Enjoy Suggestions for your time off after the Executive Committee

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Table of Contents Map ...... 3 General information ...... 3 Transport ...... 4 Safety ...... 5 Weather ...... 6 Possible Excursions ...... 6 Safari ...... 6 General information ...... 6 ...... 7 Pilanesberg National Park ...... 8 ...... 8 Table Mountain ...... 9 Cape of Good Hope ...... 9 ...... 10 The Garden Route ...... 10 Addo Elephant Park ...... 11 Jeffreys Bay...... 11 Plettenberg Bay ...... 11 Knysna ...... 11 ...... 12

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Map

i General information South Africa is a beautiful country, and you have a wonderful opportunity to visit the country after the meeting. This document will give you some advice for travelling in South Africa.

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Transport South Africa is a large country in terms of area, however, the railway system is quite slow. Driving is usually faster than travelling by train. The roads in South Africa are relatively good, and car rental is affordable.

Domestic flights South African domestic flights provide an easy and efficient way to navigate the country and take in its prime visitor destinations and attractions. There are a number of carriers servicing the country, offering everything from business and economy class tickets to budget, no-frills seats.

South African domestic flights provide access to virtually every corner of the country. All major cities receive domestic flights in South Africa and there are dozens of smaller airfields that also accommodate charter flights.

South Africa domestic flights are relatively short and hassle-free, and can be booked online directly through the carriers or flight service providers from anywhere in the world. The major routes are between , Cape Town and , flying to OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and Durban International Airport. Flights also cover the country's most popular leisure routes, flying from these cities to the domestic airports at Upington, Margate, Mthatha, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Hoedspruit, Phalaborwa, Kimberley, Pilanesberg, , , East London, Lanseria, George and Nelspruit.

Seven domestic airlines service the country, including (SAA) and its sister carriers, and ; (operated by ); and the low-cost airlines of , and Kulula.com. The airlines operate varying routes; SAA, Airlink, Express and British Airways fly between the major cities and most of the smaller airports, while the budget-friendly carriers only operate on the routes between the major cities and Port Elizabeth, George, Lanseria and Nelspruit.

For all domestic flights, you are required to check in at least 1 hour before take-off. Standard airport security measures are in place at all airports and regular airline security protocol applies. Budget domestic tickets begin at around R500 return, while premium class domestic tickets start at around R1 000 per person return. ii

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Car rental South African car hire covers all types of vehicles for all kinds of travel. Whether you’re looking for a luxury sedan or rugged 4x4, you’ll find the right car for your self-drive holiday in South Africa. A number of local and international brands service the industry, making car hire a breeze. Companies offering car hire in South Africa include Avis, Hertz, Imperial/Europcar and Tempest, among many others. All these companies have an online presence as well as branches in the major cities and at international, and select domestic, airports across the country.

Some car rental companies also offer 4x4 vehicles. If you plan to rough it on your holiday to South Africa, check with the car hire company as to the capabilities of the off-road vehicles available. Alternatively, hire your 4x4 through a specialised off-road vehicle rental provider. These include Britz South Africa, Offroad Africa, Drive South Africa and 4x4 South Africa. These companies can also assist with caravan and trailer hire. South African vehicles are right-hand drives and travel is on the left-hand side of the road. The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory and talking on a mobile phone while driving is illegal. If you plan to use your mobile phone, pick up a hands-free kit beforehand. All speed limits in South Africa are in kilometres and law enforcement agencies monitor speed limits on the country's roads. Ensure you have your driver's licence on you at all times and use current road maps or GPS systems to assist with route navigation. It is advisable to apply for an international driver’s license before renting a car in South Africa, as some rental companies might require it. You may also be asked to show your international driver’s license by the police. Be aware national roads are tolled, so carry cash with you.iii

Safety Most visits to South Africa are trouble-free, but you should take sensible precautions to ensure your safety. It is worth noting that crime is an element of the South African society, however, most violent crimes tend to occur in townships, remote and isolated areas, and away from the normal tourist destinations. Crime increases in areas where large crowds gather, so be particularly vigilant if you’re attending sporting or other events that attract large numbers. There has been an increase in street robberies in the latest years, and it’s strongly advisable not to walk on the streets after dark. Protest marches and demonstrations can occur anywhere in South Africa and sometimes at short notice. Avoid areas where demonstrations and marches are taking place, especially universities and government buildings. 5

There have been incidents involving foreigners being followed from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to their destinations by car and then robbed, often at gunpoint. Be vigilant in and around the airport and when driving away.iv Emergency Numbers Calls from landline: 107 Calls from cell phones: 112

Weather South Africa's climatic conditions generally range from Mediterranean in the southwestern corner of South Africa, to temperate in the interior plateau, and subtropical in the northeast. A small area in the northwest has a desert climate. Most of the country experiences warm, sunny days and cool nights. Rainfall generally occurs during summer (November through March), although in the southwest, around Cape Town, rainfall occurs in winter (June to August). Temperatures are influenced by variations in elevation, terrain, and ocean currents more than latitude. The weather at the end of October in South Africa is ideal for travelling. November is already considered a summer month, with warm long days in the South, and hot weather with occasional rainfall in the north. The average temperature in Cape Town in October is 21°C at daytime and 11°C at night. The equivalent temperature in Johannesburg is 24°C during the day and 11°C at night.v

Possible Excursions

Safari General information One of the best known attractions in South Africa are the safaris. They can be visited either by renting a car, and doing a “self-drive safari” or by participating in an organised tour. Most of the national parks are situated in the north of South Africa. Transportation from Johannesburg to the safaris can be done by car, an organised tour or by flight (to Kruger national park). As the wildlife is usually most active during the night, and avoids direct sunshine and heat, it’s advisable to visit the national parks in the early morning. Most of the parks open at 7 a.m., and the gates are usually open until 6.p.m.

