South Africa offers a wide range of good quality hotels, from expensive luxury establishments which are on a par with the best in the world, to reasonably priced comfortable accommodation.

Hotels are star graded:
***** Star – Luxury;
****Star – Outstanding;
***Star – Excellent;
** Star Very good;
* Star – comfortable and standard.

Southern Sun
Head Office Tel: 086 144 7744
Customer care Tel: 011 510 7500

Protea Hotels
Tel: +27 (0)11 322 5000
Fax: +27 (0)11 322 5023

Accommodation options include owner-run bed and breakfast private houses, motels, country getaways, game lodges, game parks and nature reserves, self-catering accommodation, guest farms and caravan parks.
For information about national parks contact:

City Lodge Tel: +27 (0)11 557 2600

South African Tourism Tel: +27 (0)11 895 3000

Kruger National Park Filming Tel: +27 (0)13 735 4000 Fax: +27 (0)13 735 4053

Don Suite Hotel Tel: +27 (0)11 883 5814 Fax: +27 (0)11 883 0724

City power systems are generally 220/230 volts AC. Adaptor plugs should be bought for hair dryers and razors.
Electricity: +27 (0)11 375 5555

South African food is excellent and restaurants, especially in the cities, are of international standard. Local wines are generally superb value for money. Bars generally stay open from 10:00 to midnight. Liquor stores are open from about 08:00 to 18:00 during the week. For restaurant information, graded according to formality and cuisine, go to www.eat-out.co.za

No international immunisation is required when entering South Africa. The only inoculation requirement is a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers over one year of age entering South Africa within six days of leaving an affected country. Visitors who travel through or disembark in these areas are advised that they should be inoculated against the disease before entering South Africa.

Malaria is a serious health hazard in low lying, warm areas and anyone travelling in South Africa (particularly to Mpumalanga, the Northern Province and the north-east of KwaZulu-Natal) as well as neighbouring states should consult a doctor or pharmacy for advice on anti-malaria tablets.

Do not swim in rivers and dams unless assured that they are bilharzia free. Bilharzia is a tropical disease caused by a parasitic worm and only the Eastern Cape is free of bilharzia.

There is HIV/Aids in South Africa and the rest of Africa, although the risk of contracting it is no greater than in any other part of the world, as long as standard precautions are taken.

Trading in and possession of illegal drugs, including marijuana (dagga) are criminal offences and carry severe penalties. Medical facilities are of a high standard. Other than in the case of emergencies, state hospitals should be avoided as they are overcrowded and there are sometimes shortages of doctors. Private hospitals are more expensive and will require payment before admission is allowed. Visitors are advised to take out medical insurance.

HIV/Aids Helpline: 0800 012322

Insurance cover is available from well established insurance companies which specialise in film, television and commercials productions. See Insurance category in Services Section of this directory.

There are 11 official languages in South Africa. While there are parts of the country where you will not hear much English spoken, it is widely understood and used. Zulu, Tswana, Sotho and Afrikaans are the most spoken languages in the country.

Banking practices are similar to those in the rest of the world. South Africa enjoys an extensive and world-class electronic banking network.
Most credit cards and traveller's cheques are accepted.

Foreign Banks of South Africa

Bank of Athens
Western Cape Tel: +27 (0) 21 425 1365
KwaZulu Natal Tel: +27 (0) 31 304 8621
Gauteng Tel: +27 (0) 11 634 4300

Mercantile
Western Cape Tel: +27 (0) 21 419 9402
KwaZulu Natal Tel: +27 (0) 31 209 9048
Gauteng Tel: +27 (0) 11 302 0300

Foreign Exchange

Rennies Foreign Exchange
Western Cape Tel: +27 (0) 21 486 3600
KwaZulu Natal Tel: +27 (0) 31 566 5500
Gauteng Tel: +27 (0) 11 435 0202

American Express KwaZulu Natal Tel: +27 (0) 31 301 5541
Gauteng Tel: +27 (0) 11 691 0600

Diners Club Western Cape Tel: +27 (0) 86 034 6377
KwaZulu Natal Tel: +27 (0) 31 566 2891
Gauteng Tel: +27 (0) 11 368 8400

