If you have or are deciding to relocate to Johannesburg, you will love it. Not only is it a vibrant and dynamic place with a throbbing pulse and an awesome sense of rhythm, but it is also considered one of the most cost affective places for expats to live. We hope English Access Gauteng a leading International Language School in Johannesburg is the destination you have chosen or choose to study English, and that you find this guide helpful.
LOST PASSPORTS
It’s a good idea to travel with certified photocopies of your valuable documents, keeping the originals in a safe place.
If you lose your passport, report the loss as soon as possible to the South African Police Service, as well as to your country’s embassy or consulate in South Africa. For a full list of embassies and consulates, visit the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
DRIVING
Right hand side. In rural areas, watch out for wild or farm animals – road signage will warn you when you need to take care. Only use reputable tour operators and travel and transport services. If you’re not sure, ask your hotel to recommend a service provider for you or contact the National Tourism Information and Safety Line on 083 123 2345.
The general speed limit on South Africa’s 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),
SAFETY
Crime in South Africa, like many other places in today’s world, can be a problem, but all you need to do is take the usual sensible precautions and follow some basic safety rules.
Know where you’re going before you set off, particularly at night, watch your possessions, don’t walk alone in dodgy areas, lock your doors at night.
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRPORTS & AIRLINES:
South Africa has a number of airlines flying between its major cities, and some of its smaller ones, with fares ranging from first-class to cut-price economy. Flights can be booked online from anywhere in the world. Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) was formed to own and operate the nine principal South African airports, including the three main international gateways – OR Tambo International (Johannesburg), Cape Town International and King Shaka International (Durban). The other six are Bram Fischer (Bloemfontein), Port Elizabeth, Upington, East London, George and Kimberley.
Kulula.com offers low-cost, single-class flights between Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International and Lanseria airports, and Cape Town, Durban, George, East London and Port Elizabeth. Call centre: 0861 KULULA / 0861 585852
A no-frills carrier operated by SAA, Mango offers low-cost, single-class flights between Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International and Lanseria airports, and Cape Town, Durban, George, Port Elizabeth, and Bloemfontein. Reservations: +27 11 978 1111
- Call centre: 086 100 1234
South Africa’s national carrier flies locally between Johannesburg (from OR Tambo International and Lanseria), Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein, George, Pietermaritzburg, Mthatha, Kimberley, Polokwane, Richards Bay, Upington, Nelspruit/Kruger, Hoedspruit, Skukuza, Phalaborwa, Mmabatho, Sun City. Reservations: +27 11 978 1111
- Call centre: 0861 FLY SAA (0861 359 722)
A wholly owned subsidiary of Safair, the aviation cargo and aircraft leasing company, FlySafair is a low cost, no frills airline that operates between Cape Town and Johannesburg (OR Tambo International), Durban, East London, George, and Port Elizabeth.
Reservations: 087 135 1351; email: help@flysafair.co.za
CUSTOMS (GOODS IN ACCOMPANIED BAG)
- Cigarettes – up to 200 per person.
- Cigars – up to 20 per person.
- Cigarette or pipe tobacco – up to 250g per person.
- Perfume – up to 50ml per person; eau de toilette (scented liquid lighter than cologne) – up to 250ml per person.
- Wine – up to 2 litres per person.
- Spirits and other alcoholic beverages – up to 1 litre in total per person.
Medicines: You are allowed to bring in one month’s supply of pharmaceutical drugs or medicines for your personal use. Any other pharmaceutical drugs or medicines must be accompanied by a letter or certified prescription from a registered physician, and have to be declared.
Personal effects, sport and recreational equipment: You can bring in personal effects, sport and recreational equipment, either as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage, for your own use during your visit.
GUIDE TO BIG 5 GAME RESERVES
- Kruger National Park
- Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
- Pilanesberg Game Reserve
- Madikwe Reserve
- Addo Elephant Park
- Marakele National Park
A GUIDE TO SOUTH AFRICA’S BEST BEACHES:
From the Cape West Coast on the desert border with Namibia to northern KwaZulu-Natal, the South African coastline stretches more 2 500 kilometres and boasts some of the most beautiful beach landscapes in the world.
- Port Elizabeth Hobie Beach
- Jeffreys Bay
- East London Kei Mouth
- East London Morgans Bay
- East London Nahoon
- KZN Umhlanga Rocks
- Cape Town Boulders Beach
- KZN Ballito Bay Christmas Bay
- Cape Town Camps Bay
- Western Cape Hermanus
- Western Cape Noordhoek
- Western Cape Paternoster
- Mossed Bay Santos Beach
- Coffee Bay
Guide to Scuba Diving
If it’s variety you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. South Africa has an enormously long coastline ranging from about 35°S to 27°S, which isn’t quite within the usual range for tropical diving. There are dive schools in almost every centre, with a surprising number in landlocked Johannesburg, where people do their training before heading down to Sodwana Bay for their qualifying dives. There is even an inland dive resort near Johannesburg, where students can do their first dive or two in a disused quarry.
HIKING
Footprint Hiking Club offers pictorial reports on various trails, as well as written reports. A hiking calendar is included, as well as advice on hiking equipment, hiking with children, and how to start hiking. The club’s mission statement is “to offer members the opportunity to enrich their lives by partaking in environmental and socially related activities offered by the club while taking an active and responsible stance in the preservation of the environment”.
Johannesburg Hiking Club organises hikes and hiking-related events, and fosters a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Meet like-minded outdoor and conservation-orientated people who wear heavy boots and smell like the mountain air. The club offers youthful, midweek and Sunday hikes, backpacks, base camp weekends, slide shows, club evenings and social events.
CULINARY
For the more daring diner, South Africa offers culinary challenges ranging from crocodile sirloins to fried caterpillars to sheep heads. All three are reputed to be delicious.
For the not-quite so brave, there are myriad indigenous delicacies such as biltong (dried, salted meat), bobotie (a much-improved version of Shepherd’s pie) and boerewors (hand-made farm sausages, grilled on an open flame).
Those who prefer to play it altogether safe will find that most eateries offer a familiar global menu – anything from hamburgers to sushi to pad thai to spaghetti bolognaise. And you can drink the tap water.
SMALL TOWNS OF SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa is known for its gold and diamonds, but if you want to discover its real gems, head for the small towns and villages that lie just off the beaten the track – the country’s heartland.
WESTERN CAPE
- Knysna
- Franschhoek
- Simons Town
- Darling
- Paternoster
- Oudtshoorn
EASTERN CAPE
- Nieu Bethseda
- Port `St Johns
MPUMALANGA
- Dullstroom
- Pilgrims Rest
- Kaapsehoop
FREE STATE
Clarens
NORTH WEST
Groot Marico
Emergency numbers to save into your phone:
- ER24 paramedics: 084 124
- Police/Fire Department: 10111
- Ambulance: 10117
- Arrive Alive Call Centre: 0861 400 800
- Netcare Emergency: 082 911