Travelling to South Africa To See The Football World Cup? Get Organised With These Tips!

England has qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and you are rearing to go. You want to be a part of the most watched sporting event in the world. If you are one of the many thinking of travelling to South Africa, some useful information will make this an event to remember for the best of reasons. You will find that going online is a convenient way of organizing your plans for the best result. Below are some things to keep in mind, including South Africa world cup travel tips for a UK resident travelling to South Africa. You may find it reassuring to know that in the 20 years since apartheid rule ended South Africa has staged a number of international sporting event. All have been major successes. Fifa will not allow this event to not succeed.

South Africa is a great place to visit any time. It has eight Unesco World Heritage Sites, including the Cape Floral Region with more than 9,000 plant species, and in Sterkfontein there lies the Cradle of Humankind. There are also magnificent landscapes close to all the major venues.

Passport, visa and health

There is no need for a visa, unless you stay for more than 3 months. Nevertheless, your passport should be valid for a month beyond your visiting period. Vaccinations will be in order. What number to call for police and the High Commission in case of emergency, should be always within reach during your trip. Travel insurance is also a useful precaution.

Currency

The changing currency exchange rate for South African Rand can trip you up if you are not careful at this time. As 5 city venues are small towns, they may have limited banking and currency exchange resources. A prepaid travel money card might be a wise alternative to consider. Currency cards allow you to make cash withdrawals from any ATM and like a debit card it is accepted by most establishments. The cards are preloaded and most providers let you top-up online. But, you will still need to look for the best exchange rate offered. If you intend to use your debit or credit cards, do remember to inform their provider of your travel plans so they do not block your use as an antifraud precaution.

Transportation tips

By the time you arrive in Johannesburg a public bus system may be used here and some of the other cities. Taxis here are typically safe and reliable. Inter city rail services and plane travel is also safe and comfortable. Journeys should be planned ahead as the stadiums are spread far apart and the distance between them could take over 10 hours by car. If you choose to drive, you will have to be the holder of a full driving licence not a provisional one. Hire a car from a reputable company. The insurance might only cover you for the third party minimum beyond which you shall be personally liable. See if your insurance can increase your cover which could be cheaper than buying insurance in South Africa. Carry a camera with you. It will come in handy for photographs of the damage to vehicle, should there be an accident. Precautions should also be taken to avoid potential car jackings. You might also encounter some local corruption by way of the police shakedown on the road. Be mindful of the rules to protect your interest; but, be prepared for this eventuality with some cash on hand if needed to ease your way.

Speed is recorded by cameras and hire car firms will debit fine costs. Seatbelts are required and mobile phone usage is forbidden. Do not drive drunk. Keep your travel insurance and emergency information on hand.

Safety tips

South Africa, is a blend of the third world and the first. It has an economy, infrastructure, and business community that matches those in the developed world. But, the third world is in the institutionalised corruption you might see, the criminals for whom a life has the value of a posh car. With the high crime rate, no one should take crime lightly in South Africa. It is sensible to be cautious. But, the problem is also not as extreme as depicted in the media. The Foreign Office has said that the risk to visitors travelling to main tourist destinations is low. However, there had been instances in 2007 and 2008 where foreigners were robbed at gunpoint after being followed from Johannesburg airport. ATM fraud is a widely reported crime in South Africa. Carjacking is also something to watch out for if you tend to travel away from match venues. There have been some reports of people who have stopped to help a seemingly distressed driver, who turns out to be part of a carjacking gang. However, as the World Cup host has now increased its police force by over 40,000 members and has instituted a punitive policy to deter would be carjackers, muggers, armed robbers and murderers, the trip might be less eventful in this regard than feared. As a traveller you would still be prudent if you follow the advice of local tour agencies and refrain from venturing on your own out at night. Apply your street smarts and keep valuables out of sight.

Accommodation tips

South Africa offers a range of possibilities ranging from luxury hotels in its major cities to hip boutique hotels and country lodges to more down to earth Bed and Breakfasts and guesthouses. The cheapest accommodation is in basic backpacker lodges. There are also both municipal and private camp sites, as well as a growing number of self-catering cottages and apartments. Make sure you book your accommodation before you arrive - South Africa will be incredibly busy during the World Cup period and many guest houses are already full for the duration of the competition. Accommodation is likely to be scarce. Fifa has appointed a company to find and grade hotels and guest houses. The company hired by Fifa has even crossed to neighbouring countries to reserve accommodation since so many visitors are expected to arrive. Ordinary South Africans might also make homestays available. In this case, it would be wise to check not just the city but the locality of the house. Remember, it will be winter in South Africa and therefore it may be too cold to camp in some areas. Temperatures can drop well below zero at night in some venues during this period. Winters are short and so few buildings have insulation or central heating. This means that, on a bad night, you can be colder there than in UK during winter. However, some venues will be warm. South Africa is a large country with varying climates. There will be cold and wet weather in Johannesburg and Cape Town, but heat and humidity in Durban and Bloemfontein. You should be prepared for this depending on the matches you plan to watch live or where you plan to visit.

