I guard my bag like a hound in most major European cities due to the incredibly high pickpocketing rates. Like any other country in the world, South Africa has its own share of cultural sensitivities which are important to keep in mind before beginning your trip to South Africa. These are often crimes of opportunity as well. South Africa's currency is the Rand (ZAR) with denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Rand notes. The aquarium is small but a cool place to check out. If you really want to do some good, then donate to groups like IMBEWU. While this may seem off-putting, keep in mind that the homicide rate in a city like Cape Town is on par with US cities like Baltimore and St. Louis. Use water sparingly - it is precious in many countries and the local people may not have sufficient clean water. Give gifts such as cigars, whiskey, wine, a souvenir from your hometown, or flowers. Ask for tax invoices on whatever you buy to bring home from South Africa, show them along with the items to custom officials when you leave the country, and if they add up to R250 or more you're entitled to a 15% VAT refund. That turned out to be overkill. This is a great town for the surfer bums, beach bums and shoppers to enjoy. Most restaurants do not include a service charge in the bill.
Tipping petrol attendees R2 and rounding off taxi fares are standard practice in South Africa too. Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah. These markets are daily in some cities or on the weekends in others. Do be Straightforward and Honest. Our online Afrikaans Dictionary is indispensable and free! Unless you have a gallon of milk and taste buds of steel, don't try your luck with the hot-hot. They're usually trusting, and their nature is to be generous and helpful when they can be. Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. I have heard from my friend in Cape Town that tourists in particular are being caught out so pay attention when withdrawing cash. One way you can get around this is by investing in a decent antitheft bag or backpack. This is a park you can drive yourself through in your own rental car. No need to say more, but Shark Lady Adventures is where you want to do it!
25 GB for R55 every week rather than pay R300 for 5. These are 10 of my favourites! LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe. A proper steak (rump or fillet). So, you are actually helping someone afford a basic daily meal. Tourists often assume that people in South Africa don't speak English and ask whether they speak 'African'. Have you visited South Africa yet? Do not leave food on your plate when you have finished eating. South Africa actually has 11 official languages, but almost everyone can speak English. Whilst I wouldn't advise buying an entirely new wardrobe for a safari is still sensible to plan your outfits to match the weather and terrain conditions. There are some early mornings and you don't want to be the one responsible for making the group get behind schedule. Taxis are generally safe here.
If you are visiting South Africa for the first time, then you must be aware beforehand about the mandatory rules that tourists are supposed to follow. Long Street is Cape Town's grimy but go-to downtown party street. ✓ Do talk to your Uber drivers. Some places are more reliable are others (any Bootlegger Café location is our go-to when all else fails), but to maintain sanity we advise hoping for the best and expecting the worst. Polite and respectful are good go-to mannerisms. Whatever you do, please do not hitchhike and avoid wandering around isolated areas. There are some really windy roads and it will be rough for you if you're in the back. Unlike other city's free guidebooks, which are paper-wasting hotel, restaurant, and attraction directories, the Cape Town one offers plenty of interesting tidbits of info. Check the cost with a local resident. According to a survey from back in 2016, in Cape Town 42. Pin these South Africa Travel Tips for later. Don't Be Ignorant Towards South African Table Etiquettes. Yes it's hot and you're tired but don't let that cause you to not control emotions and cause any tension. When on a Safari, do not imitate animal sounds, throw objects, or corner a wild animal.
Afrikaners Do not consider themselves Dutch. Regarding South African social etiquette for weddings, South Africa is a country with diverse habits dictated by the culture you find yourself in. Unlike other countries, getting around in South Africa is not as easy as you may have hoped. Have a good attitude! This behavior can be somewhat disconcerting, as Afrikaners may come across as blunt and rude to some. Why does it have such a bad rap? They generally drive along a single road and head toward the city centers. Wear sunscreen and a good hat. Yet, if they start hugging you, it most often means you've been accepted into their inner circle of friends.
South Africa is a very diverse country with people of African, European, and Indian backgrounds reflected in their culture. In most cities though, there are one or two main roads. 3- Saying Thank You. It never came down to this, as I never experienced any crime firsthand, but I felt ready should a thief approach. The most helpful options are to either give food or make a donation to homeless shelters such as 'The Haven' based in Cape Town. For example, during the COVID pandemic, certain restrictions were far more severe than in normal times but most of these are already a thing of the past in South Africa. The easiest way to get around this is to ask a family member or friend to get one for you instead. © Flight Centre (UK) Limited, Registered in England No. There are many vendors to choose from inside the airport, with Vodacom, MTN and Cell C being the most popular service providers. Despite what you hear on the news, as long as you stay smart, you will feel completely safe on your trip. Wait for the lady to extend her hand first. ✓ Do get a local SIM card from MTN. One is expected to tip at least 10 percent of the bill amount at restaurants, cafes, as well as bars. Make sure your trip to South Africa goes as hassle-free as you want it to be!
Share it with them here. The tap water here is generally not safe outside of urban areas so bring a reusable water bottle with a filter to save money and reduce your plastic use. Make it a priority to get up on top of Table Mountain or Lions Head as soon as you can upon arrival in Cape Town. In fact, South Africa is 5 times the size of the UK and 2 times bigger than Texas! Saying thank you is big among Afrikaans people. Women should consider the fact that they should sit next to other women only. When greeting someone while meeting them for the first time, do raise your right hand as a symbol of 'No Weapons' and a friendly approach.
They are also a great public transportation. Any local will help you. We can't even say so about our home fiber internet, which mysteriously cuts off from time to time. Considering travel insurance for your trip?
DO conduct some research on the country you are to visit, not only for interest's sake but to get good advice on its specific travel requirements and cultural nuances. Also, tips are expected for services like washing hair at salon and the like. One forgets all worries when surrounded by nature, which this country is profusely enriched with. Are any of them very different? This shows respect for the other person, as well as an openness in your dealings with them—traits Afrikaners appreciate in everyone. But when we hiked Lions Head for the first time, it all made sense. There are several unexplored places that you may not find on websites and only locals can tell you about. Make sure also to only carry the bare necessities with you. If anyone approached me, I planned to freely hand over my bag so that the thief had something to take while the rest was safely hidden. Put the phone away and take it out when safely at home or in a café. With more than a decade of experience behind us, we've taught thousands of satisfied users to speak foreign languages.