Consular matters

• Do I require a visa?

Citizens who are holders of national passports (diplomatic, official and ordinary) or travel documents of certain foreign countries, territories and international organisations are exempt from the South African visa requirement for a specific period of exemption (see https://www.suedafrika.org/downloads/passports_exempt_from_visas.pdf); the entry requirements for such persons, including German citizens, are available on the Embassy website (see https://www.suedafrika.org/downloads/entry_requirements_visa_exemption.pdf).

In addition, spectators of the same nationality as teams that qualify for the semi-final and/or final matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ are also exempt from the South African visa requirement, provided that such spectators meet the entry requirements (see https://www.suedafrika.org/downloads/entry_requirements_visa_exemption.pdf), and have a valid match ticket or proof of having purchased an event ticket voucher as defined by FIFA.

All other foreigners are subject to visa control and must therefore apply for and be issued with visas at a South African mission abroad, before proceeding to the Republic of South Africa (see https://www.suedafrika.org/downloads/visa_application.pdf).

• Where do I get a visa?

Persons who reside in Germany on a long-term or permanent residence permit may apply for a visa at the South African Consulate-General in Munich (applicants from Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg) or at the Embassy in Berlin (applicants from the remaining Bundesländer).

• What does a visa cost?

The non-refundable visa application fee is €52,-.

• How long does a visa application need to be processed?

On condition that a complete visa application has been submitted, the time required to process the application is usually 5 working days. However, due to the expected increase in visa applications around the time of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, applications should be submitted at least a month before the planned date of departure to South Africa.

• Where do I get further information about entry requirements, visa, etc.?

https://www.suedafrika.org/index.php?id=33&L=1%27

Travel & Accommodation

• At which airports can I land?

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) manages South Africa’s 9 main airports and provides safe infrastructure.

• Are there all inclusive tours (flight, tickets and accommodation)?

Yes, DERTOUR offers all inclusive tours. Further information at:
http://www.dertour-fussball.de/186-2010_fifa_world_cup_tm.htm

• What kind of public transport is available?

Airport transfer
At the international airports there is regular transport by bus from the airport to the city. Taxis or private transfer services are available at most other airports. Larger hotels normally provide a hotel airport shuttle for their guests.

Train
Generally one must draw a distinction between state rail transport (Spoornet) and the luxury trains. The public rail transport is not up to European standards. Therefore it is most of the time advisable to travel 1st class; one should avoid the local traffic around Johannesburg. Passenger trains ply between the larger cities and carry names (name trains). Seat reservations must be booked at least 24 hours in advance. Spoornet offers train passports as well as rebates for children, students and senior citizens.

The luxurious Blue Train travels between Pretoria/Johannesburg and Cape Town, between Pretoria and Nelspruit, between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth as well as Pretoria and Victoria Falls/Zimbabwe. Rovos Rail offers luxurious steam locomotive-safaris and trips between Pretoria and Cape Town, Pretoria and Durban, Cape Town and George as well as Pretoria and Victoria Falls/Livingstone (Zambia).

In addition there are special tours from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam, from Pretoria to Swakopmund; golf safaris as well as an “African Collage” through South Africa. If you take the hotel train “Shongololo Safari Express”, you are on a round trip to South Africa’s highlights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, also in reverse direction. Trips on nostalgic steam engines are also offered.

Train connections
Time tables are available at www.spoornet.co.za. Tourists are advised to travel only in the 1st class. Further information at:  www.spoornet.co.za (passengers).

Bus transport
Public bus transport can not be compared to that of Europe as to route network and quantity. The scale of public transportation is so limited that it is of little use to tourists. It is advisable to consult the local hosts/hotels with regard to safe and suitable public bus routes or to order a taxi. It is not recommended that tourists travel by mini busses.

• Are taxis expensive in South Africa?

Taxis must be ordered by phone. Taxi stands are rarely found. Many times a basic fee is charged. For the route tariff the taximeter must be on. You can expect to pay about 1 Rand per kilometre.

• Is it dangerous to drive around in a hired car?

General
International and national rental car companies like Avis-Rent-a-Car, Budget Rent-a-Car, Cape Car Hire, Europcar, Hertz, Imperial, National Car Rental, Tempest etc. have branches in all large cities and airports and offer rental cars of high standards as to quality and safety. Some offer four wheel drive-cars as well as campers and motor caravans. You can book the vehicles with your tour operator or directly at the booking offices of the rental car companies. When renting a car you need your international drivers licence and a credit card. The minimum age for renting a car is 21 years. Drivers younger than 23 years are additionally charged with about 6 Euros.

