Republic of SOUTH AFRICA (information)

　

stay: 2005/Feb/10..2005/Apr/20, (LESOTHO), 2005/Apr/26..2005/May/09

　

general view **********************************************

You'll hear many peculiar words. ex. robot (=signal), buraai (=barbeque). And you may confuse the languages, Afrikaans and English. This is the most comfortable country in Africa, so be careful, not to waste much money and don't forget your purpose.

We Japanese don't need visa.

　

climate **********************************************

Near LESOTHO, because of the mountains?, the weather suddenly turn there. Sometimes it was a hailstorm. The climate in Cape Town and Pretoria are different from each other.

　

money **********************************************

*$1=R5.5.. 6.5 (The rate is fluctuating very often. You should check the rate everyday.)

　

$1T/C=5.86530 (Feb/15, Standard Bank)> $500T/C-com45=R2887.65, in essence $1T/C=R5.7753 / com is always R45.)

*You can buy US$ cash and sell T/C. You have to prepare for enough US$ cash here, if you travel Africa.

*Only in Cape Town, T/C is better rate than cash.

*I think 'AMEX' office is better rate than 'Rennies' basically.

*ATM for VISA, CitiBank card are many.

*You can use RAND as a currency in NAMIBIA, LESOTHO, SWAZILAND, MOZAMBIQUE (the southern part), and even though in other around countries you can exchange it easily. So when the rate becomes good, you should buy RAND much.

*You can claim TAX REFUND at some land borders. But even though Tourist Information and customs don't have the informaiton exactly about it.

　

TAX REFUND

Kopfontein (the border between BOTSWANA, near Gaborone) is possible. Derdeport (the border between BOTSWANA) and the border between LESOTHO are impossible. (I checked MASERU bridge and some other borders between LESOTHO.)

When you claim, you have to show the goods with the receipts. And the goods are not used and open, though they didn't watch so exactly... Later a cheque of refund will arrive at your home. (You cannot get cash there.) You can cash the cheque at a bank in your home country. But some (much?) commissions are deducted from the refund at customs and bank. So if the amount of VAT is less than R200, you may not get so much money in essence.

　

prices **********************************************

hotel; (dorm)60..80, (camp)30..40, petrol; 4.0..4.9 (Unleaded is cheaper. A little expensive than NAMIBIA.　Near LESOTHO becomes expensive.), Internet; 5..10/h (There are many kind of discount rate.), beer(750ml); 7, toll(around JHG); 2.5..10, meat price; kudu <chiken <ostrich <beef <lamb <pork (refer to 'town(Port Elizabeth)'), carrot; 4.79/kg, tomato; 8.99/kg, green pepper; 7.99/kg

　

'Wild' (free pass); (foreigner)170 / (a district per a year), (resident)190 / (all district per a year) (admissions become free. Ask Information.)

'VIP Backpackers' (membership card); 125 (accommodation, transportation, tour, phone and so on will be discounted. Ask Information.)

　

food **********************************************

Wine is famous. If you have a opportunity, please visit wine land. A certain farmhouse taught me the difference of the taste and so on kindly, even though I'm not familiar with wine.

Ostrich is also famous. There are many ostrich farms. You'll find ostrich meat in supermarket. There are many kind of Dried Meats you can enjoy.

Please enjoy the cocktail, 'KIBOU-HOU (Cape of Good Hope),' created by seagull.

[How to make]

1. Pour wine into a tumbler half full. 2. Drop a scoop of ice cream like an ice-cream soda.

That's all. Wine is white and sweet is better. Ice cream is your favourite one is OK. It's difficult to decide the ratio of wine to ice cream.

　

accommodation **********************************************

They have enough parking space as long as there's no note in the following. But the security is your own responsibility.

　

There are many Backpackers. You can find the free accommodations guide book, 'Coast to Coast' at Backpackers and Tourist Informations. All tourists watch and check it. You should check not only the price but also including free breakfast, free tea&coffee, kitchen, security, condition of location, long stay discount, free pick-up (if you are a BP) in the book. Basically almost BPs have their own bar, pool, billiards and satellite TV. But 'laundry' means nearest coin laundry shop.

Petrol stations always refuse your offer to pitch a tent there. To spend a night at a 24 hours net-cafe is one idea in Cape Town.