Major South African Commercial Banks

ABSA Western Cape Tel: +27 (0) 21 917 5100
KwaZulu Natal Tel: +27 (0) 31 366 9111
Gauteng Tel: +27 (0) 11 350 4000

FNB Western Cape Tel: 086 033 4455
KwaZulu Natal Tel: +27 (0) 31 337 9464
Gauteng Tel: +27 (0) 11 371 2111

Nedbank Western Cape Tel: +27 (0) 21 530 3000
KwaZulu Natal Tel: +27 (0) 31 327 6900
Gauteng Tel: +27 (0) 11 294 4444

Standard Westen Cape Tel: 086 010 1341
KwaZulu Natal Tel: 086 010 1341
Gauteng Tel: +27 (0) 11 631 2252

The South African monetary unit is the South African Rand ( R ) = 100 cents, with the international symbol ZAR. Bank notes are issued in the denominations of R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10. Coins are available in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c.

Should a traveller have more than R5 000 bank notes in his possession, he must obtain the necessary permit from the

South African Reserve Bank
PO Box 427, Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 (0)12 313 3911
Fax: + 27 (0)12 313 3197

For more information or advice contact
Customs & Excise in Pretoria
Tel: + 27 (0)12 339 1515.

Personal effects are allowed into the country duty free. Visitors are entitled to bring in goods worth a minimal amount. Duty is levelled at 20% thereafter.

Department of Trade and Industry, Directorate: Import and Export Control
Tel: + 27 (0) 12 394 3500
www.itac.org.za

South African Chamber of Business
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 446 3800
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 446 3847/9
www.sacob.co.za

Travellers' cheques and foreign currency notes in all major currencies may be exchanged at any commercial bank and Rennies Foreign Exchange Bureau, while most hotels offer facilities to guests. Fluctuations in foreign exchange markets are reflected in new daily rates.

American Express Tel: +27 (0)800 110929
Diners Club Tel: +27 (0)11 358 8598
Master Tel: +27 (0)800 020600

South Africa's Value Added Tax (VAT) is set at 14% and is included in the marked price of most goods and services. Foreign tourists visiting South Africa have VAT refunded at a port of exit, provided that the value of each invoice for goods purchased exceeds R50 and the value of the total items purchased exceeds R250. To qualify for a refund, visitors must be in possession of a valid passport, valid tax invoices and must produce the goods purchased.

Hours of service are 8:30 to 16:30 on weekdays and 8:00 to 12:30 on Saturdays. Speed Service offers 24-hour door-todoor service, seven days a week between South Africa and major centres.

Crime prevention measures are in place throughout South Africa, but nevertheless crime exists particularly in urban areas and visitors should exercise the same caution they would in most large cities around the world. If you have any doubts about an area to be visited, ask local contacts for advice or check with the local police station. Crimewatch – Tel: 083 270 0008

Modern shopping centres are found in and around all cities and towns, stocking the full range of essentials and luxuries. Regular shopping hours are 08:30 to 17:00 or 18:00. A number of shops in major shopping centres are open all day Saturday and Sunday.

Digital telecommunication lines are now widely available. Services offered include conference calling, caller line identification, electronic call-answering and up-to-date billing. On the professional front both digi link, ISDN and ADSL lines are in common use.

A direct telephone/fax service connects all centres except in very remote rural areas. The international service links South Africa with more than 171 countries around the world. Mobile phones can be hired on an ad-hoc basis. Telephone cards are available at post offices, airports and some bookstores.

International dialing code for South Africa : +27 International dialing country code from South Africa : 00 International operator : 10903 Trunk/collect calls : 1025 Teleconferencing : 1+27 (0)116 AT & T Direct Access : 0800 990123 Phonograms : 1028 Telephone Enquiries : 1023 Yellow Pages : 1+27 (0)118 Telkom Operations Service : 1022 International Enquiries : 10903 Domestic Inquires : 1023 Weather : 082 162

South African Provinces & Dialing Codes

Dialing into South Africa:
(+27) + Area Code (drop 0)
+ (Subscribers Number)

Dialing in South Africa
(Area Code) + (Subscribers Number)

Main city area codes

Bloemfontein 051
Cape Town 021
Durban 031
Johannesburg 011
Pretoria 012
Soweto 011

A complete list of area codes is to be found in regional telephone directories.

