South Africa
The CouchSurfing Wiki, an informal workspace which anyone can edit.
| |||||||||||||||||
Contents |
Couchsurfing in South Africa
Though couchsurfing is growing in South Africa, most hosts are located in the major cities. The most active CS communities are in Cape Town, Gauteng (Johannesburg and Pretoria) and Durban. If you need some help feel free to contact the South African Ambassadors.
The South Africa group
The South Africa group currently consists of 2540 members. This group can help you with any questions you might have about our beautiful and diverse country.
The Cape Town group
Due to the high number of travellers in the area and the enthusiasm of the locals, there's usually something fun going on in Cape Town CS community. From full moon hikes up Lions Head to salsa evenings, the Mother City is rocking!
The Gauteng group
This group covers the Gauteng area, including Johannesburg and Pretoria. Gauteng, being the commercial hub of Africa, has a large expat community, so join local CS meets for dinners, braai's and other events.
Other useful groups
- Kwazulu Natal
- Find or offer a ride on Rideshare South Africa group
- Soccer/football fans, check out the 2010 World Cup group
Getting Around
South Africa is a big country, therefore you should consider your transport needs before you come. What is your budget? Are you staying mainly in cities or do you want to get off the beaten track? Public transport within cities is not great, and walking around at night, not always safe.
By Car
South Africa is ideal for driving with a generally well-maintained network of highways and a high proportion of secondary and tertiary roads which are tarred and can be driven at speed. Some of the most interesting places off the beaten track are only accessible in your own vehicle, as buses tend to service only the major routes. Short of joining a tour, the only way to get to national parks and remoter coastal areas is by car.
- South Africa is a right-hand drive country. If you intend hiring a car and driving yourself, make sure you stick to the left side of the road.
- To get an idea of driving distances click here
- Arrive Alive has useful Road Safety Tips for Foreigners Driving in South Africa
- Note that fuel cannot be bought on a normal credit card though Visa Electron and other debit cards are accepted at most fuel stations. Many garages do however have ATM's on the premises.
- Fuel stations are serviced, and tips are much appreciated by the poorly paid attendants
- Foreign licences are valid up to 6 months in South Africa, as long as they’re in English. If not, pre-arrange your international drivers licence before leaving home.
Car Rental Companies
- Around About Cars offers unlimited mileage, and has great rates
- The large international car rental agencies like Avis, Hertz also offer good deals
By bus
The main intercity bus companies are:
- Greyhound ☎ +27 (0)83 915-9000
- Intercape Mainliner ☎ +27 (0)21 380-4400
- Translux
- SA Roadlink ☎ +27 (0)11 333-2223
Booking for the above can also be done via Computicket.
- Baz Bus offers a regular hop-on-hop-off service along the main tourist routes. Routes include Cape Town to Durban via the Garden Route; Durban to Johannesburg via Swaziland; Durban to Johannesburg via the Drakensberg). Baz Bus picks you up and drops you off at backpacker hostels along the route, making it a convenient and easy way to get around.
By Plane
A list of airlines operating from Johannesburg's OR Tambo Internatinal airport, South Africa's main international airport can be foud here.
Cheap Domestic Flights
South Africa's low-cost airlines:
Use TravelStart to find the best deal from the cheap airlines, but book through the airline website (otherwise you will be hit with the Travel Start "finders fee").
If you do not get your flight seats on sale, or you are buying your ticket last minute you should always compare with South African Airways. While South African Airways is often the more expensive carrier, they include food on most flights, offer frequent flyer miles and serve a much larger range of destinations. Other internal airlines include British Airways-Comair, South African Airlink and South African Express.
By Train
- MetroRail runs commuter rail service in the larger cities (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London). Most services are quite safe, but certain routes are overcrowded and not always safe.
- Shosaloza Meyl offers budget passenger services as well as a Premier Class service between Johannesburg and Cape Town
- For a more luxurious experience, check out the Blue Train, Rovos Rail, or Shongololo Express
By minibus taxis
Minibus taxis travel absolutely everywhere in South Africa, from short intracity commuter travel, to intercity routes. Disadvantages of minibus travel include unroadworthy and overloaded vehicles, dangerous drivers and petty crime around minibus taxi ranks. However, minibuses cover many routes not covered by the main bus service and are generally the cheapest way to get around.
Tips for taking minibus taxis
- Take minibus taxis on simple routes only, and get local advice on your first time.
- Note that drivers often make detours and changeovers at the taxi rank (hub) where the driver will wait for passengers to fill up the bus.
- Try to have the exact change, and pass your fare to the row of passengers in front of you. Eventually all the fares end up with the conductor, who will give out any change.
- Wherever you are in the country, you will find locals using their fingers to stop the taxi going in their direction. The sign you use depends on where you happen to be - so it is useful to ask locals for the appropriate signs to use. Pointing your index finger upwards generally means you are looking for a taxi travelling to the city centre. To stop a taxi travelling around a township (called local), you draw a circle in the air with your finger pointing downwards.
Mobile Phones
To keep in touch with your hosts, a good idea is to have a GSM phone and, better than using expensive roaming services, a South African SIM card. This way you can receive phone calls for free, call local phones and send text messages cheaply. Rates vary with the operators, but they are very similar. Before you buy a new SIM card, be sure your phone is not SIM-locked otherwise you can't use it!
A new prepaid SIM card with a new phone number costs usually R5 - R10. SIM cards can be bought over the counter phone shops of the mobile operators, and in big supermarkets or shopping malls. More credit can be added buying recharge vouchers, available also in small amounts usually starting from R15. You can buy a recharge vouchers in phone shops, supermarkets, ATMs and of course on the Internet.
Mobile operators:
In Case of Emergency
- Police 10111 Find your nearest police station here
- Fire 10111
- Ambulance 10117
- Arrive Alive Call Centre 0861 400 800
- Netcare 911 (24hr Emergency Medical Assistance) 082 911
- AA Roadside Rescue Emergencies 082 16 111
- Child Emergency 0800 123 321
If you are calling from a mobile you can also get emergency services by dialling 112.
Tipping
Depending on the standard of service you have received, tipping is customary in South Africa for a range of services. Restaurants, hotels, and other lodgements do not usually include a service charge in the bill. However, a few restaurants have started including a service charge for large tables (usualy 6 or more people). Tips of 10% - 15% are expected.
