Volunteer Travel Guide South Africa

Throughout the second half of the 20th century South Africa was regarded by most of the world as a pariah state where the ruling white minority passed a range of draconian laws to subdue and enslave the black majority. All this changed in 1994 with the release from prison of world-renowned freedom fighter and icon of the oppressed, Nelson Mandela. A new age of democracy was ushered in, and South Africa was suddenly revealed to the world in her beautiful true colours: a rainbow nation with a kaleidoscope of cultures and a host of attractions to enthral and entrance visitors.

A decade later tourists are flocking to sunny South Africa in droves, particularly to the Western Cape with its magnificent scenery, beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and green winelands.

The Republic, at the southern tip of Africa surrounded by ocean on three sides, offers a taste of the African experience with the chance to visit traditional tribal villages, game reserves and sprawling townships. At the same time it also offers the trappings of a first world holiday experience, with luxury hotels, sophisticated shopping, exciting theme parks and clean beaches. Have breakfast in a New York style deli; lunch in an African shebeen; cocktails on a sunset cruise; and dine in style in a fine British colonial restaurant. This is all possible in a South African city.

It is not only cultural diversity that makes South Africa magical. The country has a wealth of animal and plant life scattered across its varied climactic zones from desert to snow-covered mountains, forests to grasslands and mangrove swamps. Historically, too, there is plenty to discover, from the fossils of ancient hominids, to the pioneering spirit of the Dutch 'voortrekkers' and the settlement of the Eastern Cape frontier by the British colonialists.

South Africa has been billed as 'a world in one country', and any visitor who has experienced its delights, from the jumble of Johannesburg, the city built on gold mines in the north, to the sophistication of Cape Town in the south, is bound to agree.

The Basics

Time:

Local time is GMT +2.

Electricity:

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round, three-pin plugs are standard.

Language:

South Africa has 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho. English is widely spoken.

Health:

Travellers arriving in South Africa from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate; otherwise no vaccination is required. There is a malaria risk in the low-lying areas of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park) and northeastern KwaZulu Natal, and precautions are advised when travelling to these areas. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Tap water is safe in urban areas but sterilisation is advisable elsewhere, as there are periodic outbreaks of cholera in the poor communities of rural South Africa, particularly in Northern KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces. Drug-resistant TB has been reported throughout the country. Food poisoning is rare. Medical facilities in South Africa are good, but medical insurance is strongly advised as private hospitals expect cash upfront and public hospitals are best avoided.

Tipping:

Waitering is a livelihood and a tip of 10% is expected for good service, if a service charge is not included in the bill. Tipping for services rendered is widely anticipated by porters, taxi drivers and petrol attendants. Golf caddies should be tipped accordingly. 'Car guards' operate in the city centres and tourist spots and will offer to look after your parked car; they are usually immigrants from neighbouring countries looking for work and will expect anything from R2 upwards on your return.

Communications:

The international access code for South Africa is +27. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). As of 8 January 2007, South Africa has changed to 10-digit dialling (so city codes must be included, e.g. 021 for Cape Town) and international dialling has changed from 09 to 00. GSM mobile phone networks providing 900 and 1800 frequencies serve the country. Mobile service providers offer very cheap 'pay-as-you-go' Sim cards, which are a good option for visitors staying for some time. Internet cafes are widespread. Card and coin operated pay phones are also widespread.

Duty Free:

Travellers to South Africa do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco; 2 litres wine and 1 litre spirits; perfume up to 50ml and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods to the value of R3,000. All other goods brought in from abroad by South African residents must be declared on arrival. These will be subject to import duties. For goods to be re-imported, travellers must complete a DA65 or NEP-form that is issued on departure. Prohibited items include meat and dairy products, all medication except for personal consumption, flick knives, ammunition, explosives and pornography containing minors and bestiality.

Health

View information on diseases: Tuberculosis, Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Cholera

Tuberculosis

Cause: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the tubercle bacillus. Humans can also become infected by bovine tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium bovis.