Venue cities

The World Cup will be staged at ten venues located in nine South African cities. These cities are well known and lesser known cities of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Rustenburg and Bloemfontein. Johannesburg or Jozi for local residents can be a little daunting for the uninitiated visitor, because of media descriptions as a crime zone. Crime is there; but, it may not strike you with the beefed up security. Meanwhile, the vibes of Jozi will leave you unexpected good feelings. It has interesting museums and other sites within the city, its hip suburbs, parks and nature reserves that are worth a side visit beyond the World Cup attractions. Pretoria, also known as the Jacaranda City for the blooming trees is a charming, quiet city with significant old buildings and interesting museums. It is the administrative capital of South Africa. Temperature here is slightly warmer than in Johannesburg. Outdoor activities can be enjoyed at the Wonderboom and Groenkloof Nature Reserves, the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary, and a steam train trip around Pretoria. Set between the mountains and the sea, Cape Town has a spectacular setting. Cape Town is a favourite tourist destinations for its fabulous beaches and nearby attractions. It is a cosmopolitan city where architectural is a nice blend of the old and the new. It has fine shopping and a famous vineyard region within easy reach. The Constantia Wine Route in the Constantia Valley has five producers amongst them producers of some renowned South African wines. Winemaking here dates back to the 1600s. The route is an easy morning or day trip and the farms provide quality restaurants for lunches and tea. Rich in heritage and beauty, Constantia Wine Route is made up of three famous wine estates, the Buitenverwachting, Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia. Durban is often referred to as the South African Miami Beach. This city is also a year round sporting paradise for water sports. UShaka Marine World is the biggest marine-themed park on the continent. Durban also has substantial East Indian population that is reputed to be the largest outside India. One of the most visible monuments to this population is the Phoenix Settlement that recognizes the contribution to South Africa of Mohandas Gandhi. Try a Durban curry or a bunny chow as you celebrate a match victory here. Durban is also an African city situated in the realm of the Zulu that remain a high profile black ethnic group in South Africa. There are a number of cultural villages in and around Durban where Zulu culture and society are showcased. Some are commercial and others more authentic. The Shakaland is probably the best known of these, and might be more commercial than authentic, it definitely gives you a strong feel of Zulu culture. Port Elizabeth offers a diverse selection of attractions for familyfun holiday offering scenic nature trails, historic heritage, magnificent wildlife, cultural experiences and countless water sport activities. The sunshine coast, with its rugged unspoiled beaches and Hogsback, rumored to be the inspiration for the Lord of the Rings books are within a few hours drive from the city. Algoa Bay is regarded as one of the best sailing venues in the world, while scuba diving is of world class quality with beautiful reefs, shipwrecks, fish and colourful coral species. Nelspruit, boasts the first manmade rain forest. It is surrounded by some of the best game reserves in the country and the famous Kruger National Park. The nearby Sudwala caves, a dinosaur park and cultural centre, the gold mining town of Kaapsehoop and the mountains offer camping and hiking trails with varying levels of intensity.The Nelspruit Nature Reserve offers several walks through the reserve. The Green Heritage Hiking Trail offers a pleasant way to enjoy indigenous vegetation, a diversity of birds and small antelope. Take a walk along the Nelspruit Historical Walking Trail to see interesting facets of history. Polokwane has places to see in the city including the Bakone Malapa Northern Soth

Wherever you are, you will not be surprised to learn a game reserve is nearby. Meanwhile, nearby countries beckon. Fifa is keen to push this as a truly African World Cup and neighbouring are keen to attract tourists. Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia are all potentially close, and in some cases within driving distance depending on your starting point. Even Zimbabwe is trying to offer itself as a tourist destination. It does have the selling point of containing the larger part of Victoria Falls. The beauty of South Africa means this trip can and should be more than a trip to see football players in their best international showcase.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

Before you go off, make sure that you`re fully ready for the best possible experience and read up on travel advice south africa. Last but not least, have a really good trip.

by: Simon Wilson

Total views: 2 Word Count: 1971 Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2010 Time: 11:41 AM - 0 comments

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