| location | |
 | |
| flag | |
 | |
| Short dates | |
| Capital | Executive: Pretoria Legislative branch: Cape Town Judiciary: Bloemfontein |
|---|---|
| Form of government | republic |
| currency | 1 South African. Edge (ZAR) = 100 cents |
| surface | 1.22 million km² |
| population | 59.622.350 (2020) |
| languages | Eleven official languages: Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga |
| Religions | Christians 68% (most of them white and colored), about 60% of the black population, 2% Muslims, 1.5% Hindus |
| Connector system | 230V / 50Hz, three-point plug |
| Phone code | 27 |
| Internet TLD | .za |
| Time zone | UTC 2, CET 1, CEST 0 |
South Africa is this southernmost country On the continent Africa and thanks to its diverse attractions and sights a popular travel destination. It is shaped by different landscapes and people, and South Africa is often said to be "The world in one country", and rightly so.
Regions
The individual administrative regions in South Africa are called provinces. These are:
Cities
The largest cities in the country are
- Cape Town (English Cape Town, Afrikaans Cape Town) - Legislative capital, seat of parliament and first settlement of today's South Africa. Cultural metropolis and cosmopolitan city with countless attractions.
- Durban - Indian city with long beaches and one of the largest ports in Africa. Cultural Center KwaZulu-Natals.
- Johannesburg - The financial and business center of southern Africa
- Pretoria - Executive capital and administrative headquarters
- Port Elizabeth - Largest city of the Eastern Cape, but the administrative headquarters are in Bhisho, Capital of the former Ciskei
Other important cities are:
- Bloemfontein - Seat of the Supreme Court and capital of the province Free State
- East London - Industrial city with the largest automobile factory in Africa.
- George - most important city in the area of Garden Route
- Kimberley - Seat of the diamond industry and capital of the Northern Cape Province
- Mbombela (Nelspruit) - One of the gates to the Kruger National Park and capital of the province Mpumalanga
- Pietermaritzburg - old town and seat of administration KwaZulu-Natals. The City Hall is the largest brick building in the southern hemisphere.
- Polokwane - the former Pietersburg is the capital of the province Limpopo
- Upington - relatively large city in Northern Cape
Other goals
South Africa is a country of incredible diversity. There is so much to see in the country that months are not enough to absorb it all. This selection is only part of the highlights:
- Cape Town and the Cape Winelands around Pair are the places with the highest number of tourist attractions in the country. The cosmopolitan city with its numerous sights and Africa's most famous wine-growing region could fill an entire vacation.
- The Garden Route extends along the southern coast of the country and is popular for its impressive nature (coastal landscapes, whales). It invites you to go hiking, an adventure holiday or just relax on the beach.
- In the region around the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world, you will find many sights. The location near the Kruger National Park makes it easy to organize a day trip there.
- The Augrabies Falls in the province Northern Cape are spectacular, provided you drive in the time when the Oranje has a lot of water.
- The Drakensberg are an impressive mountain range in the heart of the country. Here you can hike beautifully and the Tugela Falls admire the second highest waterfalls in the world.
- The Wild Coast stretches north-east of East London over 250 km in the direction of Durban and is still not very touristically developed. With original settlements, imposing rocky reefs, lagoons and estuaries a part of the "real" Africa.
- Surfing and swimming can be found particularly well on the coast of the Indian Ocean, especially on the Garden Route, Jeffreys Bay and in and around Durban.
- Golf, South Africa has developed from an insider tip among golfers to a popular destination for many golf travelers. Over 500 courses across the country offer many excellent golf opportunities in a good climate and in a fascinating landscape.
- Whale watching in Hermanus - Two hours by car southeast of Cape Town (approx. 130 km) you can see up to 100 right whales at the same time from July to November. The city is considered to be one of the best whale watching spots in the world.
National parks and reserves, game lodges
The number of national parks and reserves in South Africa is almost confusing. There is also an even larger selection of private game farms (game lodges) and protected areas.
- Kruger National Park. Africa's largest national park, which is home to a variety of different animals and plants and invites you to go on game drives in your own car. All around there are many high-class, private reserves.
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park. Cross-border park after Botswana, which offers beautiful desert landscapes and wildlife.
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park. UNESCO World Heritage Site and consisting of various eco-zones.
- Tsitsikamma National Park, on the Garden Route.
background
In 1652 the Dutch East India Company established a supply post for their ships under the guidance of Jan van Rieebeck. At this point is today Cape Town, which is therefore often referred to as Mother city ("Mother city"). Not least because of its strategic location for merchant and war fleets, South Africa was often under pressure during the colonial period. The Dutch and English influences from this period can still be seen in many places today. This is evident from the names of the settlements, among other things. The German settlers also left some traces. Efforts are currently underway to find African regional names for the renaming.