Transmission: Infection with tuberculosisis usually by direct airborne transmission from person to person.

Nature of the disease: Exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis may lead to infection, but most infections do not lead to disease. The risk of developing disease following infection is generally 5-10% during the lifetime, but may be increased by various factors, notably immunosuppression (e.g. advanced HIV infection). Multidrug resistance refers to strains of M. tuberculosis that are resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin. The resistant strains do not differ from other strains in infectiousness, likelihood of causing disease, or general clinical effects; however, if they do cause disease, treatment is more difficult and the risk of death will be higher.

Geographical distribution: Worldwide.

Risk for travellers: Low for most travellers. Long-term travellers (over 3 months) to a country with a higher incidence of tuberculosis than their own may have a risk of infection comparable to that for local residents. As well as the duration of the visit, living conditions are important in determining the risk of infection: high-risk settings include health facilities, shelters for the homeless, and prisons.

Prophylaxis (protective treatment): BCG vaccine is of limited use for travellers but may be advised for infants and young children in some situations.

Precautions: Travellers should avoid close contact with known tuberculosis patients. For travellers from low-incidence countries who may be exposed to infection in relatively high-incidence countries (e.g. health professionals, humanitarian relief workers, missionaries), a baseline tuberculin skin test is advisable in order to compare with retesting after return. If the skin reaction to tuberculin suggests recent infection, the traveller should receive, or be referred for, treatment for latent infection. Patients under treatment for tuberculosis should not travel until the treating physician has documented, by laboratory examination of sputum, that the patient is not infectious and therefore of no risk to others. The importance of completing the prescribed course of treatment should be stressed. Source: WHO.

Malaria

General considerations: Malaria is a common and life-threatening disease in many tropical and subtropical areas. It is currently endemic in over 100 countries, which are visited by more than 125 million international travellers every year. Each year many international travellers fall ill with malaria while visiting countries where the disease is endemic, and well over 10,000 fall ill after returning home. Fever occurring in a traveller within three months of leaving a malaria-endemic area is a medical emergency and should be investigated urgently.

Cause: Human malaria is caused by four different species of the protozoan parasite Plasmodium: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae.

Transmission: The malaria parasite is transmitted by various species of Anopheles mosquitoes, which bite mainly between sunset and sunrise.

Nature of the disease: Malaria is an acute febrile illness with an incubation period of 7 days or longer. Thus, a febrile illness developing less than one week after the first possible exposure is not malaria. The most severe form is caused by P. falciparum, in which variable clinical features include fever, chills, headache, muscular aching and weakness, vomiting, cough, diarrhoea and abdominal pain; other symptoms related to organ failure may supervene, such as: acute renal failure, generalized convulsions, circulatory collapse, followed by coma and death. It is estimated that about 1% of patients with P. falciparum infection die of the disease. The initial symptoms, which may be mild, may not be easy to recognize as being due to malaria. It is important that the possibility of falciparum malaria is considered in all cases of unexplained fever starting at any time between the seventh day of first possible exposure to malaria and three months (or, rarely, later) after the last possible exposure, and any individual who experiences a fever in this interval should immediately seek diagnosis and effective treatment. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can be life-saving. Falciparum malaria may be fatal if treatment is delayed beyond 24 hours. A blood sample should be examined for malaria parasites. If no parasites are found in the first blood film but symptoms persist, a series of blood samples should be taken and examined at 6-12-hour intervals. Pregnant women, young children and elderly travellers are particularly at risk. Malaria in pregnant travellers increases the risk of maternal death, miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death. The forms of malaria caused by other Plasmodium species are less severe and rarely life-threatening. Prevention and treatment of falciparum malaria are becoming more difficult because P. falciparum is increasingly resistant to various antimalarial drugs. Of the other malaria species, drug resistance has to date been reported for P. vivax, mainly from Indonesia (Irian Jaya) and Papua New Guinea, with more sporadic cases reported from Guyana. P. vivax with declining sensitivity has been reported for Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, India, Myanmar, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand. P. malariae resistant to chloroquine has been reported from Indonesia.