The roads are well-signposted. The numbered national roads (N) are only to a small degree equipped as freeways. They can be compared with fully equipped Bundesstraßen (through roads) in Germany. Most of the regional roads that are also numbered (R) are in a good state as well, and here the traffic is generally very light.

The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) offers substantial services, for example maps; answers to enquiries and information on trips by car in South Africa and neighbouring states are provided free to charge also to members of other automobile clubs. In case of emergency the AA can be reached nation-wide.

The emergency number of the AA breakdown service: 0800 01 01 01.
Further information to be had at www.aasa.co.za  

Security- and other tips:

• Please note that South Africa has left-hand traffic.
• Before you start you should carefully plan your route and your fuel consumption.
• Your planning should be quite generous as distances in South Africa are far.
• Your luggage including your hand luggage should not be visible in the car. It would be best to put it in the car boot.
• Keep doors locked while you drive and leave windows closed. This applies especially at night when driving in large cities.
• When on route you must only stop at signposted observation points and picnic places.
• Do not give a lift to strangers.
• If another driver has a breakdown at the roadside, do not stop. Phone the emergency service.
• At night you must only park at well-lit parking places.
• You should park as near as possible to where you stay.
• If you got lost it is best to ask for directions at the nearest shop or petrol station.
• Refuel your car at the first opportunity. By doing this you are prepared for all possibilities.
• You need cash for refuelling. Petrol stations do not accept credit cards.
• There is no self service at South African petrol stations. Friendly service personnel will fill up your car for you and often also clean the windows. The petrol station attendant receives the cash from you and brings the change back to you from the petrol station office. He will be delighted to receive a tip of about 5 to 10 Rand.

Important Telephone Numbers:

• Police emergency number by landline/pay phone: 10111 (SAPS – South African Police Service)
• Emergency number using your cell phone/handy: 112
• Ambulance: 10177
• General emergency number: 107
• National Tourism Information: 083 123 6789
• Card cancellation: emergency number for Germany (EC-, credit cards): 0049 116 116

• How do I find accommodation?

• Hotels
• Rooms
• Hostels
• Private accommodation

There is a great variety of hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, guest houses and Game Lodges in South Africa. Accommodation can be booked directly at travel organisations, Websites offering accommodation and other organisations. The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Accommodation Office (FWCAO), a trade name of the MATCH Event Services (Pty) Limited, also has a substantial stock of accommodation available.

Information to be had at:
http://hotels.fifa.com/Welcome.aspx?language=en
Further information relating to this topic can be found at:
http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/de/home

Accommodation in general:
The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGSA) is the only institution being authorised by government and supported by industry whose grading system guaranties the quality of the accommodation according to the amount of stars. The Council evaluates the houses applying for such a grading and awards up to five stars according to the type of accommodation – hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, self catering accommodation, caravan parks, camping and backpacker accommodation. These can be contacted on the Internet under http://www.tourismgrading.co.za/.

The AA (Automobile Association of South Africa) Travelling Guide is a South African database for accommodation in hotels, B&Bs, guest houses, self catering bungalows and apartments, lodges, game- and nature parks; for example Cape Town, the Garden Route, Knysna, George, Durban, Sun City, Sabi Sands and the Kruger National Park. The “Travel Guide” and the “Pocket Guide” of the AA can be found at www.aatravel.co.za/  or at www.aatravel.co.za/awards.jsphttp://www.aa.co.za/.

The Guest House Association of South Africa (GHASA) was established in 1992 when a group of guest houses decided to jointly promote their line of business.
The Website: www.ghasa.co.za.

A collection of selected accommodation can be found under „Portfolio Collection: Bed and Breakfast, Retreats, Country Places,“ at www.portfoliocollection.com, http://www.portfoliocollection.com/static/collections/bb/. An alternative for choosing B&Bs is: www.africanstay.co.za, www.sa-venues.com and www.places.co.za

The following Websites provide a selection of Game Lodges: www.sanparks.org; for parks in KwaZulu-Natal www.kznwildlife.com, for Pilanesberg in the Province North West www.tourismnorthwest.co.za/pilanesberg/ as well as Mala Mala: www.malamala.com and Nylsvlei www.friendsnylsvley.org.za.

Useful Websites for camping in South Africa are www.caravanparks.com and www.sa-venues.com.

Climate

• What will the climate be like during the WC 2010 in South Africa?