After complete independence from Great Britain After the Second World War, power was shifted from the predominantly white, conservative National Party designed that firmly anchored the inhuman system of apartheid in people's lives. Even before the first free elections in 1994, which made up the freedom fighter Nelson Mandela emerged as president - after the student uprising in Soweto In 1976 and numerous calls for boycotts from around the world - apartheid laws were repealed and the ongoing process of transformation began. The "Rainbow Nation" can - despite the still existing differences between the population groups and the resulting conflicts - be seen as one of the model countries for cultural understanding among many population groups.
South Africa is less dangerous than the media sometimes would have us believe, but the rising prices for staple foods and energy around the world do not defuse the situation. Crime rates are among the highest in the world, not least because the gap between rich and poor sections of the population is huge. With a measure of caution, which is also required in many other countries, one can move safely, especially in tourist areas, thanks to the presence of the police and employees of private security companies, because a large proportion of the acts of violence take place in the Townships and “Informal” settlements from.
In South Africa the Soccer World Cup 2010 carried out.
history
geography
Most of South Africa is made up of the central plateau Highveld minted at an altitude of 900 to 2,000 meters above sea level. The land falls away very quickly towards the coast. This area, also known as the edge step, extends over a width of 20 to 250 kilometers. In the northeast of the country are the Drakensberg Mountains, which extend into the state of Lesotho. The highest point of the Drakensberg in South Africa is the Mafadi with 3450 meters.[1] Northwest of the city Bloemfontein begins the Kalahari-Desert and scares up to Botswana and Namibia.
Most of South Africa's rivers originate in the Drakensberg and flow into the Indian Ocean. At 1,600 km, the Oranje is the longest river in South Africa, but flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Entry requirements
Entry is possible for Austrians and Liechtenstein without a visa with a passport, which must be valid for one month after the end of the journey. Since June 1, 2015, children under 18 need a birth certificate in addition to their passport and, if they are only traveling with a parent, the written permission of the second custodian.
Germans, Swiss, British, Spaniards, Italians, Slovaks and others need an entry permit since April 2020. Details can be found at the Embassy of South Africa.
In addition, exceeding any residence permit ("overstay") leads to a "declaration of undesirable person" by a few days. This is no longer followed by a fine, but it automatically results in an entry ban: with a single overdraft of a maximum of 30 days: 12 months Entry ban, for repeated overdrafts by a maximum of 30 days: 2 years entry ban, for overdrafts by more than 30 days: 5 years. Such an entry ban can also be imposed if an extension has been applied for but not yet approved. Two-month processing times are reported!
When re-entering after leaving South Africa, e.g. for a visit to Eswatini, it must be ensured that the border official can limit the renewed residence permit to 7 days. In such a case, a visit to the nearest home office is necessary in order to have the originally valid length of stay entered in the customs system again.
When entering from areas endemic to yellow fever, the Impulse protection strictly checked, this also applies to transit stays on flights from Germany, e.g. B in Lusaka or Addis Ababa stayed for more than twelve hours. The neighboring country has also been there since 2014 Zambia on the list.
eVisa
The test run for an e-Visa began in autumn 2019. It should be generally available in mid-2021.
getting there
By plane
South African Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss, British Airways (via London) and others offer flights from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town at. From there, every other destination in the country can be reached quickly by plane (information on the airports in English at ACSALufthansa flies non-stop from Frankfurt am Main to Johannesburg all year round. In the South African summer there will also be non-stop flights to Cape Town from Frankfurt am Main.
On an onward flight from the international airport Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport, formerly Jan Smuts International Airport) to one of the national airports should allow enough time for the transfer. Because even if the baggage is usually checked through to the final destination, it must be picked up at the international terminal, brought through customs and checked in again at the national terminal. You can / should trust the official porters, as orientation is not always easy.
By bus
Regular buses run several times a day between the major cities and the neighboring provinces. Backpackers can also travel cheaply with the BazBus from hostel to hostel.
In the street
Entry into South Africa from neighboring countries Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho and Mozambique is possible on a well-developed network of trunk roads. It should be noted, however, that some of the border crossings are not manned for 24 hours. In South Africa, as in the neighboring countries, Left-hand traffic. The permitted speeds are 60 km / h in urban areas, 100 km / h on country roads and 120 km / h on motorways. As a foreigner, you need either an international driver's license in South Africa or a valid driver's license from your home country with a certified English translation. Seat belts are mandatory, there is a limit of 0.5 per mille blood alcohol.