Geographical distribution: The risk for travellers of contracting malaria is highly variable from country to country and even between areas in a country. In many endemic countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Mediterranean region, the main urban areas, but not necessarily the outskirts of towns, are free of malaria transmission. However, malaria can occur in main urban areas in Africa and India. There is usually less risk of the disease at altitudes above 1,500 metres, but in favourable climatic conditions it can occur at altitudes up to almost 3,000 metres. The risk of infection may also vary according to the season, being highest at the end of the rainy season. There is no risk of malaria in many tourist destinations in South-East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Source: WHO.

HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The most important sexually transmitted diseases and infectious agents are HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia infections, trichomoniasis, chancroid, genital herpes and genital warts.

Transmission: Infection occurs during unprotected sexual intercourse. Hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis may also be transmitted in contaminated blood and blood products, by contaminated syringes and needles used for injection, and potentially by unsterilized instruments used for acupuncture, piercing and tattooing.

Nature of the diseases: Most of the clinical manifestations are included in the following syndromes: genital ulcer, pelvic inflammatory disease, urethral discharge and vaginal discharge. However, many infections are asymptomatic. Sexually transmitted infections are a major cause of acute illness, infertility, long-term disability and death, with severe medical and psychological consequences for millions of men, women and children. Apart from being serious diseases in their own right, sexually transmitted infections increase the risk of HIV infection. The presence of an untreated disease (ulcerative or non-ulcerative) can increase by a factor of up to 10 the risk of becoming infected with HIV and transmitting the infection. On the other hand, early diagnosis and improved management of other sexually transmitted infections can reduce the incidence of HIV infection by up to 40%. Prevention and treatment of all sexually transmitted infections are therefore important for the prevention of HIV infection.

Geographical distribution: Worldwide. Sexually transmitted infections have been known since ancient times; they remain a major public health problem, which was compounded by the appearance of HIV/AIDS around 1980. An estimated 340 million episodes of curable sexually transmitted infections (chlamydial infections, gonorrhoea, syphilis, trichomoniasis) occur throughout the world every year. Viral infections, which are more difficult to treat, are also very common in many populations. Genital herpes is becoming a major cause of genital ulcer, and subtypes of the human papillomavirus are associated with cervical cancer.

Risk for travellers: For some travellers there may be an increased risk of infection. Lack of information about risk and preventive measures and the fact that travel and tourism enhance the probability of having sex with casual partners increase the risk of exposure to sexually transmitted infections. In some developed countries, a large proportion of sexually transmitted infections now occur as a result of unprotected sexual intercourse during international travel. In addition to transmission through sexual intercourse (both heterosexual and homosexual-anal, vaginal or oral), most of these infections can be passed on from an infected mother to her unborn or newborn baby. Hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis are also transmitted through transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products and the use of contaminated needles. There is no risk of acquiring any sexually transmitted infection from casual day-to-day contact at home, at work or socially. People run no risk of infection when sharing any means of communal transport (e.g. aircraft, boat, bus, car, train) with infected individuals. There is no evidence that HIV or other sexually transmitted infections can be acquired from insect bites.

Prophylaxis: There is a vaccination against hepatitis B. No prophylaxis is available for any of the other sexually transmitted diseases.

