There are 11 official languages - the most common in the Cape are English, Afrikaans and Xhosa. The others are: Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, and Zulu.

Every person seeking to enter South Africa must be in possession of a valid passport for travel to South Africa and, where necessary, a visa. Enquiries can be directed to South African diplomatic representatives abroad or the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria. Visitors who intend traveling to South Africa's neighboring countries and back into South Africa are advised to apply for multiple entry visas. In terms of existing arrangements, passport holders of certain countries are exempt from visa requirements. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that they have the means to support themselves during their stay, and that they are in possession of return or onward air tickets. They must also have valid international health certificates.

VISA INQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS: +27 12 314 8911 OR TO THE NEAREST SOUTH AFRICAN CONSULAR SECTION IN YOUR AREA

One Rand (R) = 100 cents (c). Notes issued R200, R100, R50, R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, & 1c. Currency exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the press.

Monday to Friday:

09:00 to 15:30

Saturday:

09:00 to 11:00

Sunday:

Closed

Auto banks (ATM's, automated teller machines) are found in most towns and operate on a 24 hour basis.

Standard Time is two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time, one hour in advance of central European winter time and seven hours in advance of United States eastern standard time throughout the year.

220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged plugs are universal, so take an adapter. Most hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances.

...is customary in South Africa. A guideline for visitors is the following: Porters R2 per item, taxis 10%, waiters & waitresses in restaurants 10 - 15%.

If you wish to make a call overseas, you must first dial 09, which is South Africa's international access code. You then dial the country code, area code of the city or region and the number of the person you wish to call.

Example: 09 64 9 2783331

International access code: 09

Country code: 64

Area Code: 9

Telephone Number 278 3331

Foreign tourists visiting South Africa can have their value-added tax (VAT) refunded provided the value of the items purchased exceeds R250. VAT is refunded on departure at the point of departure.VAT of 15% is levied on nearly all goods and services. Foreign tourists may claim back VAT paid on items that will be taken out of the country. Original tax invoices, foreign passport, plus all the items on which a refund is claimed, must be presented at the VAT refund administration office or an appointed RSA customs and excise official on departure, and the total VAT on these items will be refunded. Visitors will be requested to fill out a VAT Refund Control Sheet (VAT 255). Where a visitor does not export all the goods specified on a particular tax invoice, only the value of the goods and the tax paid on such goods exported must be declared on this form.

For additional information: Contact: VAT Refund Administrator (Pty) Ltd

Address: P O Box 107, Johannesburg International Airport Post Office 1627

Telephone: +27 (0)11 390 2970

Facsimile: +27 (0)11 390 2787

Toll Free Number 0800 119 868

No international immunization is needed when entering South Africa. The only inoculation requirement is a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travelers over one year of age entering South Africa within six days of leaving an infected country. Visitors who travel through or disembark in these areas are advised to be inoculated against the disease before visiting South Africa. Hospitals are of the best in the world.

Average maximum temperatures in degrees (Celsius)