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For your safety and the conservation of the animals, there are a few regulations to be pursued. They can be found here: https://www.sanparks.org/assets/docs/tourism_reservations/park-regulations.pdf Kruger National Park Situated 400 km from Johannesburg, Kruger National Park is one of the largest national parks in Africa. It is situated at the North-Eastern tip of South Africa and spans over the and province. It covers an area 19633 km², as many of the surrounding private reserves have removed their fences, allowing wildlife to roam freely between reserves. This has created a wildlife area like no other, as its beauty soaks itself into anyone who visits this diverse place. South Africa can be found in a variety of the country’s regional habitat and topographic biomes and Kruger National Park is characterised by combinations of savannah, thornveld and woodland eco-zones. Large African mammals are present. Kruger has 12 main rest camps, 5 bushveld camps, 2 bush lodges and 4 satellite camps.vi As the area of the Kruger Park is so large, it is often divided into the Southern Kruger and the Northern Kruger. The northern part is known for its beautiful scenery, and the variety of birds. The southern part is known for having a richer wildlife. The Kruger National Park can be accessed by car or by taking a flight from OR Tambo International Airport to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport or to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport. Accommodation There are plenty of lodges inside Kruger National Park. Staying outside the park and doing day safaris is also an option, as the lodges inside the park can usually be a bit more expensive. Accommodation can be found here: https://www.safarinow.com/destinations/kruger-national- park/hub.aspx

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Pilanesberg National Park Among Southern Africa’s fascinating game reserves, Pilanesberg National Park is possibly the most accessible. The Pilanesberg Game Reserve is located in the North West Province in South Africa, around 150 km west of . The park borders with the entertainment complex Sun City. The park is currently administered by the North West Parks and Tourism Board. The park is easy to visit for a one day trip from Pretoria or Johannesburg. Even though the park is significantly smaller than the Kruger National park, it’s a habitat for a raft of species, including the famous “big five”. Accommodation Even though the park can be visited as a day trip from Johannesburg, one might want to spend the night in the area to head out early in the morning the next day. There are plenty of lodges and hostels in the area around Sun City, some of them are also located inside the national park. Please see this link for more information regarding accommodation: http://www.pilanesbergnationalpark.org/accommodation/ Cape Town Cape Town, also called Kaapstad () or iKapa (Xhosa), lies at the southwestern tip of South Africa on the Cape Peninsula and is the capital of the province Western Cape. Cape Town's City Bowl or CBD, which means Cape Town's business district, has a picturesque setting on the Cape Peninsula as the city is framed by the Table Mountain range to the South, the Atlantic Ocean to the West and the Indian Ocean to the South East. South Africa has three capital cities: Cape Town, Pretoria (Tshwane) and Bloemfontein. Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa, with the National Parliament located

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next to the Company Gardens. From January to June the National Parliament meets in Cape Town, the second half of the year it moves to Tshwane (Pretoria). In 2014, Cape Town hosted the 'World Design Capital' and the 'African Cup Championships', Africa's biggest soccer tournament. The city also successfully hosted several soccer matches for the soccer World Cup 2010 in then newly constructed Greenpoint Stadium.vii Table Mountain Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway, or hiking, to the top. The mountain forms part of the Table Mountain National Park. Table Mountain is home to large array of fauna and flora, most of which is endemic. The easiest way to reach the top is taking the cable car. The cable car operates between 8:30 in the morning and 19:00 in the evening in October, and between 8:30 and 20:00 in November. The rates are 255 ZAR for a return ticket, 135 ZAR for a one way ticket. The Cable car station is situated on the foot of the mountain, and can be reached by car, Taxi/Uber, MyCiti bus or The HopOn-HopOff double-decker bus. More information regarding the cable car can be found here: http://www.tablemountain.net/ Hiking Table Mountain is a popular activity in Cape Town. The most popular route for reaching the top is the Platteklip gorge. The route starts at the foot of the mountain, around 1 km from the Cable Car Station. For reaching it you can order a taxi or drive to the cable car station, and then continue on Tafelberg road until you see a sign on the right side of the road. Another route for reaching the top is the Skeleton Gorge. This route is longer than Platteklip gorge, but not as steep. It starts in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. As this route is less crowded and doesn’t have as many signs, it is advisable to get a map at the Cape Town Tourist Centre.viii Cape of Good Hope The Cape of Good Hope is one of two world-renowned landmarks within the Table Mountain National Park, the other is Table Mountain. These two familiar attractions draw thousands of visitors to Cape Town, which is not a new attribute for the Cape of Good Hope, which has functioned as something of a beacon for sailors for years and is still widely referred to as ‘The Cape’ by sea farers. Most visitors to Cape Town regard a trip to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point (the tip of the Cape peninsula) as obligatory. This part of the park is home to an array of fynbos, over 250 species of birds, buck, baboons and Cape mountain zebra.