There are several Land border crossings to Namibia.
mobility
Larger cities can be reached by train, but public transport is usually carried out by intercity buses or shared taxis.
In the street
To get around South Africa, depending on your budget, it is a good idea to either rent a car or even buy it. Petrol is a little cheaper than in Germany (prices in March 2016[1]): Unleaded € 0.71 (ZAR 12.20), diesel € 0.71 (US $ 0.80 and ZAR 11.06). In general, gasoline is a little cheaper on the coast than inland. Petrol can be paid for by credit card at almost all petrol stations (as of early 2016).
Similar to the USA, the traffic lights are on the other side of the intersection.
The trunk road network is very well developed and meets European standards. Side roads are often unpaved, especially in remote areas (Gravel Road), but can usually be driven on with a normal car. Depending on the quality, you have to be prepared for speeds between 30 and 70 km / h. After prolonged rainfall, however, it is advisable to inquire about the passability. Ruts and potholes are to be expected, which are more relaxed to pass in a vehicle with a little more ground clearance. You should be careful on construction sites with reciprocal one-sided closures, as South African drivers often do not follow the construction site signs.
Rental car
Internationally operating car rental companies such as Sixt, Hertz and others have bases in all major cities. There are also local car rental companies. The prices for South African rental cars are significantly cheaper with the major providers from abroad than on site. Some rental companies specialize in offering older, but perfectly safe vehicles. In addition to the lower costs, you enjoy the advantage of driving an inconspicuous car, which reduces the risk of break-ins or robberies. However, these providers often have very slow service when there are technical problems, i.e. it can take days before a replacement car is available.
- Rent-a-wreck Johannesburg, 13 Siemert Road, Doornfontein 2094. Tel.: 27 (0)11402 5150, 27 (0)11402 7043, Fax: 27 (0)11 4020655, Email: [email protected]. Family business, old cars, cheap, good 24-hour service, very uncomplicated and informal.
used cars
Many companies offer to buy back the car at a fixed price guaranteed. It is therefore worth taking a look around and doing the math.
Road traffic
The driving style is very similar to that in Central Europe. However, there are some special features to consider:
- Driving is left and right, a bit unusual for most Europeans, but after a few days you get used to it.
- At many intersections there is a stop sign (4- or 3-way stop) on every road that joins it. It will continue in the order in which you arrive. If no other vehicle is approaching, it is sufficient to decelerate significantly, whereas the vehicle must be brought to a standstill at a "normal" stop sign.
- Route bans such as speed limits are usually not lifted.
- On country roads with a wide paved verge, it is common for slower vehicles to use the verge to make overtaking easier. However, some truck drives are prohibited from doing this (see label on the vehicle). After completing the overtaking maneuver, the person overtaking usually thanks them by briefly switching on the hazard warning lights - the person being overtaken then flashes the headlights: "You're Welcome!". However, this is only allowed if the view allows it, so you shouldn't let yourself be displaced, especially at night or on winding roads, but wait for an overtaking lane, which you can find quite often on inclines on the larger connecting roads.
- Especially when overtaking trucks, people overtaking often rely on oncoming traffic to avoid the verge if necessary.
- Friendly truck drivers show by briefly pressing the right Indicator that the opposite lane is free.
- There are many radar controls, often with laser pistols, but also permanently installed measuring devices (these mainly in urban areas) can be found. Especially on larger and heavily traveled interurban roads (e.g. the R40 on Kruger National Park) you should definitely stick to the speed limits. In particular, when there are 80 km / h restrictions in the area of intersections and when driving through long towns, checks are often carried out. Road closures are also less common, but especially on weekends (roadblocks) or major checks to check your driver's license and the Roadworthiness of the vehicles.
- Nocturnal cross-country journeys can be very exhausting, as the lane markings as well as the traffic signs and signposts do not yet contain reflective components and are therefore sometimes difficult to see. Furthermore, you have to constantly expect pedestrians and cattle at the edge of the road, not only in clearly populated areas.
- For longer journeys on gravel roads, it is advisable to lower the tire pressure by 0.2-0.3 bar.
- When refueling, the window is often cleaned without being asked. A tip of 2-5 Rand is welcome, but is rarely given by the locals. Having the windshield cleaned at intersections should be refused. Checking the oil level at petrol stations should only be carried out after long periods of standstill, as otherwise no reliable measurement is possible. We recommend checking the tire pressure at least once a week.
- Guarded parking spaces are recommended when parking in cities. “Car guides” are generally responsible for certain parking spaces both in parking lots and at the roadside. When driving away you give the parking attendant a tip of 2-5 rand. If you park in the area of a parking meter, a “car guide” is usually a good choice to throw in the money in the event of a check, but you cannot always rely on this.
