1. Airport and accommodation
Port of Entry:1. OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA)
• ORTIA may experience longer waiting times due to increased international passenger traffic. It is recommended that delegates allow extra time for connecting flights.
• If you are connecting via another city in South Africa, you must collect your luggage at the first port of entry for customs clearance.
Entry Requirements
Passports of delegates should be valid for at least 30 days beyond the expected date of arrival and departure from South Africa and should have at least two unused pages when presented for endorsements.
A valid visa (if applicable) should be obtained from the nearest South African Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate in each country. NO visas will be issued upon arrival in the Republic of South Africa.
South Africa has recently introduced an eVisa platform; further details can be found on the Department of Home Affairs – ePermits page. Delegates applying for an eVisa are advised to review the Q&A section, particularly the requirements for submitting an online application. Additionally, delegates are encouraged to consult their local embassies for guidance in case of any uncertainties.
For detailed information on visa requirements for South Africa, please refer to the: Department of Home Affairs - Visa Applications / Apply for a visa | South African Government (www.gov.za).
2. Port Health Services
South Africa is signatory to the International Health Regulations, 2005 (IHR, 2005) and is committed to safeguarding the health of both citizens and persons travelling to the country.
To ensure compliance with the IHR 2005 policies and legislative prescripts, health measures will be applied to delegates entering the country.
All travellers will be subjected to screening by Port Health Officials at the point of entry which will include temperature screening. Persons who, during screening, are found to have signs and symptoms consistent with communicable diseases, will be subjected to further assessment, which may include medical examination at the delegate’s cost. This exercise is conducted as a preventative measure at the ports of entry against the spread of communicable diseases like yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, malaria, etc. Should a delegate experience any signs and symptoms consistent with a communicable disease while in South Africa, they are advised to seek medical attention and inform the medical practitioner of their travel history. In line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, aircraft arriving from a yellow fever or malaria endemic area must be disinfected for the control of mosquito vectors. On arrival at the point of entry, proof of disinfection must be provided to the health specialists prior to disembarkation of delegates.
3. Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement in South Africa
In compliance with IHR, South Africa requires all persons over the age of one year, who have travelled from or through a yellow fever risk country for more than 12 hours, to present a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever. Therefore, travellers arriving in the country from an area determined by the WHO to be at risk of yellow fever transmission are re- quired to produce a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever. Travellers who are not in possession of a valid certificate of vaccination against yellow fever may be refused entry or placed under quarantine-surveillance for a period not exceeding six days or until their certificate becomes valid. Travellers who, for medical reasons, cannot have a yellow fever vaccine, must be in possession of a signed, valid waiver letter from the travel health practitioner. Travellers who are in possession of a waiver letter will be required to report any fever or other symptoms to a health practitioner and be placed under quarantine surveillance. All guests are requested to comply with the South African Department of Health and WHO guidelines and policies pertaining to vaccinations.
4. Immunisations
MALARIA: Durban/Johannesburg is a malaria-free.
5. Environmental Health Service
The tap water in South Africa is safe to drink. Food safety is a priority. Smoking policies in public places are strictly enforced.
6. Banking services and currency
Banking hours are from 09:00 to 15:30 on weekdays and from 08:30 to 11:00 on Saturdays. Banking amenities are available at all commercial banks. Most banks have cash dispensing machines accepting Visa, Master Card, and Cirrus. Bureau de Change facilities are available in most of the branches of South African major banks.
Most internationally recognised currencies and travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at commercial banks, hotels, and international airports. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops.
There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that may be imported into South Africa by individual non-residents, provided that it is declared on arrival to facilitate the exportation thereof on departure. The unit of currency is the rand (R) that is divided into 100 cents. Exchange rates are subject to fluctuation.
7. Electricity supply
South Africa operates on 230V electricity with a frequency of 50Hz. The power sockets used are primarily.
Type M (the large three-pin plug), although Type C (the standard European two-pin plug) is often used, and most Hotel establishments have universal sockets. For safety, many of South Africa’s electrical sockets are recessed, requiring the plug to be fully inserted before connection is made.
For more information, please visit www.worlstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country.
8. Business and shopping hours
Offices and businesses are generally open from 08:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. Opening hours on Saturdays and Sunday’s range between 09:00 and 17:00.
9. Value-Added Tax
Value-Added Tax (VAT) is charged on most goods and services except when purchased in duty-free shops at international airports. The current rate is 15%. On presentation of the goods and tax invoices, VAT may be reclaimed on certain items at international airports on departure.
10. Tipping
It is customary to tip for service in South Africa. An acceptable amount is 10-15%. If you are a group of six or more, restaurants will usually automatically add a gratuity to your bill.
11. Time
South African Standard Time (SAST) is GMT+2.
12. Mobile networks
The following South African mobile telephone service providers are available: Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, Cell phone SIM cards are widely available. However, every SIM card user/buyer in South Africa is expected by law to be registered for activation. The SIM card can be registered at the point of purchase. A letter from your hotel/Embassy/High Commission as proof of residence as well as your passport will be required.
13. Climate
SA follows 4 typical seasons.
Sept, Oct, Nov is Spring (Spring is beautiful weather, slightly cool with 25 degrees and getting warmer in October – November – up to 35 degrees)
Dec, Jan, Feb is Summer (Summer has high temperatures up to 35 degrees or slightly above)
March, April, May is Autumn (Autum is cooler weather- 20-35 degrees). Light jackets are worn.
June, July, August is Winter. Some cities (eg Johannesburg) experience very cold weather at this time. Snow is experienced over the Drakensberg area (borders Free State, KwaZulu-Natal inland, and Lesotho)
For useful and important South African Tourism information consult: https://www.southafrica.net