Archive for January, 2010

Gauteng Tour, Gauteng Travel Tips

Gauteng Safaris

Gauteng

Its believed that Gauteng has one of the world’s best climates. Winter days are clear and crisp, while its wind free & warm during summer days. In summer there is frequent rain & in afternoon thunderstorms generally for a short time. With early morning frost, the winters are relatively dry & mild.

Its about 2degrees which Pretoria & Johannesburg differ in temperatures & of the two, Pretoria being the warmer.
Being a place of Gold, Gauteng gets the attention of big business.
The place has many museums, historic battlefields & galleries. Despite of this, its is also an entertainment playground for she has high-class restaurants music venues & shopping malls.

From Johannesburg, its 45km away 4m the human kind cradle. Living in good Sterfo kntein rural valley environment. It’s the worlds heritage site & worlds richest hominid site and its surrounded by great Palaeo anthropological sites.

The Lesedi cultural village is a multi village situated in Prestine bush held & rocky hills with red blankets & well-thatched homes lived the Xhosa & Zulu with their fighting shields, drums, straw pedi & pedi country yards & Basotho with ponces.

The major attraction is the Hartebeest sport with its stunning scenery & approximately near Pretoria & Johannesburg & it’s a recreation area of Gauteng in the North.

The dam walls are the country’s only Roman Triumphal Arch Style wall & open to all. From the times of Apartheid, Soweto is a former township. From Johannesburg its 15km away. Its 63km2 and a total of 3million people are believed to be in the area.

South Africa Travel Visa, Tourist Visa Requirements

South African work permits and visa options for immigration to South Africa

The success criteria and regulations for immigration into South Africa as a visa or work permit holder can prove to be very complicated for potential employers and immigrants. There are 5 dissimilar categories of work permits.

After United Kingdom shifting to a points-based system of immigration that is similar to that of Australia, this type of requirement has become the standard thus making immigration regulations for attaining  a visa or work permit in South Africa very perplexing.

The main categories of work permits and visa are:

Intra company Transfers – this category should be applied for people who are obliged to transfer within their existing or related company and take up a temporary position within South Africa.

Quota Work Permit – as stated by South Africa’s Department of Labor, the country has a shortage of skilled personnel in some professions. Occasionally it is assessed in stipulations of the existing human resource conditions and amended. Individuals with the suitable qualifications and working experience may apply for this a Quota Work Permit. The benefit of a Quota Work Permit is; it can be issued before an individual gets a job offer, hence making job searching much simpler.

Exceptional skills permit- this issued out basing on a ‘case by case’ basis. People with unique qualifications, skills and experience can get this permit.

Individual Corporate workers permit – majority of organizations in south Africa are embarking on recruiting numerous foreigners, either because of shortage of skilled personnel or because of a rare need to perform some roles, for example a requirement foreign language. The company applies for a corporate permit to grant them permission to employ a particular number of persons for specified positions. Companies in possession of these permits can there after apply for Individual Corporate Worker’s permit for their foreign employees.

General work permits – applicants who don’t fall under the above mention categories must then apply for this type of permit. One can not apply for a General Work Permit not until they get a job offer. The employer should present proof to show that they tried to search for a South African to take up that job offer before giving the job to a foreigner.

Corporate Permits – organizations can fore go the immigration process when they apply for cooperate permits. This permit is appropriate for companies that have a number of vacant positions that they predict may have to be filled with foreign workers for the next two to three years.

Because of the global high demand for skilled labor and people’s attitude towards traveling, immigration is structuring a fundamental employee and employer recruitment strategy. Knowing the right permit can be very helpful and will greatly help the employee and employer to attain the required result.

Integrate Immigration are the largest and private immigration experts that offer immigration services in South Africa. Regardless of whether you are in need of a work permit, or a study permit, or a business permit, or a life partner or spousal permit, we are able to provide you with professional consultation and advice regarding all types of permits in South Africa. Our additional services comprise of an entire relocation service, international taxation and looking for.

South Africa Holidays

Public Holidays:
January1        New Years Day
March 21        Human Rights Day
April 14        Good Friday
April 17        Family Day ((Easter Monday)
April 27        Freedom Day
May 1            Workers Day
June 16        Youth Day
August 9        National Women’s Day
September 24        Heritage Day
December 16        Day of Reconciliation
December 25        Christmas Day
December 26        Day 0f Good will
December 27        Public Holiday.

South Africa Banks, Currency & Forex Rates

Foreign Exchange:
Currency is exchanged at all banks, airports American express select  travel agents and big hotels in cities.

Currency:
100 cents = 1 Rand
Coins issued 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R, R2 & R5.
Notes include R10, R20, R50, R 100 & R200.
Currency exchange rates are available in the press daily and in all banks.