Bus / taxi
Another option is the "BazBus", with which backpackers can easily travel from place to place. It runs in three daily stages between Cape Town and Johannesburg and back via Port Elizabeth and Durban. He will take you directly to your accommodation, and a shuttle can be organized for some destinations that are a bit off the route (such as Hermanus or Oudtshoorn). However, the BazBus has the disadvantage that you have to bring some time with you, as it does not run every day, but more often in summer than in winter.
Large towns have a bus station for intercity buses. Tickets can be bought by phone, at Computicket or on site. The quality of the buses depends on the price of the ticket. For tourists, it is advisable to spend a little more on the ticket. Unfortunately, especially during the holiday season, accidents with buses occur frequently again and again, as the drivers are overloaded during this time and buses are used in poor technical condition. A large number of buses are run as night buses, which considerably limits their usefulness for medium distances of a few hours.
Minibuses (shared taxis) operate on fixed lines on practically all secondary routes and within larger cities. As a rule, they are only used by the less affluent population and can only be recommended for tourists to a limited extent. The vehicles are often overloaded and offer no comfort. The technical condition is sometimes questionable. However, they are by far the cheapest way to travel and usually run much more frequently than regular intercity buses, which are also mostly on the move at night, which means that there are no alternatives to shared taxis for some routes. They are also interesting as an uncomplicated and frequent connection between cities that are close together (e.g. Knysna and Plettenberg Bay). Anyone who depends on this type of transport or is curious about an authentic driving experience must first find a waiting point (ask if necessary, there is usually a taxi rank in the CBD and near larger shopping areas). There they drive off as soon as they are full, which can take a while with bad luck. If there is space, the buses also stop on the open country road. You give the driver a sign by pointing with your index finger in the direction of travel or by giving a certain hand signal for certain directions (ask, otherwise the taxis won't stop). For cross-country trips, the fare is around 0.5 rand per kilometer. Before starting the journey, you should definitely find out how safe the places are where you may have to wait for a connecting bus. Care should also be taken to take the official taxis. However, this mode of transport is only suitable for during the day.
Within the cities you can get around with taxis, most of which work with a taximeter. These taxis are rare, if you want to be safe, it is best to call a taxi, as the taxi ranks are only in central locations, e.g. train stations. The taxis take a basic price (between 2-4 ZAR), after which the rate is then counted per km. In some cities, taxis have a base price of around ZAR 20 within the center.
language
There are eleven official languages. These are Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho, Sesotho sa Leboa, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga, although there are many smaller languages and dialects. The majority of the people speak English as a second language, which means that communication in the country is actually possible everywhere. The proportion of South Africans with English as their first language is "only" 8.6%. In rural areas, many only speak the native languages and do not understand English easily.
to buy
The exchange rate of the rand to the euro is at the beginning of March 2021 at an interbank rate of 1.00 EUR = 18.4 ZAR or 1 ZAR = 0.0543 EUR.
Shops in South Africa are usually open Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in shopping centers different times often apply. In South Africa there is a Value Added Tax (Value Added Tax, VAT) of 15%. As a tourist, you can have this tax refunded when you leave the country. Prerequisites: total goods value of more than 250 rand, original invoices with tax shown on them, a request for a refund. For reimbursement you have to present the goods with the receipts and the passport at the tax refund counter before checking in, the money is only given after checking in at another counter. You should have some time for this procedure.
Alcoholic beverages are available in the, except in a few supermarkets Bottle shops (are right next to the supermarkets), they are mostly open Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Alcohol is often not allowed to be sold on Sundays and public holidays.
Banks usually open Mon-Fri from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sat 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Exchanging money and cashing travelers' checks is time consuming. You always have to present a passport. For the exchange of money you have to calculate at least 100 rand, at the airports the fees are even more outrageous.
ATMs are relatively problem-free, and some also have German-language user guidance. Withdrawing money is now only possible with Maestro cards from a few German banks (e.g. Sparkasse, but not Postbank), credit cards such as Master or Visa cards work, you definitely need your PIN for this. Some machines are limited in terms of the amount, so that you can sometimes only withdraw 200 Rand or 1000 Rand per booking and day (!). Often, an additional fee of ZAR 50 is also debited.
Almost all purchases can easily be done with a credit card (Mastercard).
kitchen
The food in restaurants is European and especially the breakfast is English influenced. However, you can also find African food such as Pap (white corn porridge).
