What should you pay attention to when traveling to Africa?

1. Language: English is a universal language. White South Africans and some black people also speak Afrikaans, while black people use Zulu and Bantu. 2. Currency and exchange rate: The currency of South Africa and the United States is the rand. The face values ??of banknotes are 200r, 100r, 50r, 20r, 10r (rand), and the designs are all kinds of animals. The denominations of coins are 5r, 2r, 1r, 50c, 20c, 10c, 1r=100c. Travelers America checks can be cashed at major hotels, airports and banks. Cash can be exchanged directly for rands. However, the hotel exchange fee is a bit higher than that of banks. The current exchange rate between the rand and the US dollar is approximately: 1 US dollar = 5.85 rand (March 2005). 3. Traffic and communication: South African vehicles drive on the left, opposite to China. Vehicles can consciously abide by traffic rules, the roads are very modern, and the signs are eye-catching. Mobile phones are very popular in South Africa. Domestic tourists can purchase a pre-loaded mobile phone card at the airport as soon as they arrive in South Africa. The face value is 200 or 100r, which can be recharged after use. Mobile phones in South Africa are charged one-way, and there are no charges for receiving any calls, and there are no roaming charges. Visitors can also easily connect to the Internet at major hotels. 4. Water and electricity: South African tap water meets drinking hygiene standards and can be drank directly, so most hotels do not have kettles. The power supply is the same as in China, 220V, 50hz. However, the socket is a British three-phase type, and ordinary plugs for travel appliances cannot be connected. You can buy an adapter plug at the mall, or you can borrow it from the hotel front desk. 5. Catering: South Africa’s catering is colorful and diverse in style. There are Chinese food, British Western food, French Western food, Italian food, Japanese food, barbecue, Indian food and so on. There's McDonald's USA and KFC. When you go to South Africa, you must try the seafood dinner (Western style) and South African steak. Hotels generally provide a variety of buffet breakfasts within specified hours. 6. Shopping South Africa is of course most famous for its diamonds. The price is cheaper than in China, especially for diamonds above 0.4 carats, the price difference is relatively large. In addition, South Africa's gemstones are also world-famous, such as tiger gemstones, agate, crystal, etc. What are the best souvenirs and gifts at affordable prices. This gemstone is ideal for purchase at gemstone processing plants on the Cape Peninsula. Not only are the varieties complete, but they are also cheaper than ordinary shopping malls and the quality is guaranteed. Black handicrafts have African characteristics, such as various stone carvings, wood carvings, masks, Zulu shields, black folk instruments, etc. This African souvenir can be purchased at street stalls in various cities. In Joburg you can go to Rosebank and Eastgate flea markets, in Durban you can buy them on the curb on the Marinepaeade promenade, and in Cape Town you can buy them right in front of the waterfront. If you are lucky, you can also buy beautiful oil paintings, watercolors and other paintings at the art market. Shoppingmalls in South Africa are generally located in the suburbs of cities, such as Sandton and Rosebank in Joburg, the waterfront in Cape Town, etc. Its scale is larger than any shopping mall in the country. It should be said to be a comprehensive leisure center. You can stay there all day. There are various specialty stores, large CD stores (often selling CDs at special prices, the prices will make you smile from ear to ear), bookstores, clothing stores, art stores, supermarkets, various restaurants, coffee shops (much cheaper than in China) wait. There are a variety of world-class merchandise. It is worth mentioning that mall cinemas generally have more than eight screening rooms, which take turns to show the latest films released simultaneously with Hollywood (most of these films will not be seen in China until a few years later). A Dolby stereo system is installed in the hall, with excellent audio-visual effects. What's more important is that the price is cheap, a ticket is about 30-40 yuan. 7. Daily safety precautions: In Johannesburg and Durban, you must obey the tour guide's arrangements, be careful not to go out for walks at night, do not go to downtown areas (towns) and slums, especially do not walk with maps, cameras and various bags in your hands. on the streets of both cities. However, shopping malls in Cape Town, Breton, Joburg and various tourist attractions in South Africa are relatively safe. Tipping is compulsory in South Africa. When you stay, you should give 5r to the waiter who helps you with your luggage. Tip 10% of the total amount when dining. When the total number

South Africa has a high level of politeness, so be sure to line up consciously rather than rushing to be first. You don't have to smoke in public places with no-smoking signs, either. Don't make loud noises in public places. Local custom should not call black people black, but African people. South Africa's natural environment is well protected. Birds and various small animals are not afraid of people. Animals should be loved and cared for. You don’t have to catch, break, or pick up eggs at will. You must apply for a license to fish for lobster and abalone, and violators may be prosecuted. Tax Refund Tourists who spend more than 250r in South Africa can get a 14% VAT refund with an official invoice when leaving the airport, while accommodation, catering and other services are non-refundable.

The article comes from: Africa Travel Guide Network