Banks:
Banks are open from 09h 00 -15h 30 Monday to Friday and 08h 30 – 11h 00 on Saturday.
All Debit cards and major international credits are allowed in banks e.g. Visa American Express Master card, Diners etc. In most towns and petrol stations you can find ATMs.

South Africa Car Hire,Tips Car Insurance

Car hire in South Africa is relatively cheap and is the best and safest alternative when dealing with safety and dependability. The road network is well maintained as compared to other countries in Africa. Despite the fact that 4X4 wheel vehicles are not required, it is wise to acquire such a vehicle from the car-rental-service provider so ad to adventure through the 4X4 trail in the country and also venture through d\game reserves.

In most main towns, you will find various car hire companies that provide a wide variety of vehicles range from classic cars to caravans.you will be able to travel to all parts of south Africa and on departing leave the car at one of the branches of S.A car rental in that city. If you plan on rent  a vehicle, ensure that it can run for unlimited time and offer air condition when need arises.

If you have 3 to 4 days you can visit Cape Town and the surrounding wine-lands in your hired vehicle or drive from Johannesburg to the nearby Kruger National Park – a 4×4 vehicle is best for this trip but any vehicle can be used. If you have a week and a half to two weeks consider traveling in your car hire around Cape Town’s Garden route and stopping at the quaint seaside towns along the way or visit Durban, the Drakensberg mountain range and the Transkei with its breath-taking beaches and rich culture.

S.A is a place of rich beauty and diverse cultures. Nestled within S.A you can stop at the independent countries of Swaziland and Lesotho or even take a trip in your car hire outside of the country to the picturesque Mozambique, arid Namibia or wild Botswana. If you love camping South Africa is the place to be, take your car hire to a South African game reserve or seaside town and enjoy nature at its best. S.A has a laid back and friendly attitude in which tourists are welcomed with open arms – do some research before you visit but come with an open mind and you’re bound to have the best holiday of your life with your South African car hire.

Travel Health Insurance South Africa

Travel Health Insurance

Health Care and Vaccinations:
Despite the fact that travelling to South Africa is in most cases a first world preference, adventure in remote villages and tribal areas may however bring you health risks.
In South Africa, Cholera usually occurs, but there is no standard immunization for the citizens in South Africa.
In local communities, Hepatitis A & B and TB infections are common and out bursts of rabies within animals. Therefore, travellers visiting these infected areas should be immunized.

Below are the recommended immunizations for those visiting the deeper rural areas of South Africa: -
Typhoid:
This disease is caused by water or food, which is contaminated, leading to high Fever and Septicaemia. Immunisation for Typhoid is meant for people visiting areas with lower standards of food and water hygiene.

Hepatitis A.
A single injection for protection against this water-borne disease is necessary. A vaccine is suitable for the frequent visitors and is now available for protection for almost 10 years.

Polio:
Its orally given especially on a lump of sugar. It protects Poliomyelitis, which is now still prevalent in some tropical countries.

This is a rare disease in travellers so it remains un considered for most travellers, for this is old injected vaccine. However, where its known, a Cholera certificate may be demanded by the officials. So it remains safe to move with this certificate.
For protection against Cholera, there is anew Oral Cholera vaccine.

Tetanus:
This disease has spread throughout the world. A single injection is given to act as a booster dose.
Its not always necessary to go for immunizations, but the best thing you can do is visit a doctor a month before you travel. They will provide you with pills of boosters required during your stay in South Africa.
Before you leave your home, its recommended to move with your Medical Insurance.

Pocket Friendly Tours in South Africa Eased by Partnership

By a partnership between hotel group Southern Sun along with South African Tourism (SAT), traveling topically has turned out to be easier, a lot exciting, but certain of all easier on the pocket.

Catching on to the achievement of SAT’s Sho’t Left drive – encouraging South Africans to tour inside their own country – Southern Sun kicked off its SunBreaks campaign in April 2008.

The SunBreaks effort is Southern Sun’s latest stand from which to direct young, enterprising South Africans, promoting them to take shorter, more reasonable vacations, more frequently.

There are 6.2 million South Africans out in that location that have the imaginations and taste to travel, but just aren’t sure how to go about it, or whatever packages are on offer.

Addressing at the launching of the partnership on Wed, Ms Mahlaba informed BuaNews: “Value for money when travelling is one of the greatest things that encourages people to travel.

“So partnering with Southern Sun, who have such an array of hotels across the country, we now have a partner that can fulfil the needs of emerging, young, and up-and-coming South African travellers.

Discussing at the Africa Investor Tourism Awards in February, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk said foreign arrivals to Africa amounted to 846 million in 2006, mapping an extra 44 million arrivals over the closing year with the same outgrowth drawing near for 2007.

