International Visitor Info
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| Hits: 2045INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TO SOUTH AFRICA
Most nationalities don't need a visa to enter South Africa as a tourist as long as your stay doesn't exceed 30-90 days.
You need a valid passport that doesn't expire within 6 months and with at least one empty page for endorsements.
Further information
If you need additional information please see the South African Home Affairs website for information on South African visa requirements.
http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/index.php/applying-for-sa-visa
NB: Travelling to South Africa with children
The new requirements for children travelling to or from the Republic of South Africa take effect on 1 June 2015.
The requirements are aimed at establishing the principle that all minors require the consent of their parents when traveling into or out of the Republic.
Please click here to access further information.
Please click here to access the immigration leaflet
Health
South Africa has some of the best doctors and hospitals in the world. Should you need medical attention you're in good hands.
Ensure you get or activate your Travel Insurance since quality healthcare is not cheap.
You can drink the tap water throughout the country it is safe.
Immunizations
No vaccinations are required by law to enter South Africa. If you are traveling from a country where Yellow Fever is present you will need to prove you have had the inoculation by presenting a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate. Both Typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations are highly recommended.
Malaria
Most of the main tourist destinations in South Africa are malaria free, making South Africa a particularly good destination to travel to with kids. The only areas where malaria is still prevalent are the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo and on the Maputaland coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
Personal Safety
Crime in South Africa, like many other places in today's world, can be a problem, but all you really need to do is take the usual sensible precautions and follow some basic safety rules not unnecessarily expose yourself to threat. . For more information:
www.southafrica.info/travel/advice/#ixzz2xAwSqnlY.
You should be careful when changing large amounts of money which under no circumstances should be done other than at a recognised Bureau de Change,
Public Transport
Ekurhuleni and its environs does not have a sophisticated public transport infrastructure. The road and motorway infrastructure in South Africa is good which makes it a good place to rent a car and do some independent sightseeing.
Driving is on the right hand side of the road. Hire cars are available at OR Tambo International Airport and can also be arranged from your hotel. It is essential if you are intending to drive in South Africa to obtain an international drivers licence as well as ensuring you are in possession of your own national drivers licence which contains your photograph and signature. Some car hire companies insist on your international drivers licence.
Gautrain
Gautrain is a rapid transit railway system in Gauteng Province, South Africa,
The service links Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport.
For more information: www.gautrain.co.za/
Currency
The South African unit of currency is called the Rand and it is divided in to 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5, and notes in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200.
Due to favourable exchange rates, South Africa is an inexpensive destination given the quality of lodging, dining and activities offered.
Credit Cards are widely accepted (except at gas stations) and ATM machines are widely available in the main cities and towns.
Visa, MasterCard and American Express is accepted across the country.
Tipping
It is normal to tip in South Africa, so keep your small change handy. In restaurants 10-15% is standard.
Phoning into South Africa
South Africa has extremely well-developed communications infrastructure, with extensive fixed-line phone networks and six mobile phone service providers – two of them virtual mobile providers – with widespread coverage. You can rent mobile phones – we call them cellphones – from the airport on arrival. If you're dialling a number in South Africa from outside the country, it must be preceded by +27 or 0027 which is the international dialling code.