ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

A Passport valid for six months after date of entry; contact your nearest travel agent or embassy for up-to-date information. Entry permits are issued on arrival to visitors from many British Commonwealth countries and are valid for 90 days.

CURRENCY

The Rand is South Africa’s currency and is denoted by the R. 100 cents make up R1 (One Rand). Foreign currency can be exchanged at most banks and Bureaux de Changes. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club are accepted.

TAXES AND REFUNDS

All goods and services are priced to include value added tax of 14%. Visitors may reclaim VAT at their point of departure provided recepts are produced. Total value of purchases must be over R250.00 to reclaim VAT.

CLOTHING

Summers need light cotton clothing and a light jersey for cool evenings. Winter needs warmer clothing with a sweater or jacket for cool mornings and evenings. Hats, sunglasses, insect repellant and rainwear for the rainy season are essential.

LANGUAGES

There are 11 official languages in South Africa. English is spoken throughout South Africa and most businesses and banks communicate in English.

HEALTH

There is a wide network of hospitals, both public and private, throughout the country offering excellent services. International visitors should have health insurance to assist in paying for private hospital fees. If you are entering a Malaria area, medical precautions should be taken. Consult a pharmacist for more advice and insect repellant is essential. Tap water is safe and clean to drink.

Banking Hours

Banks are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 15:30 and Saturdays from 09:00 to 11:00. Banks are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

USEFUL NUMBERS

Tourism and Safety Information Line – 083 123 2345, Police – 10111, Fire Brigade – 10177, Ambulance – 10177

Gate Hours

Camp and Gate entrances are closed after dark so please ensure that you have allowed sufficient travelling time to arrive at your rest camp before the stipulated closing time.

The Kruger National Park covers more than 20 000 km² of some fo Africa’s most sought after wilderness.  Visitors to the park are asked to ensure that Park regulations are adhered to for their own safety.

Take note

The speed limit in the park is 50kph on tar and 40kph on gravel.  Malaria treatment is essential prior to visiting the park.  Do not litter, it is a hazard to the animals and is an offence.  There are no television sets in the Park so that visitors can enjoy their surroundings, tourists that bring their own may not disturb other visitors to the park.

Places to see with you Maui Motorhome

• The Drakensberg, from an Afrikaans word meaning “Dragon Mountains,” is a place of breath-taking beauty and one of the most popular destinations in the country.
• Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Established in 1895, is the oldest game park in Africa and one of only a few parks in KwaZulu-Natal where visitors can see the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino.
• At the Kwa Cheetah Breeding Project, inside the gates of Nambiti Private Game Reserve, animal lovers can enjoy exhilarating hands-on interactions with these graceful creatures and help out a worthwhile cause at the same time.

KwaZulu-Natal quick facts

• Summer weather is generally hot and humid, with some rain. February is the hottest month with temperatures in the low 30’s (°C), fortunately you have an air-cooling system (A/C) in the motorhome.
• Winter (April-July) is the best time of year to visit where the weather usually consists of mild, clear days and cool nights, with temperatures in the upper teens to mid-20’s (°C).
• International airport: King Shaka International Airport.
• Main city: Durban.

KwaZulu-Natal highlights

• Unspoiled sandy beaches and warm water.
• Malaria-free big five game reserves.
• Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park).
• A vibrant and diverse blend of cultures.
• World-class diving and surfing destinations.

Interesting facts about the Cape Town

• Cape Town’s climate is on par with California and the Mediterranean. The winter season starts in May and ends in September and is generally a wet and windy season. Summer starts from November to March.
• The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is the most-visited destination in South Africa – ahead of Table Mountain
• Cape Town was founded in 1652 when Jan van Riebeeck of the Dutch East India Company based in The Netherlands arrived to set up a halfway point for ships travelling to the East.
• The Cape Floral Kingdom is home to 7000 plants found nowhere else in the world.
• Simon’s Town is home to a thriving colony of Africa’s only penguin species, the Jackass Penguin.
• Cape Town was the first city outside Europe to get Blue Flag status due to its high water quality, fantastic facilities, safety and cleanliness.

