South Africa offers a wide variety of accommodation, from hotels and B&Bs (bed and breakfast) to camps and caravan parks. Many are graded according to a one to five star system. Price range from R100 - R4,500 per day according to the grade, location and style of the establishment.

Accommodation is generally difficult to find at the coast in the summer holiday month (December/January) at Easter and in mid-June-July.

Most major commercial banks offer foreign exchange services and automatic teller machines (ATMs), and are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays. Several international banks have offices in the main cities.

South Africa's beaches are beautiful, and swimming is exceptionally safe and hygienic. Tests conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) show that the seawater is among the cleanest in the world. Several of the country's beaches enjoy international blue flag status.  Shark nets protect most KwaZulu-Natal beaches.

Because South Africa is below the equator, its seasons are the opposite of those in North America. Summer falls between November and March, with the peak summer months being December and January. Winter is May and August. Most of South Africa enjoys a pleasant, warm climate year-round. Annual average rainfall is less than 10 inches in the west and 40 inches in the east.

Cape Town and the southernmost part of the Western Cape has a Mediterranean-type climate, with warm to hot summer. Winter brings gentle rain showers around Cape Town and the West Coast.

KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a subtropical and sunny climate all year. Snow sometimes fall in the Drakensberg and Cape mountains in winter. The interior is dry and warm in winter, with cool nights. Summers are hot with more frequent rain.

More than 800 venues are available for conferences and meetings in South Africa. They range from big city conference facilities to smaller venues in the mountain, coastal or savanna resorts.

Major international credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, American Express and their affiliates are widely accepted.  However, use may be restricted in small towns and country areas and in some retail shops.  ATMs are situated outside most banks in towns and cities and dispense cash 24 hours a day. Gasoline must be purchased with a special garage card or cash.

The currency is the South African rand, which is divided into 100 cents.  South Africa has recently introduced new notes and coins but the old currency is still in circulation. Currency must be declared on entry. One may not bring in or carry out South African bank notes above the value of R5,000.

Personal effects are allowed into the country duty-free.  Visitors are entitled to bring in goods worth R1,250.  Duty is levied at 20% thereafter. 

South African Airways provides passengers aid units at all major airports. Many hotels offer facilities for the disabled, as do most rest camps in National Parks. You can rent wheelchairs and other aids in most cities. The larger car rental companies can provide vehicles with hand controls.

South Africa's roads are good and well signposted, so traveling by car is a fine way to see the country.  Driving standards vary widely and it is wise to drive defensively at all times.  Drivers must have a valid driving license (which carries a photograph and is printed or authenticated in English) or an international driving permit.  South Africans drive on the left side of the road. The speed limit is 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways, 100 km/h (60 mph) on main roads and 60 km/h (35 mph) in built-up areas.

South Africa boasts excellent medical facilities. However all medical treatment must be paid for, so you should purchase travel insurance for your stay. Tap water is safe to drink throughout South Africa. You can swim safely at beaches along the entire coastline. You shouldn't swim in rivers and lakes in the eastern and northern regions, as the bilharzia parasite may be in the water. Warning signs are usually posted. The Eastern Cape is bilharzia-free

No vaccinations are required of visitors coming from the United States or Canada. You should take anti-malaria tablets before visiting the game reserves and parks of the Northern, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. You can take tablets 24 hours before entering a malaria-affected area and then on a weekly basis for five to six weeks. They are available without prescription at South African drugstores. Consult a doctor or pharmacist for advice on best drug or combination.

South Africa has 11 official languages. English is the language of administration and is widely spoken. Others are Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.

US citizens/passports holders  do not need visas for visits less than 90 days.  Please ensure your passport is valid for six months beyond your departure from South Africa and that there is at least one blank visa page available in your passport for endorsements. See visa requirements. Holders of visitor's visas are not allowed to work in South Africa.

Be observant and do not draw attention to yourself by flaunting an expensive camera, jewelry, or large amount of cash. Deposit valuables in your hotel's safety deposit box. Do not leave your baggage or hotel guest key unattended. Don't stroll the streets after dark, and when returning to your hotel late in the evening, use the main entrance.

Lock your car doors, and keep the windows closed. Keep the personal items and luggage in the trunk, rather than on the seat of the car. Plan your route in advance, and use maps. Park in well-lit areas, and do not pick up strangers.