Precautions: Male or female condoms, when properly used, have proved to be effective in preventing the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and for reducing the risk of unwanted pregnancy. Latex rubber condoms are relatively inexpensive, are highly reliable and have virtually no side-effects. The transmission of HIV and other infections during sexual intercourse can be effectively prevented when high-quality condoms are used correctly and consistently. Studies on serodiscordant couples (only one of whom is HIV-positive) have shown that, with regular sexual intercourse over a period of two years, partners who consistently use condoms have a near-zero risk of HIV infection. A man should always use a condom during sexual intercourse, each time, from start to finish, and a woman should make sure that her partner uses one. A woman can also protect herself from sexually transmitted infections by using a female condom - essentially, a vaginal pouch, which is now commercially available in some countries. It is essential to avoid injecting drugs for non-medical purposes, and particularly to avoid any type of needle-sharing to reduce the risk of acquiring hepatitis, HIV, syphilis and other infections from contaminated needles and blood. Medical injections using unsterilized equipment are also a possible source of infection. If an injection is essential, the traveller should try to ensure that the needles and syringes come from a sterile package or have been sterilized properly by steam or boiling water for 20 minutes. Patients under medical care who require frequent injections, e.g. diabetics, should carry sufficient sterile needles and syringes for the duration of their trip and a doctor's authorization for their use. Unsterile dental and surgical instruments, needles used in acupuncture and tattooing, ear-piercing devices, and other skin-piercing instruments can likewise transmit infection and should be avoided.

Treatment: Travellers with signs or symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease should cease all sexual activity and seek medical care immediately. The absence of symptoms does not guarantee absence of infection, and travellers exposed to unprotected sex should be tested for infection on returning home. HIV testing should always be voluntary and with counselling. The sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria, e.g. chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, can be treated successfully, but there is no single antimicrobial that is effective against more than one or two of them. Moreover, throughout the world, many of these bacteria are showing increased resistance to penicillin and other antimicrobials. Treatment for sexually transmitted viral infections, e.g. hepatitis B, genital herpes and genital warts, is unsatisfactory due to lack of specific medication, and cure is difficult to achieve. The same is true of HIV infection, which in its late stage causes AIDS and is thought to be invariably fatal. Antiretroviral drugs cannot completely eradicate the HIV virus; treatment is expensive and complex and most countries have only a few centres that are able to provide it. Source: WHO.

Cholera

Cause: Vibrio cholerae bacteria, serogroups O1 and O139.

Transmission: Infection occurs through ingestion of food or water contaminated directly or indirectly by faeces or vomit of infected persons. Cholera affects only humans; there is no insect vector or animal reservoir host.

Nature of the disease: An acute enteric (intestine) disease varying in severity. Most infections are asymptomatic (i.e. do not cause any illness). In mild cases, diarrhoea occurs without other symptoms. In severe cases, there is sudden onset of profuse watery diarrhoea with nausea and vomiting and rapid development of dehydration. In severe untreated cases, death may occur within a few hours due to dehydration leading to circulatory collapse.

Geographical distribution: Cholera occurs mainly in poor countries with inadequate sanitation and lack of clean drinking water and in war-torn countries where the infrastructure may have broken down. Many developing countries are affected, particularly those in Africa and Asia, and to a lesser extent those in central and south America.

Risk for travellers: The risk of cholera is very low for most travellers, even in countries where cholera epidemics occur. Humanitarian relief workers in disaster areas and refugee camps are at risk.

Prophylaxis (protective treatment): Oral cholera vaccines for use by travellers and those in occupational risk groups are available in some countries.

Precautions: As for other diarrhoeal diseases. All precautions should be taken to avoid consumption of potentially contaminated food, drink and drinking water. Oral rehydration salts should be carried to combat dehydration in case of severe diarrhoea. Source: WHO.

Contacts

Visa Agencies

Travel Visa Pro, San Francisco, USA. 1-888-470-8472 or www.TravelVisaPro.com

Tourism

South African Tourism, Johannesburg: +27 (0)11 895 3000 or www.southafrica.net

South Africa Embassies

South African Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 232 4400.

South African Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7451 7299.

South African High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 744 0330.

South African High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6272 7300.

South African Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 661 5553.

Foreign Embassies in South Africa

United States Embassy, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 431 4000.

British High Commission, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 421 7733.

Canadian High Commission, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 422 3000.

Australian High Commission, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 423 6000.

Irish Embassy, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 342 5062.

