NOTE

NOTE

ACCOMMODATION

MEALS

TRANSFERS

TOUR MANAGER

TIPS, PORTERAGE, WATER

WHAT YOUR TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

VISAS REQUIRED TO TRAVEL ON YOUR TOUR

IMPORTANT

Points to be noted

MEDICAL INSURANCE:

ACCOMMODATION

TRANSFERS

MEALS

TOUR MANAGER

TIPS, PORTERAGER & WATER

WHAT YOUR TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

IMPORTANT

VISAS REQUIRED TO TRAVEL ON YOUR TOUR

Points to be noted

Points to be noted

MEDICAL INSURANCE:

INTRODUCTION

An extraordinarily diverse and exciting country to visit, South Africa is rightly celebrated for its wonderful climate, beautiful beaches and fascinating cultures.

The miraculous shift from apartheid state to thriving democracy has opened up the country's many attractions to a stream of overseas visitors. The transition has not been seamless, and the country's vast tourist potential remains largely unfulfilled - but for those that do make the effort to visit, South Africa rewards you with a rich diversity of experiences that will appeal to everyone.

South Africa continues to attract a wide variety of visitors: tourists on short-term visits are drawn to well established highlights such as the Kruger Park with its "Big Five" safari animals, and Cape Town's Table Mountain, one of the most beautiful vistas anywhere in the world.

Sports lovers come to play golf, try rock climbing, mountain biking, bungee jumping and hike the numerous pristine nature reserves. While backpackers fall in love with the Garden Route's beauty and effortless bohemia. And of course everyone loves the golden beaches, welcoming wine farms and the great food.

This broad and wonderfully complex country is brimming with contradictions and surprising contrasts. Living side by side you'll find poverty and wealth; desert and rainforests; secluded beach and mist-shrouded mountain; and it's all populated by over thirty different cultures that are still learning to talk to one another.

The tourist infrastructure is outstanding, comparing well with European standards of comfort and efficiency. And the weakness of the Rand against major international currencies makes for a hard to beat value for money holiday. In short, South Africa has it all - a combination of everything a visitor could want, in a territory that is a true paradise on earth.

GAMEPARKS: KRUGER AND THE PRIVATE RESERVES – MPUMALANGA

The Kruger National Park is one of South Africa's biggest domestic tourist drawcards welcoming over 600,000 annual visitors to its camps.

The park is also one of the largest in the world, measuring some 350km in length and comprising an area of over 20,000 sq km (the size of Wales). The park is home to the "big five" game animals - leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino - and seeing any of these magnificent creatures in the wild is an experience you'll remember for the rest of your life.

This enormous park offers an authentic bushveld experience with most visitors driving themselves around the park in their own vehicles. Ranger-supervised bush walks are also an option and eco-educational trips are increasingly popular. Rustic but comfortable overnight camps are dotted throughout the park, each with their own character. Accommodation is typically in circular rondavels, a design known to insulate against the heat of the bushveld summers. You will need to book far in advance to secure the more popular accommodation.

While the Kruger Park is accessible to the ordinary man's budget, the same cannot be said of the game lodges surrounding the Kruger. These private parks offer luxurious accommodation, five-star cuisine and a dedicated ranger who will take you on night drives and off-road excursions.

If you can afford prices from ZAR2000 per night, the experience will not disappoint.

CAPE WINELANDS - WESTERN CAPE

Against a backdrop of snow-brushed mountains, the rolling vineyards of South Africa's wine-producing heartland welcome visitors for summer picnics, wine-tasting and gourmet food. Some of the most popular estates are Spier, which hosts concerts on summer evenings, Boschendal and Simonsberg. Most estates are clustered around the historic towns of Franschoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch, each full of charm and well worth a visit en route to your wine tasting. These are some of the oldest settlements in South Africa, founded by French Huguenots in the 17th century. Fleeing religious persecution, these settlers brought with them live vines and vintner skills from France.

As the wine estates are at least an hour's drive from Cape Town, you will need to either rent a car or take an organised tour from the city - the latter option preferred by those wishing to engage in extensive tasting.

Wine can be bought tax-free at good prices and then shipped to your home address.

