HEALTH
The Western and Eastern Cape Provinces are NOT in a Malaria zone. If you travel to other parts of the country check with your health authority and ensure that you take Malaria prophylaxsis when necessary.

Tap Water in all cities is of a high standard and is drinkable. However mineral water ( still or sparkling ) is freely available.

Medical facilities are of a very high standard in private hospitals. It is advisable to purchase medical cover before you travel.

Aids is a serious problem in South Africa - take care!
There is no need to bring supplies of non-prescriptive drugs with you. South African Pharmacies are well stocked with local and international brands and are staffed by highly qualified pharmacists.

TAX
A Value Added Tax ( VAT ) is applied to all purchases. As a foreign visitor you can claim back tax on your purchases by providing the tax invoices for inspection at the Waterfront or the airport. Before departing from the airport all the goods you have purchased together with the tax invoices or certificate received at the Waterfront must be declared at the VAT counter in International Departures. Total purchases must be more than R250 to qualify. At the moment VAT is 14%

TIPPING
In restaurants, a tip of 10% to 15 % is acceptable. Porters in hotels and airports normally receive R2 – R5 per piece of luggage.

SHOPPING AND BUSINESS HOURS
Most shops in the city are open from 9h00 to 17h00 or 17h30 weekdays and 9h00 to 12h00 Saturdays. The Waterfront and other shopping malls have extended hours- mostly until 9.00pm

MONEY
The currency is South African Rand (ZAR) and cents expressed with an R and a c for example R100.50c is One Hundred Rand and fifty cents. The currency comes in the following denominations Notes: R200.00/R100.00/R50.00/R20.00/R10.00 Coins: R5.00/R2.00/R1.00/0.50/0.20/0.10. Foreign exchange facilities are available throughout the city, the Waterfront, most shopping malls and at banks in country towns. You will require your passport to exchange cash.

ATM's will accept many international bank and credit cards.
Major credit cards are accepted throughout South Africa at most outlets the exception being markets and some private traders. Its is generally not acceptable to pay in foreign currency unless by prior arrangement, but often possible….if you know what I mean !!!

SAFETY
The Cape Town central city area is generally safe to walk around as is the Waterfront precinct as they have a very high security presence. The countryside is also not a problem. As a tourist please take the same precautions you would take travelling in the cities in your own country. Stay away from obviously dubious areas and ask the advice of your hotel concierge or tour guide.

Whether you travel with me or not I am happy to give you advice if you phone me on my cellphone 082 4599280

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
South Africa operates a 220-240 Volt a/c system. If you use 110 Volt DC you will need a converter. Our plugs are 3 pin round and adaptors are available in most hotels, electrical stores, and airport stores.

TELEPHONES
Public phones operate with either coins or Telkom prepaid cards. For International calls dial 00 and then the international code. Most cellphone networks are supported by the three local networks – beware as it can be very expensive – best to buy a local SIM card. As from July 2009 you will require identification to purchase a sim card.

EATING OUT
Cape Town is a very cosmopolitan city and visitors are spoilt for choice. It's not a matter of deciding what to eat (we have it all) but which restaurant to go to. Do try some of our African cuisine as well as Cape Malay dishes unique to this area. Restaurants are particularly good value and your foreign currency stretches very far. We often joke that one has to try quite hard to find a bad meal in Cape Town.
Capetonians normally lunch from 12h30 - 14h00 and dine from about 7h30 - 10h00.

LANGUAGE
We have 11 official languages in South Africa but English is spoken or understood throughout the country. If you are Dutch or Flemish have fun trying to speak Afrikaans!

TAXIS
Taxis come in two types - the metered variety which is normally a sedan car with an identifying light box on its roof. Their rates are about R8-00 per Km and they can be found in Taxi ranks or called by phone. The other variety is a mini-bus which travels a set route for a set fee, normally crowded, sometimes unsafe and in my opinion only for the adventurous tourist. They can be hailed on their route.

ACCOMMODATION
There is an abundance of accommodation in Cape Town ranging from hotels that have been voted the best in the world, Guest houses, Bed and Breakfasts and Backpackers lodges. In the country area the same applies with the accent on Guest houses. During the peak season ( November to February ) finding suitable accommodation can be a problem so it is advisable to book well in advance. I am able to recommend, assist and make reservations for you if you wish.

WEATHER
Four seasons in one day, or as I have heard before: "if you don't like the weather......wait five minutes ". The climate generally speaking is Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and cool wet winters. Spring and autumn can be almost non events as the seasons tend to meld. The flowers will however remind you of the season change. In my opinion the best time to visit Cape Town is February to April, although the past few winter seasons have also been great - nice warm days, interspersed with some rain. The flip side of this is that we are just coming out of a drought - the past winter has fortunately been good to us and our dams are now over 80 % full. We still have to be aware and are very water conscious. When you do come and visit remember this: Save water....drink wine !!! It is always advisable when going out in CT that you take something warm as the weather changes fast.

The best weather report, in my opinion, is to be found at surfers swear by it ) but it takes some deciphering and a little meteorological knowledge. Otherwise  do the official national forecast. If you are in South Africa the Weather service updates their phone report every few hours Phone: 082 162 ( All regions ) or 0822311640 ( Cape Town report only )