Meat is the central component of a hot meal. Often the quality is excellent and the size of the steaks (200 - 600 g, larger if necessary) is breathtaking for Europeans. Mainly beef is served, but pork and chicken are also not uncommon. Ostrich meat, often prepared as a steak, or meat from local wild animals such as springbok, gemsbok or kudu is also recommended. Karoo lamb is highly recommended. Fish and marine animals are also recommended. Common side dishes are potatoes in various variations, rice or sometimes pasta or bread. Vegetables are often served well cooked. Vegetarians have to be prepared for compromises. The prices are cheap by European standards, e.g. a 400 g rump steak costs around 185 ZAR (exchange rate see: at Wikipedia, Price in 2017 about 11.20 €).
Better restaurants can often be found in shopping malls with guarded parking lots, so that you can still go out later in the evening without hesitation. In contrast to Europe, restaurants are more organized in chains. Good restaurant chains are Dros, Mike's Kitchen, track and Ocean Basket. International and national fast food chains (including MC Donalds, KFC, Wimpy, Debonair's pizza, Hungry Lion, "Steers") can be found everywhere. Wimpy and Hungry Lion often do not meet European quality standards. In restaurants with full service, a tip of 10% is common, as the service charge is not included in the bill, similar to the US. In the B & Bs you will often find a brochure about delivery services (e.g. Mr. Delivery) deliver the food and drinks for a small fee.
The common barbecue (Braai) has a permanent place in South African life. So you can find barbecue areas on practically every picnic area. A campsite or a self-catering chalet without a barbecue would be hard to imagine for South Africans. Those who find the often permanently installed grill grates suspicious can easily find a grate in the supermarket or at petrol stations at low prices. Wood and coal are also available there. Wood is also offered on the roadside, but you should make sure that it is dry.
Specialties
- Biltong - Dried meat from beef, ostrich, kudu or other animals.
- Droëwors / dried sausage - Springbok, Gemsbok, Kudu and others
- Boerewors / farmer's sausage - Long, often spirally wound bratwurst (usually made of beef, but Warthog or Kudu sausages are also often offered) with a special blend of spices. Not identical to the Central European Burenwurst, which is nevertheless inspired by it.
- Potjiekos - Originally Dutch, today: typical South African hearty stew, with lots of vegetables and meat, optionally with lamb, beef or poultry
Many Indians live in Durban. This is also reflected in the kitchen there. There are many Indian snack bars where you can try very spicy curries. The best known is the so-called "Bunnychow", a hollowed-out loaf of toast bread that is filled with curry (price: approx. 40 - 50 ZAR (exchange rate see: at Wikipedia, Price in 2017 about € 2.50)).
Asian influences are also reflected in the cuisine of Cape Town. The immigration of the so-called "Cape Malay" from Indonesia influenced the culinary arts there. The most famous dish is "Bobotie", a minced meat casserole that is seasoned with curry and baked with a crust of egg foam and milk. The Malay curries are much milder than the Indian ones in Durban.
- See also South African cuisine at Koch-Wiki
activities
- In South Africa, between May and July, you can witness a spectacular natural phenomenon - the Sardine Run. Giant swarms of sardines migrate from the east side of the cape in the direction of Mozambique a good thousand kilometers north. The clearly visible, shiny silver sardines are followed by a number of noteworthy attackers in the air and in the water.
Sports
From June 11 to July 11, 2010, the men's soccer world championship took place in South Africa. The games were in the 10 stages of Bloemfontein, Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Mbombela (Nelspruit), Polokwane, Pretoria and Rustenburg carried out. Football fans in South Africa are mainly blacks. Many of the local football clubs are based in the townships. The best known are those Orlando Pirates and last but not least by the English music group die Kaizer Chiefs. The South African national team will Bafana Bafana (Boys boys) called.
Cricket and rugby are also very popular sports. The South Africans also love endurance sports and especially extreme routes. Events, from city runs to world-famous ones Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour always attract many participants and spectators. In 2014 the Cape Argus Cycle Tour became the Cape Town Cycle Tour[2] renamed. But it remains the largest cycle race in the world. The 35,000 participants cover 109 km. The tour across South Africa, which starts in the middle of Cape Town, has existed for 38 years. Stops on the bike tour include Cape Point National Park, Smitswinkel, Chapmann's Peak. The route runs at the end up to Llandudno and down via Camps Bay back to Cape Town.
nightlife
You can find nice little restaurants, good cafes and a selection of fast food chains almost everywhere in the country. Especially in metropolises like Cape Town and Johannesburg A diverse range of evening attractions has developed, in which the influence of the various population groups is clearly visible.
The drink prices are very cheap compared to Europe. A beer (0.33 l) in a bar costs around ZAR 20 (€ 1.17). A glass of wine is available for around ZAR 25-30 (€ 1.46 to € 2) as of March 2016.