Top things to do while in Cape Town

• Full day vineyard Tours & wine tasting
• Enjoy the Aquila Game Reserve in the comfort of your motorhome
• Shark cage diving
• Full day tour of Cape Hope and Penguins
• Robben Island tour
• Climb Table Mountain
• Take the scenic Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth in the Maui Motorhome.
• Whale Watching in Hermanus
• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

What you need to know before visiting Cape Town

• Put on your most comfortable walking shoes
• Be mindful of your possessions when out and about
• Tap water is drinkable
• Learn the lingo
• Cars drive on the left
• Rugby and cricket are huge
• Don’t swim too far out
• Wine is our speciality don’t forget to try some.
• Bring and Braai’s are a must try, click on this link for some top secret braai spots: https://theculturetrip.com/africa/south-africa/articles/these-are-cape-towns-best-secret-braai-spots/

10 Facts about eSwatini (Swaziland)

1. Eswatini was formal known as Swaziland before it was marked as eSwatini on its 50^th anniversary of independence.
2. Eswatini is the continent of Africa’s last remaining monarchy.
3. Eswatini is one of the smallest countries in Africa.
4. Eswatini is one of the few places that you can find black and white rhinos living close to each other.
5. Eswatini has unique flavours which are a must try.
6. The Bushfire Festival happens every year.
7. There’s more than one official language.
8. Eswatini has been home to skilled artists for a very, very long time.
9. Thecountry is full of chances for adventure.
10. The Ngwenya Glass factory is a sustainability leader.

Visit Hlane Royal National Park with your motorhome

The Hlane Game Sanctuary, is home to the largest herds of game in the country and is one of the few places in eSwatini (Swaziland) where visitors have a chance of seeing lion, elephant, and rhino. Besides wildlife watching, activities here include guided mountain biking, cultural visits to a nearby Swazi village, birding walks, and overnight fully-catered bush treks. Guests can opt for an evocative electricity-free experience in a campsite or traditional lantern-lit hut, while a second camp offers self-catering stone cottages with modern conveniences.

A must visit Swazi Craft Markets, Mbabane

Browse through handmade gifts and crafts made by the people of eSwatini at the traditional Swazi craft markets, it is a bartering shopping experience so remember not to pay the first price your given Choose from Swazi baskets, hand-woven mats, and batik dyed pillow cases, all made from high quality local materials, as well as other wares, standard for southern African markets.

About Lesotho

Lesotho is surrounded by mountains, with the Drakensberg in the east and the Maluti Mountains dominating the rest of the country.  Most of Lesotho is above 1000m above sea level, the Basuto people have a rich culture and this can be found in almost every town and village that you pass through.  Craft markets and produce stalls provide tourists and locals with fresh fruit, vegetables, daily necessities and curious.  The mountains offer 4×4 enthusiasts hundreds of exciting rugged routes through the countryside.  Hiking is one of the most popular activities in Lesotho, with hiking trails criss-crossing the countryside providing hikers with uninterrupted views from the top of the world.  The highest peak is Thabana Ntlenyana, at 3482m high, it is the highest peak in Southern Africa. There are no fences in Lesotho and the wildlife have the freedom to roam about where they wish.  The most common are mountain reedbuck, rhebok, eland, baboon, jackals, meerkat and mongoose.  Lesotho is definitely a place to let go and feel free, breathe in the pure air and enjoy the local people and their culture.

Top things to do in Lesotho

• Visit the Subeng River Dinosaur Footprints.
• Journey through the Katse botanical garden.
• Learn about the culture and people at Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village.
• Experience what the Afriskie Mountain Resort has to offer.
• Learn about the history of Kome Cave Dwelling.
• Experience the vast landscape of Lesotho while pony trekking.
• Kayak the Senqu River as it flows westwards towards the Atlantic Ocean and you will find it is filled with tremendous scenery and wild landscapes.

Facts about Lesotho

1. Lesotho was formerly known as Basutoland. The country’s full name today is ‘The Kingdom of Lesotho’ and it gained independence from the UK in 1966 after 100 years of colonial rule.
2. The Sani Pass in Lesotho has been named one of the world’s most dangerous mountain passes. The hairpinned pass connects Underberg in South Africa with Mokhotlong in Lesotho.
3. Being surrounded entirely by South Africa makes Lesotho not only landlocked but also one of just three enclave countries. The other two are San Marino and Vatican City
4. An individual in Lesotho is known as a Mosotho, the people (as a collective) are called Basotho and the official language is Sesotho.
5. In 2017, one of the largest dinosaur footprints ever found was discovered in Lesotho. Measuring 57cm, the footprint comes from a dinosaur named Kayentapus ambrokholohali. A relative of the Tyrannosaurus rex.
6. There are still cave dwellers in Lesotho. The Ha Kome Cave Houses form a group of cave dwellings made out of mud in the district of Berea. The caves are still inhabited by the descendants of the original Basia clan residing in the region.