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Tourist Information
Location:
_prefRes.jpg) Johannesburg is situated in the "Highveld" of South Africa,
1670m (5479ft) above sea level. Although it
is a highly industrialised metropolis the countryside is but minutes away
and the city treasures several nature conservation reserves and extensive
parklands within its borders
Climate:
South Africa lies mainly in the sub-tropics and Gauteng has a temperate climate
with hot,wet summers and winters which have short,sharp cold snaps. Visitors
used to European or North American winters will find the conditions very
moderate - daytime temperatures at about 20C but nights plummeting to -2C.
Skies are clear. Locals claim that winter is a 6-week period.
 Spring is warm and soon becomes Summer(hot 24C to 34C). These
are the rainy seasons, with hail and spectacular lightning displays.
Outdoor entertaining is easy in one of the many park areas that have picnic
and braai (barbecue) areas.
The city soon demonstrates why it is called a "grassland converted into a
forest"! It has more trees per square metre than most cities in the world
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Health
Water: Municipal water is safe and is claimed to be the cleanest in
the world.
Malaria: Johannesburg and environs are NOT malarial areas but if you
have recently visited an area that falls within the malaria belt, please
remember to take anti-malarial medication as prescribed.
Aids: South Africa has vast pool of people living with HIV: casual,
unprotected sex (although easily available in any city) is ill-advised and
may lead to infection
Cholera is endemic to Africa but not generally in Johannesburg
Yellow Fever::a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers
over one year of age entering South Africa within six days of leaving an
infected country. Visitors who travel through or disembark in these areas
are advised to be inoculated against the disease before visiting South
Africa.
Influenza The Northern Hemisphere generally experiences the latest
strain six months ahead of South Africa, thus giving tourists some sort of
immunity during the southern winters
Sunstroke, sunburn and skin cancers : be sensible about sunbathing.
Hats, parasols and sunblock lotions and creams are called for (even during
winter).
Respiratory illness: The altitude my cause slight problems and industrial
pollution is sometimes evident.
Medical services are first rate and comparatively inexpensive but
take out travel insurance as a matter of prudent travel.
Crime
Theft:Despite social upliftment programmes Crime is
rife. Tourists should take care particularly when walking alone: pickpocketing,
snatch and grab, bag theft,and theft sometimes accompanied by violence and
ATM robbery are the most common occurrences. Prized loot includes jewelry,
cellphones , cameras, Walkmans and IPODs.Please keep your handbags, money
belts ("moonbags"), passports and travellers cheques safe
Fraud: some very glib ex-patriate Africans offer get-rich
schemes ranging from lotteries to illicit gold or jewels... or "grey" government
slush funds.
Drugs: Johannesburg is the air traffic hub of the continent which
has led to various drug cartels operating from the city. Although most of
their illicit goods are destined for transshipment, enough leaks onto the
local market to create a problem. Recreational use of drugs is illegal and
criminal sanctions and draconian.
 Despite all of the above,
a sensible tourist who realises that,despite its first-world looks Johannesburg
is a third-world environment with a vast gap between rich and poor will have
no problems. Millions have experienced only pleasantry from warm African
hospitality!
General:
Language: English is commonly spoken or understood
while Spanish, Portuguese and German are spoken and understood with varying
degrees of proficiency by staff members of Ma'khaya
Currency: One Rand (R) = 100 cents (c). Notes issued R200, R100, R50,
R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, & 1c. Currency exchange
rates are available at banks and published daily in the press.
Credit cards: Master cards. Diners, American Express and Visa
brands are widely accepted But note that smaller traders/informal traders
are not geared to accept these or travellers cheques, so always carry a float
of local currency.
Entertainment: Theatres and nightclubs abound, cinemas are luxurious
and offer the latest international releases (sometimes
 skewed to match the local
seasons, Shopping Malls are of international standard, restaurants cater
for every taste, Pubs and Bars range from Shebeens to posh cocktail
lounges.Sporting fixtures are numerous with top-class international
ruby and cricket, and exhilarating local soccer in Johannesburg's numerous
stadiums.
Tipping is usual and follows most conventions
Embassies:most are represented in Johannesburg with their main branches
in Pretoria.
Transport: Car rentals are easy to obtain with major international
and local agencies represented at the airports and the city. Ma'Khaya's concierge
service will facilitate. You will need proof of a valid driver's licence.
Please note that driving is on the left and gives way to traffic approaching
from the right. The general speed limit is 120km/h on open roads and 60km/h
in urban areas- but this may change to deal with road conditions.Major routes
are double-lane under tarmac but many rural areas are served by gravel
roads and are subject to seasonal flooding. Please check your routes with
the A.A.
Public transport: no underground (Metro) is operating yet. Mainline
trains and inter-city luxury buses run scheduled services but conventional
city buses run only at hourly intervals but have limited routes/services,
especially after peak hours and on weekends and public holidays. However
fleets of mini-bus "taxis" operate with cheap and cheerful (but crowded)
services. Ask about the methods of flagging them down. Metered taxis (limousines)
operate from taxi ranks or by phone-call. Makhaya is happy to provide free
transport for drop-offs or pickups within 3km of the guest house.
Things to do |
