Dune Tours & Adventures

Climate

The climate in the Western Cape has a moderate effect due to the topography of the country and the cold current of the west coast and warm current of the east coast, resulting in a climate that widely varies. Winters are mild and snow only falls on high mountain peaks. Rain is spread unevenly throughout the country, and the Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, often very dry summers, and rainy winters. Temperatures vary between 14°C and 25°C in summer and between 6°C and 17°C in winter. The Cape has hot summers with temperatures that often exceed 30°C.

Currency and Credit Cards

The currency in South Africa is the rand (R) and the international symbol for the rand is ZAR. Bank notes come in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200. Most restaurants, hotels, car rental businesses and shops accept international credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club. Proof of identity may be requested when using these. However, petrol stations only accept cash; credit cards are not accepted.

Customs

When arriving in the country, visitors should enter the green channel at customs in the airport if goods brought into the country are within duty-free customs allowance and are not for commercial purposes, restricted or prohibited. Customs charges must be paid before leaving the customs hall.

Foreign Exchange

Traveller's cheques should be purchased in Euros, American Dollars or in Sterling. They can be exchanged at any commercial bank or foreign exchange outlet. Banking hours are Monday to Friday between 09h00 and 15h30 and Saturdays 08h30 to 11h00. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are open 24 hours a day. Commercial services located in the airport are open to accommodate all international flights.

Health

Immunisation is not needed for visitors entering the country unless they have left an area infected by yellow fever. In these cases, visitors need a valid international yellow fever vaccination certificate. Some parts of South Africa fall within a malaria zone and visitors are advised to check any precautions in advance.

Important Telephone Numbers

Ambulance             10177
Police                     10111
Fire                         107
Flight Information      086 727 7888
Sea Rescue             082 911
Telephone Numbers  1023

Gratuity and tipping

Gratuities at restaurants are generally not included in the final bill, but gratuities for good service are welcome. Tipping ranges from 10% to 20% depending on the quality of service.

Language

There are 11 official languages in South Africa: English, Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. English is spoken by most South Africans, and French, German and Italian are also spoken in many larger hotels.

Mobile/Cell Phones

Cellular telephones are available for hire at major airports and most car hire companies offer these as well as a pay-as-you-go card. National routes are covered by South Africa's cellular phone networks.

Safety

Travellers are advised to take safety precautions. It is discouraged to walk alone in quiet or deserted streets, especially at night. Only taxis booked through a reputable taxi service should be used. Visitors should try not to attract too much attention to themselves by wearing expensive jewellery or carrying bulky laptop or camera bags. Valuable items should be locked in the hotel's safety deposit box. Handbags and other valuables should not be left unattended. It is ideal to use traveller's cheques or credit cards, and one should not carry large amounts of cash. As in all countries, by exercising care and precaution, visitors can ensure an enjoyable stay in the country.

Shopping and Entertainment

Our Shopping Malls compare with all first world shopping centres and many open from nine in the morning till nine at night with restaurants staying open much later. Trips to manufacturing jewelers, Gold, Platinum and Diamond merchants who will show you the facets and different colours of those precious sparkling stones can be arranged.

Traditional curios are sold in many shopping centers and can be found in dedicated areas along the road side.

Our larger centers have movie houses and some offer live entertainment and for the night owls, there are a number of clubs. Theatre is also well supported with many different local productions well worth seeing.

There are an abundance of fantastic restaurants offering a huge variety of cuisine, catering for our colourful cosmopolitan population.

Telecommunications

South Africa has a sophisticated telecommunications system. For international calls to the country the prefix code is + 27 followed by the area code prefix (although the first 0 of this code should be left out). For international calls made from South Africa the prefix code is 00, and international codes can be found in a telephone directory.

Travelling and Fuel

Major airports have vehicles available for hire, and visitors must have a valid international driver's licence in order to hire a vehicle. Large petrol stations equipped with shops and restaurants are situated along major tourist routes. Petrol stations do not accept credit cards or cheques. Traffic laws in South Africa are strictly enforced and seatbelts must be worn at all times while driving. The speed limit in residential areas is 60 km/h and 120 km/h on freeways. Roadmaps are available from the Automobile Association (AA), bookstores and tourist information centres. International airports in South Africa are in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and Kruger Park International.

VAT

VAT at a current rate of 14% is levied on most products in the country. Foreign tourists can claim a VAT refund at their exit point for purchases made above R250. In order to obtain this refund, visitors need a valid passport, the original tax invoices or till slips, proof of payment, and a VAT 263 form. All items on which a VAT refund is claimed should be presented to an authorised official for examination on departure. These officials are customs officials and VAT refund personnel.

Visas

All visitors to South Africa require a valid passport, and those from certain countries might also require a visa. Information on visa requirements can be obtained from travel agents, a South African Embassy, or the department of Home Affairs in Pretoria. Visas are not issued at border posts in South Africa. Visitors intending to re-enter the country after visiting a neighbouring country might need to apply for a multiple-entry visa. Visa extensions can be obtained from the Department of Home Affairs.

Website Links

Cape Weather (www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/local/)
OR (www.weathersa.co.za)
Cape Airport (www.saa.co.za/)
Visitor Visas (www.safrica.info/public_services/foreigners/travel_requirements/)
Currency Rate (www.x-rates.com/d/ZAR/table.html)
Cape Tourism (www.tourismcapetown.co.za)
Cape Stay (www.capestay.co.za)
South African Tourism (www.southafrica.net)