Jumbo Tours
South Africa: General Information
1. AIRPORT TAXES
Airport taxes are included in the airfare and need not be paid separately.
2. BANKS
Banking hours are from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and from 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays. Banking services are available in Johannesburg International Airport on a 24 hour basis, 7 days a week.
ATMs are available in most towns and cities and offer a 24 hour service.
3. BUSINESS HOURS
Most businesses are open between 08h30 and 17h00 Monday to Friday and 08h30 to 13h00 on Saturdays
Cafés (Drugstores) are open 7 days a week.
In major cities shopping malls and supermarkets are open all day Saturday and Sunday mornings. Some also remain open on Sunday afternoons. Bars usually close at 23h00 in smaller towns and later in the cities.
Informal trading (pavement hawkers and fleamarkets operate during normal business hours). Fleamarkets are especially busy at the week-ends in the major cities.
4. CREDIT CARDS
American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa are acceptable in most shops and restaurants.
NB. If you are self-drive, kindly note that not all petrol stations will accept credit cards
5. CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Rand (R) which is divided into 100 cents (C). The following coins are in circulation:
5, 10, 20 & 50 cents and 1, 2 & 5 Rands. Notes come in 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Rands.
Please keep all receipts when changing your currency in order to reconvert your Rands to your own currency when leaving.
6. DRINKING WATER
Tap water in South Africa is chemically treated and safe to drink.
Bottled water is available for purchase at supermarkets, restaurants and hotels.
7. ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
Power supply is 220/240 volt at 50Hz. Adaptors may be purchased as plugs are round 3-pins.
8. LANGUAGE
South Africa’s ethnic diversity is reflected in it having no less than 11 official languages, English is however the most commonly used language and is written and understood by most people.
9. MEDICAL FACILITIES
It is advisable that visitors take out medical insurance as private hospitals offer the best facilities available but can be expensive. Although South Africa’s medical care is of a high standard, public hospitals are usually very crowded. Private doctors / dentists are listed in the telephone directories under ‘Medical Practitioners’ whilst hospitals are listed under ‘H’.
10. SAFETY
As in most big cities throughout the world, it is not recommended that you walk around alone at night. Should you wish to go out at night please instruct the Concierge to call a taxi for you. Please do not carry large amounts of cash – the hotel has a safe where cash and passports can be stored.
11. TAXIS
The concierge at your hotel will arrange a taxi for you. These vehicles are often of the sedan type and can comfortably seat 3 or 4. Please do not make use of the mini bus type of ‘taxi’ which can be hailed on the street, as these are used mainly by locals, are often unlicensed and seat up to 16 people in cramped and dangerous conditions.
12. TIME
South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of GMT.
13. TIPPING
Tipping is standard practice and is normally 10% at restaurants and for petrol-pump attendants.
Porters can be given R5-R10 per person
14. VALUE ADDED TAX value added tax (VAT) is levied on most services and goods purchased. All marked prices include VAT and a VAT refund can be obtained on items taken out of the country upon departure at International airports provided the value exceeds R250.00. Consumable goods and services rendered in S Africa do not qualify for VAT refund
15. NON-SMOKING LEGISLATION
As in the USA, Australia and Singapore, South Africa has introduced non-smoking regulations which are in effect in public buildings, restaurants and hotels. We suggest that when making restaurant reservations you specify whether you require ‘smoking or non-smoking’
16. PASSPORTS
Must be valid for minimum of 30 days after departure from South Africa, and must have at least two blank visa pages.
Please ensure that you are covered by a travel insurance policy to offset unforeseen cancellations. All reservations, amendments and cancellations are valid only if advised and accepted in writing, fax or email.
PLEASE NOTE anyone travelling to South Africa must have at least two blank visa pages in their passport, which must be valid for 30 days after the intended date of departure from South Africa. Foreign passport holders who do not comply with these requirements will not be allowed to board their flight at their point of departure or risk deportation on arrival in South Africa.
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