I. Reasons for Traveling to South Africa
Before you commit to your travel to South Africa, you should first make a serious assessment concerning what you intend to achieve from this trip. Having a set of goals in mind will help you to prioritize and organize your trip around those events and places that matter most. The following are just a few example responses to that question:
a) to volunteer and make a difference,
b) to achieve a sense of connectedness and betterment of spirit,
c) to move outside of comfort zones and learn about the bigger world,
d) to immerse yourself into a different culture,
e) to tour interesting and historic places,
f) to scout for places to live,
g) to get away from the fast-paced, daily routines of my modern life,
h) to explore your family roots...
II. Safety Tips
South Africa is a politically stable and religiously tolerant country. However, crime does exist, with muggings and pick-pocketing being something for which to be on guard, particularly in the more impoverished areas and in the center of towns like Johannesburg and Cape Town. It is also possible, depending on where you stay, that you may see youth doing drugs in broad daylight (typically "nature cigarettes" and pipes).
You can minimize your chances of becoming a victim by keeping your valuables and money concealed in a neck pouch hanging under your shirt. It is recommended that you only keep a small amount of cash in your pants pocket so that you are not counting large amounts of money in public. With regards to cameras or cell phones, be cautious as to where you use and display them, and in particular watch that you don’t lay them down somewhere. Also, keep your luggage locked at all times. Generally keep only one credit card on your possession, along with a copy of your passport and insurance. Keep the originals back in your hotel safe or inside your locked suitcases back at your host family’s house. It is generally wise not to roam around town at night by yourself, but instead to be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
Overall, South Africa is generally quite safe for travelers, and these guidelines could really apply to any country being visited, and will ensure optimal success for your trip as your travel about the country.
III. Health and Vaccines
Generally South Africa is Malaria-free; however, if you consider going to Kruger National Park, then you will want to consider obtaining Malaria medicine before your trip. See http://www.cdc.gov (Centers for Disease Control) for the latest information on what vaccines to get when traveling to South Africa. At a minimum, the following are usually required.
a) Hepatitis A
b) Hepatitis B
c) Typhoid
d) DTP booster
e ) Polio booster
f) Measles booster
If you will be working with animals during your stay, then you may want to explore obtaining a rabies vaccination. And if you will work with AIDS patients, then you will want to double-check your TB vaccinations to ensure everything is in order since many AIDS patients also have Tuberculosis. The current HIV infection rate in South Africa is about one in every six persons.
IV. Infrastructure and Measurements
Tap water is safe in South Africa, although it may sometimes have the taste of chlorination. The roads and public transportation are good, as are medical services given you have insurance and visit one of the private hospitals/clinics. Electrical outlets are 220 volts at 50 hertz, and use large, round three-prong (15 amp) or thin, round two-prong (5 amp) plugs. With regards to cellular services, there are three major players in South Africa (Vodacom, Cell C, and MTN), and a traveler is generally able to get cell connectivity from anywhere in the country, including GPRS high-speed data. Internet wifi hotspots exist at airports and generally in and around Cape Town; there are also internet cafes for connecting to the internet. Airports for Johannesburg and Cape Town are within 15 miles of the city.
Bathrooms at homes, by regulation, do not generally contain electrical outlets, so you will typically be drying your hair in another room. Also note that although winters can get down to just above freezing at times, many homes and hostels do not have central heating running, which might be the case for your assigned host family, although warm blankets are readily provided.
South Africa uses the metric system, which means distances are expressed in kilometers and temperatures measured in Celsius. The national currency is the Rand, which is approximately one-sixth of the value of the U.S. dollar. You will find that most major credit cards are accepted, including Visa, Master Card, and American Express, although the latter's traveler’s checks are commonly only exchangeable at a bank or AMEX exchange facility (as in the waterfront in Cape Town). ATM machines are conveniently available aplenty with 24/7 accessibility, although it should be noted that banks generally close between 3 and 4 PM. There is commonly a 14% VAT (value added tax) included in purchases.