　

in Springbok

Caravan Park (S29-40'24.2" E017-53'56.8")

C40 / kitchen(facilities?), laundry, pool

　

in Vanrhynsdorp

Caravan Park (S31-36'56.8" E018-44'05.5")

C30 / kitchen (stove&refrigerator broken?)

　

in Cape Town

River Lodge Back Packers (S33-56'22.6" E018-29'22.6")　near 'Pineland' railway station.

C30, D60 / kitchen(stove, refrigerator), billiards, satellite TV, bar

This is the cheapest camp site in Cape Town. But there are some problems. The location is out of the town. And the entrance is narrow. So you may not park your motorcycle camp area. Though they have a parking space in front of the entrance, that has no gate and security. The accommodation security is also doubtful. At least while I had been there, there are some cases of burglaries.

　

Cape Town DECO Lodge (S33-55'53.9" E018-27'09.2")

C40, D80 (They have a discount rate for long stay.) / kitchen(stove, refrigerator), pool, billiards, satellite TV, bar, nice view shower, Internet, free pick-up, free tea&coffee, forest bath(walking tour)

　

Ashanti (S33-55'59.8" E018-24'43.7") almost centre of the town

C55, D90 / kitchen(stove, refrigerator), pool, billiards, satellite TV, bar, Internet

They have enough space to park a motorcycle inside, but they rejected. Though they said parking along the street was OK and in the night there had been a security, I don't recommend it.

　

Cat & Moose (near the south-western end of 'Long St.') centre of the town

D70 / kitchen(stove, refrigerator), satellite? TV, free tea&coffee only in the morning

They allow you to park your motorcycle inside, but the entrance is narrow and the patio is small.

　

in Cape Agulhas (the town is about 10 km before the cape)

(bush-camping) In the town, there is a tennis court near a petrol station. You may pitch a tent backside of the tennis office.

There is a caravan site in the town, though it's very expensive for camping.

　

in Langeberg

TAKKIESKLOOF (S34-05'16.4" E021-14'47.4")

C40, lodge? / kitchen(only water and plug), pool

There is no fence around the camp area. Anyone can come in easily from outside.

　

in Port Elizabeth

Helicharter Backpackers (S33-58'29.6" E025-38'29.6")

C35, D? (They have a discount rate for long stay.)　/ kitchen(stove, refrigerator), billiards, satellite TV, bar

　

in Graaf-Reinet

URQUHART PARK (S32-14'36.7" E024-31'34.1")

C20, electricity (plug)10 / kitchen (only water)

　

in Molteno

(bush-camping) out of the town, near the pool (marsh?), you may pitch a tent.

　

in Dewetsdorp

Hotel DE WET (S29-35'03.1" E026-39'47.5")

S150 (You may discount! I stayed there 50) / shower&bathtub, toilet, restaurant&bar

　

in Pretoria

SHARALUMI Backpackers (S25-44'40.7" E028-13'58.7")

C40, D? (They have a discount rate for long stay.) / free breakfast, free tea&coffee, kitchen, satellite TV, Internet, pool, bar

　

Kla Ora Backpackers (S25-45'18.6" E028-11'30.8")

D60

　

Blue Chilli Backpackers (S25-44'31.8" E028-14'24.3") 40 Thomson St., Colbyn

C30, D? / clean bathroom (bathtub), kitchen (stove, refrigerator..?)

This is the cheapest Backpackers in Pretoria. It also looks cheaper than others. Be careful! 2005 edition 'Coast to Coast' says wrong address. The above is the true address, though you may not find the place. The Backpackers is along 'Dankan St. (spell?)', that is following 'Thomson St.' (Map and sign says only 'Dankan st.,' but it's also 'Thomson St.' One St. has two names). The best idea to visit there is making a call for pick-up.

　

in Derdeport (border between Botswana)

(border control) (by negotioation)

They may allow you to pitch a tent behind the control house. In the night, around the border is closed, so that's very safe. Along the river near the border there are crocodiles. So bush-camping is dangerous.

