South Africa
South Africa – Rainbow Nation
“One of the best trips of my life!”, This is the most common phrase of tourists and students after they know the land of Nelson Mandela. It is inevitable to be enchanted with such organization, infrastructure, with the variety of options of leisure, adventure, restaurants and wineries. Undoubtedly a destination for all ages and lifestyles.
Those who seek diversity, contact with different cultures this is the perfect place. Rainbow nation, as it was named by Desmond Tutu – one of the most respected men and Nobel Peace Prize, South Africa is multicultural, hosts several races and citizens of other countries. Proof of this is that it houses eleven national languages, but English is the official language. The mix of ethnicities, accents, clothes, the gradient that goes from black to white can be easily perceived as you walk the streets of the main cities.
As every rainbow holds treasures, South Africa has been gifted with a wide variety of fauna and flora and memorable landscapes. Situated 498 km from Johannesburg, the Kruger National Park is recognized as the best safari in the country by the diversity of species, as well as being the home of the ” Big Five “: lion, African buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhino.
Cape Town, considered by many tourism organizations and international magazines as the best holiday destination in the world, has as its greatest symbol Table Mountain (a mountain table format), which was voted one of the seven new natural wonders of the planet . However, the famous Cape of Good Hope ( Cape of Good Hope ) gives rise to the name of the city. The good winds blow even by those bands and tried to join African exoticism with the comfort of cosmopolitan cities. Lovers of nature, sports, wine, cuisine have plenty of reasons to get to know the city.
Thanks to its privileged geographical location in the extreme south of the African continent, the country is bathed by two oceans . In the utopian encounter of the Atlantic with the Indian Ocean is the Cape of Good Hope, strategic point of the European commercial routes to the East and that was discovered in the XV century by the Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias. Despite the symbolism, the place that officially divides the two oceans is Cape Agulhas , the most southern point in Africa. The nation has a very extensive coastline, with about 2,500 km of coastline.
Cut by the Tropic of Capricorn, South Africa borders on the north with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe ; to the northeast with Mozambique and Swaziland . It also houses the small kingdom of Lesotho , situated in the south-east of South Africa. Two thirds of the country’s relief is plateau and in the southern portion is the Karoo Range , to the east lies the largest mountain range in southern Africa.
With more than 52 million inhabitants, the population is very diverse, with different religions, languages and cultures. Blacks are the majority and represent 79.2% of the total; 8.9% are white; while the mestizos ( colored) account for 8.9% and the Indians / Asians total 2.5%. According to the latest census, in 2011, more than half the population is female.
The South Africa is divided into nine provinces , each of which has a capital, they are: Eastern Cape (Bisho), Free State (Bloemfontein), Gauteng (Johannesburg), Kwazulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg), Limpopo (Polokwane), Mpumalanga (Mbombela), Northern Cape (Kimberley), North-West (Mahikeng) and Western Cape (Cape Town).
Contrary to popular belief, Johannesburg is not the capital of the country , despite being the largest urban center. The nation has three capitals: Cape Town (Legislative); Pretoria (Business); Bloemfontein (Judiciary) and is divided into nine provinces, each with its own legislature, prime minister and minister.
Western Cape is the province most visited by tourists. Cape Town is vibrant, exciting and the view of Table Mountain is unforgettable. The Garden Route is also well- traveled by the exuberance of landscapes, beaches and leisure options, both quiet and adrenaline, from the largest commercial bungee jump in the world to diving with white sharks. Other tourist attractions are: Cape of Good Hope, Penguins Beach, Seal Island, Robben Island . Also in this province are the charming wineries of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, welcoming regions that concentrate the most awarded wines of the country.
Those who are nature lovers need to visit the Eastern Cape, ideally because it concentrates mountains, beaches and forests. Port Elizabeth is the arrival point for those who follow the Garden Route , the city gathers stunning beaches with warm waters of the Indian Ocean, golden sands, reefs and is ideal for water sports such as surfing, sailing, kite and windsurf. In addition, it has two urban parks with more than 140 species of birds. The main attractions of the province are two national parks: Addo and Tsitsikamma . Worth knowing about Grahamstown for its architecture and historical buildings, as it was the first point of contact between the British and African tribal cultures (Xhosa) during the 19th century.
In the Northern Cape province visitors will have the opportunity to experience the famous red sand of the Kalahari Desert and its arid beauty as well as diamond deposits around the city of Kimberley . Those who love flowers can not fail to appreciate Namaqualand .