TABLE MOUNTAIN - WESTERN CAPE

So called because of its 3km wide flat top, Table Mountain and its outlying peak of Lion's Head tower over Cape Town. Often covered by the "tablecloth" of white cloud that rolls over in late afternoon, Table Mountain is South Africa's most recognisable symbol and the pre-eminent guardian of the Mother City.

The views from atop the 1100m peak are spectacular, with golden beached Camps Bay to your left, Lions Head and Robben Island ahead of you, and the winelands calling from the distant right. For the energetic, superb lung-searing hiking and climbing routes lead to the top; for everyone else the rotating cable-car (ZAR120 return) does the journey in five minutes.

The recently upgraded restaurant, bar and café facilities around the cable car station are top-quality and there is no better place in the world to watch a sunset. On the eastern side of the mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden ranks as among the most beautiful in the world.

Devoted to indigenous plants, the garden hosts sunset concerts in summer and is interspersed with open-air sculptures.

DRAKENSBERG - KWA-ZULU NATAL

The Drakensberg National Park is a paradise mountain wilderness unparalleled in Africa. The Zulu name for the mountains, Ukhahlamba, means "Barrier of Spears", and it is an apt description of the jagged peaks of this 200km-long world heritage site. It is a land of cliffs and rocky outcrops, and flower-strewn lush valleys - breathtaking stuff.

Hiking trails wend their way up to the elevated ridges and plateaux, but you don't have to have a head for heights to enjoy the 'Berg; driving trails and bridleways allow you to explore the park with minimum effort. Nearby Tugela is home to the world's second-highest waterfall, which plunges 850m over a precipice to the churning waters below, a must-see.

Tranquil resorts, championship-quality golf courses, and various Zulu cultural sites offer variety among this wealth of nature. The park is home to over 35,000 primordial rock paintings, a unique testament to the lives and experiences of South Africa's original ancestors (the San). Get there by car, turning off the N3 to Durban at Estcourt, or catch a bus or train to Estcourt where hotels can pick you up.

SUN CITY - NORTHERN PROVINCE

The liberalisation of the gaming laws have spread gambling throughout the country, but until a few years ago Sun City was the only world-class gambling and entertainment venue accessible to South Africans.

Its very presence is somewhat miraculous: in place of arid, dry soil there are now two lush Gary Player designed golf-courses, a theme park boasting the world's first pool wave generator, and some wonderfully kitsch pseudo-African architecture.

The Lost City development (the largest thermal resort in the world) has greatly enhanced the prestige of this, South Africa's very own Las Vegas.

Nearby Pilanesberg Game Reserve is one of South Africa's most popular reserves, with a huge variety of flora and fauna, including the Big Five, and some lovely rest camps and accommodation facilities.

DURBAN - KWA-ZULU NATAL

Durban, capital of Kwa-Zulu Natal and the country's prime seaside resort city, has a wonderful Indian character blended with a lazy surfer's chic that are manifest in surprising ways.

Mahatma Gandhi spent some time here as a young man - his experiences of racial injustice proved influential in his later life as liberator of colonial India. Durban enjoys a distinctive tropical climate quite different to the dryness of the Highveld or the Mediterranean ambience of the coastal Cape. The beaches are fringed by lush vegetation and the city surrounded by acres of sugar cane.

The city itself is well set up for tourists and has been for years the prime holiday venue for locals. Currently reinventing its identity, Durban is an interesting city to visit, with good beaches and manifold attractions in the vicinity, including the Drakensberg, the Battlefields and numerous gameparks.

SOWETO - GAUTENG

A tour to Soweto is an excellent and highly rated way to meet, greet and eat in the very welcoming company of township residents. For many visitors this is the surprise highlight of a visit to Johannesburg.

Soweto, an acronym for South Western Townships, was created in the 1930s as a repository for migrant workers and black people relocated from inner city areas designated for white occupation during the establishment of apartheid. It was the focus of much of the unrest that finally brought an end to the system of racial segregation, and is now a symbol of the new hopes for the future evident throughout the country.

