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This is a brief guide about travel in Southern Africa. Tips when travelling to Southern Africa as well as useful general information are in this article.
South Africa is a country of varying contrasts, from golden beaches to desert landscape, from lush jungle to rugged mountain terrain. The population is predominantly black, with large European and Asian communities. This allows for the diversity in culture and cuisine that the country enjoys.
On entry to the country, all visitors receive a 90 day visa, and a visa will be reissued if you go overland to Lesotho or Swaziland and then reenter South Africa. Duty free allowances are the following for those over 18: 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 grams tobacco, 2 litres wine, 1 litre spirits, 50 millilitres perfume and 250 millilitres toilet water. Its a good idea to get travel insurance and also to get vaccinated if you are travelling to Northern rural areas.
In comparison to Western countries, South Africa is a relatively cheap place to buy things. At current rates US $1 gets over R6 (6 rand).
Safety precautions should be taken at all times, particularly in quiet, urban areas at night. Although crime is escalating in South Africa, by taking basic precautions you can enjoy a relatively safe holiday. If travelling in a car, its a good idea to lock all doors and to shut windows, even when driving.
There are several ways of getting around South Africa, including black taxi( a van which carries as many passengers as possible), airplane or luxury bus. South African airways have good service and you may get a good discount if you book your flights with them well in advance. Black taxis are a cheap option although not the safest as the drivers can get tired from so much driving. A one way trip between Capetown and Johannesburg may cost around R200. Luxury buses are good, although at times not a great deal cheaper than by air. Train routes are generally slow, and taxis can be very expensive.
South Africa has 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, North Sotho, Shangaan, Sindebele, South Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. However English is understood widely.
South Africa is a great country for those with outdoor interests. For lovers of golf there are world class courses in Capetown, Johannesburg and Durban. These are numerous hiking trails, particularly to the North. South Africa has great surf, particularly near Capetown, as well as scuba diving.
Perhaps the highlight of South Africa is its game reserves. There are rhino, elephants, lions, buffalo and antelopes in the various parks throughout the country. The best known one is at Kruger park, although there can be the occasional traffic jams there. While at a game reserve, the speed limit is 15 kilometres per hour. Rather than aimlessly driving around to find animals, stop at areas such as waterholes where animals frequent. You can also listen out to animals by doing this. Never get out of the car unless you're in a designated area such as a picnic stop, because not only can you be prosecuted for doing so, but there is a danger of being maimed or even killed by the animals.
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