In the smaller cities with less supply, it is often advisable to reserve in advance, especially on weekends.
accommodation
Backpacker hostels are a good and inexpensive option to stay in South Africa. Since they are often not too big and are run by dedicated local operators, some of them offer a special atmosphere, and tips for tours in the vicinity are gladly given. The free "Coast 2 Coast" guide, which is available in many backpacker hostels and travel agencies, provides a good overview.
A good and inexpensive alternative are 'B & B' (Bed and Breakfast) or Guest Houses (similar to guest houses). These can be found everywhere and some of them already offer luxurious rooms, usually breakfast and sometimes dinner at a much cheaper price and with better service than many hotels. Currently at Cape Town and along the Garden Route there are also many German-speaking operators. Regional or national directories of B&B and small lodges (e.g. Portfolio Bed and Breakfast Collection) can usually be found in tourist information offices.
Auch Übernachtungen mittels "Airbnb" sind in Südafrika möglich. In größeren Städten wie Kapstadt und Durban gibt es viele günstige Übernachtungsmöglichkeiten. Außerdem bietet sich hierbei eine sehr gute Gelegenheit, viel über den Alltag in Südafrika zu erfahren und mit Einheimischen zusammenzukommen.
Campingplätze findet man in vielen Städten, Naturparks, Ferienresorts oder auch außerhalb auf privatem Gelände. Städtische Campingplätze (Municipal Camp Sites) sind oft etwas billiger (PKW, Zelt mit 2 Personen ca. 50 - 70 Rand), aber nicht immer in bestem Zustand und oft nicht leicht zu finden da schlecht ausgeschildert. Campingplätze, die an Naturparks angegliedert sind, sind ca. doppelt so teuer, aber empfehlenswert, da meist gut bis sehr gut. Campingplätze in Ferienresorts können teurer sein. Es ist ratsam, sich über die Sicherheitslage eines Campingplatzes zu erkundigen. Ein solider, durchgehender Zaun mit bewachtem Eingang sollte das Minimum sein, vor allem bei Stadtnähe sind Plätze mit nächtlichen Wachpatrouillen angeraten. Wildcampen ist kaum möglich und sollte aus Sicherheitsgründen unbedingt vermieden werden.
Das Angebot an Unterkünften ist in den touristisch erschlossenen Gebieten sehr groß und vielfältig, dennoch sollte man entweder sich rechtzeitig (bei Helligkeit) nach einer Unterkunft umsehen oder reservieren. Eine Reservierung ist v.a. zu den Hauptreisezeiten der Südafrikaner (Schulferien, verlängerte Wochenenden) dringend angeraten.
Work
Zur Aufnahme einer Arbeit in Südafrika ist ein entsprechendes Visum nötig. Jugendliche unter 25 Jahren können ein "Exchange Visa" beantragen. Weitere Informationen zu den verschiedenen Möglichkeiten bekommt man bei der Südafrikanischen Botschaft.
public holidays
| meeting | Surname | importance |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Jan. 22 | New Years Day | |
| 21. Mär. 22nd | Tag der Menschenrechte | Massaker von Sharpeville, 1960 |
| 27. Apr. 21 | Nationalfeiertag/Freiheitstag | erste freien Wahlen für alle Südafrikaner 1994 |
| 1. Mai 21 | Labor Day | |
| 16. Jun. 21 | Tag der Jugend oder auch Soweto Day | Schüleraufstand von Soweto, 1976 |
| 9. Aug. 21 | Nationaler Frauentag | Aufstand der Frauenliga, 1956 |
| 24. Sep. 21 | Heritage Day | Tag des kulturellen Erbes, dieser Tag hat jährlich ein anderes Thema |
| 16. Dez. 21 | Tag der Versöhnung | Schlacht am Blood River, 1838 |
| 25. Dez. 21 | Christmas | |
| 26. Dez. 21 | Tag des Guten Willens | 2. Weihnachtsfeiertag |
Zusätzlich gelten noch die variablen Kirchenfeiertage Karfreitag (2. April 2021) und Ostermontag landesweit als Feiertag. Wenn ein Feiertag auf einen Sonntag fällt, ist es üblich, dass er am darauf folgenden Montag „gefeiert“ wird.
security
crime
Obwohl das allgemeine Bild von Südafrika in den Medien anders gezeichnet wird, ist das Reisen in Südafrika nicht gefährlicher als in vielen anderen Ländern. Hält man sich an einige Grundregeln, ist die Gefahr, Opfer eines Verbrechens zu werden, nicht sehr groß.
