Blog - Fynbos Guest House

The town of De Rust

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

The picturesque Klein Karoo village of De Rust lies at the southern portal of the famous Meiringspoort about 35 km from Oudtshoorn. Located at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain range between Oudtshoorn and Beaufort West, De Rust is especially known for the meandering Meiringspoort pass, the gateway to the Klein Karoo.
It has a typical Karoo atmosphere steeped in hospitality and time—time for well-being, time for each other and for some, time to become a human being again.

The artists, writers and burnt-out businessmen, have moved in. Gone are the days when you could pick up a three-bedroomed house here for fifty grand or less…

We pride ourselves on a fantastic climate - beautiful sunny winter days with cool nights. Summers are perfect, hot and sunny.

Swartberg Pass

The town itself is peaceful and tree lined with excellent examples of late 19th century architecture, with great nature activities.

ALL INFORMATION & CREDITS property of www.oudtshoorn.com Please visit their website as well.

www.oudtshoorn.com

DIVERSE SOUTH AFRICA

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0200

DIVERSE SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is to be found at the Southern tip of Africa, there where the Atlantic and Indian oceans come together. It features an incredibly diverse and awe-inspiring landscape, along with a high degree of bio-diversity. Almost all of the interior consists of one enormous plateau, separated from the country's extensive seaboard by long mountain ranges.

As far as the administrative structure of our country is concerned, it consists of 5 regions, 9 provinces and three capitals. The latter being cities of Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein, acting respectively as the administrative, legislative and judicial capital.

The economic and commercial center is Johannesburg, the country's largest city. An excellent road and rail network connects all the major centers together.

The Culture,...

One has to feel and live the rhythm of the country's new rainbow culture, a melting pot of European, African, Indian and many other cultures put together. From ancient rock art sites to modern galleries, from cultural villages to museums, from open air festivals to jazz clubs and many more.

Venues ranging from deep bushveld to outdoor theaters, from botanical gardens to luxurious theater complexes and night clubs. These are some of the ways you can live, feel and experience our South African culture. There are all together seven World Heritage sites, proclaimed by Unesco's world heritage committee as "places of outstanding value to humanity".

Bushmen family, descendants of South Africa's original inhabitants. The San people, also known as "Bushmen", are the earliest inhabitants of not only South Africa, but of the whole of Southern Africa. It is said that they have been living in these parts of Africa from as early as 30,000 years ago. Today their descendants are still to be found in some of the semi-desert areas of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. According to Geneticists the San people have one of the oldest gene patterns ever identified.
Bushman family, descendants of South Africa's original inhabitants

The People,...

South Africa is home to around 49 million people, a population of highly diverse origins, backgrounds and cultures. It is here at the aptly named "Cradle of Humankind" near Johannesburg where signs of the very first population can be seen in the form of 3.5 million year old human fossils.

Its population can be identified as follows; 79% Black, 9,6% White, 8,9% Colored and 2,5% Indian/Asian. Since its discovery, the earliest known populations were the tribesman of the San and Khoi people, commonly referred to as the KhoiSan. Even while they do have decedents in our modern day population, the KhoiSan people are sadly on the verge of extinction.

The Languages,...

South Africa has 11 official languages and scores of unofficial ones besides. Some of these are mutually understood, with many South Africans speaking more than one besides their own language.

Although each language is equal in status towards the other, the English language has emerged as the most widely used of them all. Next to its use as the main medium of instruction in Universities and Schools, it is also being used in official documents, on road signs and in commerce and industry. In addition to their own language, almost all South Africans speak and understand English.

Weather & Climate,...

In general South Africa is blessed with a lovely and mild climate, comprising gorgeously sunny and warm weather, without being sweltering, and with mild winters. Do take note of the fact that the South African seasons are the reverse to those in the northern hemisphere. So yes, you can spend Christmas on the beach in our country.

The regions with the most distinctive patterns with regard to climate and weather conditions are:

The interior and northern parts of the country with very warm summertime days cooled down by regular afternoon thunder showers, and crispy cool but sunny winters.

The south eastern and eastern coastal region with its subtropical beach weather and moderate winters.

The Western cape with its changeable mediterranean type of climats, consisting of windy springs, warm summers and wet chilly winters.

Flora & Fauna,...

Endless savanna's interspersed with hills and occasionally mountains, covered with a dispersion of shrubs and thorn trees of varying densities, is typical of the picture that one usually thinks of when the words "South African flora" are mentioned. The type of picture that most South Africans keep close to their hearts. But there is more to it....

One of the remarkable facts about South Africa is its level of bio-diversity, which is among the highest worldwide with an astonishing variety of plants, encompassing 22,000 species, many of them indigenous. The fact that our country is home to the Cape Floral Kingdom to be found in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces, makes it the only country in the world that has a complete floral kingdom within its borders. Home to 8,600 species, of which over 6,000 are indigenous, the Cape Peninsula alone contains a greater diversity of floral species than the entire Great Britain.

South Africa is home to a staggering number of animal species, including over 300 species of animals, over 500 species of birds, more than 100 species of reptiles and countless species of insects. There can be little doubt that the "Big Five" (Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Rhino), are the most prominent four-legged members of its fauna. The time that massive herds of Zebra, Wildebeest (Gnu's), Giraffes, impalas and numerous other species filled the savannas of Africa is, sad to say, long past.

To protect their heritage, it has a long standing record of conserving, protecting and rehabilitating its highly diverse animal population. Reserves and National Parks perform a key-role in this, providing safe havens for the wildlife and great tourist attractions for their visitors.

Not to be outdone by the land crawlers, the marine life is equally exotic, boasting about 2000 fish species, comprising 16% of the total number of fish species worldwide. Probably the most spectacular and terrifying of these is the great White Shark. There is an abundance of bird species and snakes are a common occurrence in most parts of the country.

Economy,...

The industrialization of south Africa commenced with the discovery of gold in 1886 on the Witwatersrand. Together with the earlier discovery of diamonds it formed the foundation on which it into the economic power station of Africa as it is today.

With a GDP that is equal to 25% of the total GDP of the whole of Africa. South Africa's highly developed financial and physical infrastructure presents the perfect investment platform for access and entrance into markets of other African countries.

Mining is one of the biggest economic cornerstones of our economy, especially platinum, gold and diamonds, accompanied by manufacturing which adds value to the wealth of minerals and base materials.

Tourism is another economic factor which adds to the country's booming growth, and it is quickly becoming one of the most favorite travel destinations as it draws more positive attention to itself. The 2010 World Cup proved that South Africa has unlimited potential for future investors.

Education,...