Sun City Resort is a premium holiday destination and the most sought after in the North Westprovince . It is a tourist complex recognized internationally for the luxury of its hotels and also for providing more than 100 activities for all ages, among adventure, recreation, safari, balloon ride, water parks, casino, spa, sports, etc. Visitors can relax, enjoy the family and all the tricks of their famous 5 Star Plus hotel, but there are more economical options as well.
It houses one of the country’s largest national parks: Pilanesberg , whose peculiar feature is its location within the crater of an extinct volcano. Surrounded by mountains, caves with paintings and a dam, where hippos are, crocodiles are still favorable environment to spot the Big Five .
With blue sky and horizon that seems to have no end, Free State province concentrates countless farms. Located in the middle of South Africa and surrounded by two rivers ( Vaal and Orange), it has among its attractions the Golden Gate Highlands National Park . The name of this park derives from the gold tones of the sun in the mountains. With more than 11 thousand hectares is habitat of diverse mammals and birds.
Known as the Zulu Kingdom , the Kwazuku-Natal province brings together ancient Zulus traditions with modern aspects. Its most visited destinations are: Elephant Coast, South and North Coastand Drakensberg . The province houses two World Heritage sites: Ukhahlamba Drakensberg National Park and iSimangaliso (St. Lucia) Wetlands Park . The first is a park that houses the Drakensberg Mountains and its 243,000 hectares combine natural beauties with great biodiversity and thousands of cave paintings. Already St. Luciais a special place for its variety of aquatic ecosystems and near the estuary lies the coast of the elephants. The largest city in the province is Durban , which offers great holiday attractions. Dolphin Coast ( Dolphin Coast ) is characterized by its lush greenery, cool Indian Ocean breezes, beaches and clear skies. South Coast is much sought after by its golden sandy beaches, natural pools that form among the rocks, numerous fishing areas and for being the meeting point of the dolphins.
The Limpopo province borders on Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana and is rich in wildlife, landscapes, history and culture. Waterberg is an arid area, but full of mountains, hills, different species of plants and animals, and houses the Big Five . In this district there are several game reserves and for being a malaria-free region and near the Kruger National Park attracts many tourists.
The smallest of the provinces, but the most populous is Gauteng, whose name means “place of gold.” Johannesburg is the financial and commercial metropolis of the country, its center brings together historical attractions such as museums, theaters, art galleries. But it is not so safe to do walking tours of the city, nor in public transport, it is best to organize tour groups or use the tour buses known as “Red Bus”. Near Johannesburg is the Cradle of Humankind, which has one of the richest evidences of human evolution in the last 3.5 million years. There are the remains of the earliest hominids, the earliest ancestors of the human race. The pretoria metropolis offers visitors parks, monuments and grandiose official government buildings.
The Kruger Park , with the Big Five, is the main attraction of the province Mpumlanga , which means land of the rising sun in the local language SiSwati. It offers in addition to wildlife, mountains with constantly changing heights due to erosion, adventure water sports and lots of culture.
The Garden Route stretches 200 km along South Africa’s southwest coast. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world, with stunning scenery. The name derives from the green and ecologically diverse vegetation of the region, with the presence of forests, numerous lakes, lagoons, beaches, bays along the coast. In this area are two national parks – Tsitsikamma and Wilderness – as well as numerous other provincial and private nature reserves.
The official route begins on the south coast of the city of Heidelberg and continues to the Tsitsikamma forest and the Storms river, already in the Eastern Cape province . All along this route, there is well-developed tourist infrastructure with charming towns and countless historical, natural, geological and adventure attractions. On the way, you can get to know the main cities: Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay. However, the most popular route goes to Port Elizabeth.
Mossel Bay – Situated midway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, the beautiful Mossel Bay is a coastal village and the port of the Garden Route. But, its most important feature is its historic capital status of the Garden Route. The Maritime Museum houses the impressive full-size replica of the caravel commanded by the Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias, in which he sailed at Mossel Bay in the year 1488. In addition to the beautiful landscapes, there are great restaurants and a paradise for those who enjoy seafood.
George – It is the administrative capital and also known as the gateway to the Garden Route as it is right in the middle of the official route. George is a picturesque town with sophisticated infrastructure, many historical sites and ideal for golfing and mountain biking. It is located 10 km from the plateau between the majestic Outeniqua Mountain to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south.