Popular attractions include a visit to a shebeen (a local speakeasy), a traditional healer (sangoma), and tours past the former residences of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, and Desmond Tutu. The nightlife is good here, particularly the local jazz played in venues which evoke the gritty bonhomie of Dixieland New Orleans.

GARDEN ROUTE - WESTERN CAPE

The celebrated Garden Route winds its 200km coastal way from Storms River Mouth in the north to Mossel Bay in the south. It passes, in turn, through the spectacular gorge of Storms River, verdant Tsitsikamma forest, the blissful retirement enclave of Nature's Valley, the holiday idyll of Plettenberg Bay, and, finally, gentrified Knysna - last stop on the way to Mossel Bay.

The drive is well serviced with restaurants and farm stalls that cry out for you to break your journey, and is best done over a few days. There are ample opportunities for hiking, canoeing and camping along the way, and with numerous small fishing villages to explore, this is certainly a part of the country that richly rewards a flexible agenda.

Between Knysna and George a road leads north to Oudtshoorn, promoted as the ostrich capital of the world. Thrill seeking tourists can even ride one of the bizarre animals, a unique and hair-raising experience. The nearby Cango Caves is one of South Africa's top tourist draws and has been since 1780 when a local farmer discovered the expansive complex of calcite columns and otherworldly rock formations. The complete complex extends several kilometres into the mountains, although only a portion is open to casual tourists. More extensive guided tours can be undertaken by the daring - and reasonably fit. Cango Cave Tours from: ZAR48, adults; ZAR26, children. Tel: +27 (0)44-272-7410.

ROBBEN ISLAND - WESTERN CAPE

Nelson Mandela was jailed in this political prison for 27 years before emerging to lead his country into an inclusive democracy. The institutional brutality of the prison environment is in striking counterpoint to the manifest humanity and compassion fostered in Mandela during his incarceration.

Recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, the island was first used as a prison in the 15th century and later as a 19th-century leper colony and mental asylum. Today a tour of the island takes in Mandela's cell and the labour mines, and is led by original inmates who share their stories and answer questions.

You reach the island by leaving the Cape Town Waterfront by ferry. Tickets are available at the pier. Tel: +27 (0)21-419-1300.

WHALE WATCHING - CAPE PROVINCE

The Cape offers some of the world's best land venues for watching whales. The shamelessly exhibitionistic southern right whales frolic and play only metres from the shore, allowing onlookers unforgettable views. You are literally close enough to see the barnacles on their backs.

Two popular venues are Hermanus, near Cape Town and known for the eccentric rams-horn toting whale crier, and De Hoop Nature Reserve, about 50km further up the East Coast. De Hoop is well worth a few nights' stay and is an excellent cycling venue; book by calling Tel: +27 (0)28-425 5020.

KIMBERLEY - NORTHERN CAPE

Although somewhat off the beaten track for most visitors, Kimberley is a historically rich town in the middle of nowhere that for a brief time in the 1880s felt like the centre of the world.

The original tiny village was transformed when a local lad accidentally discovered an 83.5 carat diamond on a small hill. Within two months there were 30,000 men digging in an area measuring just 300m by 200m. Their combined labours created the largest man-dug hole in the world at 215m deep.

Nearly 3,000kg of diamonds were mined here; all of them obtained by hand. Today the town is an open-air museum to South Africa's very own "Wild West". Kimberley's progenitor, the 83.5 carat "Star of Africa", is today part of the Crown Jewels of Great Britain.

DOS AND DON'TS

GEOGRAPHY

One of South Africa's main attractions is its tremendous geographical diversity, ranging from the floral splendour of the Southern Cape, to the arid, denuded landscape of the Karoo; from the towering giants of the Drakensberg to the golden beaches running the length of the country's coastline. 

South Africa, the size of Spain and France combined, occupies the southern tip of Africa and is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and Mozambique. The independent state of Lesotho is completely landlocked within the larger nation. 

The country is divided into nine provinces: Gauteng, the wealthiest, is located centrally but slightly to the west. The region is home to Pretoria, the attractive administrative capital of South Africa, Johannesburg, the country's bustling economic centre, and Soweto, the sprawling township where Johannesburg's non-white residents were segregated during the years of apartheid. 

Mpumalanga and Northern Province are together home to the famous Kruger Park, as well as private game farms, which for many people epitomise the South African experience. The Limpopo River forms the northern boundary and marks the border with Zimbabwe. 

Kwa-Zulu Natal, in the Southeast has fantastic beaches along its coastline and enjoys subtropical weather. The Eastern Cape, forming the eastern part of the tip of the continent, offers an understated, unspoiled frontier quality. Its neighbouring province to the west is the 
Western Cape which has much to offer visitors: the Garden Route, Cape Town, the winelands, hot beaches and a cool climate make it one of the most popular regions for visitors. 

The Free State is famous for its farming, gold mines and Afrikaaner nationalism. The Northwest and Northern Cape (the largest of the provinces) between them have few tourist attractions apart from nature reserves and an awesome sense of empty space.

WHEN TO GO

South Africa is a year-round destination with an ideal climate: summers are hot and the winters, for the most part, absurdly mild. 

The size of the country and the substantial variations in altitude mean that climatic conditions vary throughout.

In the Johannesburg area, 2000m above sea level, summers are hot with showers, and the winters dry and chilly. Along the subtropical Kwa-Zulu Natal coast, summers are hot and humid with mild winters. Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with rainfall during the winter and long, mellow summer days. 

The following chart provides average rainfall measured in millimetres, and average temperature in degrees Centigrade for Johannesburg in the North, and Cape Town in the South. The climate and rainfall varies considerably between the two.

TRANSPORT

South Africa is a year-round destination with an ideal climate: summers are hot and the winters, for the most part, absurdly mild.

The size of the country and the substantial variations in altitude mean that climatic conditions vary throughout.

In the Johannesburg area, 2000m above sea level, summers are hot with showers, and the winters dry and chilly. Along the subtropical Kwa-Zulu Natal coast, summers are hot and humid with mild winters. Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with rainfall during the winter and long, mellow summer days.

The following chart provides average rainfall measured in millimetres, and average temperature in degrees Centigrade for Johannesburg in the North, and Cape Town in the South. The climate and rainfall varies considerably between the two.

by Train

South Africa has a functional though idiosyncratic national rail service that covers all the expected routes between major cities. There is no underground or tram system operating in any South African city.

Spoornet is the national railway company, running intercity passenger services under its Shosholoza Meyl banner. Routes run between all major cities in the country. Call Tel: +27 (0)11-774-4555 or Tel: 086-000-8888 (toll-free from within the country) for passenger service information and reservations. 

On long-distance trains pay careful attention to the class of ticket you buy. While first class gets you a sleeping berth complete with the sporadic attentions of a cabin attendant, third class will buy you a fairly rough ride in cramped conditions. The latter option at least guarantees an authentic and interesting encounter with the average South African citizen but there are legitimate safety concerns. 

The celebrated Blue Train (Tel: +27 (0)12-334-8459) elevates the ordinary train journey into an epic of luxury and mobile indulgence. The full route covers two legs: Cape Town - Pretoria, and Pretoria - Victoria Falls (in Zimbabwe to the north). You can also take shorter journeys from Pretoria to Hoedspruit through the Valley of the Olifants, or Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, which passes through part of the Garden Route.

Along similar lines is Rovos Rail (Tel: +27 (0)21-421-4020) which offers a sumptuous journey from Cape Town to Pretoria and beyond, or you can do The Garden Route in luxury period style aboard The Union Limited's authentic steam train.

by Bus

South Africa's major coach companies Greyhound, Intercape and Translux offer reliable and affordable intercity transport. Note that South Africa's size makes for long journeys - e.g. 20hrs between Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The Greyhound Travel Pass is good value at ZAR1400 for 7 days' unlimited travel within a 30-day period. Fifteen days unlimited travel in 30 days costs ZAR2700. Passes can be bought at any Greyhound office, bus terminus or travel agent within South Africa.

Baz Bus and Hopper Bus offer hop-on/hop-off systems along various routes including the popular Cape Town to Durban stretch which passes through the Garden Route. Although marketed at young travellers, the service is good value and flexible enough for all. All tickets can be booked through Computicket, the national booking service; call the nationwide information line on Tel: 083-915-8000 (from within the country) or the Johannesburg office, Tel: +27 (0)11-340-8000.

by Car

Driving is a good option given the long distances between major cities. The road conditions in South Africa are generally very good. Be aware that many rural roads are not fenced off so animals can stray freely run into the road. It is obviously best to avoid such roads at night. Although petrol prices have risen sharply over the last few years, fuel is still relatively cheap by European standards. Car rental companies operate in all major cities, airports and at the Kruger National Park. Car rental can be expensive and it is best to pre-book with a travel agent before departure. All the major rental companies are represented within major cities and international airports in the country.

Points to consider:

The following table provides approximate driving distances between selected cities. Kilometres in the lower left of the table, miles in the upper right.

by Air

Flying is a safe and reliable way to cover South Africa's long distances. 

International visitors will usually arrive at either Johannesburg International (Tel: +27 (0)11-921-6262) or Cape Town International (Tel: +27 (0)21-937-1200) airports. There are domestic terminals in Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and Bloemfontein, among others. For flight information Tel: 086-727-7888 within SA. 

A recent entry into the domestic airline market is Kulula, (Tel: 0861-585-852 within SA) which offers budget flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town. A one-way ticket starts at around ZAR450. 

The international departure tax of ZAR180 is usually included in ticket prices. There is a lower level of tax (ZAR60) for flights to elsewhere in Africa and a token ZAR35 for domestic flights. Again, these taxes should be included in your fare.

by Boat

There are no regular internal ferry services in the country beyond the tourist crossings between Cape Town and Robben Island.

SHOPPING

South Africa's dynamic mix of cultures and favourable exchange rate makes for a rewarding shopping experience. Although you will find luxury consumer goods and electronics in all major cities, it is unlikely that you will end up shopping for products you can readily buy at home.

WHAT TO BUY

The most popular souvenirs are African masks or stone carvings, most of which comes from other African countries like Malawi or Zimbabwe. As you might expect with a country so rich in diamonds, gold and platinum, South Africa is an excellent place to buy jewellery or have custom pieces designed and made.

Wine is another good bet, particularly since case lots are tax exempt for export and most wine estates will deliver purchases to your home.

In Cape Town head for Greenmarket Square (in the middle of town) where there is a daily bustling flea market selling everything from authentic African curios to djembe drums and clothing of every description. The market has a wonderful ambience created by the easy mixing of people and the skilled buskers. The Waterfront has a high-quality craft market serving as a counterpoint to the main shopping mall. For books, go to Long Street where you will find rare first editions, secondhand novels, and various specialist shops focussing on obscure Africana. For wine, rent a car, designate a driver and head for a wine route: choose between the Stellenbosch or Paarl wineroutes, about 50km out of town, or the Constantia wine route, only a 15 minute drive from the city centre. Wine can be bought by the case and sent directly to your home address.

In Durban, home to South Africa's Zulu population, you will find numerous street vendors and shops selling Zulu crafts: look out for high quality beadwork, woodcarvings and sandals made from car tyres. The Pavilion is an enormous mall that bills itself as an experience rather than a shopping venue; with over a million visitors a month it is more popular than the beach. Get there by travelling 15km north on the M3 towards Pietermaritzburg. 

Johannesburg is home to an extraordinary number of malls each containing cinemas, restaurants, supermarkets and upmarket shops. They are a useful resource but a barren cultural experience for the overseas visitor. More fun and more South African are the thriving flea markets: try Bruma Lake for variety and the Market Theatre for character.

OPENING HOURS

Shops are typically open from 09h00-18h00 Mon-Sat. In large shopping malls opening hours are often extended until 21h00.

TAX REFUND

VAT is levied on most goods and services including hotel accommodation, goods and transport. The VAT rate is 14%. On departure from South Africa, tourists can apply for a tax refund at their point of international departure. The minimum purchase to qualify for a refund is ZAR250.

To reclaim tax you need to have the original tax invoice, VAT refund control sheet and your passport. You will also need to present the goods for which the refund is being claimed to the customs officials.

FOOD

South African cuisine is an earthy combination of African, European, Indian and Malay influences, perhaps best articulating the country's rich and complex history. That said, restaurants that serve "traditional cuisine" are a bit thin on the ground and you are more likely to find international restaurants in the large cities.

Classic South African dishes exhibit a blend of flavours drawing inspiration from the various nationalities that have infused their character into the food:

Italian prisoners of war, brought to South Africa as labourers, contributed pasta; 

Malay slaves brought spices, and contributed the national dish bobotie; 

Indian sugar cane workers brought curry and spice and all things nice;

Chinese railway workers brought Szechuan cuisine; 

English settlers brought roast beef on a summer's day; and the 

Portuguese contributed very very peri-peri (most famously incorporated into Nando's chicken). 
With extensive Indian and Atlantic Ocean coastline visitors should make the most of the wonderful seafood on offer. Popular linefish include hake, yellow-tail, sea bass, tuna, and mackerel. Shell fish are another delicacy - don't miss out on lobster, crayfish, oysters and mussels, and abalone when it's available. 

Fresh fruit is another treat. Each region has its own specialities and prices are absurdly low. Try prickly pears and mangoes in the north of the country, pineapples and bananas from the eastern cape, apples and grapes from the western cape and wonderful citrus fruits wherever you go. 

SPECIALITIES

Here is our inventory of those dishes, drinks and cooking techniques that are peculiarly South African, if not downright peculiar:

Braaivleis: The "braai" is a barbecue that has become an expression of culture, and perhaps even a unifying device across the race barrier. It is the one occasion where men are interested in food preparation, and Afrikaaners particularly take the associated arcane rituals very seriously. Most suburban houses have a dedicated braai area in the garden. 

Vetkoek: A divine road to cholesterol: deep-fried twists of cornflour saturated with syrup. 

Melktert: A definitively Afrikaans dessert tart made of set milky custard flavoured with nutmeg. 

Bobotie: If South Africa has a national dish it is probably this delicious Malay-influenced curried-mince dish. 

Samoosas: A small triangular pastry of Indian origin containing curried vegetables and/or meat. Best sourced from Durban, the Malay quarter of Cape Town, or the Oriental Plaza in Johannesburg.

Chutney: Fruity and spicy relish. 

Rooibos: A herbal tea made from a red bush; has reputed health enhancing properties to compensate for its distinctive taste. Very popular, a source of patriotic pride, and a valuable export product to Asian markets. 

Biltong: Salted, spiced and dried meat, sold either sliced or in strips; perfect as an appetizer or general snack. The vegetarian equivalent - dried fruit - is an energising snack food that reliably generates flatulence.

Poetjie: Another Afrikaans cooking technique reflecting their history as pioneers and frontier farmers. The idea is to put any ingredients to hand into a metal pot, which is then surrounded by hot coals for several hours. This often results in a Bredie - a bit like a tomato stew. 

Boerewors: Spicy sausage much prized by connoisseurs. The staple of braaivleis. In its dried form it is sold as "droewors". 
Mieliepap: A staple of African dishes, this is a delicious and nourishing mielie meal porridge. The most popular brand is the vitamin enriched "Iwisa." Pap has long been the staple food of southern Africa, and can be eaten at all times of day.

Mashonzha: Mopani worms, cooked with chilli or paprika and served with peanuts. Delicious, nutritious and an authentic taste of traditional Africa.

Bunniechow: Ubiquitous Indian takeaway meal consisting of a hollowed-out half-loaf of bread filled with curried beans, chicken, sardines, or anything that comes to hand. 

Sosaties: Kebab-like skewered meat, often with rings of fruit or vegetables. 

Peri-peri: A spicy Portuguese flavouring most usually found on chicken and now exported by famous local restaurant chain - Nando's Chicken. 

DRINK

South Africa is best known for its wine, which is enjoying something of a revival in Europe and the Far East after a period of indifferent reviews. The best way to taste and buy wine is to visit one of the many wine farms in the Western Cape. Given that you may want to visit several farms in the area, and engage in unrestrained tasting, you should take an organised round tour from Cape Town.

Cape vineyards have a good reputation for full-bodied Cabernets, and musky Merlots, while Chardonnays and Rieslings are popular white wine grape varieties.

