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Throughout the second half of the 20th century South Africa was regarded by most of the world as a pariah state where the ruling white minority passed a range of draconian laws to subdue and enslave the black majority. All this changed in 1994 with the release from prison of world-renowned freedom fighter and icon of the oppressed, Nelson Mandela.

A new age of democracy was ushered in, and South Africa was suddenly revealed to the world in her beautiful true colours: a rainbow nation with a kaleidoscope of cultures and a host of attractions to enthral and entrance visitors.

A decade later tourists are flocking to sunny South Africa in droves, particularly to the Western Cape with its magnificent scenery, beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and green winelands.

The Republic, at the southern tip of Africa surrounded by ocean on three sides, offers a taste of the African experience with the chance to visit traditional tribal villages, game reserves and sprawling townships. At the same time it also offers the trappings of a first world holiday experience, with luxury hotels, sophisticated shopping, exciting theme parks and clean beaches.

Have breakfast in a New York style deli; lunch in an African shebeen; cocktails on a sunset cruise; and dine in style in a fine British colonial restaurant. This is possible in a South African city.

It is not only cultural diversity that makes South Africa magical. The country has a wealth of animal and plant life scattered across its varied climactic zones from desert to snow-covered mountains, forests to grasslands and mangrove swamps. Historically, too, there is plenty to discover, from the fossils of ancient hominids, to the pioneering spirit of the Dutch ‘voortrekkers' and the settlement of the Eastern Cape frontier by the British colonialists.

South Africa has been billed as ‘a world in one country', and any visitor who has experienced its delights, from the jumble of Johannesburg, the city built on gold mines in the north, to the sophistication of Cape Town in the south, is bound to agree.

Time: GMT +2.

Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz. Round, three-pin plugs are standard.

Language: South Africa has 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho. English is widely spoken.

Health: Travellers arriving in South Africa from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Otherwise no vaccinations are required. There is a malaria risk in the low-lying areas of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park) and northeastern Kwa-Zulu Natal, and precautions are advised when travelling to these areas. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Tap water is safe in urban areas but sterilisation is advisable elsewhere, as there are periodic outbreaks of cholera in the poor communities of rural South Africa, particularly in Northern KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces. Food poisoning is rare. Medical facilities in South Africa are good, but medical insurance is strongly advised as private hospitals expect cash upfront and public hospitals are best avoided.

Tipping: If a service charge is not included in the bill, waiters expect a tip of 10%. Tipping for services rendered is widely anticipated by porters, taxi drivers, golf caddies and petrol attendants. 'Car guards' operate in the city centres and tourist spots and will offer to look after your parked car; they are usually immigrants from neighbouring countries looking for work and will expect anything from R2 upwards on your return.

Safety: Visitors to South Africa should be aware of the country's high incidence of crime. Although this tends to be concentrated in pockets throughout the country, for example in the township areas, opportunistic crime is fairly widespread. Travellers should always be aware of these risks and exercise the necessary precautions. Doors should be locked when driving and one should not walk alone at night in city streets, isolated beaches or remote areas. Berea and Hillbrow in Johannesburg are high risk areas and visitors should be cautious in the area. There have been recent incidents on hikers walking on Table Mountain in Cape Town and visitors should avoid walking alone on the mountain. One should be vigilant when using ATMs and carrying valuables. It is worthwhile noting that the South African authorities do give high priority to the protection of tourists.

Communications: The international access code for South African is +27. The outgoing code is 09 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0944 for the United Kingdom). South Africa also has city codes. International phone cards cannot be used in South Africa. The country is served by three GSM mobile phone networks. Mobile service providers offer 'pay-as-you-go' Sim cards, which are a good option for visitors staying for some time. Internet cafes are widespread.

Duty Free: Travellers to South Africa do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco; 2 litres wine and 1 litre spirits; perfume up to 50ml and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods to the value of R3,000. All other goods brought in from abroad by residents of South Africa must be declared on arrival. These will be subject to import duties. For goods to be re-imported, travellers must complete a DA65 or NEP-form that is issued on departure. Prohibited items include meat and dairy products, all medication except for personal consumption, flick knives, ammunition, explosives and pornography containing minors and bestiality.