Comprising 28 000 schools, 386 000 teachers and 12 million learners, the country has a well-developed first world standard education system. Of all the schools, which include 1200 registered private schools and 390 special needs schools, six thousand are secondary schools, while the others are primary schools.

With an enrollment of over a million students, the countries higher education domain which includes 21 Universities, 15 Technicons, is very much alive and dynamic. They are independent, reporting to their own governing bodies rather than being controlled by government. Many of our universities are world-class academic institutions, at the forefront of scientific research in a number of spheres.

Sport,...

South Africa is very fortunate to have a climate that is perfectly suited for outdoor sporting activities. It comes as no surprise that the vast majority of South Africans have always had a great passion for sport, taking their country to become one of the top performers in the world It is common knowledge that sport has been a major contributing factor in uniting the country and its people going through the transformation from Apartheid to a new totally free democracy.

Rugby, Cricket and Football (Soccer) are but a few of the major sports that the country has excelled in. For close on a century, it has regularly fielded teams of world-beating class. Soccer has endeared itself mostly to the black population, and young and old can be seen getting very animated over it. Even while it is famous for its feats in these popular sports, the country has also delivered over-achievers in the world of boxing, golf, swimming and marathons.

The country has proved itself on an international level many times over, not just with its athletic prowess, but also by hosting international sporting events. The 1995 Rugby World Cup, and the famous 2010 Football Championship were a huge success.

SOUTH AFRICA TOURISM

Visa Applications Made Easy

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Short stay visitor visa South Africa

A visitor visa in South Africa allows a non-visa exempt foreign national to visit the country for tourism purposes and needs to be applied for prior to arrival in South Africa.

A visitor visa is usually valid for 3 months unless the visa has been applied for on other grounds. The visa can be extended for a further 3 months, as long as the application is made 60 days prior to the expiry of the current visitor visa and as long as there are no restrictions on the current permit. Restrictions to a visa are endorsed onto the face of the visa and may include “may not change status”, “may not renew”, etc.

Long stay visitor visa South Africa

A long stay visitor visa allows a foreign national to remain in South Africa for a period exceeding 3 months, but not exceeding 3 years.

Long-stay visitor visas are a collection of many visa sub-categories. A candidate could qualify for long-stay visa if:

You are an accompanying spouse or life partner to a foreign national who holds or qualifies for a valid work visa, study visa, business visa, retirement visa, relative’s visa, treaty visa or crew visa
Your accompanying child/children would also qualify on the above grounds
You are partaking in an academic sabbatical supported by your educational institution
You are teaching at an international school
Involved in films and advertisements produced in South Africa, including, but not restricted to, an actor, cameraman, hairstylist, make-up artist or sound and lighting crew
You are a journalist in the employ of a foreign news agency
Conducting research activities, with proof of financial support
You are an artist who wishes to perform, write, paint and sculpt
You are a tour leader or host of such tour
You are the spouse or life partner of a South African citizen/permanent resident and you have been offered a job, registered to study or has opened and conducts your own business
You, as parents, are both foreign nationals on temporary residency visas and have had a child that was born in South Africa

A long stay visitor visa in South Africa can be issued for any period not exceeding 3 years, provided the foreign national controls sufficient financial resources to sustain him or herself while in South Africa.

Visitor visa – accompanying spouse

To apply for an accompanying spouse visitor visa the following proof will need to be provided:

Marriage certificate/spousal affidavit
Divorce decree (if applicable)
Proof of court order awarding custody (if applicable)
Support confirmation from spouse.
Undertaking to repatriate the family from the temporary residence permit visa holder’s employer.

Visitor visa – accompanying child

To apply for an accompanying child visitor visa the following proof will need to be provided:

Proof of support from parent(s)
Undertaking to repatriate the family
Proof of funds
All minors under the age of 18 need to possess an unabridged birth certificate when entering or exiting South Africa.

LE ROUX ATTORNEYS Inc specializes in assisting foreign visitors to South Africa with all their visa requirements

Contact Details

35 Rose Street Bo Kaap Cape Town South Africa Tel +27 21 286 0057

Website www.savisas.com

e mail immigration@lr-inc.co.za

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016

Thu, 28 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0200

FYNBOS GUESTHOUSE Riversdale Garden Route

EARNS 2016 TRIPADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

FYNBOS GUESTHOUSE in Riversdale on the beautiful Garden Route in the Western Cape South Africa today announced that it has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence for 2016. Now in its sixth year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Certificate of Excellence recipients include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a quality customer experience.

"With the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor honours hospitality businesses that have consistently received strong praise and ratings from travellers”, said Heather Leisman, Vice President of Industry Marketing, TripAdvisor. “This recognition helps travellers identify and book properties that regularly deliver great service. TripAdvisor is proud to play this integral role in helping travellers feel more confident in their booking decisions.”

The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travellers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

WHALE WHATCHING in HERMANUS

Mon, 23 May 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Hermanus, South Africa, the whale watching capital of the world. Each year the Southern Right whales visit Walker Bay between June and December to mate and calf. They prefer these warmer waters for the calves to grow strong before departing for the Southern Ocean near Antarctica. During their stay in South African coastal waters, they do not eat, but live on the fat stored during their “Krill binge” in the Arctic.

Hermanus is a beautiful holiday town less than two hour's drive from Cape Town and two and a half hour's from Riversdale (Fynbos Guesthouse). The routes are easy and scenic and are recommend as a self-drive to travellers who enjoy a bit of independence on holiday. It is highly recommended to stay for at least a day or two as whale watching trips are dependent on the weather. There are various wine farms to visit in the Hermanus area and excellent places to stay. From backpackers, guesthouses and boutique hotels.

To see the whales in real life should be on every animal lover's bucket list. A close-up with these gigantic mammals takes your breath away. The massive males literally throw their weight around – sometimes for fun, but mostly to impress the females. There can be up to eight males competing for the attention of a female. It is enduring to see a small calves stick close to mother as she teaches them to navigate and even to do clumsy breaches on their own.

What to expect from boat-based whale watching:

Whales are wild animals. Their behavour can be predicted but are not set in stone. Think of boat-based whale watching as a safari at sea. We go out to find the whales. They can be anywhere or nowhere. Our experienced crew however know where to find them and how to behave when encountering them. According to permit regulations, registered whale watching vessels may approach up to 50 m from the whales, where the engines of the vessel needs to be disengaged but not turned off. This is to enable the crew to move quickly should it be necessary. Being the curious mammals they are, the whales will often approach the vessel to do some “people watching”. These are awesome encounters. Other times they will just carry on with their business.

Dress warm and comfortable on this safari, wear flat shoes and bring a beany. It is winter time in Hermanus. It could rain. Yes, we still do whale watching in rainy weather, as long as the wind is not too strong and the sea rather calm.

