SOUTH AFRICA

TIME ZONE
GMT : +2 hours

LANGUAGE(S)
South Africa has 11 official languages. English is spoken almost everywhere.

CLIMATE
The Western Cape, Northern Cape & Eastern Cape have a Mediterranean type Climate. The winter months [April - August] are mild and changeable, during these months most of the rainfall occurs; which is opposite to the rest of the country, which experience summer rainfalls. The Kwazulu Natal coastline has a sub-tropical climate with lots of sunshine throughout the year. The summer months [November - April] can become very hot and humid (with up to 80% humidity) where high rainfalls are experienced.

The Freestate, Gauteng and North-West Province enjoy moderately cold winters and warm to hot summers [November - April]. These areas get their rainfall during the summer months. Mpumalanga and Northern Province enjoy mild winters and hot summers [November - April]. During the winter months, there can be a significant difference between day and night temperatures.

VISA/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
When visiting South Africa for a period of up to 90 days, travellers from the UK and most (not all) visitors from the European Union do not require a visa. Visitors who intend to work in South Africa must apply for a work permit abroad at the South African Consulate or Embassy. Before departing for South Africa, check with the nearest South African Consulate or Embassy for any possible changes regarding the visa requirements. Passports must carry a validity of 30 days beyond intended date of departure from South Africa and have two consecutive blank pages (left & right pages facing each other).

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN
Following a revision to the Immigration Act in December 2018, minors travelling with both parents to South Africa no longer HAVE to supply additional documentation. However, PLEASE NOTE South Africa reserves the right to request a copy of the child’s unabridged birth certificate before granting entry, at the discretion of individual immigration officers, therefore parents travelling with children (under 18) MAY be required to provide an unabridged birth certificate of all travelling children. This applies even when both parents are travelling with their children. When children are travelling with one parent or guardians, these adults MAY BE REQUIRED to produce documentation from parents (that are not travelling) proving permission for the children to travel. Whilst South Africa has said that it is unlikely documentation will be requested, we recommend that you’re prepared to present the unabridged birth certificate to border officials upon arrival, particularly where one parent’s surname differs from the child’s. The full unabridged birth certificate should list the child’s details and both parents’ details. The abridged (short) birth certificate which only lists the child’s particulars won’t be accepted. Contact your nearest South Africa High Commission if you have any specific questions about your trip. Also see - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

HEALTH
Food and tap water are generally safe in South Africa. Malaria is encountered in northern and eastern Mpumalanga, Northern Kwazulu Natal and some areas in the Northern- and North West Provinces. Transmission of malaria is the highest during the rainy season, i.e. November to April. It is recommended to take anti- malaria tablets before entering any of the above regions (consult your GP or pharmacist for details). Also, ensure that you are well covered with mosquito repellent.

If you are bitten by a wild or domestic animal a rabies and tetanus vaccination is advised. The following vaccines are recommended for health care workers and other persons who will be in close contact with the local population: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid. For adults, as needed, a booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles and a one-time dose of polio vaccine.
Important: With effect from 1st July 2011 if you are flying to South Africa (including being in transit) from a Yellow Fever Zone, you must have a Yellow Fever Certificate stating that you have been immunized at least 10 days prior, or an exemption certificate (if applicable). This includes (but is not limited to) travelling from Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda or Kenya. We suggest you consult your GP or nearest travel clinic for the most up-to-the-minute advice. In South Africa, there is no risk of yellow fever.

PLEASE NOTE
Whilst we have made every effort to ensure the information provided in this document is accurate, Africa Collection is in no way responsible for the information provided.

ZIMBABWE

TIME ZONE
GMT : +2 hours

LANGUAGE(S)
Zimbabwe has 16 official languages. English, Shona and Ndebele are the most widely spoken languages in the country.

CLIMATE
The climate is generally temperate on the interior plateau at elevations above 1000 metres and in the Eastern Highlands. The low-elevation areas in the Zambezi and Limpopo valleys and the south-eastern Lowveld are generally hot during the day and mild at night. During mid-summer temperatures in these areas can become uncomfortably hot. Winter is generally dry throughout the country with summer rains originating from tropical weather-systems from the north together with localised thunderstorms.

VISA/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Valid passports are required by all foreign nationals to enter Zimbabwe, valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond your intended stay in Zimbabwe. British passport holders currently require visas. These can either be arranged on arrival – cost is currently GBP 35.00 for a single entry visa (or USD equivalent – approx. USD 60), or prior to departure at a cost of GBP 40.00 per person.
To obtain an application form please call the Zimbabwe High Commission in London on telephone 0207 836 7755 or go to their website – http://zimbabwe.embassyhomepage.com or e-mail them on zimlondon@yahoo.co.uk. Please check prior to departure as certain professions are required to obtain a visa prior to arrival. All air arrivals must be in possession of a valid return ticket. Visitors must be able to prove that they have sufficient funds to cover their stay in the country. Departure tax is an additional USD 20 per person, payable in dollar bills of 10 & higher. Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission, please consult your GP or local travel clinic for the latest information.

PLEASE NOTE
Whilst we have made every effort to ensure the information provided in this document is accurate, Africa Collection is in no way responsible for the information provided.

BOTSWANA

TIME ZONE
GMT : +2 hours

LANGUAGE(S)
Official English, with Setswana being the most common local language

CLIMATE
Although it straddles the Tropic of Capricorn, Botswana experiences extremes in temperatures up to 40°C in the dry season and occasionally low night-time temperatures, falling below zero in some areas. In general, the days are normally clear, warm and sunny, but nights can range from cool to bitterly cold. In the Kalahari, sub-zero night-time temperatures are common in June and July. The country’s rainfall mainly occurs from October to April and usually only in northern and eastern regions. Winter days are usually clear, warm and sunny while the nights are quite cold. Different regions have specific variances, as the terrain varies from hilly bushveld in the east, through the semi-desert conditions of the central regions and on to the semi-tropical conditions of the northern areas.

VISA/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Valid passports are required by all foreign nationals to enter Botswana. Citizens of the Commonwealth and the following countries do not require visas to enter Botswana: USA; Sweden; Belgium; Finland; Iceland; Denmark; Norway; Luxembourg; France; Italy; Netherlands; Austria; Germany; Greece; Liechtenstein; Yugoslavia; Switzerland; San Marino; Ireland; Uruguay and Japan. Visas are required by nationals of all other countries, which must be purchased before arrival in the country. All air arrivals must be in possession of a valid return ticket and must be able to prove that they have sufficient funds to cover their stay in the country.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN
Effective from the 1st October 2016 minors travelling through Botswana's borders (any port of entry) will be required to produce certified copies (or the original) of unabridged birth certificates in addition to their valid passports. In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent's affidavit consenting to such travel should be available. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate.

HEALTH
If you are entering Botswana from a Yellow Fever Zone, you must have a Yellow Fever Certificate stating that you have been immunized at least 10 days prior to arrival, or be in possession of an exemption certificate (if applicable). This includes (but is not limited to) travelling from Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda or Kenya. We suggest you consult your GP or nearest travel clinic for the most up-to-the-minute advice. Botswana will deny entry to any travellers who have been in Ebola affected countries (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria) in the 30 days prior to arrival.

PLEASE NOTE
Whilst we have made every effort to ensure the information provided in this document is accurate, Africa Collection is in no way responsible for the information provided.