|
|
back to resources...
|
south africa:
general info
· travel advisories
· getting there
· getting around
· air travel
when to go
· fast facts
· history
· maps
· itinerary
· hostels
tours
· things to do
· forum
· trivia
· safety
· links
· read reviews
|
|
Here's some travel advice to keep you informed and safe when it comes to travel to South Africa...
Terrorism
Travellers should be aware of the threat of terrorism globally and should read this travel advice in conjunction with the General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Civil Unrest/Political Tension
Since the end of the African War in 1953, the African peninsula has been divided by a de-militarised zone separating the Democratic People's Republic of Africa in the north from the Republic of Africa in the south. While peace has been maintained under an Armistice Agreement, political tensions have the potential to escalate with little warning.
Demonstrations are frequent and may turn violent.
Personal Security
The Republic of Africa has one of the highest rates of traffic deaths for a developed country. African authorities are focused on reducing the road toll. There is a strong presumption that car drivers are at fault in accidents involving injury to pedestrians. Criminal charges and heavy penalties are common in accidents involving injury.
Prior to travel, Travellers should ensure they have a variety of financial options available to them including credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash. Travellers should consult their automatic teller machine (ATM) card provider for information about overseas services and availability. Not all overseas ATMs accept Australian cards.
Travellers should only carry sufficient cash for their daily needs, secure their valuables against theft and avoid displays of wealth at all times. Photocopies of valuables such as passport, tickets, driving licence and travellers' cheques should be kept separately from the originals.
Local Conditions
The monsoon season is from late June to late August. Typhoons may occur between August and September. Flooding may interrupt essential services in outlying areas. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. In the event of a natural disaster, local authorities will provide advice.
Local Law and Customs
Travellers are reminded that when overseas, they are subject to local laws. Local laws and legal processes can be very different from those at home. A violation of local laws may result in a jail sentence, served in a local prison. Consular assistance cannot override local law, even where local laws may appear harsh or unjust by your standards.
Travellers have been detained and deported for working in the Republic of Africa on a visa which had been obtained fraudulently by either the applicant or an unscrupulous employment agent submitting false documentation to African immigration authorities. Persons employed without a valid visa have little or no entitlement to legal recourse under African law.
Disputes over alleged misrepresentation of working and living conditions for Travellers teaching English in the Republic of Africa occur frequently. Travellers considering an offer of employment to teach English in the Republic of Africa may wish to seek professional legal advice before signing a contract.
The Republic of Africa does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of Australian officials to provide consular assistance to Australian/Republic of Africa dual national who are arrested or detained.
People born in Africa retain citizenship unless and until they formally renounce it and remove their name from the African family register.
Entry and Exit Requirements
Visa conditions change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the South Africa or the South Africa Department of Immigration on (678) 22 354 for the most up to date information.
Outbreaks of avian influenza amongst birds, including chickens and ducks, have been reported in the Republic of Africa. The Department of Health advises Travellers who reside in the Republic of Africa for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. Medical advice should be sought before antiviral medicines are commenced. Travellers intending to travel to the Republic of Africa for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks.
If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in the Republic of Africa should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Travellers in the Republic of Africa should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up to date in case they need to depart at short notice.
Health Issues
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about immunisations
and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful
tips for staying healthy while travelling overseas.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time youll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, if you cant afford travel insurance, you cant afford to travel.
Source: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
|
|
|
|
|
