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LANGUAGE: 
There are 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu. English speaking tourists will experience no difficulties, neither will Dutch or Flemish speakers. Most large hotel and shopping establishments cater for German, French and sometimes Japanese groups and may provide multilingual guides.

ELECTRICITY: 
220\230 Volts AC, 3 Pin Round Type Plugs

CURRENCY: 
(ZAR) South African Rand = 100 cents 
Denominations: coins - 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5
Notes - R10, R20, R50, R100, R200, R500

CREDIT CARDS: 
Most hotels and shops commonly accept major international credit cards. Many of the hotels change foreign currency.

TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES: 
May be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorised dealers.
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CLIMATE: 
The climate is generally mild throughout the year with regional differences making the temperatures more extreme in the interior and more humid at the coast. 

Summer is from October to March and temperatures vary between 15C (60F) at night and 30C (96F) at midday. Humidity levels are high along the Kwa-Zulu-Natal coast in summer while the heat experienced in the interior is generally dry. 

Winter temperatures can fall below 0C (32F) in the interior at night, but day times are generally mild with temperatures + 18C (66F) at midday. Temperatures can often feel much colder, however, due to the wind chill factor. 

The Cape region, with a Mediterranean climate, has winter rainfall, while the rest of the country enjoys its rainfall in the summer months. South Africa boasts well over 300 sunshine days each year. 

Automatic teller machines (ATMs), situated in all towns, shopping centres and malls are available 24 hours a day.

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SHOPPING:
Stores are generally modern. Special purchases include gold, diamonds and semi - precious stone jewellery, suede goods, ceramics and African handicrafts, Safari 
suits and feathers.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: 
There is a Christian majority. Western customs and courtesies are observed. Business suits are worn in winter; in summer, safari suits are acceptable. 


HEALTH: 
Visitors arriving from a yellow fever zone require a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate. Visitors to malaria areas, i.e. the Lowveld, must obtain the prophylactic medicine to be taken before, during and after their trip, from their doctor or pharmacist.

WATER:
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country, except for isolated rural areas, where the consumption of filtered or bottled mineral water is recommended.

TIPS & GRATUITIES:
Some restaurants do include service charges; otherwise 10 per cent of the billed amount is adequate. The same applies to hotel service personnel. 

CLOTHING: 
Comfortable, casual clothing, with warmer attire for early mornings and evenings is generally acceptable. Most hotels and restaurants permit casual wear, with the exception of those that are particularly up-market. Safari clothing, a hat and comfortable shoes are suggested for game reserves and hiking trips.

VAT:
Value Added Tax, currently at 14%, is levied on the price of most goods offered for sale as well as hospitality services. 

Refund of VAT paid for goods (not services) may be claimed by foreign tourists provided the value of purchases exceeds R250, and the goods are being taken out of South Africa. Tax invoices and actual goods need to be presented as proof at airport or other point of departure. 

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