Clivia 2006 Conference – Advice to Delegates

If uncertain on any travel details, contact Eunice van Rooyen of Sure Travel Studios on eunicevr.travelstudio@galileosa.co.za, tel +27-12-3621806 office hours.

Acknowledgments.  Several of the following tips are from the Tshwane Tourist Office.

  1. Drugs and alcohol.  There are strict drug and alcohol laws in South Africa.  No person under the age of 18 may buy or consume alcohol in public.  Alcohol consumption in public is restricted to bars and restaurants.  All habit-forming and recreational drugs are banned.  Take care not to accept drugs or drinks from strangers.
  2. Electrical current.  The standard power supply is 220/230 volts AC throughout South Africa, with the exception of Pretoria (230 V) and Port Elizabeth (200/250 V). Adaptors for electrical appliances are widely available in major towns and cities.
  3. Entry formalities.  Passports and visas must be valid to enter South Africa. Check with your travel agent or with Sure Travel.  [Eunice – what items need to be declared on arrival at customs?]
  4. Health.  Medical services vary from first world class, with emergency evacuation to hospital available, to poor.  Please ensure that you have adequate medical insurance.  On the caulescens tour, Nelspruit and Barberton are not far from malaria areas, although residents of the towns often do not take prophylactics.  Please check with your home doctor for advice, bring insect repellent with you, wear long-sleeved tops and long trousers after dark, and if any unusual symptoms appear during or after your trip tell your medical advisors that you have been close to a malaria area.
  5. Indemnity.  The Clivia Society (CS) will do all that it can to ensure that you have an enjoyable and trouble-free visit.  However, accidents and crime do happen, and neither the CS, its constituent bodies or its members are liable for such incidents.  On registration, delegates will be asked to sign an indemnity from.
  6. Languages.  SA has 11 official languages, but English is very widely used and delegates who speak Dutch will also be able to converse in Afrikaans.
  7. Money.  The Rand has notes of up to R200 (approximately USD30).  Banks are well distributed (open Mon – Fri & Sat am), and offer the best exchange rates when cashing travellers cheques.  Most establishments accept the following credit cards: Visa, Master, American Express and Diner's Club.  However, the effective exchange rate at restaurants does give prior cashing of travellers cheques at banks or bureaux a moderate advantage.
  8. Public holidays.  The only public holiday in September is Heritage Day on the 24th.
  9. Security.  Although crime rates in SA are higher than in many other countries, detailed police records show that they are dropping.  Various areas, as in other countries, can be classified from safe to dangerous, and it is important that you be aware of your surroundings and make sure that you obtain local advice before going to new places – make sure that you know the way so that you do not get lost! Tshwane tourism gives their advice as follows: “Take the same basic personal safety precautions as you would in any country. Never willingly reveal to any stranger that you are a tourist. Avoid displaying expensive jewellery, cameras and other valuables. It is definitely not advisable to carry large sums of money around. Carry money, credit cards, passports and travel documents discreetly and out of reach of pickpockets and bag snatchers. Make photocopies of all your documents and leave them in a safe place. At night stay clear of dark, isolated areas. It's better to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit busy streets. Plan your route beforehand. A policeman or traffic officer will gladly assist with directions. Should you need a taxi, your hosts or tourist information office can recommend a reliable service. If you are using a private vehicle, always drive with the doors locked and the windows closed. Plan your route in advance. Lock any valuables in the boot (trunk) of the vehicle and do not leave anything in view on any of the car seats [even while in the car and stopped at intersections]. Never pick up strangers. If at any time you fear for your safety, call South Africa's national emergency number: 10111.”  A few more tips:
    1. Do not visit badly lit ATM'S at night where there are few or no other people around.
    2. During your stay in every city or town do try to arrange for safekeeping of some of your valuables, so that you do not always have to carry all your cards, passport, travellers cheques, jewellery, etc with your hand bag and camera and by doing so run the risk of losing them all in one go.
    3. The Law forbids stopping on National (N )roads for reasons other than emergencies.  Do not stop there, or alone on other roads, for coffee, tea or other break.  Rather pull off at a petrol station or toll gate to stretch your legs.
    4. Especially after dark be very aware of persons hanging around traffic lights for the purpose of hi-jacking vehicles.  Rather go through a red light than stop at the traffic lights and lose the vehicle.
    5. Cars you may see on the streets with the following names are all security companies and may be of help to you in a needy situation: Chubb, ADT Security, Community Patrols, ACE Security, Coin Security, Fidelity, Magnum Shield.
