IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safety

High unemployment rates and poverty has presented South Africa with a number of social problems, including a high crime rate. The average visitor need not worry about their safety outside the inner cities anymore than they would in any foreign country. The simplest points to remember are to avoid altogether what are to be considered dangerous areas, not to walk about any urban centers late at night. Do not overtly display expensive items like jewellery or cameras or even cash in public areas. It is always helpful to keep a mobile phone with emergency numbers at the touch of a button in the unlikely event of an incident.

When to go

SA isn’t a destination that has one prime season for visitors. The best times of the year for game viewing is in the winter months when vegetation cover is at a minimum and lack of water forces animals to congregate around rivers and water holes. The coasts around Cape Town and the Garden route is at its best during the spring and summer months. Between mid August to mid September the fynbos areas of the West Coast and the semi desert of Namaqualand explode into blossom and is one the country’s great natural sights. Whale season is officially between July and late September, though it is not uncommon that whales are spotted well into January.

Transport

South Africa’s transport network is one of the best on the continent. Modern highways, efficient trains and internal flights link the main urban centers while busses connect the larger towns. In more rural areas, public transport remains limited to a few busses or trains connecting smaller centers.

Language

There are 11 official languages in SA: 9 African languages, English and Afrikaans. English is widely spoken and understood, but it is always good to learn a couple of basic phrases in the predominant language of the area you are traveling in- a simple \’hello\’ in Xhosa or Thank You in Afrikaans can go a long way. There are a few pockets where only Afrikaans is spoken, but people should understand enough to meet your needs.

Disabled travelers

Accessibility to hotels, museums, and restaurants by the disabled is usually easy with many major attractions having special services in place or being developed to cater for the needs of the disabled such as Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens with its Braille trail and easy access to the top of Table Mountain. SA being a very car friendly country means that top sites are easily accessible and most attractions have disabled parking right at the entrance.

Gay and Lesbian Travelers

Homosexuality is legal in SA, although overt affectionate behavior between gay couples may sometimes elicit a strong disapproving response. This seems to be more true to rural SA where people are still deeply conservative. In contrast there is a flourishing gay scene in Cape Town, where attitudes are more progressive- it is the self proclaimed Gay Capital of Africa and hosts an annual Mardi- Gras. A “pink” map is available from the local tourist office.