Trip information

The two hour long trip departs from the Hermanus harbour, cnr of Still and Westcliff road. Look for the big orange building on the right hand side directly after entering the Harbour. Trips 4 times daily, 9:00, 11:00, 14:00 and 16:00, weather depending.

A briefing takes place 30 min before departure at the orange office, and the safety briefing after boarding the vessel.

Predicting and understanding whale behaviour

With nature there are no guarantees - that is why it is called a safari at sea. Understanding how whales breach will assist you not to miss the perfect photo opportunity when a whale breaches. When only it's tail is above water, it generally means that the whale is diving deep to pick up speed and power in order to throw its body out of the surf. When they float just below the surface it is time to get your camera ready to photograph an above-water fin or tail. Sometimes they will come out to inspect the vessel or surroundings.

What to bring: how to dress:

Even in good weather, if you are not use to boating, consider taking anti-seasickness medication before the trip. Avoid coffee. There are two bathrooms on board (‘the head’, as a boat’s toilet is called.)

Water, soda and crisps are served during the trip.

Sun hats, sunglasses and sun-protection cream with a high SPF are non-negotiable. The UV glare off the water and the African sun are often under-estimated. Dress warm and wear flats if possible. A woollen cap is also not a bad idea.

The crew would like to assist you in any way possible

Our Crew members are passionate about what they do and love it when guests share their enthusiasm. It’s critical for your own safety to always obey all their instructions, for example, if you’re on the upper observation deck, wear your live jacket and do not ‘lean back’ when the boat is close to whales to keep the craft stable. Do ask questions. Our Tourist guides can speak French, English and Afrikaans.

You may even see more

Sometimes unexpected encounters with exotic birds happens. Schools of dolphins may also play around. These are precious bonuses. Your cruise will be in Walker Bay, the only registered whale sanctuary in the world.

Booking your Whale Watching Trip

Request your hostess at Fynbos Guesthouse to book your trip. Just supply date and amount of persons, and we will do the rest !

GOLFING in RIVERSDALE

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Contact Details

Tel: +27 28 713 3056
Fax: +27 28 713 3056
Email: info@riversdalgolfclub.co.za

KINDLY REQUEST STAFF AT FYNBOS GUESTHOUSE TO ASSIST WITH BOOKING AT CLUB

History
Riversdal Golf Club as a very rich history and in 2011 we celebrated our 100th year anniversary. However, to have come to that astonishing century our club had to have begun somewhere and if you have time please read our story:

Our story starts way back in 1911, when the first man in Riversdal to swing a golf club was Maans Jannie Steyn. He only had one golf club, just like many of us when we started out, but he went out every day and hit a couple of golf balls in the land surrounding his home. At a council meeting on 8 May 1911, Mr. Attmore and Mr. Denysson handed in an application for the development of a golf course in Riversdal. After careful consideration the council approved the development of Riversdal Golf Course.

On 19 May 1911, a founding meeting was held in the Riversdal town hall and the first committee was chosen for Riversdal Golf Club. The committee were as follows:

President - D. Versveld
Vice-President - F. Dawson
Additional Members: F. Wége, M. J. Botha, and D. J. Roux

Since then, Riversdal Golf Club has had to make way for the expansion of a Riversdal neighbourhood in 1928 at which time the golf course was relocated to where Oakdale Agricultural High School is today. In 1932, Dr. Pieter Daneel donated a stunning silver trophy which was the only one of its kind at that stage. The idea was to attract more golfers to the areas where there were only 9 hole course, as well as increase competitiveness between golfers. The Daneel Trophy as it is still known as today was played for between Albertinia, Riversdal, Heidelberg, Ladismith, Swellendam, and Montagu. However, since then Albertinia, Ladismith and Montagu have withdrawn from the Daneel Trophy and was replaced with Robertson, Bredasdorp and Riviersonderend.

After the war, Gerhard de Vries took it upon himself to find a new suitable location for our precious gem, and came across wetlands with a river that run all along the left of it. Since that day, Japie Dekenah and Gerhard de Vries went down to the wetlands and started cleaning the area, and removed any and all unwanted bush.

On 12 March 1945, Councilor, E. Theron applied for the use of the wetlands by Riversdal Golf Club at the municipality. On 25 June 1945, Councilors A. J. van Wyk and A. H. Karremacher proved the use of the wetlands by Riverdal Golf Club. Mr. de Vries and Mr. Dekenah then went ahead and started constructing the first green. In the year 1952 Riversdal Golf Club got it first club house, which was not very big and could only be used for entry at the golf club, however the total of the club house was a mere R480 to build. It was in 1965, that the wooden club house was burnt down due to a "braai" that was held to close to the club house. It was only in 23 September 1967, that Riversdal Golf Club had a new club house after Mr. Eddie Davids built a new club house where it still stands today. However, due to a influx of new golfers the members at Riversdal decided to expand the club house and enlarge it, as well as to obtain a liquor license.

The captain of that time, Mr. Danie van Tonder, was the one with the driving force to see the club succeed and expand, as well as improve our golf course. Today, we have probably the best, most scenic, and challenging 9 hole course in Southern Africa.

The Course

Riversdal Golf Club boasts a 9 hole, 18 tee golf course, even though we are actually a 11 hole course, which has been rated one of the most scenic in South Africa. Riversdal Golf Club has an intimate and friendly atmosphere and is a small gem along the Garden Route. The course plays very challenging even though one might feel otherwise upon first glance. Our lovely course is a Par 72 course covering a distance of 5844m for men and 5049m for ladies.

Please see below our hole-by-hole descriptions and course layout. Ladies tees are marked with parentheses.

Hole 1 (389m Par 5)
The first hole is a straight forward 452m par 5, however driving the ball straight down your own fairway may come as a challenge.

Hole 2 (292m Par 4)
The second is a 292m par 4 with a dogleg to the right. One might think "this hole is drivable", but with water on the left and the tall trees along the right of the fairway blocking the green, you can land into some trouble.

Hole 3 (315m Par 4)
The third is again a straight forward 375m par 4, but with the big trees on both sides of the fairway, one could turn it into a par 5 or 6 if not careful.

Hole 4 (147m Par 3)
The fourth is the second longest of the par 3s measuring 159m. Quiet an easy hole if you hit the green and with wind almost always from the right you could end up in the woods or the green side bunker if you start it to far right.

Hole 5 (248m Par 4)
The Fifth is a drivable 293m par 4 for the long drivers. It is a relatively easy hole with no real danger.

Hole 6 (309m Par 4)
The sixth is a 365m par 4, playing to the front of the two green in this fairway. It is also a very straight forward hole except if you hook or slice our ball, because you make the hole much longer than it should be.

