© 2007 - Cape Backpackers, South Africa
Backpacker Designs, South Africa
backpackers travel information
ROBBEN ISLAND
isolation island
Since the end of the 17th century, Robben Island has been used to isolate people, mainly prisoners and amongst its first permanent inhabitants were political leaders from various Dutch colonies. From 1836 to 1931 the island was used as a leper colony and during the 2nd World War, the island was fortified and guns were installed as part of the defences for Cape Town. Robben Island became a maximum security prison in 1959. Between 1961 and 1991, over three thousand men were incarcerated there as political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela.
SOUTH AFRICA TIME
South Africa does not change its clocks during the year, and there are no regional variations within the country. South African Standard Time is (+2) Greenwich Mean (or Universal Standard) Time, (+1) Central European Winter Time, and (+7) USA's Eastern Standard Winter Time.
SOUTH AFRICA BANKING
The banks are open from 9am to 3.30pm (Monday - Friday), and 8.30am to 11am on Saturdays. All major credit cards can be used in South Africa, with American Express and Diners Club enjoying less universal acceptance. In some small towns, you may find you'll need to use cash. You can't purchase fuel with a credit card. You can pay road tolls with MasterCard or Visa.
TIPPING
Tipping is common practice in South Africa for a range of services. In restaurants the accepted standard is around 10% of the bill, although sometimes a gratuity will be included (often in the case of a large party). It is also appropriate to tip taxi drivers, tour guides and even hairdressers. If you park a car in a populated area such as near a shopping centre, street security guards will usually ask whether they can watch over your car and in return should be paid a small fee - anything from two rands upwards.
TAX
Value-added-tax (VAT) is charged on most items. Foreign visitors to South Africa can have their 14% VAT refunded (value of purchases exceed R250.00). VAT is refunded at the point of departure provided receipts are produced.
SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGES
There are 11 officially recognised languages, most of which are indigenous to South Africa. English is spoken everywhere you go. English is the language of the cities, of commerce and banking, of government and official documents. All our road signs and official forms are in English and service staff will speak English. READ MORE...
SOUTH AFRICA CLIMATE AND WEATHER
South Africa enjoys a temperate and pleasant climate, with warm sunny days most of the year. The seasons of the southern hemisphere are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere so our Summer runs from November to February, when most of the country is characterised by warm to hot weather. WEATHER REPORT
SEASONS
Summer - mid-October to mid-February
Autumn - February to April
Winter - May to July
Spring - August to October
South Africa does not change its clocks during the year, and there are no regional variations within the country. South African Standard Time is (+2) Greenwich Mean (or Universal Standard) Time, (+1) Central European Winter Time, and (+7) USA's Eastern Standard Winter Time.
SOUTH AFRICA BANKING
The banks are open from 9am to 3.30pm (Monday - Friday), and 8.30am to 11am on Saturdays. All major credit cards can be used in South Africa, with American Express and Diners Club enjoying less universal acceptance. In some small towns, you may find you'll need to use cash. You can't purchase fuel with a credit card. You can pay road tolls with MasterCard or Visa.
TIPPING
Tipping is common practice in South Africa for a range of services. In restaurants the accepted standard is around 10% of the bill, although sometimes a gratuity will be included (often in the case of a large party). It is also appropriate to tip taxi drivers, tour guides and even hairdressers. If you park a car in a populated area such as near a shopping centre, street security guards will usually ask whether they can watch over your car and in return should be paid a small fee - anything from two rands upwards.
TAX
Value-added-tax (VAT) is charged on most items. Foreign visitors to South Africa can have their 14% VAT refunded (value of purchases exceed R250.00). VAT is refunded at the point of departure provided receipts are produced.
SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGES
There are 11 officially recognised languages, most of which are indigenous to South Africa. English is spoken everywhere you go. English is the language of the cities, of commerce and banking, of government and official documents. All our road signs and official forms are in English and service staff will speak English. READ MORE...
SOUTH AFRICA CLIMATE AND WEATHER
South Africa enjoys a temperate and pleasant climate, with warm sunny days most of the year. The seasons of the southern hemisphere are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere so our Summer runs from November to February, when most of the country is characterised by warm to hot weather. WEATHER REPORT
SEASONS
Summer - mid-October to mid-February
Autumn - February to April
Winter - May to July
Spring - August to October
SOUTH AFRICA BACKPACKERS SEARCH