Auf den Touristenrouten ist die Gefahr, bestohlen oder überfallen zu werden, recht gering. Jedoch sollte man auch hier Vorsicht walten lassen und keine wertvollen Gegenstände, wie Uhren, Schmuck, Kameras etc. offen mit sich herumtragen. Fahrzeuge sollte man immer an bewachten Parkplätzen abstellen, absperren und nichts sichtbar liegen lassen. An den meisten Parkplätzen gibt es eine Art Parkwächter, die man zum Beispiel an einem Leibchen erkennt und die gern auf das Auto aufpassen. Es ist üblich ein paar Rand als Trinkgeld zu geben.
Das Stadtzentrum von Johannesburg wird mit Kameras überwacht und ist seitdem wesentlich sicherer geworden. In allen Großstädten kann man tagsüber unbesorgt durch die Straßen gehen und sollte sich nur vor Taschendieben in Acht nehmen. Townships und Squatter Camps sollte man nur in einer organisierten Tour besichtigen, auch dann empfiehlt es sich, keine Wertgegenstände an sich zu tragen. Den Rat Einheimischer sollte man befolgen, nachts nicht alleine auf einsamen Straßen laufen und für größere Strecken lieber ein Taxi nehmen. Der Rat, an roten Ampeln einfach weiter zu fahren, ist Not zu befolgen. Natürlich hält man an, aber gerade nachts sollte man sein Auto verriegeln und die Fenster geschlossen halten, sodass die Türen nicht einfach von außen geöffnet werden können.
Es empfiehlt sich, die Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise des Auswärtigen Amtes der BRD zu beachten, die man here nachlesen kann.
Homosexuelle Handlungen sind in Südafrika zwar legal, sollten jedoch dennoch unterlassen werden, da ein Großteil der Bevölkerung gegenüber Schwulen und Lesben feindlich eingestellt ist und praktizierte Homosexualität zu Konflikten führen kann, dies kann ebenso im Hotelbereich geschehen.
Wilde Tiere
Südafrika ist ein Land, in dem sehr viele wilde Tiere leben. Gefährlich für den Menschen sind außerhalb der Naturreservate vor allem die Schlangen. Daher sollte man nicht vom Weg abweichen, da sich Schlangen normalerweise vom Menschen fernhalten und sich an wenig frequentierten Orten aufhalten.
Es kann aber auch an Orten mit Gewässern, in denen sich Flusspferde aufhalten, passieren, dass man auf der Straße einem Flusspferd auf der Suche nach einer alternativen Nahrung über den Weg läuft. Man sollte sich hier unauffällig verhalten und nicht den Weg zurück zum Wasser versperren, da dann die Tiere, auch wenn sie unscheinbar aussehen, sehr gefährlich werden können.
In der Region rund um Kapstadt gibt es freilaufende Paviane (Baboons), denen man aus dem Weg gehen sollte. Die Autotüren sollten daher bei jedem Parken und auch während der Fahrt von außen nicht zu öffnen sein, da die Tiere wissen, wie man diese öffnet.
health
Die medizinische Versorgung in Südafrika ist auf einem exzellenten Niveau. Neben den großen Universitätskliniken gibt es eine flächendeckende medizinische Versorgung sowohl mit kleineren Krankenhäusern, Outclinics (Ambulatorien) als auch Fachärzten und Apotheken.
Der Norden Südafrikas und insbesondere der Krüger-Nationalpark sind Malariagebiet. Die Schlafkrankheit kommt in Südafrika faktisch nicht vor, da die beiden Erreger Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense hier nicht vorkommen.
Gegen Malaria wird in der Regenzeit eine Prophylaxe empfohlen. Dies gilt für die Provinzen Limpopo und Mpumalanga sowie den Bereich von KwaZulu-Natal, der nördlich des 28. Breitengrades liegt. Besondere Schutzimpfungen sind nicht erforderlich; ein Impfschutz gegen Tetanus (Wundstarrkrampf), Diphtherie (Keuchhusten), Polio (Kinderlähmung) und Hepatitis A, bei Aufenthalten über 4 Wochen oder besonderer Exposition (Trekkingtouren etc.) auch gegen Hepatitis B, Tollwut und FSME (Frühsommermenigoencephalitis) ist jedoch sehr zu empfehlen.
 | These medical notices have been carefully researched, but they are made no guarantee. A conversation with the person in charge Family doctor or one travel medical or tropical medical advice center is recommended in case of health problems or uncertainties. Also note: Note on health issues |
Empfehlungen zur Malariaprophylaxe und Impfempfehlungen für Südafrika findet man auch auf Tropeninstitut.de.