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There are a several organised tours available for visiting the Cape of Good Hope. It’s also possible to visit the Cape by car. The visitor rates are 135 ZAR per person. The gates are open from 6:00 in the morning to 18:00 in the evening. For more information, please see the following link: http://capepoint.co.za/

Drakensberg The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park is one of KwaZulu-Natal's two World Heritage Sites. This World Heritage Site is part of a much longer mountain range that stretches some 1,600 kilometres from South Africa's northernmost provinces to the Eastern Cape. Not only does the World Heritage Site protect a stunning natural mountain wilderness area, it also protects an amazing cultural legacy of ancient rock art in Africa painted by Southern Africa's earliest inhabitants, the San or Bushmen. Generally, the Berg is divided into roughly five regions with many small towns in the foothills; Bergville and the Northern Drakensberg, Winterton and the Central Drakensberg, Himeville, Underberg and the Southern Drakensberg and the East Griqualand and uMzimkhulu. Hiking along the footpaths through the mountains, camping in caves, or stopping to picnic and taking a dip into the rock pools with tumbling streams and cascading waterfalls, are just some of the great pleasures of a visit to the beautiful uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. Another is day trekking to explore caves and overhangs containing some of the more than 22 000 individually painted rock art images by the San people who once inhabited these shelters. The Main Caves at Giant's Castle Reserve offer tours by accredited tourist guides who tell the tales of these ancient places and peoples. The Drakensberg National Park is easiest to reach from King Shaka International Airport in Durban. The southern part of the park is situated around 200 km from Durban, while the northern part is further away (around 400 km), and is easy to reach from Johannesburg as well. For more information regarding Drakensberg, see the following link: http://drakensberg.org.za/ The Garden Route The Garden Route is a popular route for travelling by car. The route is full of interesting places to visit, and it requires around 4-6 days for the full experience. October is an excellent time for a visit to the many beautiful places along the Garden Route, as the flowers are in bloom during this time of the year. 10

The most common way to visit the Garden Route is by taking a flight to Port Elisabeth, and then drive along the coast towards Cape Town. Another alternative is to visit Cape Town first and then drive along the road towards Port Elizabeth. The distance from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth is around 750 km. For general information regarding the Garden Route, please see the following link: http://www.gardenroute.co.za/

Addo Elephant Park Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth, and is one of the country's 19 national parks. The park is situated around 50 km from Port Elisabeth. For more information see the following link: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/ Jeffreys Bay Jeffreys Bay is one of the most visited places along the route, especially known for its beautiful beaches. It is a popular destination especially for surfers. For more information see the following link: http://www.jeffreysbaytourism.org/ Plettenberg Bay Plettenberg Bay is a seaside town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. It is known for its beautiful beaches and nature. Not far from Plettenberg Bay is the Tsitsikamma National Park. For more information see the following links: http://www.plett-tourism.co.za/ http://www.tsitsikamma.info/ Knysna The town of Knysna in the Western Cape Province of South Africa is part of the Garden Route. It is situated 72 kilometres east from the town of George on the N2 highway, and 25 kilometres west of Plettenberg Bay on the same road. The town is famous for its oyster festival, friendly people and the most magnificent views from Leisure Isle to the Knysna Heads. For more information see the following link: http://www.visitknysna.co.za/

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Blyde River Canyon The Blyde River Canyon is a significant natural feature of South Africa. It is 25 kilometres (16 mi) in length and is, on average, around 750 metres (2,461 ft.) deep. Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest canyons on Earth, and it may be the largest 'green canyon' due to its lush subtropical foliage. The Blyde River Canyon is situated around 500 kilometres from Johannesburg, but is easy to combine with a trip to Kruger National park, that is around 50 kilometres from the Canyon. For more information regarding the Blyde River Canyon, please see the following link: http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-the-blyde-river-canyon- nature-reserve

i Travelquaz.com, http://travelquaz.com/south-african-tourist-destinations.html/map-of-south-africa-showing- the-national-parks-and-main-tourist ii South African Tourism, 2017. http://country.southafrica.net/country/us/en/articles/entry/south-african- domestic-flights-enus iii South African Tourism, 2017. http://country.southafrica.net/country/us/en/articles/entry/south-african-car- hire-enus iv UK Government, 2017. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/safety-and-security v Holiday Weather.com, 2017. http://www.holiday-weather.com/johannesburg/averages/ vi South African National Parks, 2017. https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/tourism/general.php vii Expatcapetown.com, 2017. http://www.expatcapetown.com/cape-town-information.html viii Tablemountain.net, 2017. http://www.tablemountain.net/content/page/getting-here

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