Wilderness – The town, on the banks of the Touws River estuary, has white sandy beaches, lakes and rivers that attract tourists from all over the world. The Wilderness National Park is a paradise for ecotourism with a fascinating beauty and still offers great tranquility. However, it offers plenty of fun and adventure with whale and dolphin watching, hang gliding, paragliding, horseback riding, mountain-biking, fishing, boating and other water sports.
Knysna – Nestled between the Outeniqua mountains and the sea, Knysna is surrounded by both native forests and plantations. The city is a true natural paradise, its tidal lagoon and open estuary is habitat for one of the world’s smallest seahorses, which are in danger of extinction. Visitors can learn about animal diversity, more than 230 species of birds, rare butterflies, as well as walking alongside African elephants or riding on them. It is also recommended to visit art galleries or to practice adventure sports. Featherbed Bay tastes champagne and oysters by the sea at sunset.
Oudtshoorn – It is located in a semi-desert region of the country called Klein Karoo . The city is the heart of the ostrich feather industry, home to more than 400 farms of this exotic animal and some of them offer interaction with animals. Visitors have the opportunity to know more details about the animal during guided tours, feed them or even ride on them. But, great attraction is the Cango Caves , a series of caves and limestone cavities, naturally carved by rain for over 20 million years. These caves are among the ten most visited tourist attractions in South Africa. Another interesting tour is the encounter with cheetahs, crocodiles, tigers and reptiles, as well as the possibility of taking close-up pictures of some of these animals.
Plettenberg Bay – Surrounded by the Outenique and Tsitsikamma mountains and dominated by the Indian forest, its natural reserves are true marine, geological and archaeological treasures. The city offers great infrastructure, with hotels, restaurants and shops to suit all tastes. With 20km of beaches, it is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Garden Route. Also considered the city of adventure by offering safari, canoeing, forest trails, whale watching, boat seals and surfing. Other recommended attractions are: birdwatching, birding and walking with felines or walking guided by the forest to have contact with several species of primates around the world.
Port Elizabeth – Considered a rich historical heritage, it still preserves the traits of British culture from the time of colonization. It is the second oldest and fourth largest city in the country, located 780 km from Cape Town. The warm water of the Indian Ocean attracts many tourists to practice water sports, not to mention the beautiful golden sandy beaches surrounded by reefs. Do not forget to also visit its urban parks with varied species of South African flora and fauna, nature reserves, museums, casinos, take a dip, take boat trips to see whales, dolphins and penguins.
The west and central regions present pastures and savannas. In the desert areas are the steppes. In the south of the country, the Mediterranean vegetation is present. There is also presence of tropical forests, especially in the regions near the rivers.
There is predominance of semi-arid climate, however, on the eastern coast of the country (KwaZulu-Natal) the climate is subtropical and with sun all year round, but sometimes it snows in Drakensberg and in the mountains of the Cape in the winter period . Already in the extreme south region the climate is Mediterranean, where Cape Town and the southernmost part of the province of the Western Cape have very hot summer and the winter with light rains. The interior of the country is dry and warm during the winter and has very cold nights.
South Africa has four very well defined seasons of the year. The summer months are from December to February and autumn runs from March to May. Winter is from June to August, while spring occurs in the months of September through November.
The most suitable period for safari is in the dry winter months, when the animals are concentrated near the water sources. In the province of the Western Cape , including Cape Town, it tends to rain in the winter, so the most sought after safari season is summer.
English is the administrative language and, along with Afrikaans, are the most spoken in large cities . Xhosa (Nelson Mandela language) and Zulu are also widely used. So do not be scared if you initially do not understand the different accents. In shopping facilities, sights, hotels and restaurants English is widely spoken.
The eleven official languages are: English, Afrikaans, IsiNdebele, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.
The Europeans arrived in the country in 1487, when the Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias skirted the Cape of Good Hope. Located on the commercial route to the Indies and inhabited by several black groups (bushmen, khois, xhosas, zulus), the region was settled by Dutch, French and German immigrants in the 17th century. White settlers (called Boeres or Afrikaners) settled and developed a language of their own, Afrikaans. In 1806, the English took Cape Town and fought against blacks and boers. With the clashes, the boer emigrated to the northeast (the Grande Jornada, in 1836), where they founded two independent republics, Transvaal and Free State of Orange.
