Handy Information

Toll roads

You will encounter toll roads on some of the national roads between major cities. They only accept SA Rands or credit cards. The prices normally vary between R2-50 and R46-00

Watch out for animals

In the wild out doors the animals roam free. This fact has led to very serious accidents, especially at night time, because they are difficult to see.

If you notice that the road are not fenced off, take special care for animals and also check the sides of the road as they have the tendency to suddenly jump or run into the road because the noise off the approaching vehicle and lights confuse them.

Keep left

In South Africa and neighbouring countries we drive on the left-hand side of the road, and the cars are right-hand drive.

Think metric

All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are in kilometres.

Buckle up

The wearing of seat belts is compulsory.

Cellular phones and driving

Using hand-held phones while driving is against the law, unless you make use of a hands-free system

Speed limit

The general speed limit on national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph). On secondary (rural) roads it is 100km/h (60mph). In built-up areas it is usually 60km/h (35mph) unless otherwise indicated. Watch out for and check the road signs.

Filling up

Our Land Rovers run on DIESEL. Please take special care that the filling station attendant does not put Petrol in the vehicle. It has happened many times before and will cause major inconveniences.

Inoculations

If you're an adult, you won't need any inoculations unless you're travelling from a yellow-fever endemic area (the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America), in which case you will need certification to prove your inoculation status when you arrive in South Africa. It is recommended that you have the required inoculations four to six weeks before you travel to South Africa (a yellow fever inoculation certificate only becomes valid 10 days after inoculation - after which it remains valid for 10 years).

Hepatitis B inoculations are recommended for children up to the age of 12 who have not completed the series of injections as infants.

Booster doses for tetanus and measles can also be administered
(www.southafrica.info/plan_trip/
travel_tips/questions/healthtips.htm)

More Handy Information

The Sun

Once again, and out of painful personal experience we must warn you against the African sun, even on cloudy days. Use a good sun-block and a hat. Nothing can spoil a holiday like excessive sunburn.

Can I drink the water?

I High-quality tap (faucet) water is available almost everywhere in South Africa, treated so as to be free of harmful micro-organisms and in any area other than informal or shack settlements, is both palatable and safe to drink straight from the tap. In some areas, the water is mineral-rich, and you may experience a bit of gastric distress for a day or two until you get used to it. Bottled mineral water, both sparkling and still, is readily available in most places.

Drinking water straight from rivers and streams could put you at risk of waterborne diseases – especially downstream of human settlements. The water in mountain streams, however, is usually pure and wonderful. In the Cape, particularly, the water contains humic acid, which stains it the colour of diluted Coca-Cola – this is absolutely harmless, and the water is wonderful. You may also find this colouring in tap water in some areas. It's fine – it just looks a bit weird in the bath.

(http://www.southafrica.info/plan_trip/travel_tips/questions/
healthtips.htm)

Do I need to take malaria tablets?

Many of the main tourist areas are malaria-free, so you need not worry at all. However, the Kruger National Park, the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal do pose a malaria risk in the summer months. Many local people and some travellers do not take malaria prophylaxis, but most health professionals recommend you do. Consult your doctor or a specialist travel clinic for the latest advice concerning malaria prophylaxis, as it changes regularly.

Whether you take oral prophylaxis or not, always use mosquito repellent, wear long pants, closed shoes and light long-sleeved shirts at night, and sleep under a mosquito net in endemic areas (the anopheles mosquito, which carries malaria, operates almost exclusively after dark). It is advisable to avoid malarial areas if you are pregnant.

(http://www.southafrica.info/plan_trip/travel_tips/questions/
healthtips.htm)