New Zealand High Commission, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 342 8656/7/8/9.

South Africa Emergency Numbers

Emergencies: 10111 (Police); 10177 (Ambulance)

Airports

Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Location: The airport is situated 13 miles (20km) east of Cape Town.

Time: GMT +2.

Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)21 937 1200.

Transfer to the city: Door-to-door minibus services are available for the journey to the city, taking approximately half an hour (R150). Many hotels operate courtesy buses, and taxis are available, but only use Touch Down Taxis, the authorised airport taxi company.

Car rental: Car rental companies represented at the airport include Hertz, Avis, National Alamo, Budget, Imperial and Tempest.

Facilities: ATMs, bars, restaurants and currency exchange facilities are available throughout the airport. There are several shops, including duty-free in the International Departures' section. A VAT refund service is available by the International check in desk. Hotels reservations and tourist information are available in the International Terminal. There is a Vodacom shop in International Arrivals where visitors can buy local SIM cards for their mobile phones. A free magazine called The Other Guide is handed out in International Arrivals; it's packed with ideas on where to eat and what to do in Cape Town that month.

Parking: Short- and long-term parking, as well as valet parking, is available.

Departure Tax: None.

Website: www.airports.co.za

O R Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) (JNB)

Location: The airport is 14 miles (22km) east of Johannesburg.

Time: GMT +2.

Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)11 921 6262.

Transfer to the city: An airport bus departs regularly to the city centre. Authorised shuttle buses and taxis are available; these display the ACSA logo on their vehicles.

Car rental: Car rental companies represented at the airport include Sizwe, Avis, Budget, Imperial, Tempest, Europcar and Khaya.

Facilities: Facilties at the airport include bureaux de change, banks, a post office, shops, restaurants and bars, Internet access, mobile phone rental, viewing decks, a medical clinic and a prayer room.

Parking: Short- and long-term parking is available.

Departure Tax: None.

Website: www.airports.co.za

Durban International Airport (DUR)

Location: The airport is 10 miles (16km) southwest of Durban.

Time: GMT +2.

Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)31 451 6758.

Transfer to the city: An airport bus service is available to connect to the city, and a coastal town service carries passengers to the outlying resorts. Taxis are also available.

Car rental: Numerous car rental companies are represented at the airport, including Avis, Khaya, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Imperial and National.

Facilities: Facilities at the airport include ATMS, a bank, lounges, a post office, restaurants and bars, and shops. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.

Parking: Parking is available.

Departure Tax: None.

Website: www.airports.co.za

Kimberley Airport (KIM)

Location: The airport is situated five miles (8km) south of Kimberley.

Time: GMT +2.

Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)53 851 1032.

Transfer to the city: There is no bus service between the airport and the city, but a taxi service is available on request and car hire agencies are available at the airport.

Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Imperial and National Alamo.

Facilities: Facilities include a pub in the arrivals terminal, public phones and an ATM.

Departure Tax: None.

Website: www.airports.co.za

East London Airport (ELS)

Location: The airport is located six miles (9km) west of the city centre.

Time: GMT +2.

Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)43 706 0306.

Transfer to the city: Gateway Shuttle (tel: 043 743 139) and Redshuttle Bus Services leave from in front of the arrivals terminal. Bookings should be made in advance. Their schedule follows flight schedules.

Car rental: Rental companies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Tempest.

Facilities: The airport has an ATM in the departures hall and information desk in the arrivals hall. A coffee shop, restaurant and bookshop are also available in the terminal building.

Departure Tax: None.

Website: www.airports.co.za

Bloemfontein Airport (BFN)

Location: The airport is located six miles (10km) from the city centre.

Time: GMT +2.

Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)51 407 2240.

Transfer to the city: Taxis and shuttles, which should be booked in advance, are available just outside the terminal building; schedules match the arrival of flights. Contact the Bloemfontein Airport helpdesk for more information.

Car rental: Avis, Budget, Hertz, National, Imperial and Tempest all have offices at the airport.