Hole 7 (393m Par 5)
The seventh is a challenging 475m par 5, playing to the second green on this fairway. With water all along the left and hook for the right handed golfer could spell trouble.

Hole 8 (125m Par 3)
The eighth is the shortest hole on the course measuring only 126m. This has been one of the easiest holes for a number of year, but with probably the green that slopes the most it provided a good challenge.

Hole 9 (317m Par 4)
The ninth is a 382m par 4 with a dogleg to the left. With out-of-bounce almost all along the left of the hole many a brave soul has fallen short when trying to drive over the corner of the dogleg.

Hole 10 (389m Par 5)
The tenth play slightly shorter than 1 at 451m. However, this par 5 doglegs to the left and striking the ball over the corner of the dogleg could set you up with a good birdie or par chance.

Hole 11 (282m Par 4)
The eleventh is a 282m par 4 with a dogleg to the right. Playing very much the same as hole 2 one might think "this hole is drivable", but with water on the left and the tall trees along the right of the fairway blocking the green, you can land into some trouble.

Hole 12 (340m Par 4)
The twelfth is a 413m par 4. Playing a bit longer an 3 one might think you have this one in the bag, but time and time again the twelfth has shown that it deserves to be the most difficult hole on the course.

Hole 13 (147m Par 3)
The thirteenth is the longest of the par 3s totalling 172m. Playing to the same green as hole 4 there is not much stopping you to make a par except yourself.

Hole 14 (248m Par 4)
The fourteenth plays exactly the same as hole 5, also making it drivable for the long drivers.

Hole 15 (309m Par 4)
The fifteenth is a 355m par 4. Playing to the back green on this fairway one can get into trouble with you second or third shot into the green as there is water along the back of the green and a green side bunker on the right.

Hole 16 (281m Par 4)
The sixteenth is a 353m par 4 playing to the front green on this fairway. Playing on the same fairway as hole 7 there will be water all along the left and you shot selection has to be spot on.

Hole 17 (137m Par 3)
The seventeenth is the last of the four par 3s measuring on 151m, it is the second easiest hole one the course. Besides for the green side bunkers on the left and front right of the green, getting the ball close and making a par should be quiet easy.

Hole 18 (381m Par 5)
The eighteenth is a 455m par 5. With out-of-bounce all along the left, which is the same as hole 9, is doglegs to the left and does play quiet long if you land behind the many tree along the right of the fairway.

Article source Kind permission J Nel Riversdal Golf Club 2016

Car Rental in South Africa

Sat, 05 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0200

HIRING A CAR TAKES ONLY ONE CLICK ON THIS WEBSITE !

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JustCarHire is South Africa's biggest car rental agency. We have been arranging car hire bookings since 2003 and have made over 40 000 reservations to date.

JustCarHire.co.za forms part of a group of websites, operated by ResAfrica, which have been online since 2002. These include popular and well known websites such as RoomsForAfrica.com and WiningAndDining.co.za.

We work with the leading car hire companies to bring you the biggest selection of cars at all major rental locations throughout South Africa. Over the past 10 years we have built excellent relationships with the car hire companies and our advanced booking software connects seamlessly with our suppliers to ensure your car is both available and immediately booked - a South African first!

We strive to offer our customers an easy-to-use, safe and secure booking service, offering the best possible prices with unmatched customer service. We are locally based and easily able to assist you telephonically before, during or after your rental.

JustCarHire acts as an agent in arranging your bookings and is not the principal hiring company.

Lowest price guarantee

Thank you for choosing JustCarHire - you won't be disappointed. We work directly with the leading car rental companies in South Africa to bring you the best prices for your car rental. We are constantly working with our suppliers to ensure that we have the best deals available and we monitor the market to ensure our prices cannot be beaten.

In the unlikely event that you should find a lower price on another website within 7-days of your reservation, we will beat it and refund you the difference.

Simply contact us, with all the relevant information and one of our reservation consultants will be right on it.

Terms & Conditions

The JustCarHire guarantee applies to pre-paid car rentals on like-for-like car rental by other independent car rental operators using the same supplier. It does not apply to rentals for which competitors are offering "not immediately available" reservations. It is valid within 7-days of placing your reservation and does not apply to promotional offers and the cost of optional extra's such as additional drivers or GPS devices.

CLICK THE CAR RENTAL BUTTON ON THE "BOOKING TOOLS" PAGE

CUSTOMS CONTROL

Sat, 05 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0200

South Africa: traveller's customs guide

Whether you arrive in South Africa by air, sea or land, you have to pass through customs control, where you may be questioned and your baggage may be scanned or searched for dutiable, restricted or prohibited goods.

On arrival, travellers with goods to declare must complete a Traveller Card and make a verbal declaration of their goods to a customs officer, who will then generate a Traveller Declaration (TRD1).

If you're found with undeclared, restricted or prohibited goods, you could be fined or even face prosecution. To help you avoid this, and make your arrival in and departure from South Africa as smooth as possible, here's a quick guide to moving goods in and out of the country.

Note: This information serves as a guide only. It remains subject to change without notice. If you are in any doubt as to whether the goods you intend to bring into South Africa are restricted, contact your nearest South African embassy or high commission abroad

What can you bring into South Africa duty free?

You can bring the following goods into South Africa without paying customs duty or value added tax (VAT):

Consumable goods in accompanied baggage:

Cigarettes – up to 200 per person.
Cigars – up to 20 per person.
Cigarette or pipe tobacco – up to 250g per person.
Perfume – up to 50ml per person; eau de toilette (scented liquid lighter than cologne) – up to 250ml per person.
Wine – up to 2 litres per person.
Spirits and other alcoholic beverages – up to 1 litre in total per person.
People under 18 can claim this duty-free allowance on consumable goods – with the exception of alcohol and tobacco products – provided the goods are for their personal use.

Medicines: You are allowed to bring in one month's supply of pharmaceutical drugs or medicines for your personal use. Any other pharmaceutical drugs or medicines must be accompanied by a letter or certified prescription from a registered physician, and have to be declared.

Personal effects, sport and recreational equipment: You can bring in personal effects, sport and recreational equipment, either as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage, for your own use during your visit.

In the case of very expensive articles, you may be required to lodge a cash deposit to cover the potential duty/tax on their re-export. The deposit will be refunded on departure after a customs officer has inspected the items and verified that they are being re-exported.

Handmade articles for commercial purposes: Travellers from Southern African Customs Union (SACU) or Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states are allowed to bring into South Africa handmade articles of leather, wood, plastic, or glass if the goods do not exceed 25 kilograms in total, without the payment of duties and taxes.

