| |
Derived from discussions and correspondence we have had with visitors from Europe, we hope that these questions and answers will be of assistance in the planning of your trip. If you’re a ‘first-timer’ and would like to know more about any one of these topics, please do not hesitate to contact us at stay@sundowner-guesthouse.com. Getting here?
By plane: international airlines flying into Cape Town International airport include South African Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM and Emirates.
Cape Town International airport is ca 30 minutes from Camps Bay, depending on time/traffic.
We are pleased to arrange airport transfers on request.
By road: along the N1 highway from Johannesburg, via Bloemfontein (app 15 hours); along the N2 highway from Port Elizabeth (the Garden Route) (app 8 hours).
Driving around?
Cape Town and surrounds are best visited by car. Roads are good and well sign-posted and it only takes a short time to adjust to driving on the left. Overseas visitors must have an international driving permit.
Don’t park illegally, your vehicle will be clamped or towed away!
Rental car: vehicles of all types may be rented from the major car hire companies. We have had good experiences with Avis and found out that their best deals are offered on the internet. Be sure to reserve a vehicle with air-conditioning. You can collect your rental car at Cape Town International airport or have it delivered to Sundowner – don’t forget to give the full address in Camps Bay (41, Geneva Drive, Camps Bay, 8005, South Africa)
Petrol is still inexpensive by European standards – a full tank costs ca R 400, but be prepared to pay in cash.
Taxi: we can recommend a reliable chauffeur service. There are official taxi ranks at Camps Bay beach front and the Waterfront.
Climate / seasons?
The Western Cape has a Mediterranean-type climate – hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. For European visitors the best time to visit Cape Town is from October through April. This is high season which peaks between mid-December to mid-January when the South Africans enjoy their annual summer holiday. If you’re planning to visit around Christmas / New Year, it is essential that you book your flights and accommodation well in advance. The low season is usually less popular due to the wintry climate, but in June – July 2010 thousands of international football fans are expected to attend the Fifa World Cup!
Time?
From October through March, South Africa is a one-hour ahead of continental Europe and two hours ahead of the UK (GMT + 2).
Languages?
English is the most common spoken language in Cape Town as well as Xhosa and Afrikaans. At Sundowner, we speak English and German and can understand French and Italian.
Currency?
The national currency is the South African Rand (ZAR): 100 cents = 1 Rand. Currency should be declared on entry. Not more than R 500 may be brought in. It is not advisable to carry large sums of money around.
Foreign Exchange: can be converted into rands at commercial banks and bureaux de change. There is a foreign exchange service in Camps Bay.
ATM (Automatic Teller Machine): is the most convenient and cheapest way of obtaining funds. There are two ATMs in Camps Bay.
Banking hours: 9 am – 3.30 pm (weekdays) and 8.30 am – 11 am (Saturdays)
Credit cards?
Most major credit cards are accepted. Visa and Master Card are the most popular and American Express the least.
Payment and taxes?
You can pay for most major purchases with credit card, except for petrol. Street hawkers and craft and fleamarket vendors also want cash – bartering is common practice.
VAT (Value Added Tax): currently at 14%, is levied on most goods and services. Visitors may reclaim VAT on purchases over R 250 at international points of departure. You have to keep all receipts and have goods ready for inspection.
Tipping?
We recommend 10% of the bill but 15% if service exceeds expectations.
The unofficial car guards expect R 2 – R5, depending on the location, how long you’ve parked, etc.
Communications?
Telephone: South Africa uses the GSM system for cellular phones and your personal mobile phone should work here. If not, cellular phones and SIM cards are available for hire at the international airports. It is sensible to have a mobile phone when travelling by car.
Dialling codes: Country code 27; Cape Town (021). When dialling from abroad drop the first 0 in the area code, eg, Sundowner 0027 (0) 21 438 2622. Dialling from South Africa 0 + country code, eg, Switzerland 0041, Austria 0043
Internet:South Africa is generally well-served by the internet. You can access the internet at Sundowner and have use of the guest laptop on request. Alternatively, the nearest internet café is in Sea Point.
Wardrobe / dress codes?
In summertime, you’ll be comfortable with light, sporty clothes but it’s advisable to have a jumper or casual jacket for the evening, when it cools down after dark. People dress down rather than up but if you’re going to a fashionable restaurant or bar, the dress code is smart casual. The dress code for golf is the same as in other countries. In winter, June, July, August, it is necessary to have warm, wind and rain proof apparel.
Food & drinks?
In the Cape, the cultures of Africa, Europe and Asia have influenced the cuisine and the wines. There is an abundance of seasonal fruit and vegetables and superb quality meat and fish are available. The dishes are as diverse as the people and South African wines are the perfect complement. (Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink.) Camps Bay has a variety of top-class restaurants and cafés all serving food and drinks at reasonable prices and inexpensive for Europeans. We are pleased to make table reservations at specialty restaurants in and around Cape Town.
A day trip to the Winelands is a must, either self-drive or if preferred a full or half day tour organized wine route tour.
Wildlife viewing?
If you are content to have a limited wildlife experience, we recommend the Inverdoon Game Reserve & Safari Lodge and the Aquila Private Game Reserve & Safari, which are a couple of hours drive away from Cape Town. Being in close proximity, it is possible to arrange a day trip safari with a morning pick-up from Sundowner.
For extensive viewing, we recommend the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Little Karoo (2 ½ hours drive from Cape Town) and the nearest place to view the ‘Big Five’- lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo - is in the Eastern Cape. We recommend the malaria-free Shamwari Game Reserve, which is ca 75 km east of Port Elizabeth along the N2 highway (ca 9 hours from Cape Town). In both cases, it is possible to drive / fly in for an overnight visit, which incorporates lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast and two game drives.
Bookings in advance are essential in the high season. We are pleased to facilitate day or overnight trips to the wildlife reserves.
Golfing?
The Western Cape contains some of the world’s most spectacular golf courses. A number of 18-hole championship courses are app 30 minutes from Sundowner. The golf clubs are uncomplicated and welcome visitors but it is necessary to reserve golf tee times well in advance. The pros are happy to give lessons to visitors, the caddies can be very helpful and golf clubs may be hired.
Safety precautions?
Cape Town and surrounds are generally safe but stay streetwise and avoid looking like a tourist.
In the car:
o Plan your route in advance
o Keep your car doors locked at all times and wind the windows up
o Lock valuable items in the boot
o At night, park in well-lit areas
o Never pick up strangers or hitchhikers
In the street:
o Don’t flaunt your valuables, eg, expensive jewellery, cameras, etc
o Don’t carry large sums of money around
o At night, steer clear of dark, isolated areas and stick to well-lit, busy streets |
|
