Antarctica

Antarctica is Earth’s southernmost continent. It contains the geographic South Pole and is situated in the Antarctic region of the Southern Hemisphere, almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle, and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. At 5,500,000 square miles, it is the fifth-largest continent and nearly twice the size of Australia. At 0.00008 people per square kilometre, it is by far the least densely populated continent. About 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice that averages 1.2 mi; 6,200 ft in thickness, which extends to all but the northernmost reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Basecamp

Antarctica – The best activity voyage in Antarctica
13 Days / 12 Nights

Elephant Island – Falkland Islands – Birding

Antarctica – Elephant Island – Falkland Islands – Birding
14 Days / 13 Nights

Polar Circle, Deep South Discovery Voyage

Antarctica – Polar Circle, Deep South Discovery Voyage
14 Days / 13 Nights

Banking and Currency

Currency
The currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. There are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10 notes. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.

Banking
Banks are found in most towns, and are generally open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays (Closed Sundays and Public Holidays). Most of them offer foreign exchange services – with cash, bank & credit cards as well as travellers cheques. You can also obtain cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs). Several international banks have branches in the main city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block your purchases if they are not informed.

Travel, Transport and Getting Around

Travelling around South Africa is relatively easy by air, road and rail.
Principal air routes are serviced by SAA and British Airways, operated by Comair. There are 2 low-cost carriers on main routes, namely Kulula.com and Mango.

Facilitating travel around South Africa are 10 airports managed by the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa). In addition, there are some 90 regional airports, including the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit and the Skukuza Airport, offering access to the Kruger National Park.

An extensive tarred road system makes travelling in South Africa by vehicle convenient and easy. You will find gravel roads in rural areas though. Note:

  • A valid international driver’s licence is required
  • We drive on the left hand side of the road
  • Wearing seat belts is compulsory and cell phones can only be used ‘hands free’
  • Speed limits are generally set at 120km on freeways, 100km on secondary roads and 60km in urban areas
  • Toll fees apply on certain national roads
  • Petrol stations are widespread
  • Most global car hire firms have branches in South Africa

Another means of getting around South Africa are luxury inter-city bus services such as Greyhound and Trans- Lux. Metrobus buses are available for in-city transport. Metered taxis must be ordered by telephone. There is a hop-on-hop-off bus in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Our rail system includes the long-haul, inexpensive Shosholoza Meyl Metrorail trains. More luxurious options are the Blue Train, Premier Classe and the steam train Rovos Rail. There is also the new Gautrain rapid transit
railway system in Gauteng Province which links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekhuruleni and OR Tambo International Airport.

Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice

Standards of hygiene in relation to food health and safety in South Africa, are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots. Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps in urban areas. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary.

It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables and salads, and put ice in your drinks. South Africa’s fish, meat and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine.

Restaurants are subject to South Africa’s food safety control legislation, which is implemented by local government. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to ensure hygienic standards are maintained.

Street food is not as common in South Africa as it is in other countries, although vendors selling traditional snacks and meals can be found in city centres and townships. Food safety in such instances cannot always be guaranteed.

Climate and Weather

South African temperatures, which are measured in centigrade, average at highs of 28°C to average lows of 8°C in the summer months while winter temperatures range from 1°C at night to around 18°C in the day. Average annual rainfall is on the low side at under 500mm a year, making the country somewhat dry. Much of the rain falls in the Western Cape in the winter, differing from the rest of the country, which experiences summer rainfall. On the plus side, the South African climate boasts more than its fair share of sunshine, recording an average of 8.5 hours a day.

Clothing and Dress Recommendations

Summer
Bring clothes that are cool, light and comfortable because summer temperatures can get well into the 30 – 40 degree Celsius range in some areas. Also bring an umbrella or raincoat during summer as this is when most of the country gets its rain, but don’t forget a swimming costume (bathing suit).

Winter
The winters are generally mild, comparing favourably with European summers. But there are days when temperatures dive, especially in high-lying areas such as the Drakensberg, so be prepared with jerseys and jackets. Cape Town gets its rain during the winter season so it’s advisable to bring rain gear along.

General
Always bring a hat, sunglasses and sunblock as the sun can be strong even in the winter months. Walking shoes are a good idea all year-round, with warm socks in the winter.

If you are doing business in the country, business attire (suit and tie) is generally called for in the corporate sector, but media for example generally dress more casually.

For game viewing, a couple of neutral-toned items will be useful, but there’s no need to go overboard. A good pair of walking shoes is also advisable.

For the evening, if you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended.

Electricity and Plug Standards

Current is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. A three-point round-pin adapter plug should be brought for your electrical appliances – such adapters are also available at major airports.

Additional Information for Scuba Diving

Water conditions in South Africa can vary day by day. Temperatures will range from 14-26 degrees celsius and we recommend a wetsuit of a minimum of 5mm for your comfort. Visibility ranges from 5-20m, with slightly better conditions in the winter months. Diving is conducted on semi-rigid ribs with launches taking place either straight from beaches of via river mouths. These launches involve breaking through the incoming waves and can get bumpy. All divers joining a Nomad Africa Dive Tour must hold an Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) certification as a minimum and be confident and comfortable in the water. If you are unsure whether your experience level is sufficient please contact us. All dives are conducted within no decompression limits to a maximum of 30m and are standard air dives. Nitrox is available to divers at some of our diving locations. This will be at the extra cost of the diver and will require the proof of a Nitrox certification. All divers must understand that Nomad Africa Dive Tours cannot guarantee any ocean sightings and there will be no financial reimbursement for dives where highlights are not seen. Please note in particular that the Sardine Run is not guaranteed and we can only work to the best of our knowledge with respect to time of year.