In South Africa, we call ourselves the 'Rainbow Nation', the failures of the past with Apartheid is fading quickly and peace and goodwill are promoted instead. Visitors are welcomed with open arms and our economy is flourishing with the influx of overseas visitors bringing in strong external currencies.

Visa Requirements : No visas are required for travellers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, the USA and the European Union for visits of up to 90 days.

Health risks : Malaria is mainly confined to the north eastern half of the region, especially on the lowveld. Bilharzia can be found in any stagnant pools of water. Always check with knowledgeable local people before drinking water or swimming in it.

Environment and scenery : South Africa is blessed with a wonderful wildlife environment heritage. From the splendour of Table Mountain in the south to our northern borders with Zimbabwe, we have a stunning range of natural resources. Mountains and breathtaking views can be seen from the Drakensberg Range which has ample snow in winter. Our Eastern shoreline from Durban in the north to Cape Town on the southern tip has lovely beaches for sun worshippers, and world class surfing spots all down the coast, especially well known are Jeffrey's Bay and Durban. Whale watching is a big draw card in the winter months when the Southern Right Whale comes to our coasts from Antarctic waters to give birth to their calves. Deep sea game fishing is available for the enthusiast, with new innovative eco-tourism tourism industries appearing regularly. In the Karoo some of the oldest visible rock formations are to be found in the world and in the south east one of the driest deserts on earth can be visited with its famous huge red sand dunes. Local folklore abounds about the origins of all our strange and exciting scenery. In Oudsthoorn are the Cango Caves which have still to this day only partly been explored.

Shopping and Civic Amenities : There is an abundance of western style shopping malls in all the bigger towns and all the cities. Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban boast huge malls where shops, food outlets and entertainment facilities abound. Shopping hours vary around the country from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm generally, but corner cafes and grocers have longer hours with certain shops opening 7 days a week for 24 hours. Tourists who are visiting out-of-the-way places are advised to inquire first on the availability of shops and supplies in the areas they intend visiting from travel agents or local tour operators. The arts are alive and well in South Africa and in the main centres a variety of plays, musicals and shows can be seen, including world class operatic and symphonic companies.

Travel Facilities : Airlines: Most major world airline companies have regular flights to our country and adjacent countries. In South Africa the airlines that operate include Nationwide Airlines, Kulula, 1Time, Mango, British Airways and South African Airways.

Car Hire : All of the big car hire companies operate in South Africa, for example, Tempest SixT, Avis, Hertz and Budget, including many local companies who all offer excellent deals in this competitive industry. Vehicles of all kinds are available, from sedans to campervans and four wheel drive off-road recreation vehicles.

Bus services : National bus companies connect all the major towns and cities in the country and in the bigger cities public transport is available, however, this is not as good as European and American services and it is better to hire a vehicle if you are planning on travelling around a lot. In South Africa we drive on the left hand side of the road but road signage complies with overseas standards.

Tour operators : Tour operators are available for all kinds of tourist needs from scheduled countrywide tours to local charter tours specifically designed for special interest groups, like 'Train spotters' or scuba diving groups.

Security and Crime in South Africa : The country has had much negative press in recent years concerning this issue. There are areas where tourists should not go, but these are areas where in any case even local law abiding people don't go! There is no doubt that South Africa, after Nelson Mandela took control, experienced a crime increase. This is now being dealt with severely as the Government realises the negative impact crime has on the economy. Happily most places have relatively little crime in common with most overseas countries. Tourists are encouraged to stay at well known and secure areas, keep personal possessions secure and check with local people and authorities before embarking on trips to unknown locations and areas.

Time : GMT/UTC plus two hours - No daylight saving used.

Electricity : 220/230V (250V in Pretoria), 50Hz

Weights & measures : Metric

Climate : Oh how wonderful is the weather in South Africa, we have it all! In winter, snow on the Drakensberg Mountain Range; in summer, long glorious sunny days down at the coast. Misty mornings in the eastern highlands and the burning heat of the desert in the south west. Our winters are reasonably mild compared to the severe winters that strike the Continent. Generally our climate is temperate but travellers are advised to bring warm clothing when visiting during our winters (April to August), and coastal resorts in south can experience cool to cold weather occasionally even in summer. September the 1st is generally celebrated here as 'Spring Day', this is an unofficial 'Day' when schools and businesses dress casually in bright spring clothing for the day.

Sports and Outdoor Activities : We are a nation of out door people. Weekends see South Africans of all races indulging in a huge variety of sporting activities, too many to mention here, but a sampling includes scuba diving, parasailing and paragliding, fishing - fresh and sea, rugby, cricket, hockey and all ball sports. Hiking, biking and trailing. Surfing, body boarding, kite boarding and wind surfing. There are many special tour operators who offer specialised sporting tours and equipment is available for hire.