Throughout the year standard time related to South Africa is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, one hour ahead of Central European Time, and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. In the European summer, there is no difference in time between central European countries and South Africa.

Entering South Africa is uncomplicated and both the OR Tambo Airport and the Cape Town International Airport have been revamped. A new airport has been built to service Durban. The King Shaka Airport is north of Durban and is due to open early 2010.

All major tourist areas have air landing facilities eg. the Kruger National Park.

Air transport is equal to anything found in Europe and the United States with daily flights to local, African and international destinations.

OR Tambo Flight information
Tel: +27 (0)86 727 7888

Angola

Luanda : +2442 352 387
Francistown : +267 212 394
Gaberone : +267 352 812
Kasane : +267 65 0161
Maun : +267 66 0391

Cote d'Ivoire

Abijan : +225 20 3000

Ethiopia

Addis Ababa : +251 (0)1 61 0277

Gabon

Libreville : +241 738282

Kenya

Mombasa : +254 (0)1 433 211
Nairobi : +254 (0)2 822 111
Lesotho Maseru : +266 350 309

Mocambique

Maputo : +258 (0)1 465 825

Namibia

Keetmanshoop : +264 (0)631 2337
Luderitz : +264 (0)631 2850
Swakopmund : +264 (0)64 5123
Walvisbay : +264 (0)64 202 867
Windhoek : +264 (0)61 626 351

Swaziland

Manzini : +268 518 6155

Uganda

Entebbe : +256 (0)41 20 926

Zaire

Lumbumbashi : +2432 222 192

Zambia

Livingstone : +260 (0)3 321 6060
Lusaka : +260 (0)1 271 044

Zimbabwe

Bulawayo : +263 (0)9 69 732
Harare : +263 (0)4 737 011
Victoria Falls : +263 (0)113 4316

Bloemfontein +27 (0)51 407 2200
Cape Town +27 (0)21 937 1200
Durban +27 (0)31 451 6666
East London +27 (0)43 706 0211
George +27 (0)44 876 9310
Grand Central International (Midrand) +27 (0)11 805 3166
Johannesburg +27 (0)11 921 6262
Kimberley +27 (0)53 851 1241
Lanseria (Johannesburg) +27 (0)11 659 2750
Nelspruit +27 (0)13 753 7500
Polokwane International Airport +27 (0)15 288 0122
Port Elizabeth +27 (0)41 507 1111
Rand Airport (Johannesburg) +27 (0)11 827 8884
Air Traffic Control +27 (0)35 786 0731
Skukuza +27 (0)13 735 4251
Upington +27 (0)54 337 7900
Wonderboom (Pretoria) +27 (0)12 312 1911

There are established car hire companies at the airports and in the cities.

South Africans drive on the left. Roads are good and well sign-posted. Driving standards vary widely in South Africa but generally conform to European standards. Drivers who do not have an international driving permit must have a valid driver's licence which carries a photograph and is either printed or authenticated in English. The speed limit on motorways is 120kmph (75mph); 100kmph (60mph) elsewhere and 60kmph (35mph) in built up areas.

AA (Automobile Association)
Tel: +27 (0)11 799 1000 Fax: +27 (0)11 799 1111

By Road: Roads are in good condition and major cities are linked by motorways.
By Taxi: There are reputable taxi companies in all major centres. The local population use mini-bus taxis, which are inexpensive but also very crowded during peak hours.
By Bus: Coachlines operate throughout South Africa.
By Train: Every area of the country can be reached by train. The TransKaroo runs daily between Gauteng and Cape Town. The TransNatal runs daily between Gauteng and Durban; The Algoa runs daily between Gauteng and Port Elizabeth.

Leaded, unleaded and diesel fuels are widely available. In main cities and big towns, petrol stations are usually open 24-hours a day. Many service stations operate convenience shops on the forecourts.

Tap water is safe in all urban areas. Ask for advice in the rural areas.

For daily up date on the weather in all provinces: Dial 082 162