General
South Africa enjoys a wonderful climate throughout the year (having more than 300 sunshine days in some regions). As the country is situated in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are contrary to those in Europe. In spring (August to mid October) parts of the Provinces Western Cape and Northern Cape change into a beautiful ocean of flowers in August and September. The South African summer from the middle of October until the middle of February brings hot, sunny days and warm, mild nights. One should use sun protection crème with the factor 15. Autumn from the middle of February until April is warm but not hot and there is little rain. As the season progresses it becomes distinctly cooler. For game observation the dry clear days of the South African winter are perfect.

During the World Cup 2010 it will be winter in South Africa  
The winter lasts from May to July. Then those areas that are situated higher above sea level (Highveld) have warm, dry and fresh days and cool nights. Warm clothing is advisable here; you should pack pullovers, cardigans or jackets. But you do not need winter clothing or coats like in Germany. However, the days at the hot sub-tropical coast of KwaZulu-Natal and the lower situated areas (Lowveld) of the Provinces Mpumalanga and Limpopo are also in winter quite warm with only little wind and rain. The Province Western Cape with its Mediterranean climate is a winter rain area and in the Cape Mountains and the Drakensberg of KwaZulu-Natal snowfall can even occur.

Health & Medical

• Do I need any vaccinations when I want to travel to South Africa?

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors from Europe. Travellers arriving from a yellow-fever endangered zone must have a yellow-fever inoculation certificate. When travelling to the eastern Lowveld of Mpumalanga and the Province Limpopo, the Kruger National Park or game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal you should take malaria precaution. Your family doctor or the Tropical Diseases Institute in your neighbourhood will provide relevant information. In malaria infested areas the use of perfume or after shave should be avoided. At nightfall and at night you must wear long clothing. There are also game reserves in regions that are free of malaria.

• Are other illnesses especially frequent?

The danger of becoming infected with bilharzia exists at streams, rivers and dams of some northern and eastern parts of the country. Therefore you must not swim in unknown waters and you should also avoid touching the water with your hands or feet.

• Will my local medical fund pay for treatment in South Africa?

German health schemes will often not cover medical expenses. Visitors should therefore take out a travel health insurance to cover the costs of possible treatment. Most hotels provide lists of doctors. The local telephone register informs under the section “medical” on medical care. 

• Can I eat and drink everything in South Africa without hesitation?

The government regulations concerning hygiene and food control are very strict. Therefore one can safely eat and drink everything in South Africa that can be obtained at hotels, restaurants, supermarkets etc. Like in Germany you should not drink from puddles, rivers, fountains etc. or buy unpacked food at obscure stalls.

The tab water in the cities and most of the game reserves is cleaned and can be drunk without hesitation. South Africa is one of the five countries worldwide that offer the best drinking water! The South African wine enjoys an excellent international reputation and is of the highest quality. The beer also meets European standard.

Security

• Is there a central emergency number?

It is advisable to have the following numbers at hand:

• General emergency number: 107
• Police emergency number by landline or pay phone: 10111 (SAPS – South African Police Service)
• Emergency number using your cell phone/handy: 112
• Ambulance: 10177
• National Tourism Information: 083 123 6789
• Card cancellation: emergency number for Germany (EC-, credit cards): 0049 116 116

• Is it possible to look for accommodation on one’s own?

In principle it’s possible; but with regard to the FIFA Soccer World Cup in 2010 as well as generally in the month of January, at the peak of the South African holiday season, it is advisable to book beforehand.

• Are there general service numbers?

You can reach the South African Tourism Office at 0800 118 9 118 and the  South African airline company South African Airways (SAA) at 069 299 803 20.

The Tourism Offices of the Provinces:

• Western Cape:http://www.tourismcapetown.co.za
• Eastern Cap: http://www.ectourism.co.za
• Northern Cape:http://www.northerncape.org.za
• KwaZulu-Natal:http://www.zulu.org.za
• Limpopo:http://www.golimpopo.com
• Mpumalanga:http://www.mpumalanga.com
• Gauteng:http://www.gauteng.net
• North West:http://www.tourismnorthwest.co.za
• Freestate:http://www.freestatetourism.org

Language

• What languages are spoken in South Africa?

Nearly all South Africans speak and understand English and many South Africans are therefore multilingual. There are 11 official languages: isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sesotho sa Leboa, English, Setswana, Sesotho, Xitsonga, SiSwati, Tshivenda and isiNdebele. Time and again you come across people who understand German or Dutch.