　

town **********************************************

in Steinkopf (70 km from the NAMIBIA border)

There is a petrol station, ATM (at a petrol station), bank (B&B), supermarket. The ATM for Citibank card is in a supermarket. This is the first town which has a supermarket, ATM and so on.

petrol; (leaded)4.42, (unleaded)4.39

　

in Springbok

Information (S29-40'19.9" E017-53'02.7")

something online (Internet) (S29-40'07.0" E017-52'59.4") opposite Standard Bank, near the Tourist Information

　

in Vanrhynsdorp

Information (S31-36'32.4" E018-44'09.0")

You can get much local information. A small museum is also there (free).

　

Internet (S31-36'31.0" E018-44'11.5") in a grocery there are some computers.

1/min, (after 19:00)0.8/min / Japanese typing is possible. Without connecting, you can use the PC free! So you should disconnect the line while you are typing letters.

　

in Gifberg

You can go there by car from Vanrhynsdorp. Along the mountain pass, you can find some strange rocks, for example, crocodile rock, dinosaur rock and so on.

　

Gifberg Holiday Farm (Huisamen) (S31-48'33.0" E018-46'58.3") behind Maskam Mt., 29 km from Varhynsdorp.

(accommodation)?, (hiking)10

There are some hiking trails. Along the trail you can watch Bushmen paintings, beautiful valley and so on. You'd better prepare for water to drink in Varhnsdorp in advance.

　

in Cape Town

Cape Town is the junction of travellers. Many tourists are coming from and going to West Africa, East Africa, Europe, South America there. For getting information (selling & buying, lifting and so on), some tourists are going around other Backpackers often. There are many good beaches around the peninsula.

　

Information (S33-55'17.4" E018-25'17.1") near the crossing 'Strand St' and 'Burg St.'

On Saturday afternoon and on Sunday are close. There are some other information centres you can find. You can get (buy?) a street map.

　

Internet

There are many Internet-cafes. Some have discount rate, some are 24 hours open.

　

Cat Walk near the above Information. And there are many branches.

24open, 10/h, (over night)30/(pm11..am11), print 1/paper

windows2000, Asian languages are available ('NANKYOKUSEI' is installed).

　

Computeria (S33-55'32.3" E018-24'56.1") 'Long St.'

24open, 110/4000min, 250/(1 week free) ...many kind of discount rates they have.

Asian languages are possible to type. One of the staff is a Korean.

　

ASINUEKE COMPUTER SERVICES ground floor in the GPO building

5/h, Japanese typing is possible.

　

shop

SUZUKI (KAWASAKI) SOUTH (motorcycle shop) (S34-00'51.7" E018-28'08.2")　outskirts. Going down 'M3' No.14 ramp then turn right and go straight. At the end of the road, you can find.

repair, buying parts and accessaries OK.

YAMAHA, HONDA, HD, BMW? dealers are in the centre of town.

　

(Chinese food store) (S33-58'40.8" E018-27'55.1") outskirts. Along the same street which is in front of 'SUZUKI SOUTH'(the above motorcycle shop)

You can find some Japanese and Korean food, too.

　

Automobile Association

AASA (The Automobile Association Of South Africa) near the above Tourist Information, along 'Strand St.'

You can find the sign, written 'AA' on a yellow field. You can consult with them about CARNET. You can get road maps here, too.

　

waterfront

Comfortable for shopping. Some Camping shops are also there. Street performers are also there.

　

Table Mountain

The peak is not one place. The 'table' is separated some pieces. I tried to climb up by motorcycle, but I think the limit is the old fort which is halfway up the mountain.

　

west coast

That's the famous view spot of Table Mountain. You can see the Table Mountain with sea here. I recommend the sunset time. You can find the sign along 'N1.'

　

Bolders beach

(admission)15 / There is a student discount.

　

Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

(admission)35

Cape Point: Just the end of the cape. The light house is there.

Cape of Good Hope: The most south-western point of the African continent. (The most southern point is Cape Agulhas.)

　

Chapman's peak (near Hout Bay)

tollgate; (motorcycle)13

The tollgate is only one. It is Cape Town side, near Hout Bay. There is a nice view point along the toll road. From this point to the tollgate, there are blocks on the centre line at regular intervals. Motorcycle is possible to turn back, but car is difficult.

　

in Cape Agulhas

The admission is free. You can enter with your vehicle, but camping is prohibited.

This is the most southern point of the African continent. And the border between the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.

Because few organised tour is coming and hard to reach by public transportation, there are few tourists and very quiet.

　

in Port Elizabeth

There are HONDA, YAMAHA, SUZUKI, KAWASAKI dealers.

