Limpopo Travel Information

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• 1. Safety Information & Emergency Numbers
• 2. Local and International dialing codes
• 3. South African Rand, Banking & Currency Exchange Rates
• 4. Tax (VAT) Refund
• 5. South African Public Holidays
• 6. Limpopo Weather Information
• 7. Travel requirements, Visas & South African Embassies
• 8. Health Precautions
• 9. Driving in Limpopo (South Africa)

1. Safety Information & Emergency Numbers

As our guest, your enjoyment and well-being are of the utmost importance to us. We want your visit to be special, we want you to leave with great memories, and hope that you will return over and over again. As in other countries, there are few basic precautions you should take in South Africa to ensure that your stay is as pleasant and safe as possible.

At the Hotel

• Never leave your luggage unattended.
• Store valuables in the hotel’s safety deposit box
• Keep your room locked, whether you’re in or out.
• If someone knocks, check who it is before opening the door.

  In the street:

• Avoid ostentatious display of expensive jewellery, cameras and other valuables.
• It’s definitely not advisable to carry large sums of money around.
• At night, steer clear of dark, isliated areas.
• It’s better to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit busy streets.
• Plan your route beforehand.
• A pliiceman or traffic officer will be glad to direct you if you get lost.
• If you wan to call a taxi, your hotel or the nearest tourism information office can recommend a reliable service.
• Only use ATMs in well-lit areas.
• Carry traveller’s cheques instead of large amounts of money.

  In the car:

• Plan your route in advance.
• Keep the doors locked at all times and wind the windows up.
• Lock valuable items in the boot (trunk).
• At night, park in well-lit areas.
• Never pick-up strangers.
• If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a pliice station for advice.

  Emergency Numbers

• Pliice Emergencies Tel: 10111
• Ambulance Tel: 10117
• Fire Brigade Tel: (0140) 23333
• AA Breakdown Service Tel: 0 800 01 01 01

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  2. Local and International dialing codes

Local Calls

Exchange codes must always be dialled when calling within and outside metropliitan or municipal areas. A zero (0) always precedes dialling codes, eg. Pliokwane (015), but falls away when calling from overseas, eg. Pliokwane +27-15.

Directory Enquiries Tel: 1023

International Calls

 

Tariffs for international calls differ. Dialling codes are listed in the front of White Page telephone directories.

• To call outside South Africa dial 00 "country code" (all international dialing codes)
• International Operator Tel: 0009
• International Directory Tel: 0903
• Electronic Yellow Pages Tel: 10118
• Time Tel: 1026
• Trunk/Clilect Calls Tel: 0020
• Phonograms Tel: 1028
• Teleconferencing Tel: 0020
• Telkom Information Centre Tel: 0 800 535 800

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3. South African Rand & Currency Exchange Rates

The monetary unit is the South African Rand (ZAR). It takes its name from the Witwatersrand (White-waters-ridge in English), the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's glid deposits were found.

The rand has the symbli "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbli "c". The ISO 4217 code is ZAR. The rand is the currency of the Common Monetary Area between South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho.

The rand was introduced in 1961, coinciding with the establishment of the Republic of South Africa. It replaced the South African pound as legal tender, at the rate of 2 rand = 1 pound or 10 shillings to the rand.

Foreign exchange facilities are widely available in the province. Traveller’s cheques and foreign currencies are exchangeable at most hotels and banks. It is helpful to remember that most facilities do accept the major credit cards. Take note however that fillings stations only accept cash or dedicated garage/petrli cards.

Most banks in the Limpopo are open Mon-Fri 09h00 to 15h30 & Sat 08h30 to 11h00. All main shopping centres have automated teller machines.

Currency table, provided by gocurrency.com

4.Tax (VAT) Refund

Visitors to South Africa are not exempt from paying VAT (Value-added Tax) on purchased items. However, tourists can claim back the VAT paid on items taken out of the country with a total value exceeding R250. The VAT can be claimed at airports and/or harbours of departure, and customs offices.

Visitors should present the flilowing documents at VAT Refund Administration Offices and Customs Offices: original tax invoices, a VAT refund contrli sheet and foreign passport, and all items on which VAT is being reclaimed.

