Travel Tips

Here are travel tips to ensure a hassle-free holiday in Stellenbosch. If you require further information, please e-mail us at info@stellenbosch360.co.za  or Tel. +27 (0)21 883 3584.

STELLENBOSCH is situated in the winelands region of the Western Cape Province, just 40km from Cape Town.

LANGUAGE

English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.

ACCESS TO STELLENBOSCH

Via the gateway city of Cape Town on well maintained roads. The major routes are N1 (also accessible off the N1 via the R304 and R44, or via the R300 and M12), and the N2 (also accessible off the N2 via the R44 and R310).

CLIMATE

Our summery months are from mid-September to late April. Daytime summer temperatures range from 25ºC to 34ºC and in winter, between 14ºC and 20ºC.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Police: 10111; Ambulance: 10177.

Cellphone (Mobile): 
MTN: 083 112; Vodacom: 082 147 and Cell C: 084 148.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES

The region is malaria-free. Hospitals provide emergency and casualty wards, and out-patient treatment.

DIAL INSIDE SOUTH AFRICA

Dial the area code (for e.g. 021 for Stellenbosch) and the subscriber number (883 3584), therefore 021 883 3584.

DIAL SOUTH AFRICA FROM ABROAD

Dial the international access code followed by the area code and the subscriber’s number, for e.g. +27 21 883 3584. Mobile phones (cellphones in SA) can be hired at airport outlets. Blue-coloured public phone booths work on coins only, green phones use the local Telkom phone card, sold at Post Offices and selected stores.

Dialing codes for major cities:

• 021 - Cape Town
• 031 – Durban
• 043 - East London
• 011 - Johannesburg
• 041 - Port Elizabeth
• 012 - Pretoria

CURRENCY AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE

The local currency is the Rand (R) and comprises 100 cents. Notes are issued in R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10 denominations and coins in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c (the 5c coin is to be discontinued).

Foreign currency can be exchanged at all commercial banks, American Express, Thomas Cook Rennies Travel, Diners Club International and Bureaux de Change.

Credit cards are accepted by the majority of hotels, shops and restaurants. Travellers’ cheques are redeemable at banks and most major outlets, but have cash on hand for market stalls and informal traders.

BANKING HOURS

Generally 09:00 to 15:30 or 08:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday, and on Saturday 08:30 to 11:00.

POST OFFICE

From 08:30 to 16:30 on weekdays and 08:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays. Mail may be addressed ‘Poste Restante’ to any Post Office. Phonograms: 1028 or send from any Post Office; Telephone Enquiries: 1023.

INTERNET AND COURIER SERVICES

Internet access, courier and tax facilities, postage stamps, stationery, public telephones and other communications services are available at post offices, internet cafés and selected outlets.

TRADING HOURS

Weekdays 08:30 to 17:00 and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays (may vary). Most chain stores, shopping malls and tourist shops remain open on Sundays, and daily until 20:00 and later. Cafés and convenience stores open at 07:00 until late at night, seven days a week. 24-hour convenience stores can be found at most larger petrol stations.

ELECTRICITY

220/230 volts 50 Hz

STANDARD TIME

South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, 1 hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and 7 hours ahead of the USA’s Eastern Standard Winter Time.

VAT refunds

Purchases are subject to a government Value Added Tax (14%), which is redeemable upon departure. VAT claims are on items exceeding R250 and on items leaving the country. VAT on hotel bills and items you have consumed in SA is not refundable.

Request a tax invoice when purchasing, so that you may claim VAT on departure. You should retain your slips, and present them to a VAT refund official at the airport (there is also a VAT refund office at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town). You may be asked to produce some of the purchased items, to confirm that they are in fact leaving the country. Visit http://www.taxrefunds.co.za for more information and to download the applicable forms.

TIPPING (gratuity)

For airport and hotel porters: R10-R15 per person, irrespective of the number of bags; Restaurants: 10% of the tab if gratuity is not included in the bill; Taxis:10% of the fare. If you park in a public area, there may be car guards on duty and R2-R5  is the recommended tip, depending on how long your vehicle has remained parked.

SAFETY

South Africa’s reputation worldwide is that of a friendly, warm and hospitable people and most citizens desire only that you have a memorable experience in our country, however, as elsewhere in the world, the tourist should take certain precautions.

Ask the locals about areas that should be avoided. Keep to well-lit areas after dark, lock your car and store your valuables in a hotel safe or your place of abode.