Beer is widely consumed, across all social and racial barriers. South African Breweries (SAB) dominates 96% of the beer market with their stable of bottled lagers. Cheap and ubiquitous, lagers such as "Castle", "Amstel" and "Black Label" sell enormous quantities at the expense of the independent brewers such as Forrester's (from Knysna; makers of honey-flavoured ales) and Windhoek (from Namibia; makers of the increasingly popular Windhoek lager). Other drinks you can try include: 

Witblitz: Translates into "white lightning" which should suggest some of its ferocious alcoholic properties; also known as "mampoer" and even "benzene" to wary victims. 

Umqombothi: A home brewed sorghum beer that is very rich in vitamin B. 

Amarula: A creamed whisky liqueur in the style of Baileys Irish Cream. Made from the fruit of the indigenous Marula tree. Elephants adore the Marula berries and have been known to become intoxicated after feasting excessively upon them. 

CURRENCY

Currency: South African Rand (ZAR). ZAR1 = 100 cents.

Notes: ZAR10, 20, 50, 100 and 200

Coins: ZAR1, 5, 10 and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents

Credit cards: All major credit cards are accepted in most shops, hotels and restaurants.

EXCHANGE

You can use ATMs to withdraw local currency direct from your bank account although you may be charged for doing so per transaction. 

Traveller's cheques in major currencies are easy to change in banks, hotels and bureaux de change although there will be a conversion charge. Hotels usually give the least favourable rate and should only be used in emergencies.

The flattering exchange rate to other major international currencies makes South Africa good value for visitors, and guarantees an inexhaustible topic of conversation while you're there. 

COSTS

Below are approximate costs for the following items:

SERVICE CHARGES

It is customary to tip waiters, taxi drivers and porters. In restaurants leave a tip of about 10% of the total bill, depending on the service you received. At serviced petrol stations you should offer a small tip to pump attendants if they have cleaned your windows and suchlike.

VACCINATIONS

Visitors to Kruger Park and game farms in the Northern Province and Mpumalanga should use anti-malarials and mosquito repellent to minimise the risk of contracting the disease.

HEALTH CONCERNS

Tap water is generally safe to drink throughout South Africa. In rural areas, however, you are advised not to drink tap water and wash fresh fruit before eating. 
Medical facilities are generally excellent; certainly the best in Africa.

South Africa's massively diverse socio-economic structure means that you will encounter varying standards in hygiene and food cleanliness. In the cities expect high standards, in rural areas you are advised to take more care not to eat raw foods, including unpeeled fruit and salads. 

You are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance which covers medical costs and repatriation with your home country in case of an emergency. 

PERSONAL SAFETY

So, how bad is the crime? This concern is cited as the biggest deterrent to tourist growth in South Africa. The reality is that robberies and violent crime do occur, particularly in Gauteng and the Transkei, although high profile press coverage has over-emphasised the risks. Assuming you observe basic caution, and avoid danger areas (ask at you hotel for places to steer clear of), your safety is as assured here as anywhere else in the world. 

The most common kind of crime against tourists is petty theft and pickpocketing. Use the normal precautions and keep your possessions secure at all times. Only carry as much cash with you as you will need for that day. When seated at outdoor cafés keep your eyes on your bag. Never leave it on the back of your chair or on the floor behind you. If walking around at night don't walk in isolated, dark areas. It is best to keep to the well-lit busy parts of town. Plan your route before you go so you know where you are heading.

In hotels, never leave your bags unattended; even lobbies are targeted by thieves. Leave valuables, spare money and traveller's cheques in a hotel safety deposit box.

If renting a car don't leave valuable possessions inside in view when the vehicle is unattended. Always lock the doors and ensure you haven't left windows open. 

PHRASEBOOK

With 11 official languages, a concise introductory guide is not possible.

English is widely spoken though, and it is the official administrative language. 
In many areas, African languages such as Zulu and Xhosa predominate and little English is used. 

In the Western Cape however you will find Afrikaans as the main language. It is ironic that a language such as Afrikaans - widely predicted to die out - remains the most widely spoken in South Africa. 

Below are some sample phrases in the four main languages: