bills.
Visa & Entry Requirements:
The purpose of a visa on the one hand is to ensure proper screening of applicants so that undesirable persons are not admitted to the Republic and on the other hand to facilitate the entry of approved applicants at South African ports of entry. Visas provide immigration officers with the necessary information to ensure that applicants are admitted for the correct purpose and period into the RSA.
What to Wear:
For the summers, bring clothes that are cool and comfortable, along with an umbrella or rain jacket, as this is when most of the country gets rain. A light jacket or wrap is a good precaution. Don't forget a swimming costume.
The winters are generally mild, comparing favourably with European summers. But we do get some days when temperatures sky-dive, especially in high-lying areas such as the Drakensberg, so be prepared with jerseys and jackets. If you are going to the Cape, rain gear will be needed in this season.
Always bring a hat - the sun can be strong even in the winter months. Make sunglasses, a hat and sun block a firm part of your skincare kit.
Walking shoes are a good idea all year-round, with warm socks in the winter.
If you are doing business in the country, business attire may be called for, although some sectors of the corporate world e.g. media for example tend to dress down these days.
For game viewing, a couple of neutral-toned items will be useful, but there's no need to go overboard and kit yourself out like David Livingstone, out to explore Africa for the first time.
For the evening, if you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, go the smart-casual route.

Working Hours:
However, most office workers work a 40 hour week. As a working day usually includes an hour lunch break - it will mean that the work day is usually from 8am to 5pm.
That said, many companies are beginning to introduce flexi-time which allows workers to decide their own working hours, around the company's core hours. eg. working 7am to 4pm, or 9am to 6pm.
In other industries, especially trade/industry positions, it is quite common for workers to be required to work Saturday mornings too.
Entertainment and retail industries are usually operational up to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week - so workers in these industries would more often than not work shifts.