South Africa cities and Destinations

Online guide for cities of South Africa, attractions and where to find them, hotels and restaurants.

Pretoria
Capetown
Johannesburg
Suncity
Durban
Port Elizabeth
Guateng
Stellenbosch
George South Africa

South Africa Hotel Reviews, Hotels in South Africa, Accommodation Options

South Africa has a number of different types of accommodation to offer. Regardless of whether your stay is for a day, weeks, or a few months, there will definitely be an appropriate accommodation to suit your needs and budget. There are a number of lavish but expensive hotels with spectacular and breathtaking scenery for those who wouldn’t mind spending a little extra amount of money on accommodation. But for those who find staying in such a place extravagant, there are many more options we would recommend. Read on for more details.

Many people believe that staying in a luxurious hotel or safari lodge are the only choices of accommodations to choose from when on holiday in South Africa. Personally, I believed like many other people that being accommodated in a hotel is the way to go regardless of where you travel to. However, there are plenty of different of different accommodation options that offer equivalent comfort, hygiene and services as hotels at a much discounted price.

There are various types of accommodation South Africa has to offer ranging from one star to five star hotels, bed and breakfast accommodations, guest houses, self-catering rental apartment that are commonly referred to as vacation apartments and villas. All of them offer basic furnishing, clean, functional and comfortable at the same time, and is worth every penny.

Whether you are planning to visit Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban or any other city, there is sure to be an accommodation that will surely make your stay in South Africa an unforgettable one.

Because of the Economic Crisis that has affect people in one way or the other globally, there is need to be mindful of where and how you use your hard-earned income. So being familiar with the different accommodation types South Africa offers will help you save lots of money.

By browsing through the internet, you will discover numerous websites talking about the varying accommodation type. These will show pictures and give detailed information about these places, thus giving you a platform from which to choice your desired place that the suits your budget and lifestyle.

In South Africa, when it comes to choosing an accommodation place, you will find very many alternatives that will suit business travel, leisure trips or international tourists.  This superb accommodation presents outstanding services, luxury and excellent value for money. South Africa’s hotels vary from Intercontinental chains to local-boutique hotels. Many of these hotels are highly recognized and stand to be compared with some of the world’s best, and regularly feature in ‘World Best Awards’. Examples of some of the luxurious hotels are the Arabella Sheraton, The Saxon, the Cape Grace, the West cliff, the Mount Nelson   and Michelangelo.

After choosing your travel destination as South Africa, the next challenge is deciding the place to stay and making a comparison between the various offers given by the five and four Star hotels. Available is a local and international airlines which offers regular flights to major cities thus enabling visitors to explore various places but within the same boarders. South Africa also offers a variety of entertainment and visitors can participate in a number of adventures such as cultural, city tours and game drives.

Although hotels in South Africa are easily accessible, it is wise to book into one before you embark on your trip. You can book into your hotel of choice over the internet. Important to remember is that not only do hotels in South Africa offer just a place to rest, they have a variety of services in place suited to make your stay a memorable one.

South Africa Vacation Holiday Guide

South African is among the member of the Common Wealth and basically known as the Republic of South Africa. South Africa lies in the Southern part of the African continent and borders countries like Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Mozambique as well as surrounding Lesotho as an independent country. The coastline of South Africa covers more than 2500Km and spans between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

South Africa is the 25th largest countries in the world with an area of over 121,0000Km2
South Africa will welcome you for whatever adventure you enjoy doing your Safari, with all the necessary accommodation. During your Safari, you will enjoy bungee jumping, and watching of world life with the help of the 5 major Safaris.

South Africa also offers lodges with clear view of game as well as a number of blue Flag beaches to soak up the sun and for relaxation.

Among the 9 Provinces splited from Impala South Africa include: -
Free State, Limpopo, Western Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Kwazulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape Province and Mpumalanga.

In plant bio diversity, South Africa is among the best places for the plant lovers and is a home to more than 20,000 different species of plants with almost 10% found within the boundaries of South Africa, the re-known plant species on the earth, with the Protea family of Fynbos being the common in South Africa.

During your stay in South Africa, you will also be able to enjoy a variety of tastes and textures especially the food lovers. Atleast a traditional South African Baari or Barbeque has to be attended for any visit and for surprise to our tourists, few people will be cooked sheer amount of meat. So all meals in South Africa are incomplete without any meat type and quality summer wine.

Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga is among the well-known and most famous game reserves in South Africa, with abundance of wildlife and a variety of coloured bird life and if you are lucky, you can watch the big 5 wild life.

In Africa, South Africa is also known for its oldest archaeological sites.

South African Holidays and Tours Guide
South Africa Guide
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