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You want to follow the home team of England play at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Armed with some pertinent information, you can enjoy this event for all the right reasons. You will find here some notable information, that includes South Africa world cup travel tips. But, bear in mind that South Africa is an experienced stager of international sporting events that have all been successes.

There are eight World Heritage Sites amongst other major reasons to visit South Africa. This country offers much to entrance a foreigner. This grand sporting event is not the only reason for a trip of a lifetime in South Africa.

Passport, visa and health

There is no need for a visa, unless you stay for more than 3 months. Nevertheless, your passport should be valid for a month beyond your visiting period. Vaccinations will be in order. What number to call for police and the High Commission in case of emergency, should be always within reach during your trip. Travel insurance is also a useful precaution.

Currency tips

Keeping track of the currency exchange rate between pound sterling and the South African Rand, the currency in South Africa, can save you money. Making a purchase of the Rand in one go may work against you. People might also want to keep in mind that of the nine host cities serving as venues for the matches, five are classed as small towns. These are Mangaung, Rustenburg, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane and Nelspruit. These towns may have limited resources, including access to an international banking infrastructure and foreign currency exchange portals. It may be difficult to purchase pounds and other currencies. Travellers might have to wait up to 2 days for their travel money to arrive. Traveller cheques might also not be widely accepted. In these circumstances, one option would be a prepaid travel money card. Currency cards allow you to make cash withdrawals from any ATM and like a debit card it is accepted by most establishments. The cards are preloaded with foreign currency. If you run out of credit, you can top up your card. Most providers let you top up online allowing you to exchange euros or dollars anywhere in the world. But, shop around and compare the best exchange rates available before you make the currency conversion. Those wanting to use their debit and credit cards should remember to inform your card provider where you are going to avoid your card being blocked for antifraud reasons.

Transportation Info

A public bus system has been launched in Johannesburg, with other cities expected to follow. Taxis are generally safe and dependable. Inter city rail services and air travel are often comfortable and convenient. Most fans are likely to use coaches or hire cars. Be sure to plan your journeys between stadiums as they are spread far apart. The distance between Cape Town and Johannesburg is 880 miles and 17 hours by car. Driving between venues can take up to 15 hours in this vast country. If you desire to drive a car, you need to be the holder of a full UK driving licence, a provisional licence will not suffice. If you use a hire car, make sure the company is reputable. Check the type of insurance the vehicle will carry. Normally this will only cover you for the third party legal minimum and you can be held personally responsible for injury or damage beyond the limit. Check in with your own insurance provider to see if they may be able to increase your cover. This may be cheaper than buying it in South Africa. If you have an accident, contact your insurer and hire car company immediately. Take photographs of the damage to your vehicle. You should keep your windows up, doors locked and always look around when stopped. Car hijackings are not uncommon, even in the most affluent of suburbs. However, Car jacking might be more scarce during the World Cup because of the beefed up security; but, it is wise not to let your guard down. You might also want to keep your eye open for the police shakedown of drivers. It is easier to get caught in the web, if you have not followed all the rules. In any event, you might need to be prepared with some cash on hand. If this happens to you, it will be a story to share on your return.

Expect the unexpected on the road as the local driving style is not the like the one at home. You should drive on the left hand side of the road. The cars are right hand drive vehicles as in the UK. Speed limits in South Africa are noted in kilometres. Follow the speed limit at all times as speed cameras designed to trap drivers are commonplace and do result in a fine. Usually hire car companies will debit your account to pay for any fines acquired. The speed limits for national highways and major routes is120kph unless stated otherwise, for secondary and rural roads it is100kph unless stated otherwise; and for built up area it is 60kph unless stated otherwise. Some basic driving rules to remember are to keep to the left and overtake on the right, on four way stops priority is given by order of first arrival, a roundabout should be treated as a four way stop, although the rule is to give way to the right. Seatbelts are compulsory for all occupants of the vehicle and use of the mobile phone while driving is prohibited. You should not drink and drive. Remember to take your travel insurance and emergency help information with you.