The entry of the English into the Transvaal results in the Boer War, which ends with the British victory.
About Apartheid
Apartheid was a policy of racial segregation systematized and implemented after the victory of the National Party in 1948. Unlike racial segregation in the pre-1948 period, apartheid promoted the establishment and institutionalization of ethnic / racial groups. The principle espoused by its precursors was to promote the “separate development” of the various racial groups, so that each racial group could “progress” according to its specificities. To that end, it was established that each racial group should inhabit specific areas and racial miscegenation was prohibited. Contrary to the idea of ”separate development,” what happened in practice was the guarantee of privileges for the white minority, based on the systematic exclusion of nonwhite groups.
The underlying aim of Apartheid was to contain the urbanization of African groups. For this reason, strict controls of the presence of Africans in the white areas were established. Everyone had to carry a pass and were forced to leave the white areas after a certain time.
In addition to strict control of the influx of Africans into urban areas, Apartheid comprised two fronts of social intervention: the “small” apartheid, which consisted in the establishment of public places separated by race (restaurants, hospitals, restrooms, beaches, bus stations and trains, public buildings owned separate areas for whites and non-whites) and the “great” apartheid, which consisted in the creation of specific homelands for each ethnic group, so that all non-white Africans were declared citizens of these territories and thus treated as “foreigners” in “white” South Africa. (text: Prof. Dr. Gustavo Gomes da Costa)
The great representative of the struggle against the apartheid regime was Nelson Mandela. As a young law student, Mandela became involved in the anti-apartheid movement and joined the African National Congress (CNA) in 1942 and two years later was one of the founders of the CNA Youth League. Initially, he advocated nonviolent acts, but after the Sharpeville massacre (in March 1960, when South African police shot black protesters, killed 69 people and wounded 180) Mandela and other militants began to resort to weapons to fight against the system. In 1961 he became the commander of the armed wing of the ANC and coordinated sabotage against military and government targets and traveled to Ethiopia and Morocco for paramilitary training.
In August 1962, Mandela was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison for illegally traveling abroad and encouraging strikes. Two years later, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage and conspiring to help other countries invade South Africa (Mandela denied this last reason). During the 27 years of his life in which he was imprisoned, he was considered a terrorist by the South African authorities. But his name was so closely associated with the opposition to apartheid that many countries and human rights organizations began campaigning for Mandela’s release. He was only released on February 11, 1990, at the age of 72, at the behest of then-President Frederik Willem de Klerk, following a major CNA campaign and international pressure. In 1993, Mandela and Frederik de Klerk shared theNobel Prize of Peace.
Mandela was president of the ANC (from July 1991 to December 1997) and the first black president of South Africa elected by universal suffrage, when he ruled from May 1994 until June 1999. He commanded the transition from the apartheid regime to a political regime democratic and gained even more respect worldwide for its struggle for internal and external reconciliation.
For more details, visit: www.sahistory.org.za or http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/history.htm
Brazilian citizens who wish to study, do tourism or business in South Africa for a period of 90 days do not need a visa. It is imperative to present on board the International Certificate of Immunization issued by ANVISA, which proves that the yellow fever vaccine was duly taken at least 15 days before the date of shipment. Children under one year old are exempt from the vaccine.
However, Brazilians who intend to extend their stay for more than 90 days in the country need a visa. In this case we recommend contacting the South African consulate in São Paulo or the embassy in Brasilia for updated information.
Consulate General (São Paulo)
Tel: (11) 3265-0449
Fax: (11) 3285-1185
Website: www.africadosul.org.br
Reception opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to noon
Address: Avenida Paulista, 1754 – 12th floor.
Cerqueira César – São Paulo / SP (near MASP / Trianon-Masp Subway Station)
Embassy (Brasilia):
Tel: (61) 3312-9500
Fax: (61) 3322-8491
Website: www.africadosul.org.br
Address: SES – Avenida das Nações, Lote 6 – Brasília / DF.
The great treasures of the country are the natural beauties and their diversity of fauna and flora. Because of this, the South African government constantly invests in the preservation and conservation of its 21 national parks . They represent the indigenous fauna, flora, scenery and many of them are considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, due to their cultural and / or natural importance. In addition to the breathtaking landscapes, thousands of tourists are also attracted by accommodation facilities in arid, coastal, mountainous areas or in the bushveld ecosystem. The governing body of the park system is the South African National Parks (SANParks).
