There is alot of hype about safety in Southern Africa, some of it completely exaggerated and unfounded. However, there is a lot of poverty in Southern Africa and with poverty does come crime. Most towns are making a considerable effort in driving down crime and making areas safer. This includes introducing CCTV, improved lighting and security guards. The general rule of thumb that applies around the world also applies here.
- Avoid dark unlit areas
- Don't wander the streets at night time alone
- Don't carry large wads of cash
- If you feel unsafe in an area then leave
- Don't sit at traffic lights/robots with your windows wide open and your valuables on display
- Don't leave any valuables on display in your vehicle - remember out of sight, out of mind
- Take special precautions at lonely lookout points
- Don't look like a tourist - cameras,video cameras and bum bags all give it away!
- If in doubt, ask locals about areas to be avoided
IN AN EMERGENCY DIAL 10111 (SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE)
- EMERGENCIES FROM A MOBILE: 112
- EMERGENCIES FROM A LANDLINE: 107
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The major towns and cities of South Africa have some fantastic shops to explore. Particularly Cape Town and Johannesburg have some great designs from newly emerging designers.
Many towns also have malls where the major chains can be found. The malls are handy for parking.
There are many markets across South Africa where you can pick up African curios and handcrafts. Ask Lekker Camper for more details about specific towns and/or cities. As in any market across the world it is wise to watch your wallet.
Opening hours vary but are generally Weekdays 08:30 to 19:00 and Weekends 08:30 to 17:30 in malls. Highstreets opening hours are generally Weekdays 08:30 to 17:00 and Saturdays 08:30 to 12:00. Many petrol stations have 24:7 convenience stores.
It is worth keeping receipts for high value products as you can claim a VAT refund on presentation of receipt and purchase item at point of exit from South Africa. Currently the total claim must exceed R250.
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Visit the Department of Home Affairs website : http://home-affairs.pwv.gov.za for the most up-to-date information regarding visas
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The International telephone dialling code to dial into South Africa is +27. To phone another country from South Africa use +09 infront of the country's number.
There are public phones available in South Africa in the town highstreets and the malls.
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South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, 1 hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, 7 hours ahead of USA's Eastern Standard Winter Time.
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Please note that the below list is not exhaustive. If you are looking for something then you can always contact a member of the Lekker crew who will be pleased to help you.
Tourist Board |
Email |
Website - www. |
Phone |
| Namibia Tourism Board |
info@namibiatourism.com.na |
namibiatourism.com.na |
+264 61 2906000 |
| Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism |
info@nmbt.co.za |
nmbt.co.za |
041 582 2575 |
| NAMAKWA Tourism |
tourismsbk@namakwa-dm.co.za |
northerncape.co.za |
027 718 2985/6 |
| Greater Cape Town |
capetown@tourismcapetown.co.za |
tourismcapetown.co.za |
021 426 4260 |
| West Coast |
tourism@wcdm.co.za |
tourismcapewestcoast.co.za |
022 433 8484 |
| Cape Winelands |
info@bolanddm.co.za |
tourismcapewinelands.co.za |
021 883 8871 |
| Overberg |
info@capeoverberg.org |
tourismcapeoverberg.co.za |
028 214 1466 |
| Garden Route / Klein Karoo |
info@gardenroute.org.za |
tourismcapegardenroute.co.za |
044 873 6314 |
| Central Karoo |
joostes@internext.co.za |
tourismcentralkaroo.co.za |
023 449 1000/16 |
| Northern Cape Tourism Authority |
northerncapetourism@telkomsa.net |
northerncape.co.za |
053 833 1434 |
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Phone 082 162 for a weather report or see www.weathersa.co.za
Summer: October to April
Winter: May to September
Visitors should pack both warm and cold clothing for Southern Africa. The temperatures can vary greatly within a season depending on things like what side of the mountain you are on! Even on a really hot Summer day the evenings can get extremely cold.
Temperatures can drop to below freezing in the winter inland and rise to well over a whopping 35 degrees Celsius
in the summer.
Everyone talks about the sun in Africa being hot and dangerous. This is NOT HYPE! - the sun can burn and damage your skin really badly, even on a milder day. The hole in the ozone layer is huge and directly above South Africa. Wear high factor sunscreen (30) and protective clothing.
Always bring: hats; sunglasses;high factor sun screen; lip balm; moisturiser; insect repellant BUT remember there ARE plenty of normal pharmacies and shops around all the South African towns that stock pretty much everything that you can get hold of at home. Support the economy in South Africa where you can by BUYING SOUTH AFRICA.
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The situation in Zim is rapidly changing from day to day. See the daily news on what's going on:
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