South Africa: Top Travel Tips

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 96
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Health Sense (1). Plan your trip and take note of malaria areas (principally in the eastern areas). Malaria kills millions of people annually and you would be foolish to enter a malarial area without prophylaxis. Anti-malarial drugs must typically be taken some weeks before you enter a malaria zone and continued after you leave.

Health Sense (2). African sun can be lethal. Especially for northern hemisphere visitors, the temptation to soak it up can be huge. Many an over-enthusiastic tourist has ruined his or her holiday in the first few days by overdosing on sunshine and under-indulging in sunscreen. Sunburn hurts; sunstroke can kill. Take a hat, wear long sleeves and avoid the midday sun.

Health Sense (3). Carry water. The African warmth can be beguiling, friendly rather than deadly. Whether driving or hiking, remember that even South Africa remains full of remote places, without shops, and ensure you have plenty of water. Don''t expect a MacDonald''s around every corner, or an air ambulance to be on hand if you get stuck in the country.

Common Sense (1). Road travel can be hazardous. South Africa has ...
... an excellent road infrastructure and smart motorists can hire a car and explore with a degree of abandon. Some travellers, however, get lulled into a sense of false security. Visitors should note that South Africa has many dangerous drivers, un-roadworthy vehicles and poorly enforced drink driving laws. Be alert and drive defensively. Make sure you have warm clothes in case you get stuck somewhere overnight (temperatures across the country fall below freezing in winter) and a spare tyre, plus tools.

Common Sense (2). Don''t advertise yourself as easy pickings. South Africa has high poverty levels and a high crime rate and tourists laden with cameras are easy meat. Hang on to your bag(s) at all times, avoid carrying wads of cash and be wary at ATMs. Lock up valuables in your accommodation wherever possible. When out and about, stick to the tourist areas and plan your journeys, both local and cross-country. Be especially wary at night, even in busy public spaces.

Common Sense (3). Wild animals are wild. Do not feed them and do not get too close, even if only to take photos. Hikers should note that South Africa has some extremely poisonous snakes and, though most will get out the way, some, such as the sluggish puffadder, won''t.

Common Sense (4). Fire safety is key. In the dry months (summer in western areas, winter in the east), the veld (''bush'') can be tinder-dry. Do not drop matches or cigarette ends. Take empty bottles, which can concentrate sunlight and spark fires, away with you. Even if you don''t get caught in a bushfire yourself, you could kill people, animals and acres of rare plants.

Travel is dangerous in large swathes of the world, with crime a hazard in many of our big cities, not just underdeveloped areas abroad, as parts of South Africa are. A bit of caution, planning and intelligence can make the difference between a holiday from heaven and from hell. Bonny Kominek wrote this article while on a holiday booked with Dialaflight who provide flights to South Africa and other desinations.