Additional goods: In addition to the personal effects and consumables duty-free allowances, you are allowed to bring in new or used goods in accompanied baggage to the value of R5 000, or R25 000 if arriving from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia or Swaziland.

What if I am over the duty-free limit ?

Once the above limits are exceeded, all goods brought into South Africa are subject to the payment of customs duty and value added tax (VAT) – including goods bought duty-free on aircraft or ships or in duty-free shops.

For goods of up to R20 000 in value, you have the option of paying customs duty at a flat rate of 20%. Flat-rated goods are also exempt from payment of VAT. This is valid only once per person per 30-day period.

People under 18 can opt for the flat-rate assessment, provided the goods are for their personal use.

Once you're over the additional R20 000 limit – or if you waive the flat rate option – then duty will be assessed and paid on each individual item you're carrying, and an additional 14% VAT will be charged.

Goods that do not qualify for the flat-rate assessment include:

Firearms.
Goods for commercial purposes.
Consumable goods in excess of the quantities detailed above.
Goods or gifts carried on behalf of other people. Not only are these are subject to duties and taxes, but they may also require an import permit.
Goods that you have to declare

Certain goods are restricted, and may only be brought into South Africa if you have the necessary authority or permit, and these must be declared on arrival. They include any firearms, as well as:

Currency: South African bank notes in excess of R25 000; foreign currency above $10 000; gold coins; coin and stamp collections; and unprocessed gold.

Endangered plants and animals: Species of plants or animals that are listed as endangered, whether they are alive or dead, as well as any parts of or articles made from them.

Food, plants, animals and biological goods: All plants and plant products, such as seeds, flowers, fruit, honey, margarine and vegetable oils. Also animals, birds, poultry and products thereof, such as dairy products, butter and eggs.

Medicines: You are allowed to bring in one month's supply of pharmaceutical drugs or medicines for your personal use. Any other medicines must be accompanied by a letter or certified prescription from a registered physician, and have to be declared.

A full list of prohibited and restricted goods is available on the South African Revenue Service website: www.sars.gov.za

Goods you're not allowed to bring

It is illegal to bring the following goods into South Africa:

Narcotics: any narcotic or psychotropic substances, including drugs such as cannabis, heroin, cocaine, mandrax or ecstasy; or any paraphernalia relating to their use.
Any fully automatic, military or unnumbered weapons, as well as explosives, fireworks or weapons of mass destruction.
Any poison and other toxic substance.
Cigarettes with a mass of more than 2kg per 1 000.
Any goods to which a trade description or trademark is applied in contravention of any law (for example, counterfeit goods).
Unlawful reproductions of any works subject to copyright.
Any prison- or penitentiary-made goods.
If you're in any doubt about the goods you want to bring into South Africa, contact your nearest South African Embassy or High Commission abroad or the nearest SARS customs office.

List of South African offices abroad: www.dirco.gov.za
Contact SARS: www.sars.gov.za
Rather safe than sorry

You can avoid problems by making sure that you:

Always declare all goods in your possession.
Produce receipts for goods purchased abroad – including goods bought duty- free on aircraft or ships or in duty-free shops.
If you are unsure of the value of goods which you should declare, ask for assistance from the customs officer on duty.
Remember, failure to declare goods, under-declaration of the value of goods, or production of false receipts or invoices could lead to the seizure of your goods as well as criminal prosecution or fines of up to three times the value of the goods.

Travellers in transit

Travellers in transit to countries outside the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which comprises Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland, do not have to comply with customs formalities in South Africa.

This applies only if you have been booked from an airport outside the SACU, and you are not travelling to your final destination by road. These passengers may not leave the transit area of the airport between flights. Their baggage will automatically be transferred from their international flight.

Note, however, that customs officials may still search travellers in transit and their baggage for any illegal drugs or counterfeit goods. Anyone found with such goods will be detained and handed over to the police for prosecution.

Payments

Customs duties and taxes are payable in South African rand. Payment can be made in cash, by credit card or by means of traveller’s cheques.

Should you have any questions or doubt about the amount of duty paid or payable, or any other matter about your dealings with a customs official, you should take the matter up with the senior customs officer in charge. The receipt you obtain from Customs must be given to the officer dealing with your enquiry.

VAT refunds for tourists

Value added tax (VAT) at a rate of 14% is levied on the purchase of most goods in South Africa. As a foreign visitor you may apply for a refund of the VAT you pay while in the country – provided you apply before you depart.

To apply, make sure you get tax invoices for your purchases. Then present these to the VAT Refund Administrator at your point of departure. If he/she is not available, present your goods to a customs officer, who will inspect the goods, stamp your invoices and deliver them to the VAT Refund Administrator, who will correspond with you on the matter.

For more information on how and where to apply for VAT refunds, visit www.taxrefunds.co.za
How much money can I travel with?

Currency brought into or taken from South Africa is monitored by law. Should you have more than R25 000 in South African currency or $10 000 or the equivalent thereof in foreign currency, this must be declared.

As a foreign visitor, you can bring in up to R25 000 in South African currency (rands), plus an unlimited amount in foreign currencies and traveller's cheques, provided you declare this on arrival.

On departure, you can also take out R25 000 in South African currency (rands), and up to the amount in foreign currencies and traveller's cheques that you declared when you arrived – provided you didn't stay for more than 12 months.

Temporary imports

Please note that you may be required to lodge a cash deposit to cover the potential duty/tax on expensive articles if you are bringing them in on a temporary basis. The deposit will be refunded when you leave after a customs officer has physically inspected the items and verified that the goods are being re-exported.

Visitors must notify the Customs office where the deposit was lodged at least two days before you leave to ensure that the refund is ready. You will find the office number on the documents which will be given to you when paying your deposit.

If you are leaving from a port other than the port where you lodged the deposit, the inspection report confirming the re-exportation of the items will be forwarded to the office where the deposit was lodged and a cheque will be posted to the address that you provided.

Conference organisers

If you are bringing goods into the country specifically for a conference such as pamphlets, brochures and banners, you need to do the following:

If these goods are accompanying you, you need to follow the same process as normal travellers.
If the goods are not coming with you but are being sent into the country at a different time (unaccompanied baggage), you have to declare them on a DA 306 form. You need to complete the form before you come into the country and take it to your nearest customs office when you arrive in South Africa. This is a simplified clearance procedure for goods that will not be sold in the country.

Source: South African Revenue Service (Reviewed: October 2015)

Correct at the time of publishing - Use as guide ONLY !

Malaria in South Africa

Sat, 21 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0200

Malaria is a serious, often fatal, disease caused by a parasite. Humans get malaria from the bite of a malaria-infected mosquito.

When a mosquito bites an infected person, it ingests microscopic malaria parasites found in the person’s blood. After a week or more, the mosquito can infect another person.