  10. Security.  Although crime rates in SA are higher than in many other countries, detailed police records show that they are dropping.  Various areas, as in other countries, can be classified from safe to dangerous, and it is important that you be aware of your surroundings and make sure that you obtain local advice before going to new places – make sure that you know the way so that you do not get lost! Tshwane tourism gives their advice as follows: “Take the same basic personal safety precautions as you would in any country. Never willingly reveal to any stranger that you are a tourist. Avoid displaying expensive jewellery, cameras and other valuables. It is definitely not advisable to carry large sums of money around. Carry money, credit cards, passports and travel documents discreetly and out of reach of pickpockets and bag snatchers. Make photocopies of all your documents and leave them in a safe place. At night stay clear of dark, isolated areas. It's better to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit busy streets. Plan your route beforehand. A policeman or traffic officer will gladly assist with directions. Should you need a taxi, your hosts or tourist information office can recommend a reliable service. If you are using a private vehicle, always drive with the doors locked and the windows closed. Plan your route in advance. Lock any valuables in the boot (trunk) of the vehicle and do not leave anything in view on any of the car seats [even while in the car and stopped at intersections]. Never pick up strangers. If at any time you fear for your safety, call South Africa's national emergency number: 10111.”  A few more tips:
    1. Do not visit badly lit ATM'S at night where there are few or no other people around.
    2. During your stay in every city or town do try to arrange for safekeeping of some of your valuables, so that you do not always have to carry all your cards, passport, travellers cheques, jewellery, etc with your hand bag and camera and by doing so run the risk of losing them all in one go.
    3. The Law forbids stopping on National (N) roads for reasons other than emergencies.  Do not stop there, or alone on other roads, for coffee, tea or other break.  Rather pull off at a petrol station or toll gate to stretch your legs.
    4. Especially after dark be very aware of persons hanging around traffic lights for the purpose of hi-jacking vehicles.  Rather go through a red light than stop at the traffic lights and lose the vehicle.
    5. Cars you may see on the streets with the following names are all security companies and may be of help to you in a needy situation: Chubb, ADT Security, Community Patrols, ACE Security, Coin Security, Fidelity, Magnum Shield.
  11. Smoking.  It is an offence to smoke in public areas. Check with all accommodation establishments whether smoking is allowed in the accommodation areas, including bedrooms.
  12. Telephones.  If you have not arranged for roaming on your own cell phone, they are available on arrival for rent at Johannesburg International.  USEFUL TELEPHONES NUMBERS:
    1. International enquiries - 09039 (24 hour service)
    2. Directory enquiries (national) – 1023
    3. International booked calls – 0090
    4. Ambulance services – 10177
    5. National Police ( South African flying squad) – 10111
    6. Difficulty with emergency services – 1022
    7. Time – 1026
    8. Any emergency from a cellular phone toll free – 112
    9. Johannesburg International Airport helpdesk - 011 9216262
  13. Tipping.  For most services (if the standard is satisfactory) a 10% tip is usual. Most restaurants do not include a service charge in the bill, so it is customary to tip the waiter directly or add the tip to the final account.
  14. Transport.  We strongly suggest that you hire a car on arrival.  Driving on the "wrong" side of the road is not difficult, and this will give you the flexibility of accepting spur of the moment invitations, visit places of interest, etc.  Between centres, e.g. Pretoria and Pietermaritzburg, you will be accompanied by local enthusiasts and will see so much more of our country.  There is very little suitable public transport in SA.  It is advisable to obtain an international driver's license.  Speed limits are usually 120 km/h on major roads and 60 km/h in urban areas, but watch out for signposted limits wherever you are.  Cash should be available for filling up with fuel, and obtain a map when hiring your car.
  15. Travel insurance.  Please ensure that you are well covered with travel insurance, in case of accident, illness or any other unfortunate circumstance.
  16. VAT (Value added tax). This is currently set at 14% and is usually included in the retail prices displayed on most goods and services. Visitors to South Africa may claim refunds on VAT paid on goods to be taken out of South Africa. VAT refund administration offices are found at all the major international airports.  To claim VAT, the original VAT invoice document is required.  Note that services rendered or goods consumed in South Africa do not qualify for a VAT refund.
  17. Water.  Tap water in SA is almost always safe to drink but it is much more pleasurable to drink our beer, wine and hardehout.
  18. Weather.  The central area of South Africa has a great climate in early September - mild sunny days (casual shirts & short trouser weather), perhaps chilly nights and rain is unlikely. Moving down to KZN then through the EC to the winter rainfall area of the WC expect generally good weather with a greater possibility of rain.  The sun can be hot - bring a hat.
  19. Weights and measures.  South Africa uses the metric system.