The Kruger National Parkis one of the most famous parks in the world and the most important in South Africa when it comes to wildlife. Its 2 million hectares are home to the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and African buffalo), as well as 147 species of mammals, 507 birds, 114 reptiles, 34 amphibians, 46 fish and 336 trees. Kruger does not attract visitors from all parts of the planet just because of the rich diversity of flora and fauna, its great infrastructure also enchants with excellent road connections, varied accommodation and private reserves around the majestic park. Animals can be seen a few meters away, there are daytime and nighttime photographic safaris in 4 × 4 vehicles, hiking through the savannah. There is no forgetting the beautiful sunsets and sounds of the animals in their natural habitat at night.
Table Moutain National Park is the most visited of all South African national parks, are 4.2 million visitors a year. It protects an area of more than 24 thousand hectares and the objective is to incorporate another 5 thousand hectares in the future. In addition, the jurisdiction of the park also includes 1,000 square kilometers of sea and coastline around the peninsula. It houses many species of mammals, especially antelopes adapted to the vegetation of fimbos, also reptiles and amphibians and marine species (fish, seals, whales). The diversity of flora is a spectacle apart, it is not by chance that the park is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom World Heritage Site,one of the richest flower regions in the world and considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This national park is surrounded by Cape Town and therefore fragmented by urban development and privately owned land, making it open access, with collection of conservation fees in three controlled accesses: Cape Point , Boulders Penguin Colony and Silvermine. The visitor pays to climb up the Table Mountain from the cable car, but it is accessible on foot with long walks. The main attractions that still form part of the National Park complex are Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, Penguin Colony Beach (Boulders), Silvermine, Signal Hill and Lions Head Mountains and beaches of Camps Bay, Llandudno, Noordhoek, Kommetjie, Scarborough, among others.
The Pilanesberg National Park is located three hours drive from Johannesburg, in a transition zone between the dry Kalahari and moist vegetation known as Lowveld . This rich transition zone attracts an incredible variety of wildlife, flora and fauna. Virtually all animal species native to South Africa can be found here, including the Big 5, Wild Dog, Roan , Tsessebe , Sable antelope and more than 360 species of birds. THEPilanesberg’s peculiar characteristic is that it is situated inside the crater of an ancient volcano, formed 1.2 billion years ago by the overflow of magma. The landscapes and rock formations that we see today are the lasting memories of this magnificent occurrence. Among the main activities are the photographic safaris in 4 × 4 vehicles or on foot and balloon ride.
The 157,000-hectare Garden Route National Park incorporates a mosaic of ecosystems, including Tsitsikamma National Park , stretches of Wilderness National Park and still part of Lake Knysna. All of these areas together offer beautiful mountainous landscapes, and are famous for their diverse natural and cultural resources. Tsitsikammais the third most visited national park in the country, covers 80 km of coastline, is internationally recognized for its indigenous forests, considered the paradise of birds and also for being the oldest and largest marine reserve in Africa. Hiking practitioners from all over the world visit the area which is known for its rugged and untouched coastline. Wilderness National Park protects three large areas of native forest, four types of fimbos (wild shrubs), lakes and winding canals. There are also a number of historical sites of archaeological importance. During spring, the park is covered with colorful flowers that increase its beauty even more. The Knysna Lake National Area is surrounded by forests ecolsaves and marine creatures, among them the small seahorse Knysna.
One of South Africa’s favorite programs on weekends is to visit the national parks as they offer great infrastructure for outdoor activities. Most parks have great accommodation options, from more luxurious to simpler, but book in advance. It is very common to gather family and friends and make a barbecue, known in the country as ” braai “ .
To learn more about the parks and their differentials, visit: http://www.sanparks.org/
The South African tourism sector is working to make the country one of the 20 most visited destinations in the world by 2020. This justifies the organization, infrastructure of the cities, tours and constant concern for the preservation of culture, national parks and their ecosystems.
Each province has its own peculiarities and charms. The options of leisure, shopping, adventure, culture, natural landscapes, wineries guarantee a unique trip. It pays to book a long period and enjoy many of them.
South Africa has eight sites that are considered World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. They are: Robben Island, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Cradle of Humankind, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Mapungubwe Culture Landscape, Cape Floral Region, Vredefort Dome, The Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape . Having the opportunity to know these places and their riches is an odd experience.