The malaria infected areas in South Africa include the following:
* High risk - Kruger National Park, the game reserves adjacent to the park and the far northern Zululand areas of Ndumo and Tembe Elephant Park.
* Intermediate risk areas - the lowveld areas west of Kruger Park in the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo and the Kwazulu Natal areas of Hluhluwe, Mkuze, St Lucia and north of St Lucia up to Kosi Bay.

Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur.

Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells. For most people, symptoms begin 10 days to 4 weeks after infection, although a person may feel ill as early as 8 days or up to 1 year later.

Malaria can be cured with prescription drugs. The type of drugs and length of treatment depend on which kind of malaria is diagnosed, where the patient was infected, the age of the patient, and how severely ill the patient was at start of treatment.

Malaria can be prevented by antimalarial drugs - consult your doctor or chemist. The antimalarial drugs must be taken exactly on schedule without missing doses.

Prevent mosquito and other insect bites by using insect repellent on exposed skin and flying insect spray in the room where you sleep. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, especially from dusk to dawn. This is the time when mosquitoes that spread malaria bite.

Garden Route Travel Options

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0200

Few coastal stretches in the world can claim the beauty of the Garden Route, so named for its lush, green, indigenous forests, golden beaches and rushing rivers. An abundance of bird species and wildlife can be found here and the area's pristine beaches, lapped by azure waters, are home to seals, dolphins and whales (the latter from June to October to calve in the warm Indian Ocean).

Occupying a slender coastal plane from the Gouritz River near Mossel Bay in the west to the Storms River mouth east of Plettenberg Bay, the Garden Route meanders for 350km along the N2, its main arterial road.

While often compared to the Lake District in England, the Garden Route's climate is considerably more temperate. Summer temperatures average 27 Celsius and the winter average is 14 Celsius in the daytime. The region's Mediterranean climate and natural splendour are complemented by excellent amenities catering for the most diverse and discerning of travellers.

Nature lovers will be in the their element. Hikes along the craggy coastline takes you through pristine forests and remote beaches with shimmering rock pools and waterfalls along the way. The popular Otter Trail is a five day hike that follows the coastline from Storms River Mouth to Nature's Valley in the Tsitsikamma National Park. It's essential to book well in advance as places are limited.

If hiking is not for you, there are many other ways to experience the natural splendour of the Garden Route from horseriding in the Plettenberg Bay mountainside to paddling canoes around the Robberg peninsula. More sedentary options include packaged safaris offered by a variety of game lodges and dolphin and whale watching boat trips.

Needless to say, the Garden Route offers something for everyone and its accommodation is equally varied. Whether its a wooden tree house in indigenous forest, surrounded by monkeys and bird life, a rustic beach house, or a sunny penthouse suite, you'll find what you are looking for and so much more.

A popular option to see the Garden Route [http://southafricaholidaysblog.co.uk/western-cape/garden-route] is to hire a car in Cape Town and drive up the coast, stopping at charming seaside towns along the way.

Article Courtesy Of goarticles.com

Author: Rob Atherton

GEOGRAPHY of SOUTH AFRICA

Thu, 14 May 2015 00:00:00 +0200

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.

Size and provinces

South Africa is a medium-sized country, with a total land area of slightly more than 1.2-million square kilometres, making it roughly the same size as Niger, Angola, Mali, and Colombia.

It is one-eighth the size of the US, twice the size of France, and over three times the size of Germany. South Africa measures about 1 600km from north to south, and roughly the same from east to west.

The country has nine provinces, which vary considerably in size. The smallest is tiny and crowded Gauteng, a highly urbanised region, and the largest the vast, arid and empty Northern Cape, which takes up almost a third of South Africa's total land area.

Borders

On dry land, going from west to east, South Africa shares long borders with Namibia and Botswana, touches Zimbabwe, has a longitudinal strip of border with Mozambique to the east, and lastly curves in around Swaziland before rejoining Mozambique's southern border.

In the interior, nestled in the curve of the bean-shaped Free State, is the small mountainous country of Lesotho, completely surrounded by South African territory.

Cities

South Africa has three capitals:

Cape Town, in the Western Cape, is the legislative capital and is where the country's Parliament is found.
Bloemfontein, in the Free State, is the judicial capital, and home to the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Pretoria, in Gauteng, is the administrative capital, and the ultimate capital of the country. It is home to the Union Buildings and a large proportion of the public service.

The largest and most important city is Johannesburg, the economic heartland of the country. Other important centres include Durban and Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu- Natal, and Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

Climate and topography

Although the country is classified as semi-arid, South Africa has considerable variation in climate as well as topography.

The great inland Karoo plateau, where rocky hills and mountains rise from sparsely populated scrubland, is very dry, and gets more so as it shades in the north-west towards the Kalahari desert. Extremely hot in summer, it can be icy in winter.

Habitat types: South Africa has eight major terrestrial biomes, or habitat types – broad ecological life zones with distinct environmental conditions and related sets of plant and animal life.

In contrast, the eastern coastline is lush and well watered, a stranger to frost. The southern coast, part of which is known as the Garden Route, is rather less tropical but also green, as is the Cape of Good Hope – the latter especially in winter.

This south-western corner of the country has a Mediterranean climate, with wet winters and hot, dry summers. Its most famous climatic characteristic is its wind, which blows intermittently virtually all year round, either from the south-east or the north- west.

The eastern section of the Karoo does not extend as far north as the western part, giving way to the flat landscape of the Free State, which though still semi-arid receives somewhat more rain.

North of the Vaal River, the Highveld is better watered, and saved by its altitude (Johannesburg lies at 1 740m; its average annual rainfall is 760mm) from subtropical extremes of heat. Winters are cold, though snow is rare.

Further north and to the east, especially where a drop in altitude beyond the escarpment gives the Lowveld its name, temperatures rise: the Tropic of Capricorn slices through the extreme north. This is also where one finds the typical South African Bushveld of wildlife fame.

Those looking for an opportunity to ski in winter head for the high Drakensberg mountains that form South Africa's eastern escarpment, but one of the coldest places in the country is Sutherland, in the western Roggeveld Mountains, with midwinter temperatures as low as -15ºC.

The deep interior provides the hottest temperatures. According to the South African Weather Service, the highest temperature recorded in South Africa was in Dunbrody, in the Sunday River Valley in the Eastern Cape: 50ºC on 3 November 1918. The hottest place in South Africa is Letaba (Limpopo Province) with a mean annual temperature of 23.3ºC and an average annual maximum temperature of 35ºC.