Travellers arriving in South Africa from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Otherwise no vaccinations are required. There is a malaria risk in the low-lying areas of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park) and northeastern Kwa-Zulu Natal, and precautions are advised when travelling to these areas. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Tap water is safe in urban areas but sterilisation is advisable elsewhere, as there are periodic outbreaks of cholera in the poor communities of rural South Africa, particularly in Northern KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces. Food poisoning is rare. Medical facilities in South Africa are good, but medical insurance is strongly advised as private hospitals expect cash upfront and public hospitals are best avoided.

Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Location: The airport is situated 13 miles (20km) east of Cape Town. Time: GMT +2. Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)21 937 1200. Transfer to the city: Door-to-door minibus services are available for the journey to the city, taking approximately half an hour (R150). Many hotels operate courtesy buses, and taxis are available and cost R9 per km.

Car rental: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Campbells, Imperial, Europcar, Levitts and Tempest are represented at the airport.

Facilities: ATMs, bars, restaurants and currency exchange facilities are available throughout the airport. There are several shops, including duty-free in the International Departures' section. A VAT refund service is available by the International check in desk. Hotels reservations and tourist information are available in the International Terminal. There is a Vodacom shop in International Arrivals where visitors can buy local SIM cards for their mobile phones. A free magazine called The Other Guide is handed out in International Arrivals; it's packed with ideas on where to eat and what to do in Cape Town that month. Departure tax: None.

Johannesburg International (JNB)

Location: The airport is 14 miles (22km) east of Johannesburg. Time: GMT +2. Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)11 921 6262. Transfer to the city: An airport bus departs regularly to the city centre between 5.30am and 11pm. The journey takes 35 minutes and costs around R30. There is also a private minibus service available (R70), and taxis are freely available (R8 per km). Car rental: Car rental companies Avis, Budget, Imperial and Tempest are represented at the airport. Facilities: There are two banks available on the mezzanine level of Terminal 1, and an ATM in the Domestic Departure hall. A bureaux de change operates 24 hours on the ground floor of the International Arrivals hall. More ATMs can be found in terminals 4 and 6. There are bars in all the Departure and Arrivals halls, and numerous shops. A post office operates between 8am and 9pm. Departure tax: None.

Durban International Airport (DUR)

Location: The airport is 10 miles (16km) southwest of Durban. Time: GMT +2. Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)31 451 6667. Transfer to the city: An airport bus service is available to connect to the city, and a coastal town service, which operates from 6am to 6pm, carries passengers to the outlying resorts. Taxis are available. Car rental: Numerous car rental companies are represented at the airport, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Imperial and National. Facilities: The airport restaurants, bars, ATMs and currency exchange facilities. Duty free shops are available for international flights. There is a first aid room operated by a private hospital. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance. Departure tax: None.

South Africa Climate and Weather

South Africa is a large country and has diverse climactic regions, but in general the weather is sunny and hot in the summer months (December to April), and mild during winter (May to November). Winters in the Cape are cold and wet, and snow falls on the mountain ranges here and in Natal. Gauteng and the northern areas experience thunderstorms regularly during evenings in the summer months, and winters are usually warm during the day and cold at night.

South Africa Currency

Money: South Africa's currency is the Rand (ZAR), which is divided into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and the larger hotels. ATMs are widely available (there is a daily limit for cash withdrawals) and major international credit cards are widely accepted, except in petrol stations where cash is required. Visitors should take care and be vigilant when drawing cash from ATMs as there is a high incidence of credit card fraud involving the use of ATMs. Travellers cheques and some foreign currencies are accepted at larger hotels and shops, but commission is charged, otherwise all commercial banks will exchange them.

       Rates subject to change at any time

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

South Africa Passport & Visa Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans: United States passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days for business or touristic purposes.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days if passport is endorsed British Citizen or British Overseas Territories citizen. Those whose passports state British National (Overseas) may stay up to 30 days without a visa. All others require a visa. Visa extensions are possible if applied for at least 30 days before expiry date, and cost ZAR425.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans who hold dual nationality should note that they are required to enter and leave the country on their South African passports.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is necessary for touristic/business stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to 90 days, provided coming for touristic or business purposes.
Passport/Visa Note: Passports must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the period of intended stay. An onward or return ticket is required, as well as sufficient funds and documents needed for further travel. Note that visitors to South Africa must have at least one free page in their passport for endorsements.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check