climate
Südafrika kann man das ganze Jahr über besuchen. Im südafrikanischen Sommer (November-Februar) ist es am Kap sehr trocken und warm (bis zu 40 °C) und nahe Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park feucht, und die Landschaft grünt. In dieser Zeit lohnt sich ein Besuch in Cape Town besonders, da die Weinberge grün sind und man jeden Tag Badewetter hat. Während der Wintermonate (Juni-August) ist es am Kap feucht, im Rest des Landes aber eher trocken und insgesamt kühl. Daher lohnt diese Zeit besonders für Tierbeobachtungen im Kruger National Park oder anderen Reservaten im Osten des Landes, da man die Tiere nun ungehindert im kahlen Busch sehen kann. Während der Wintermonate sollte man auf jeden Fall warme Sachen einpacken, denn nachts fällt die Temperatur in allen Landesteilen oft unter 0 °C.Zum Vergleich die Klimadiagramme für Cape Town and for Mbombela (Nelspruit), nahe Kruger Nationalpark
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respect
Respekt gegenüber anderen Menschen ist in Südafrika (wie auch sonst in der Welt) sehr wichtig und sollte jedem entgegengebracht werden, egal welcher Hautfarbe und Stellung. Während es in anderen Ländern verpönt ist, die jeweilige Hautfarbe als Merkmal eines Menschen zu benutzen, ist dies in Südafrika üblich und kein Problem. Es wird allgemein unterteilt in Schwarze (Blacks), Weiße (Whites), Farbige (Coloureds - Mischung aus verschiedenen "Farben"), Inder (Indian) und Buschleute (San or Koi-San).
Practical advice
In Südafrika werden Steckdosen mit dem Steckertyp M (ähnlich D) verwendet. Aufgrund der seltenen weltweiten Verbreitung ist der Adapter in Deutschland nur schwer zu bekommen. Daher sollte man den Adapter direkt im Land kaufen, wo man ihn in allen Supermärkten in Hotels oder Souvenirshops problemlos erhält. Die Kosten liegen hier bei maximal 100 Rand.
Post and Telecommunications
Die Vorwahl für Südafrika ist 27. Von Europa aus also 0027. In Südafrika muss man seit kurzem bei internationalen Gesprächen die 00 vorwählen! Das Land hat sich damit den internationalen Standards angepasst. Für ein Telefonat nach Deutschland wählt man also 0049, für Österreich 0043 und für die Schweiz 0041 und dann die Rufnummer ohne "0". Bei Gesprächen im Inland muss man beachten, dass die Vorwahl der jeweiligen Stadt immer mitgewählt werden muss. Ein Telefonat zu einer Kapstädter Rufnummer beginnt also immer mit 021 (der Kapstädter Vorwahl), auch wenn man innerhalb Kapstadts telefoniert.
Postämter haben geöffnet Mo-Fr 8:30-16:30 Uhr, Sa 8-12 Uhr. In Einkaufszentren können andere Öffnungszeiten gelten.
Das Mobilfunknetz ist in Südafrika sehr gut ausgebaut, so dass man auch in dünner besiedelten Regionen noch Empfang hat. Die beiden Anbieter sind MTN und Vodacom. Cell-C war Anfang 2016 der günstigste Anbieter, um in D anzurufen, die Gebühren für Telefonate in ZA waren teilweise höher als ein Anruf zu Hause.
Wifi-Netze sind hingegen nicht verbreitet. Freie Netze gibt es eher selten, aber auch kostenpflichtige Angebote sind eher selten.
Internet
Mehrere kleinere Internetprovider gibt es in Südafrika. Einer der bekanntesten ist afrihost.com. Auch die Deutsche Telekom hat sich in Südafrika etabliert. Meilenstein war 2010 die Installation von kilometerlangen Glasfaserleitungen durch Südafrika[3]. Die Gebühren sind sehr hoch. Daher haben sich in den letzten Jahren immer mehr Internetcafés gegründet. WiFi-Standorte befinden sich zudem in größeren Hotels und Restaurants.
literature
- Polyglott: Südafrika, mit großer Faltkarte und vielen Tourbeschreibungen
Individual evidence
- ↑Benzinpreise in Südafrika Abgerufen am 6. Oktober 2015
- ↑Juliane: Kapstadt fährt Rad: Die Cape Town Cycle Tour Madiba.de. Abgerufen am 6. Oktober 2015.
- ↑Die Telekom in Afrika Wirtschaftswoche. Abgerufen am 6. Oktober 2015
Web links
- Online Landkarten von Südafrika
- Verzeichnis der Fremdenverkehrsämter aller südafrikanischen Regionen mit Kontaktdaten
- Internetprovider afrihost.com