The coldest temperature ever recorded in South Africa was on 28 June 1996 at Buffelsfontein, near Molteno in the Eastern Cape: -18.6ºC. In fact, Buffelsfontein is the coldest place in South Africa, with a mean annual temperature of 11.3ºC and an average annual minimum temperature of 2.8ºC.

Oceans and rivers

By far South Africa's biggest neighbour is the ocean – or two oceans, which meet at the southwestern corner. Its territory includes Marion and Prince Edward Islands, nearly 2 000km from Cape Town in the Atlantic Ocean.

The cold Benguela current sweeps up from the Antarctic along the Atlantic coast, laden with plankton and providing rich fishing grounds. The east coast has the north-to- south Mozambique/Agulhas current to thank for its warm waters.

These two currents have a major effect on the country's climate, the ready evaporation of the eastern seas providing generous rainfall while the Benguela current retains its moisture to cause desert conditions in the west.

Several small rivers run into the sea along the coastline, but none are navigable and none provide useful natural harbours. The coastline itself, being fairly smooth, provides only one good natural harbour, at Saldanha Bay north of Cape Town. A lack of fresh water prevented major development here.

Nevertheless, busy harbours exist at Richards Bay and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, East London and Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, and Mossel Bay and Cape Town in the Western Cape. The newest commercial port, the Port of Ngqura, is off the coast from Port Elizabeth and has the deepest container terminal in sub-Saharan Africa.

There are only two major rivers in South Africa: the Limpopo, a stretch of which is shared with Zimbabwe; and the Orange (with its tributary, the Vaal), which runs with a variable flow across the central landscape from east to west, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at the Namibian border.

In so dry a country, dams and irrigation are extremely important. The largest dam is the Gariep on the Orange River.

Original article credited to SAinfo reporter and MediaClubSouthAfrica.com

Additional Sources:

South Africa Yearbook
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
South African Weather Service
To read more visit: http://www.southafrica.info

EBOLA

Wed, 13 May 2015 00:00:00 +0200

South Africa is safe and is still an attractive destination for tourists.

Government reiterates that South Africa remains the destination of choice for tourism, despite a report in the media which stated that the industry had become the first victim of Ebola.

No cases of the Ebola virus have been reported in the country, and government is confident of the systems and protocols that are in place to address any incidence of the virus.

Minister of Communications Ms. Faith Muthambi said, “It is unfortunate that the newspaper would choose to report that a handful of tourists cancelled their trip due to fears, which according to the report are based on erroneous facts about the virus. This is despite the government’s assurance that it has efficient systems in place at the country’s ports of entry and medical facilities. The risk of Ebola being introduced into South Africa remains low and our tourism industry remains vibrant and lucrative.”

Since the advent of democracy the arrivals in the country have grown by more than 300% to reach nearly 15 million last year, of which 9.6 million were tourists.

Tourist arrivals to South Africa in 2013 showed positive growth from all regions. South Africa is one of the most-sought after global destinations offering a diverse variety of unforgettable experiences, which include leisure, business and events. “South Africa is on record having hosted some of the biggest tourism mega-events in the world and the 2014 Tourism Act actually caters for the demands of the 21st century,” said Muthambi.

As a sought-after destination, government reiterates that it has ensured that stringent measures have been put in place. The surveillance for viral hemorrhagic fevers has been strengthened at ports of entry. The National Health Laboratory Service and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases have also intensified laboratory surveillance and the port health services, including public and private health care practitioners, who are on alert for any ill persons that have travelled to very high risk areas. There are 11 designated health facilities in the country to manage any reported Ebola cases. South Africa has even dispatched a specialist team in response to the virus in Sierra Leone.

“So there is no need to incite panic and speculation on the tourism industry. South Africa is safe and is still an attractive destination for tourists,” said Muthambi.

Enquiries:
Bongiwe Gambu - 082 714 9463
Issued by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
19 August 2014

INSURANCE

Wed, 13 May 2015 00:00:00 +0200

As a guest at a B&B or guesthouse , you have found

the food superb
the accommodation great
and the setting beautiful

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT'S INSURANCE?

As a traveller, whether you are a South African travelling at home or an international visitor to South African shores you will want to ensure that wherever it is that you chose to stay during your travels that the accommodation is of the level you would expect. Accommodation that suits you, food you enjoy and a location in which you can relax.

But what about the insurance of the establishment you have chosen? Accidents can, and do, happen and you need to be certain that if you are the unfortunate victim of an accident that is clearly the fault of the owner of the establishment in which you are staying that you can seek compensation and know that the guesthouse has the correct and adequate insurances to look after you.

Sadly, many of the B&B and guesthouse establishments in South Africa do not have either correct or adequate insurances and an accident to you, the fault or negligence of the owner, resulting in major costs may result in you being able to recover very little. A relatively small claim in Pounds would probably be more than most B&B's are worth in South African Rands.

It is for this reason that it is so important that when making a reservation at a B&B or guesthouse in South Africa you confirm that they are insured by BnB SURE, a comprehensive policy for B&B's & guesthouses that will be there to look after you, the traveller, should you suffer an accident the cause of which was the negligence of your host. You can’t afford to ignore peace of mind when you travel.

BnB SURE IS AN AUTHORISED FINANCIAL SERVICES PROVIDER LICENCE NUMBER 9854

FYNBOS GASTEHUIS RIVERSDAL

BnB SURE’s liability insurance is underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd’s. Please check www.bnbsure.co.za for full details of other insurers.

BnB SURE is the preferred liability insurer to the B&B and Guesthouse industry in South Africa, of AA Travel Guides, National Accommodation Association of South Africa, Fedhasa, Chambers Accommodation and Tourism, BABASA (Bed and Breakfast Accommodation of South Africa) and GHASA (Guesthouse Accommodation of South Africa)

LIABILITY INSURANCE SUMMARY FYNBOS GUESTHOUSE

Liability limits – minimum of ZAR30m
NO requirements that there be any disclaimer signed by the guest
Includes food poisoning by the guesthouse
Guests personal effects covered up to ZAR50,000 in the event of liability by the guesthouse
Errors and Omissions in the event of liability from bad advice by the guesthouse covered up to ZAR1m
First Aid negligence covered up to policy limit.
Full Medical Malpractice covered up to ZAR5m.
Owner’s personal liability

German Translation provided below for Information purposes ONLY...
Die deutsche Übersetzung dient ausschliesslich Informationszwecken.
Haftpflichtversicherung

Minimale Versicherungshöhe ist ZAR 30 Millionen per Haftungsfall
Unterschrift einer Haftungserklärung durch den Gast nicht notwendig
Versicherung deckt enstandene Kosten durch vom Gästehaus verursachte Lebensmittelvergiftungen
Persönliches Eigentum bis zu einem Höchstbetrag von ZAR 50.000 versichert, wenn Verschulden von Seiten des Gästehauses nachgewiesen ist
Bis zu ZAR 1 Million Deckung im Fall eines Schadens durch fehlerhafte Beratung, der durch das Gästehaus verursacht wurde
Nachgewiesene Fehler bei Durchführung von Erster Hilfe bis zum Höchstbetrag des Vertrages gedeckt
Weitere medizinische Fehlversorgung bis zu einem Höchstbetrag von ZAR 5 Millionen gedeckt
Persönliche Haftpflichtversicherung des Eigentümers

info@bnbsure.co.za

DRIVING in SOUTH AFRICA

Wed, 13 May 2015 00:00:00 +0200

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 the long way round, here are a few tips to enhance your trip.