Television over the air is made up of a few channels, most English speaking. You will find that South Africa enjoys a significant amount of American programming, from movies right down to wrestling. Radio also provides plenty of recognizable music for the traveler from the states.
V. Cultural Differences
You should be flexible to the fact that there will likely be some cultural differences when compared to your own frame of reference. South Africa is a diverse country with regards to ethnicity and language, having eleven official languages. Although English is spoken by most, it is common for conversations to lapse back and forth between English and Afrikaans since both are the predominant languages, particularly in and around Cape Town. South Africa tends to be very tolerant of diverse religions, so occasionally you may hear a Muslim call to prayer echoed at night nearby a Christian church, with both operating in relative harmony.
South Africa is at times both a highly developed country and one that has heart breaking areas of poverty and disease; a country that demonstrates the reality that the close proximity of haves-and-have-nots extends to all corners of the globe. In spite of this observation, you will find perhaps the most diverse and enriching country on the planet from both a visual and human-interaction standpoint, truly exemplifying its claim to fame as the "Rainbow Nation."
It is interesting to contrast the more simple and economical architectural structures of Johannesburg with the more historically diverse buildings in Cape Town. Another character difference, noted in winter, between the two cities is that Jo’burg is beset by a pervasiveness of grass fires (cigarette butts, controlled burns, burning rubbish, or paraffin stoves are common causes) resulting in a smoky air about parts of the city that is often exacerbated by the exhaust of vehicles. By contrast, the coastal Cape Town has perhaps the freshest, cleanest air of the country.
Other assorted observations are as follows. Children are often seen running around with substantially more freedom than what would be allowed in the states. Taxis are commonly vans which will hold from ten to fifteen occupants, and by American standards the rates for these taxis are reasonable. With regards to driving, that activity takes place on the opposite side of the roads versus the direction of traffic in the U.S., and drivers/passengers are often seen not buckling up (so be careful not to lapse into bad habits there). Traffic lights are called "robots," and drivers in Cape Town should be cautious of the unattended cameras ready to snap you speeding, or driving through a red light (signs will usually notify when such cameras are in operation). Rugby and Soccer are important sports to the country.
Keep in mind that South Africa is a recent democracy, having officially emerged from the harsh realities of apartheid in 1994. Much positive change has already occurred, particularly with regards to human rights, but there is much more to be accomplished, often at a pace that can seem quite slow to many (especially given the number of impoverished townships and squatter camps still existing). Be sensitive to these political and economic changes and difficulties, but at the same time don’t hesitate to ask questions, as no doubt much of your trip is about the act of learning and you will encounter many a soul ready to share some insight.
Should you go on a volunteer trip, you will find your host families to be extremely friendly folks, with your safety and satisfaction utmost in their minds. It is through these connections that you will receive much of your South African education since they are also typically very knowledgeable about their community and its history. Allow yourself to accept this hospitality as you take a day or two to become acclimated to your new surroundings (particularly your minority status, if you are white) and to overcome any separation anxiety you may be feeling.
When taking pictures, be sure to ask permission first, particularly when snapping government buildings (while on site).
VI. Etiquette While There
When going to South Africa on a volunteer trip, be very respectful of your host family and the in-country coordinators, as well as persons and facilities you encounter during your trip. Most host families are not rich, and are providing their home, water, electricity, food, and transportation on a tight budget. This hospitality is not to be abused. Examples observed in the past are students ringing up expensive phone bills or ordering and eating more than their fair share, based on pre-allocated expenses.
It is a wise recommendation to research about the country before you get there. Learn about its history, its diverse people, and rich ecology. Even take the time to learn a few important words of Africaans before you leave. This should be balanced of course, as the element of surprise can be just as rewarding as preparation. The most important thing to remember is simply to wash away (or set aside) your preconceived notions and biases and allow yourself to become intoxicated with this wonderful country on the other side of the world.