Elected by the most respected travel magazines, Cape Town is among the five cities to visit in the world . With a cosmopolitan atmosphere, it offers high international standards when it comes to lodging, gastronomy, wine and leisure.
The adaptation of the Brazilians is very quiet in Cape Town in relation to food, nightlife and climate, since the summer is similar to Rio de Janeiro and the winter resembles that of Rio Grande do Sul. The bohemian street Long Street and streets adjoining towns are famous for their bars, ballads and hustle and bustle until dawn.
South Africa has better roads and railways than many first world countries . So it is easy to travel around the country, whether as a tourist or student, and also make the famous backpacker. In fact, the nation is bordered by several countries, which enables the chances of knowing more destinations in one go.
Who wants to study in South Africa can count on the best international schools of English and also with British universities.
The South African Rand is lower than the Real, so in South Africa Brazilians take advantage of the exchange rate and travel becomes much more financially accessible.
More than 10% of foreign tourists come to South Africa to attend or participate in sporting events. There are many activities on the annual calendar, from marathons to bike circuits, swimming, etc. In addition, anyone who loves adventure has plenty of options to enjoy the country, from safari, canoeing, mountain trails and the world’s largest commercial bungee jump .
Tourists who will go on safari and enjoy outdoor excursions should bring binoculars, insect repellent, lantern, hat with flaps or cap, lip balm, sunscreen and sunglasses in the backpack.
Give preference to light clothes, light cottons because it does not disturb the observation of the animals, since they mix well with the vegetation in the safaris. Wear tight, comfortable shoes, boots and sneakers. Always carry a light jacket in the backpack because of sudden changes in temperature and it will also help protect insects at the end of the day in some areas.
In winter – between May and August – include warm coats and pants that warm your body, especially in the morning and late afternoon.
It is no wonder that Cape Town was known for its Cape of Storms, in that city the wind is very strong, especially in the spring (September to November). Therefore, avoid very fluttering clothes during this period and always carry a coat, because at the end of the day it is usually cold.
The roads in South Africa are well maintained, signposted, drivers are cordial in traffic, so it is easy to drive and travel around the country . There are several car rental companies, but the reservation must be made in advance, especially in high season. The steering wheel and the pedals of the cars are on the right side and the traffic follows the English hand. At first it may seem strange for drivers who are not accustomed, but with practice it becomes simpler to assimilate everything. We recommend that the traveler bring in a sworn translation, in addition to the international driver’s license, in English, especially if stopped by traffic police.
One way to get to know the main sights in Johannesburg and Cape Town is to use the City Sightseeing South Africa service. The red or blue buses have a scheduled route and stop times at each destination. For more details and purchase online, check out: http://www.citysightseeing.co.za/
In Cape Town, the most popular and cheap transportation is the van known as minibus taxi. They run daily, with frequent schedules and on routes defined by the main routes (from the center to several neighborhoods), however, there are no specific stop points, they open the doors at any time to get more passengers. They are easily recognized by the shouts of the collector, which indicates the neighborhood to which the vehicle will follow. It is a very unusual experience and ideal for those who want to know the cheerful and musical style of the population. We do not recommend using the minibus at night.
There is the option of using the subway, but it is not so well-structured and agile. Buying the first class ticket is indicated for foreigners, it costs a little more expensive but generally offers more free seats.
There is still the MyCiti bus service that is more efficient, has routes and schedules defined for circulation. The buses have exclusive lanes scattered throughout various neighborhoods and the user carries an electronic card in Rands and each time he enters or leaves a stop station he must pass the card in the small electronic machines. The amount of the trip will be automatically charged according to the kilometers used. For more information about routes, times, how to buy or reload the card, go to: http://myciti.org.za/en/home/
If you need agility and comfort, taxis (called cab ) are most suitable and cost not too expensive, except for the high season and after 18h. There are several companies safe by the cities of the country. Taxi drivers are also stationed at tourist sites, but if you wish you can call an agency and arrange the time and place. Our suggestion is to always request the services of a large taxi company.
The currency unit of South Africa is the Rand (ZAR) , known by the symbol R. One hundred cents make up a Rand (R1).
Foreign currencies such as Euro, Dollar are easier to exchange at banks, accredited hotels and bureaux de change. In general, the banks’ opening hours are from 8:30 a.m. / 9 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Only a few banks, in specific agencies, exchange Real, so it is not always convenient for Brazilian citizens. However, there is ease to use Travelers Check.