Car hire

Most car rental companies are represented at South Africa's main airports and in most city centres. Vehicles may generally be picked up at one centre and dropped off at a branch in another centre, subject to a fee.

It is advisable to take out the insurance offered by the vehicle rental companies, unless you have specific cover in place. All major credit cards are accepted.

Driver's licences

Any valid driver's licence is accepted in South Africa, provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is printed or authenticated in English.

However, vehicle hire companies may also require an international driver's licence. It is worth confirming requirements with your travel agent or the vehicle hire company when making your booking.

This holds for additional drivers as well, who must be identified when you hire your vehicle. Remember to carry all your documentation with you when you travel as traffic officers will expect to see it if they stop you for any reason.

Keep left, belt up, think kilometres and do not drink !

Keep left, pass right. South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road, and our cars – rental cars included – are therefore right-hand drive vehicles, the gear shift being operated with the left hand).

All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are marked in kilometres.

Wearing of seat belts is compulsory. Using hand-held phones while driving is against the law – use a vehicle phone attachment or hands-free kit if you want to speak on your mobile phone.

Drinking and driving is prohibited. The legal limit is a breath alcohol content of 0.24mg per 1 000ml, or a blood alcohol limit of 0.05g per 100ml. But how do you know if you're over the limit?

The Automobile Association of South Africa says the rule of thumb is a maximum of one unit of alcohol per hour, which constitutes 10ml of pure alcohol, based on an adult weighing 68kg. Our bodies can process only one unit of alcohol each hour. However, it is important to be aware that if you weigh less than 68kg your body will need more time to process the same amount of alcohol.

What does one unit represent in layman’s terms? It is equal to:

two thirds of a beer or spirit cooler with 5% alcohol content
75ml of red or white wine per hour with an alcohol content of 12% to 14%
Up to one 25ml tot of whisky or brandy per hour.
Speed limit

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. Check the road signs.

If you're in a hire car and get a speeding fine, the car rental company will pay the fine, and will charge that amount plus an admin fee to your credit card.

Filling up

Various types of petrol (gas) are available in South Africa: unleaded, 97-, 95- or 93- octane ("super" or "premium"). The 95-octane petrol is available at higher altitude, as well as 93-octane. At the coast, your choice is between 95- and 97-octane.

Diesel is available with 0.05% sulphur content and 0.005% sulphur content.

Hire cars are more likely to require unleaded petrol, but check before you set off.

Fuel is sold per litre (1 US gallon is equivalent to 3.8 litres).

South African petrol stations are not self-help: an attendant will fill the car, ask if you'd like your oil and water and tyre pressure checked, and offer to clean your windscreen – a service for which they are generally tipped around R5.

Fuel stations – or garages, as South Africans call them – are found on both the main and country roads, most of them open 24 hours a day, although some keep shorter hours. However, distances between towns (and therefore between petrol stations) are considerable in some parts of the country, so remember to check the fuel gauge before passing up the opportunity to fill up.

When it comes to paying for fuel, you can pay cash or use your credit card. Historically, filling stations used to be cash-only operations so some smaller stations may still not accept cards. Check with the attendant what payment method they accept before filling up. Many filling stations have on-site ATM machines.

Driving around the country

Our road infrastructure is excellent, so driving between cities and towns is a viable option – and, given the stunning scenery in many parts of the country, a highly enjoyable one.

However, South Africa is a huge country not easily traversed in a day, so plan your journeys carefully. If you're not used to driving long distances, rather break the journey, as fatigue is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents.

While most national roads are tarred and in good condition, the more rural the road, the more likely it is to be pot-holed and poorly surfaced.

Road info, maps

Current information on the conditions of roads can be obtained through the Automobile Association of South Africa. The AA also provides invaluable guides for road users in the form of strip maps tailored for specific destinations and information for tourists on accommodation en route.

Traffic signs are generally pictorial according to International Standards or in English.

Toll roads and e-tolls

Before you set off, check your route. Many of the national roads between the major centres are toll roads. Check the fees before you leave, and make sure that you have either a credit card or cash to pay.

Toll fares for a light passenger vehicle vary from under R10 to around R200, depending on the toll plaza – and you may pass through three or four of these before you reach your destination.

Electronic toll collection (or e-tolls) is in place in Gauteng. Your car has to be identified electronically, via an e-tag for example, and a toll is deducted from a toll account. Visitors to Gauteng can register for an e-toll account, or buy day passes. Visit SA National Road Agency's e-toll website for more info.

See Automobile Association: Toll fees in South Africa – includes information on fees, locations, vehicle classifications and costs for frequently travelled routes.
See South African National Road Agency: Open road tolling – includes information on what to do if you visit Gauteng, how to register as a e-toll user, how to fit an e-tag, and an e-toll calculator

Safety

South Africa has a high rate of traffic accidents so drive defensively and exercise caution when on the roads – especially at night – and keep a wary eye out for pedestrians and cyclists.

Drivers of minibuses and taxis can behave erratically, and often turn a blind eye to rules and road safety considerations.

In many of South Africa's rural areas, the roads are not fenced, so watch out dogs, chickens, sheep and even horses or cows on the road. These can be particularly hazardous at night.

Large antelope crossing the road can also pose a danger in certain areas – if you see road signs depicting a leaping antelope, take it slowly, especially towards evening.

Never stop to feed wild animals – it is dangerous and you can incur a hefty fine if you do so.

In general, be aware and keep your wits about you. It's a good idea to drive with your doors locked and windows up, especially in cities and at traffic lights.

Don't ever stop to pick up hitchhikers. If you are worried about someone on the side of the road, report it to the police station in the next town.

Ensure your car is locked when you park it and do not leave anything in sight. Lock things away in the trunk – known as the boot here – or the glove compartment (cubbyhole).

Emergency numbers to save into your phone:

From your mobile: (082) 112
Rescue: 10177
Police: 10111

This article was reproduced with permission from http://www.southafrica.info