Internet (Japanese readable); 15/h, petrol; 4.0..4.9, meat (kg); (kudu)21.99, (chicken)22.99, (ostrich)26.99, (beef)32.99, (lamb)37.99, (pork)45.95 (They are different meat parts from each other.)

　

in Graaf-Reinet

Information (S32-15'01.2" E024-32'07.3")

Graaf-Reinet Reserve (S32-11'54.9" E024-29'12.9")

Motorcycle is prohibited to enter because of the exhaust sound.

Valley of Desolation about 12 km from the camp site. There is a sign at 5 or 6 km in the direction of the mountain (same as GRreserve direction). Turn left at the sign.

I recommend you to watch it in the sunset time.

　

in Bloemfontain

Information (S29-07'11.4" E026-12'25.1")

　

in Pretoria

The city is formed One-Way roads. But you'll be used to be it soon.

　

Information (S25-44'48.6" E028-11'13.7") at (facing) 'Church Square'

You can get a street map here. But some embassies on the map are wrong places.

　

Internet;

? along 'Schoeman St.', between 'VAN ERKOM BUILDING' and 'Lewis'

5/h, Japanese impossible

　

Fast Internet Cafe (S25-44'55.4" E028-11'18.7") VAN ERKOM BUILDING shop no.20, opposite 'People Bank,' at the crossing 'Pretrious St.' and 'Paul Kruger St.'

6/h, No.3 is possible to type Japanese.

　

? (S25-45'03.4" E028-11'27.0")

6/h, Japanese impossible

　

Hair Salon and Internet Cafe (S25-44'56.7" E028-12'43.3") 329 ARCADIA PARK GALLERY, along 'Wessels St.', opposite the art gallery. Holiday is also open.

10/h, the right and innermost one is possible to type Japanese.

　

in Derdeport (border between Botswana)

junction (to Kopfontain and Derdeport, both are the border town.) (S24-39'06.4" E026-24'18.9")

There is the last RSA petrol station and shop near the junction. (in the direction of Derdeport)

Around here almost dusty road, not paved.

　

government establishments (visa) *****************************************

in Cape Town

Japan consulate (S33-55'11.2" E018-25'35.4") 21st floor of Standard Bank building, near the train station

Mon..Fri, till 16:30 (close weekend and 11:30..14:00)

There are a lot of Japanese books for rental and comics. They can receive your parcel from Japan.

　

in Pretoria

MOZANBIQUE embassy

application:..12:30> issue: on the same day PM

photo ?, receipt of the visa fee

price: on the same day (the next day)

transit (7 days) R45(35) validity for entry ?

single (1 month) R85(75) validity for entry 2 months

double (? month) R170(150) validity for entry ?

You have to transfer the visa fee to 'First National Bank.' And submit the receipt to the embassy when you apply. So you'd better visit the embassy in the early morning first.

　

MALAWI embassy, ZIMBABWE embassy

Both don't issue visa here. You have to visit the embassy of them in JOHANNESBURG.

　

border **********************************************

Noordewer (entry from NAMIBIA);

No money is required. CARNET is not required, too. Because RSA, NAMIBIA, BOTSWANA, LESOTHO, SWAZILAND are 'Common Customs Union.' First big? town in RSA is 'Steinkopf,' 70 km from the border. (refer to 'town')

　

MASERU bridge (leaving for LESOTHO);

R5 for toll bridge. But when you leave LESOTHO, it's free. Maybe all other border bridges are also same. CARNET may be asked but you can refuse. REFUND is impossible here. I think all borders with LESOTHO are impossible. At least from here to the south, I checked 3 borders, but they are also impossible.

　

Kopfontein (leaving for BOTSWANA);

No money is required. (But when you enter BOTSWANA, you'll be required R40? as a tax.) To claim TAX REFUND is possible here. (refer to 'money')

　

road **********************************************

Almost all are pavement. Especially in Cape Town, there are many winding elevated road. Be careful the strong wind. All ramp ways are numbered. Around Johannesburg and Pretoria, there are many tollgates.

　

N2 toll section (between Langeberg and Port Elizabeth) has a free detour, R102 (You can find the sign).

the way to Derdebort and Kopfonttain (the border between BOTSWANA) is dusty earth road about 100 km.