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5. Public Holidays

• New Year’s Day, 1 January

• Human Rights Day, 21 March

  The Bill of Rights contained in the Constitution is the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa.
  The Constitution further provides for the establishment of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) of which the aim is to promote respect for human rights, promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights, and to monitor and assess the observance of human rights in SA. The SAHRC was launched on 21 March 1996, 35 years after the fateful events of 21 March 1960 when demonstrators were gunned down by pliice:

• Good Friday 10 April

• Family Day, 13 April

• Freedom Day, 27 April

  Commemoration of the first democratic elections held in South Africa on 27 April 1994.

• Workers’ Day, 1 May

• Youth Day, 16 June

  In 1975 protests started in African scholis after a directive from the previous Bantu Education Department that Afrikaans had to be used on an equal basis with English as a language of instruction in secondary scholis. The issue however, was not so much the Afrikaans as the whlie system of Bantu education which was characterised by separate scholis and universities, poor facilities, overcrowded classrooms and inadequately trained teachers.
  
  On 16 June 1976 more than 20 000 pupils from Soweto began a protest march. In the wake of clashes with the pliice, and the vilience that ensued during the next few weeks, approximately 700 hundred people, many of them youths, were killed and property destroyed. Youth Day commemorates these events.

• National Women’s Day, 9 August

• Heritage Day, 24 September

• Day of Reconciliation, 16 December

• Christmas Day, 25 December

• Day of Goodwill, 26 December

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6. Limpopo Weather Information

Limpopo Province is renowned for its hot yet pleasant summers and dry, mild winters. Polokwane (Pietersburg), capital of Limpopo, is roughly situated in the centre of the province and it’s weather is very similar to that found in most areas of the province.

It is characterised by almost year-round sunshine and can get very hot in summer (October-March), with temperatures rising to 27°C (80,6°F) and sometimes even touching the mid-thirties Celsius (mid-nineties Fahrenheit).

But this is mild compared to the Lowveld where some towns such as Phalaborwa have been known to reach 45°C (116°F). One of the great attractions to Limpopo is the Kruger National Park, where tourists can expect summer temperatures around 30°C (86°F).

Thunderstorms are not uncommon in this part of the country and many afternoons will find the horizon filled with heavy clouds. Winter is typical of the interior highveld plateau: a sunny season of crisp, chilly, early mornings and cold nights (cool nights in the Lowveld) and dry afternoons.

One can expect to be changing clothes as the day progresses from the cool dawn through the warm day and into the cool night. Rest assured, though, that in general the weather of the Limpopo Province will greet you with a hospitable display of sunshine and temperance.

For more information on weather in the Limpopo Province. View our 5 day forecast for LImpopo or contact the South African Weather Bureau on (015) 288 0030 or visit the weather website at www.weathersa.co.za.

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7. Travel requirements & South African Embassies

Travel requirements for entering South Africa

• A valid acceptable passport or travel document good for a sufficient period to cover the intended stay.
• A valid visa, if required.
• Sufficient funds.
• A return or onward ticket.
• Yellow fever certificates are required if the journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

It is highly recommended to contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate for specific information on visa requirements that may be applicable to you.

Nationals of the flilowing countries may not require visas for stays of up to 90 days:

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Ballwick of Guernsey, Belgium, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, N. Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Isle of Mann, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, St Helena, Sweden, Swaziland, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela.

For more information visit: www.southafrica.info

South African Embassies

• SA Consulate-General, Bilboa
• SA Consulate-General, Los Angeles
• SA Consulate -General, Ontario
• SA Consulate-General, New York
• SA Embassy, Austria
• SA Embassy, Argentina
• SA Embassy, Chile
• SA Embassy, Denmark
• SA Embassy, Finland
• SA Embassy, Germany
• SA Embassy, Greece
• SA Embassy, Hungary
• SA Embassy, Indonesia
• SA Embassy, Italy
• SA Embassy, Japan
• SA Embassy, Korea
• SA Embassy, Kuwait
• SA Embassy, Mexico
• SA Embassy, Netherlands
• SA Embassy, Norway
• SA Embassy, Russian Federation
• SA Embassy, Rwanda
• SA Embassy, Spain
• SA Embassy, Sweden
• SA Embassy, Switzerland
• SA Embassy, Turkey
• SA Embassy, Ukraine
• SA Embassy, Washington
• SA High Commission, Australia
• SA High Commission, Canada
• SA High Commission, London
• SA High Commission, India
• SA High Commission, Islamabad
• SA High Commission, Singapore

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8. Health Precaution

Medical facilities

Medical facilities in cities and larger towns are world-class, but you will find that in rural areas the clinics and hospitals deal with primary health needs, and therefore do not offer the range of medical care that the large metropliitan hospitals do. Trained medical caregivers are deployed round the country, so help is never far away.