In major cities there are ATMs and easy access. Visa or Mastercard credit cards are accepted in practically all commercial establishments . However, American Express and Diners Club are not easily accepted. Be prepared when you visit the handicraft markets because the purchases can only be in cash and this also facilitates when guaranteeing a good discount.
If you want to know the exchange of the day or more information, visit: www.resbank.co.za
The country has a 14% duty on the circulation of goods (VAT) that is added to the price of most products and services. This amount can be viewed in the invoices after a purchase or use of a service. It is possible to recover VAT at airports, ports and customs, but only when all invoices together total more than 250 rand.
Therefore, save all your invoices and when you leave South Africa present the original tax invoice, the VAT refund control form, your passport and the purchased item.
Explanatory flyers and full VAT refund details are available at VAT Administration Offices at international airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
For more information, visit: www.taxrefunds.co.za
South Africa has a difference of five hours more in the time zone compared to Brazil.
It is safe and very common to see people drinking water directly from tap as it is considered one of the best in the world in relation to treatment and purity .
Only wine is marketed in supermarkets, other alcoholic beverages must be purchased at specialist stores known as Liquor Store . They usually work from Monday to Friday until 5:00 p.m. At weekends neither supermarkets nor Liquor Stores sell alcoholic beverages, only restaurant and bars.
Many wineries do not do wine tastings on Sundays, so be sure before visiting them .
It is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages in the streets, on the beaches . There are street vendors certified by the city council who can sell only water, ice cream, soda on some beaches. In the restaurants and bars on the waterfront it is possible to drink alcoholic beverages.
The country voltage is 220 to 230V , with an alternative current of 50hz. The sockets are three-pronged, but you can find plugs with two prongs as well. Not always adapters are easily found in local supermarkets, the very best option is to carry universal adapter.
Due to the British colonization, South Africa has the direction in the English hand, that is to say, the steering wheel of the car is of the left side and the ways work in different directions of Brazil.
Restaurants do not include 10% in the bill, but it is always advisable to tip the service. However, if the table has more than four people, some establishments automatically include the 10%, so stay tuned.
There is no outlet inside the bathrooms, this is an accident prevention measure. In some hotels it is possible to find outlet with lower voltage just for use of electric shavers.
The country has been recognized for medical quality since Professor Christiaan Barnard successfully performed the first heart transplant in humans in 1967 in Cape Town . There are many private hospitals and well-structured medical centers in urban centers and some well-serviced public hospitals.
However, the most recommended is to take cover travel insurance throughout South Africa during the period of your stay, especially those who will be visiting rural and more remote areas. If you have a health plan in Brazil, please check if it offers international coverage and all conditions of use.
South Africa is the only country on the African continent with a colony of penguins. On the beach of the penguins, Boulders Beach , you can observe them very close.
The national sport is Rugby and the nation is bi-world champion in that modality.
The largest commercial bungee jumping in the world is 216 meters (Bloukrans Bridge) and is located on the path of the Garden Route .
The Cango Caves caves , located in the Oudtshoorn region , are one of the wonders of the world and are over 20 million years old. It is worth the visit for the beauty of the place and also for those who want adventure can follow the guides for the most difficult routes.
In South Africa you can see the largest animal in the world (African elephant); the tallest mammal (giraffe); the fastest mammal (cheetah); the smaller mammal (dwarf shrew); the largest bird (ostrich); and the largest bird that flies (kori bustard).
The country is the largest producer of ostrich meat in the world and the eighth place when it comes to producing wine . In addition, SAB ( South African Breweries ) is the second largest producer of beer in the world .
It is very common for people to bring their own wine to the restaurant, however, if the establishment sells the brand of wine you took, you will be charged.
Ever heard of “bilabial bilaterally occlusal velar” ? It is the name of a phoneme, which only exists in the language of the Bushmen. It represents a sound like a popping tongue.
South Africans are passionate about barbecue, the famous Braai . There is even Braai National Day , celebrated on September 24. On this holiday, families and friends gather around the barbecue and celebrate the nation.
Made from a local corn and resembling a polenta puree, pap is the main accompaniment of meats or vegetables in meals. Also known as mieliepap , its consistency may be liquid or solid.
South Africa has the largest gold mining company in the world.
About 4 tons of ostrich feathers are exported to the Brazilian carnival.
