things that you have to know before travelling to South Africa

Vaccines and health:

There are two risky diseases that you have to pay attention and take care; these are bliharzia and malaria. These illnesses have been since a lot of time, and now the people get sick, but it’s a little less.

The bilharzia is a parasite that lives in marshy waters of South Africa. This insect

produces the diseases of bilharzias or schistosomiasis, and it’s considered an endemic disease. You can find it in the north or northwest of this country. Please try not to go swimming in those waters that will probably be polluted.

Malaria is another serious disease that spreads itself with some flies.

Today you can find it in some areas like in the extreme nor

thwest of Kwazulu, Limpopo, in the province of Mpumalanga and the northern area of Kruger Park. The precautions that you will have to take are simple. Use insects repellent in all your body and your

clothes; also try to overspread arms and legs. It is commercialized in pharmacies, there are also anti malaria

tablets that you will have to consume especially when you visit those areas affected with this illness. The risk of acquiring this disease is hig

her from October to May.

If you’re going to travel to South Africa, you have to vaccinate against yellow fever and have the certificate that must be done at least 10 days before (since the day you get vaccinated).

Another illness that you must to pay attention is cholera. Take the necessary cares, especially if you will go to the north area in the province of Mpumalanga.

Accessories and clothes that you may need

Knife, flashlight, binoculars (8x40 or 10x40), camera with telephoto lens (preferably 300 or 400 mm) and film (or memory card) / sufficient batteries, flies repellent, sunscreen and moisturizer, personal kit, vanity and shower shoes.

In case that you could go in a safari trip, it’s an important advice not to wear intense colored clothes, dress yourself with green, brown and light brown colors. If you can, try to take with you a raincoat, since it could rain.

Business Hours

Offices, banks and money exchange are opened between 8:30 am to 5 pm,

stopping an hour for lunch. State buildings, or municipal governmental are opened since 8 am to 4 pm.

The shops and big shopping malls are open from 8:30 to 05:30 pm. The schedule runs from Monday through Friday and Saturday since 8:30 to 1 pm. The tourist areas try to extend hours.

Visa

Fortunately, we are classified in the countries that doesn’t need visa to travel to South Africa, but the time that you have to stay there can’t be more than 90 days. Those are the prices of the different visas. Take into account that this could change.

• Transit visa: you must pay 60 US, and have valid passport and vaccination certificate if it’s necessary.
• Study visa: since 75 US
• Business visa: 200 US

Visas are granted at the moment that you arrive to the airport and its validity will depend on the time that you will stay in this country.

PS: some countries needs visa to get in and you have to transact it before you arrive to the airport.

Tips: aren’t included on the bills, in fact their law forbids it. But in general, you could give a 10% or 15% from the total.