Facilities: The airport has a mobile phone rental shop, coffee bar, bookshop, restaurant and information desk. A VIP lounge and business lounge, conference room and ATM machine is also available.

Departure Tax: None.

Website: www.airports.co.za

Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ)

Location: The airport is situated about two miles (3km) south of PE.

Time: GMT +2.

Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)41 507 7319.

Transfer to the city: Taxis provide the only transport to the city centre.

Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Imperial and National.

Facilities: Facilities include several shops as well as restaurants, cafes and pubs, and conference facilities. An ATM is available for cash withdrawal.

Parking: Long and short-term parking is available.

Departure Tax: None.

Website: www.airports.co.za

George Airport (GRJ)

Location: The airport is situated six miles (10km) from George.

Time: GMT +2.

Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)44 876 9310.

Transfer to the city: Taxis are the only form of transport between the city and the airport.

Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, Imperial and Europcar.

Facilities: Facilities include foreign exchange, an ATM, conference facilities, cafes, and a few snack shops. Cellphones are also available for rent.

Departure Tax: None.

Website: www.airports.co.za

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP)

Location: The airport is situated 16 miles (25km) from Nelspruit at White River.

Time: GMT +2.

Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)13 753 7500.

Transfer to the city: Taxis are available.

Car rental: A number of car rental companies are located at the airport including Avis, Hertz, National/Alamo, Europcar and Budget.

Facilities: Facilities include an ATM and currency exchange facilities, a restaurant, café and curio shops.

Parking: Short and long-term parking is available.

Departure Tax: None.

Website: www.kmiairport.co.za

Eastgate Airport (HDS)

Location: The airport is situated five miles (8km) from Hoedspruit and is situated within the Hoedspruit Air Force Base Nature Reserve.

Time: GMT +2.

Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)15 793 3681.

Car rental: Avis has a rental office on site.

Facilities: Foreign exchange is available, and there is a small restaurant and curio shop.

Departure Tax: R110.

Website: www.eastgateairport.co.za

Richards Bay Airport (RCB)

Location: Richards Bay Airport is located four miles (7 km) north west of Richards Bay.

Time: GMT + 2.

Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)35 789 9630.

Transfer to the city: Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall.

Car rental: Car rental companies available are Sixt, Drive South Africa, Hertz, National, RIS Vehicle Hire, Avis, Budget, Afropulse, Europcar, Tempest and Imperial.

Facilities: The Runway Restaurant and Bar provides refreshment for travellers.

Parking: Short term parking is available.

Departure Tax: None.

Climate

Cape Town, on the Cape Peninsula, has a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and wet winters. Seasons are well defined, with winter, between May and August, being influenced by a series of cold fronts that cross the Peninsula from the Atlantic Ocean. Winters are characterised by heavy rain, particularly on the mountain slopes, strong north-westerly winds, and low temperatures. In summer the weather in Cape Town is warm and dry, but the idyllic sunny weather is often punctuated with strong south easterly winds.

Passport & Visa

Visa Agencies: Avoid the stress and queues, get a visa agency to arrange your visa.
Travel Visa Pro, San Francisco, USA. 1-888-470-8472 or www.TravelVisaPro.com
Global Visas, London, UK. 0207 190 3903 or www.globalvisas.com

Entry requirements for Americans: United States nationals need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British nationals need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days if passport is endorsed British Citizen including Guernsey, Jersey and Isle of Man, British Dependent Territories Citizen, or British Overseas Territories Citizen (Virgin Islands). Those whose passports state British National (Overseas) may stay up to 30 days without a visa. All others require a visa.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australian nationals need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is necessary for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to 90 days.

Passport/Visa Note: Passports must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the period of intended stay. An onward or return ticket is required, as well as sufficient funds and documents needed for further travel. Note that visitors to South Africa must have at least one blank (unstamped) page in their passport, each time entry is sought; these pages are in addition to the endorsement/amendment pages at the back of the passport.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.