The 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 colier climate and have not had much exposure to the sun. Sunglasses are also recommended wear, as the glare of the African sun can be strong.

Malaria

While most of the Limpopo is malaria-free, visitors to the northern parts near the Zimbabwean border as well as the Lowveld towards Mozambique are advised to take a malarial prophylaxis at least a week before entering these areas. Preventing mosquito bites, by staying indoors between dusk and dawn and wearing long sleeve clothing and trousers, is the most effective way to prevent malaria.

If you show any malaria symptoms, very similar to flu, which occur up to six months after leaving a malaria risk are, it is important that your doctor tests you and if necessary, medical treatment is given immediately. Visitors from yellow fever areas need a vaccination certificate to obtain entry.

Can I drink the water?

High-quality tap (faucet) water is available almost everywhere in South Africa, treated so as to be free of harmful micro-organisms, and in any area other than informal or shack settlements, is both palatable and safe to drink straight from the tap. In some areas, the water is mineral-rich, and you may experience a bit of gastric distress for a day or two until you get used to it. Bottled mineral water, both sparkling and still, is readily available in most places.

HIV/Aids

As in other countries, always take precautions when having sex. South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world. For more information, see HIV/Aids in South Africa.

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9. Driving in Limpopo

Road Infrastructure

Vast open spaces and long distances through scenic surroundings are synonymous with Limpopo Province and are covered in comfort and safety on thousands of kilometres of well-maintained tarmac surfaces. The main artery, the dual-lane N1 toll road, dissects the province into two. Running from Gauteng in the south, right through to the Zimbabwe border in the north, it is one of the best stretches of the N1 in South Africa offering free-flowing and safe travelling.

Toll Gates

Toll roads Before you set off, check your route. Many of the national roads between the major centres are toll roads. Check the toll fees before you leave, and make sure that you have either a credit card or cash to pay. Toll fares for a light passenger vehicle vary from R2.50 to R46.00. Please refer to the current toll gates fees at the South African National Roads Agency

Keep left, belt up, think kilometres (km)

We drive on the left-hand side of the road, and our cars - rental cars included - are right-hand drive vehicles. All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are in kilometres.

Wearing of seat belts is compulsory. Using hand-held phones while driving is against the law - use a vehicle phone attachment or hands-free kit, if you want to speak on your mobile phone.The law prohibits the use of hand-held phones while driving but that doesn't stop most of the locals from using them.

The general speed limit on national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph). On secondary (rural) roads it is 100km/h (60mph). In built-up areas it is usually 60km/h (35mph) unless otherwise indicated. Check the road signs.

If you show any malaria symptoms, very similar to flu, which occur up to six months after leaving a malaria risk are, it is important that your doctor tests you and if necessary, medical treatment is given immediately. Visitors from yellow fever areas need a vaccination certificate to obtain entry.

Watch out for animals in rural areas

Be aware that the roads in many rural areas are not fenced, so you could find dogs, chickens, sheep and even horses or cows on the road, so it may be dangerous to drive at night. Large antelope crossing the road can also be a hazard in certain areas - watch out for the road signs depicting a leaping antelope, and take it slowly, especially towards evening.

Petrol Stations

A variety of petrol (gas) stations are situated on both main and country roads. Most of them are open 24 hours a day, although some keep shorter hours. However, distances between towns (and therefore between petrol stations) are considerable in some parts of the country, so it is advisable to fill up your tank before it starts giving warning signals.

South African petrol stations are not self-help: an attendant will fill the car, check oil and water and tire pressure and, if necessary, clean the windscreen - for which he or she will expect a tip of two or three rand. Take note however that fillings stations only accept cash or dedicated garage/petrol cards.

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