VII. Preliminaries
Before you leave on your trip, make sure the following are in place:
a) passport with expiration at least six months beyond travel’s allotted stay,
b) Visa, if required based on your country and your intended length of stay,
c) appropriate certifications as relates to the projects in which you will be involved,
d) travel insurance covering medical and property loss,
e) a copy of all credit cards and other important documents to be left at home on the state side,
f) state-side emergency contact information to take with you,
g) South Africa travel contact-information provided to your state-side contact,
h) enablement of international roaming on your cell phone account (or rent a phone/card there),
i) vaccinations up-to-date and paperwork obtained if needed for intended project(s),
j) international drivers license (if planning to drive),
k) scuba diving license (if planning to do the shark cages off coast of Cape Town),
Note that if you do not have a Visa before entering South Africa, and if your stay is longer than thirty days (speaking of U.S. travelers), then you can obtain one while in the country, although you must factor in extra costs to cover that transaction.
VIII. What to Take With You
This is not an all-inclusive list, but does contain some important items nonetheless:
a) 110-to-220 volt plug adaptors,
b) TSA approved locks for luggage,
c) umbrella or poncho,
d ) warm clothes and jacket (if Winter),
e) a pair of comfortable foot ware along with a pair of hiking shoes,
f) medicine, vitamins, and Malaria pills (if needed),
g) mosquito repellant (at least 95% deet),
h) mosquito net (more so while in villages or when sleeping exposed to outdoors),
i) soap case,
j) hand disinfectant,
k) camera with large optical zoom (great for animal parks and mountain shots),
l) credit card(s),
m) second ID,
n) binoculars,
o) cell phone (if not renting one when there),
p) sun block,
q) bathing suit,
r) water purification tablets (if staying in remote villages),
s) backpack,
t ) travel guide,
u) sufficient money to cover additional expenses and travel,
v) flashlight and batteries,
w) gift for host family,
x) dietary needs conveyed to coordinator and host family,
y) some Rand before leaving on your trip
z) last but not least, make sure you have your passport and airplane tickets.
IX. Points of Interest
The following are some points of interest you may want to consider:
a ) Cape Town and Johannesburg - historic cities
b) Parliament and judicial buildings (Cape Town)
c ) Robben Island prison (Cape Town)
d) Table Rock mountain (Cape Town)
e) District 6 and Crossroads (Cape Town)
f) Simon’s Town and meeting of Indian/Atlantic oceans (Cape Town)
g) Soweto (scene of ‘76 student uprisings and one of Mandela’s home towns)
h) Pretoria (capital of South Africa)
i) Durban (coastal city with large Indian population)
j) Pilanesburg National Park (animal refuge)
k) Sun City resort
l) Kruger National Park (largest of the wildlife locations)
m) Ndebele tribal village
Be sure that before you leave from the states, you have perused travel guides to determine those places you want to visit during your trip. When you get to South Africa, you should also inquire about festivities or other events going on during your month(s) of stay.
X. Seasons and Time
South Africa is nine hours ahead of PST and six hours ahead of EST (during Summer), and two hours ahead of GMT all year around since it does not have daylight savings time. For Johannesburg, summers are hot and usually above 30 to 35C, with periodic rain; winters are dry with mild daytime temperatures and cold nights. With regards to Cape Town, its rainfall and temperatures are more moderate (with summers being warm to hot). It is well known in Cape town that depending on the weather conditions, a given day could reveal the aspects of four different seasons.
Winters are typically best for whale watching and game viewing (as the animals gather around watering holes during the dry times). Christmas in the summer is considered a wonderful time of year, particularly in Cape town, and indeed summers tend to be the heaviest for tourism.
XI. Website References
http://travel.state.gov - State Department
http://travel.state.gov/passport - Passport information
http://travel.state.gov/visa - Visa Information
http://www.cdc.gov - Centers for Disease Control
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/africa/south-africa - Lonely Planet Guide
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock - World Clock
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=56 - Dialing Codes for Cape town
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=111 - Dialing Codes for Johannesburg