I am going to be heading to CapeTown for 2 weeks at the end of this month. I am getting mixed/confusing information, and I am hoping that a fellow FT'er will be able to help me on two questions for my preparation:

Vaccines: Are HepA/HepB (and others) necessary? Any other sort of health "certification" needed (eg. "Yellow Fever Vaccination")?
Visa: is a visa needed? I will probably be in the country for 12 days max

Even if you don't have the answer I would appreciate any websites you could point me to for assitance. Thanks.

I will be going to Capetown in August. For health info, try www.cdc.gov/travel (http://www.cdc.gov/travel)
For visa info, try www.travel.state.gov (http://www.travel.state.gov)

I did a run to Cape Town and I was not required to have any shots, so no certifications were needed. As for the shots being necessary...

As far as visa, I think you could get it when you arrive at the airport.

Here's a website that might help: http://www.southafrica.net/more/index.html

[edited to add link]



[This message has been edited by loco miler (edited 04-04-2001).]

chexfan -- I'm going to Cape Town next month myself. Here are some helpful web sites:
http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/
http://www.travelsa.com/

On the vaccination issue, I'm getting confusing information myself. In terms of visas, if you are a US, Canadian, or EU citizen, you don't need a visa for bona fide tourism, business or transit purposes.

Have you looked at the web site for the National Center for Infectious Diseases, Atlanta? The web site for South Africa can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/safrica.htm

I looked very quickly; it appears you only need to be vaccinated for yellow fever if you come from an infected area.

You can find visa information, as well as a visa application form, at http://www.traveldocs.com/za/vr.htm

And from yet another web site (US State department, at http://www.travel.state.gov/safrica.html

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: South Africa has tightened its visa requirements for certain categories of visitors. Only visitors on
tourism, short business consultations, or in transit do not require visas; others need visas or will be refused admission and returned
to their point of origin. Visitors who intend to work in South Africa must apply for work permits abroad at the appropriate South
African Embassy or Consulate. Travelers entering South Africa from countries where yellow fever is endemic are often required
to present their yellow World Health Organization (WHO) vaccination record or other proof of inoculation or must be inoculated at
the airport in order to be permitted entry. Travelers may obtain further information from the Embassy of South Africa, 3051
Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 232-4400, or the South African Consulates in Los
Angeles, Chicago, or New York. Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate.



[This message has been edited by SanDiego1K (edited 04-04-2001).]

airbus320, loco miler, Eugene and SanDiego1K- I'm going to use this as a chance to practice my South African: Thanks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I went to S. Africa last Feb. There were no shots required but my doc suggested malaria (larium) pills. One a week for about 3 weeks before you go, one a week while there and one a week for 3 weeks after returning. The other shots are recommended for travel more north. The only game reserves I visited were around Pt. Elizabeth.Have a great time ,as I did,and use common sense.I'd go back tomorrow if I could.

Treble your personal injury and mugging insurance is a wise idea for RSA. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

The beautiful, dare I say the most beautiful, city in the world, Cape Town, benefits from a mild and wonderful climate. If you stay in Cape Town, and its vicinity, there is no need for malaria prophylaxis. None whatsoever.

Enjoy the people, the wine, the beaches, the wine, the scenery, the wine, the food, and, of course, the wine.

Chex: hi & enjoy. No Carl Icahn or blizzards, that's a plus. It'll probably be more exotic than Louisville.

Oz: we don't get quoted that insurance here in the US of A. Guess it would be too expensive. Not sure about the U of SA. (I live in a place where we usually leave the house unlocked. Stupid me.)

dholloway: agree completely with the proportions of your suggestions.

[edited to add: yes, it's now RSA. Joke is better with historical reference. Hope nobody minds.}
------------------
"Service" should be a noun, not a verb.

[This message has been edited by LexPassenger (edited 04-05-2001).]

A visit only to the southern coast area (Cape Town ect.) will not require vacinations nor malaria pills. No Visa is required for a short duration tourist. Very picturesque area, suggest renting a car and drive north a few hours to the wine country.
Remember though, they drive on the other side of the road.

The Afrikaans greeting for "Thank You" is pronounced:
"Buy A Donkey" (No, this won't get you in to trouble).
May get you a smile though.

Enjoy beautiful Cape Town. Be careful with showing jewelry though: lots of muggings. Be aware of your surroundings.

Must see's/do's:
Table Mountain
Cape Point (not the most Southerly tip of Africa, but very beautiful: the point where the Atlantic and Indian oceans are reported to join.)
Wine Route & wine tasting http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
The Rand (SA currency) is at it's weakest level: shopping should be good.

I was also toying with the idea of going to Cape Town in August. What makes me hesitant is that temperatures may be somewhat on the low side for swimming. Any views on this?

Originally posted by NickB:
I was also toying with the idea of going to Cape Town in August. What makes me hesitant is that temperatures may be somewhat on the low side for swimming. Any views on this?
The average temperature in Cape Town in August (http://www.travelsa.com/geninfo.html#CLI) is 12° C (about 54° Fahrenheit). A bit too cold for swimming, IMHO. It's winter there, remember?

Thanks Eugene. I had based myself on average max temps (rather than average temps) from The Rough Guide, which states 18° C for August, which is about the same as the average max temp in Rabat for December and higher noticeably higher than Lisbon or indeed anywhere on the North coast of the Mediterranean, with which I am more familiar. I thought that 18°C average max was rather on the low side, but not crazily insane, hence the question.

NickB -- Some people seem to really enjoy swimming in the icy cold water (http://fox.nstn.ca/~dblaikie/n26fe00f.html).

Different strokes for different folks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif