What should you pay attention to when traveling to Africa?

Things to note when traveling in South Africa

1. Language:

The common language is English. White South Africans and some black people also speak Afrikaans (Afrikaans), and black people use Zulu, Bantu, etc.

2. Currency and exchange: The currency of South Africa is Rand, and the banknotes have face values ??of 200R, 100R, 50R, 20R, and 10R (Rand), and the designs are various animals. The face values ??of coins are 5R, 2R, 1R, 50C, 20C, 10C, 1R=100C. Travelers' checks can be exchanged at major hotels, airports, and banks. USD cash can be directly exchanged for Rand. However, there is a higher handling fee when exchanging money at a hotel than at a bank.

The current exchange rate between the rand and the US dollar is approximately: 1 US dollar = 5.85 rand (March 2005)

3. Transportation and communications: Vehicles in South Africa drive on the left. Contrary to China. Vehicles can consciously abide by traffic rules. The roads are very modern and have eye-catching and obvious signs. Mobile phones are very popular in South Africa. Domestic tourists can buy stored-value mobile phone cards at the airport immediately after arriving in South Africa. The face value is 200 or 100R, and they can be recharged after use. Mobile phone calls in South Africa are one-way, so there is no charge for receiving any call, and there are no "roaming charges". Visitors can also easily connect to the Internet in major hotels.

4. Water and electricity: The tap water in South Africa complies with drinking hygiene standards and can be drank directly, so there are generally no kettles in hotels. The power supply is the same as in China, 220V 50Hz. However, the socket is a British three-phase type, and ordinary plugs for tourist appliances cannot be connected. You can buy a converter plug at the mall as a spare, or you can borrow a converter plug from the hotel service desk.

5. Catering: South Africa’s catering is rich and colorful with various styles. There are Chinese food, British Western food, French Western food, Italian food, Japanese food, barbecue, Indian food, etc. Fast food chains include McDonald’s 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

The most famous thing in South Africa is of course diamonds. The price is cheaper than in China, especially for diamonds above 0.4 carats, with a relatively large price difference. In addition, South African gemstones are also world-famous, such as tiger eye stone, agate, crystal, etc., which are the best souvenirs and gifts at low prices and high quality. This type of gemstone is the best choice to buy at a gem processing factory on the Cape Peninsula. Not only is the variety complete, the price is cheaper than buying it in a general mall, and the quality is guaranteed. Black handicrafts have very African characteristics, such as various stone carvings, wood carvings, masks, Zulu shields, black folk instruments, etc. Such African souvenirs can be purchased at street stalls in various cities. In Joburg, you can go to the Rose Bank and East Gate flea markets, in Durban you can buy them on the side of the Marine Paeade, and in Cape Town you can buy them in front of the Water Front. If you are lucky, you can also buy beautiful oil paintings, watercolors and other paintings at the art market. South Africa's super large shopping malls (Shopping Malls) are generally located in the suburbs of cities, such as Sandown, Rose Bank in Joburg, Water Front in Cape Town, etc. Its scale is larger than any shopping mall in China. It should be said that it is more suitable to be a comprehensive leisure center. You can spend a whole day wandering there. The shopping center has 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 (such as China is much cheaper), etc., and has all kinds of high-end products from the world. It is worth mentioning that the cinemas in the Mall usually have more than 8 screening halls, which take turns to show the latest films released simultaneously with Hollywood (most of these films will not be available in China until a few years later). There are Dolby cinemas in the hall. Stereo system, excellent audio and video 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, follow the tour guide’s instructions, be careful not to walk out at night, do not go to the city center (Town) or slums, especially do not hold a map or camera in your hand , various bags are walking on the streets of these two cities. In Cape Town, Pretoria, Joburg's Shopping Mall and various tourist attractions in South Africa are relatively safe.

Tipping Tipping is required in South Africa. When staying, you need to give 5R to the waiter who helps you carry your luggage. Tip 10% of the total amount when dining. When the total amount is larger, you can give less. Fast food restaurants such as McDonald's do not require tipping.

Courtesy South Africa has a high level of civility. When you encounter a queue, you must queue up consciously and don't rush to be the first. Do not smoke in public places with no-smoking signs, and do not make loud noises in public places.

Local custom: Do not call black people "Black People" directly, but "Africa People".

The natural environment in South Africa is very well protected. Birds and various small animals are not afraid of people. You must protect animals. You cannot catch or beat animals or pick up bird eggs at will. You must apply for a license to catch lobsters and abalones. , violators may be prosecuted.

Shopping Tax Refund Tourists who purchase more than 250R in South Africa can get a 14% VAT refund with a formal invoice when departing from the airport. Tax refunds are not available for accommodation, catering and other services.