Safety Info

South Africa, is a blend of the third world and the first. It has an economy, infrastructure, and business community that matches those in the developed world. But, the third world is in the institutionalised corruption you might see, the criminals for whom a life has the value of a posh car. With the high crime rate, no one should take crime lightly in South Africa. It is sensible to be cautious. But, the problem is also not as extreme as depicted in the media. The Foreign Office has said that the risk to visitors travelling to main tourist destinations is low. However, there had been instances in 2007 and 2008 where foreigners were robbed at gunpoint after being followed from Johannesburg airport. ATM fraud is a widely reported crime in South Africa. Carjacking is also something to watch out for if you tend to travel away from match venues. There have been some reports of people who have stopped to help a seemingly distressed driver, who turns out to be part of a carjacking gang. However, as the World Cup host has now increased its police force by over 40,000 members and has instituted a punitive policy to deter would be carjackers, muggers, armed robbers and murderers, the trip might be less eventful in this regard than feared. As a traveller you would still be prudent if you follow the advice of local tour agencies and refrain from venturing on your own out at night. Apply your street smarts and keep valuables out of sight.

Accommodation tips

South Africa offers a range of possibilities ranging from luxury hotels in its major cities to hip boutique hotels and country lodges to more down to earth Bed and Breakfasts and guesthouses. The cheapest accommodation is in basic backpacker lodges. There are also both municipal and private camp sites, as well as a growing number of self-catering cottages and apartments. Make sure you book your accommodation before you arrive – South Africa will be incredibly busy during the World Cup period and many guest houses are already full for the duration of the competition. Accommodation is likely to be scarce. Fifa has appointed a company to find and grade hotels and guest houses. The company hired by Fifa has even crossed to neighbouring countries to reserve accommodation since so many visitors are expected to arrive. Ordinary South Africans might also make homestays available. In this case, it would be wise to check not just the city but the locality of the house. Remember, it will be winter in South Africa and therefore it may be too cold to camp in some areas. Temperatures can drop well below zero at night in some venues during this period. Winters are short and so few buildings have insulation or central heating. This means that, on a bad night, you can be colder there than in UK during winter. However, some venues will be warm. South Africa is a large country with varying climates. There will be cold and wet weather in Johannesburg and Cape Town, but heat and humidity in Durban and Bloemfontein. You should be prepared for this depending on the matches you plan to watch live or where you plan to visit.

Venues and their cities

The ten match venues are in nine South African cities. Some are well known and others are less known to outsiders. Johannesburg less a crime zone and more of a dynamic city with museums and interesting city attractions, parks, suburbs and nature reserves worth a visit in their own right. Pretoria, is a quieter city with heritage buildings and inviting museums. It is the government capital of South Africa. Like other cities, it has natural beauty close by. Cape Town has a beautiful setting between the mountains and the water and is deservedly a favourite of tourists with its fabulous beaches, urban and nearby attractions. The Constantia Wine Route, the famous vineyard region is close in the Constantia Valley. Here are five wine producers amongst them producers of some repute. Durban is the city termed the Miami Beach of South Africa. It is a year round water sport favourite. The biggest marine-themed park in Africa is here. The city is also renowned for its East Indian population. Here is the settlement Mohandas Gandhi started. The Durban curry or and the bunny chow are known Indian specialties of Durban. Zulu cultural villages showcased in the area reveal this to be an important Zulu region. Port Elizabeth has a great sailing bay, nature trails and wildlife, historic sites, cultural and water sporting activities on offer. The sunshine coast and Hogsback, are a few hours drive away. Nelspruit, has the first created rain forest and near renowned game reserves and the Kruger National Park. The Sudwala caves, dinosaur park and cultural centre, Kaapsehoop the gold mining town and mountains with camping and hiking trails are in the vicinity. Polokwane has the Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open Air Museum introducing the sophisticated northern Sotho tribe with the Polokwane Game Reserve a five minute drive away. The magnificent Magoebaskloof forest that is part Alpine and part Amazon is a little more distant. Rustenburg has a small town environment. But, 30 kilometres away is Sun City with casinos and resort attractions like balloon rides, The Valley of Waves and a jungle. The Hartebeesport Dam is a popular getaway 40 minutes away. Bloemfontein the Judicial capital is known for the roses in plentiful supply Bloemies is the name given by locals. The Orchid House claims t have the largest orchid collection in the world and another reason why the local name for the city is apt. Nature reserves, gardens, golf courses, a modern theatre that is an architecture marvel, are amongst other sites to visit in this city.

Wherever you are, you will not be surprised to learn a game reserve is nearby. Meanwhile, nearby countries beckon. Fifa is keen to push this as a truly African World Cup and neighbouring are keen to attract tourists. Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia are all potentially close, and in some cases within driving distance depending on your starting point. Even Zimbabwe is trying to offer itself as a tourist destination. It does have the selling point of containing the larger part of Victoria Falls. The beauty of South Africa means this trip can and should be more than a trip to see football players in their best international showcase.

Before you go off, make sure that you`re completely ready for the best possible time and read up on South Africa travel advice. Last but not least, have a really good trip.

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