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Travel information
for South Africa - the A to Z
Passport Requirement >> | Visa Requirements >> | Insurance >> Health Risks >> | Flight >> | L.A.G.S >>
Passport Requirements
It can take up to 6 weeks to obtain a passport – remember to start this process timeously.
Important: Your passport needs to be valid for 6 months after you return to your home country.
Visa Requirements
At present, a temporary visitor’s permit, valid for up to 90 days is granted for nationals from the EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. This is granted on presentation of your passport at arrival.
If you are intending to stay for longer than 90 days, it is recommended that you apply for a visa at your local South African Consulate.
The latest visa requirements are available at this link:
http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/visa_detail.asp >>
Remember: As a volunteer, you are not paid to work and should therefore declare your purpose of visit as ‘vacation’, ‘holiday’ or ‘tourism’. Do not use the words ‘working as a volunteer’.
Insurance
Personal travel insurance is compulsory. Travel insurance does not need to be expensive and there are many good deals available for backpackers etc.
Always be sure to check the insurance plan details and ensure that you are covered for theft, loss, illness and injury.
Check to see if your medical benefits are paid out as they incur or on your return home – long-term medical treatment out of your own pocket could be devastating.
Also, automatic coverage received when booking your flight by credit card will not be sufficient.
Health Risks
There are a number of health issues that you should be aware of, especially if you are from the northern hemisphere. Immunisation: When entering South Africa, no international immunisation is required. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 21 years of age if they enter South Africa within 6 days of leaving an infected country. Our advice: Visit your local (travel) doctor to get up-to-date information about requirements when travelling. DTP inoculation (diphtheria, tetanus and polio) is essential. Many people have this inoculation as a child, but a booster tetanus shot is a very good idea. HIV/Aids in South Africa : As in other countries, HIV/Aids is a serious concern in South Africa and one you must be aware of. You should at all times be careful when dealing with an injured person to avoid the risk of infection. Always take necessary precautions and avoid sexual contact. Malaria: The Western Cape Province is malaria and bilharzia free – protection would only be required if you travel further afield, e.g. to parts of the Kruger Park, the Northern Province, Mpumalanga, northern KwaZulu Natal and Zululand. The risk of contracting the disease is negligible provided you take the standard precautions. Malaria tablets, a good insect repellent and particularly in the evening, long-sleeved shirts and mosquito coils are advisable precautions.
Website reference: http://www.sa-venues.com/malaria-risk-areas.htm >> Sun:
We have a warm sunny climate and you should wear sunscreen and a hat whenever you are out of doors during the day, particularly between 10am and 4pm – regardless of whether there is cloud cover or not. Even if you have a dark complexion, you can still get sunburned if you are from a cooler climate and have not had much exposure to the sun. Sunglasses are also recommended, as the glare of the African sun can be very strong.
Flight
You are responsible for your flight arrangements to Cape Town.
It is important that you communicate this information to us no later than 3 weeks (21 days) prior to your arrival. Please ensure that you arrival coincides with the set programme arrival date and time. Failing to do so will result in you having to pay for airport transfers and/or accommodation costs that might be incurred.
We strongly advise you to book flights with flexible date changes, giving you the freedom to change your return date should you wish to extend your stay in South Africa.
L.A.G.S.
LAGs stands for Liquids, Aerosols and Gels.
If you can pour it, pump it, squeeze it, spread it, smear it, spray it or spill it, it is considered a LAG.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) enforced rules that restrict the amount of Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) that passengers may take on board in their hand luggage on international flights, to protect against the threat of liquid explosives. These rules took effect in the European Union and the United States of America, and South Africa which started enforcing these international aviation safety regulations on 01 June 2007.
Please refer to the following website for more detailed information:
You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try. West African Proverb