Travelling to South Africa

The information provided here is to be used as a guide only. 

Getting to Pretoria

Pretoria is about 45 km north of the OR Tambo International Airport (the international airport of Johannesburg). Visit https://ortambo-airport.com/index.html for more information.

Gautrain

The Gautrain is a modern train connecting the airport with a number of stations in Pretoria (about 50 minutes on the train). The Hatfield station is the closest to the campus. The Gautrain also runs to Johannesburg. Visit https://www.gautrain.co.za/ for more information.

Rent a car

Another option would be to rent car at the airport and drive to Pretoria. In South Africa, we drive on the left-hand side of the road (as in the United Kingdom) and the road from the OR Tambo Airport to Pretoria is an excellent five-lane highway. Traveling by car is very popular in South Africa and the main roads are in good order.

Travel

Visit Kwathlano at http://www.kwathlano.co.za/ for more information regarding private taxi/shuttle services.

Accommodation

Herewith some recommendations/suggestions for you to consider:

The Capital: https://thecapital.co.za/

There are a number of hotels in the Menlyn Maine area: https://www.menlynmaine.co.za/

The City Lodge Hotel situated at Lynnwood Bridge: https://clhg.com/hotels/141/city-lodge-hotel-lynnwood-pretoria

The Protea Hotel Fire and Ice!: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pryme-protea-hotel-fire-and-ice-pretoria-menlyn/overview/

The Protea Hotel Pretoria Loftus Park: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/prylp-protea-hotel-pretoria-loftus-park/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0

There are numerous affordable bed and breakfast options within the vicinity of the main campus of the University of Pretoria.

Getting to the conference venue

The conference will be held at the main campus of the University of Pretoria. Hotels may provide shuttles to the campus. Uber is available in South Africa and delegates can use Uber for other public transport. Parking will be available on campus for delegates who travel by car.

Visa regulations

The information provided here is to be used as a guide only. Please consult with the relevant embassy or your travel agency before you travel.

Citizens of some countries need a visa to enter South Africa and there are quite strict regulations about traveling with children. More information at the South African Department of Home Affairs: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/types-of-visas.

Apply well in advance for a visa at the South African Embassy in your country.

Covid-19 information is available at https://www.gov.za/covid-19/about/what-is-covid19#what

Visa letters

Letters of invitation/travel/visa letters for delegates attending the conference in person may be made available upon request. Please note that this procedure aims explicitly at assisting delegates who need to obtain a visa or permission to attend the conference. It is not an official invitation covering fees or other expenses and does not imply any financial support from the conference organisers.

Currency

The South African Rand is the currency of South Africa. The currency code for Rand is ZAR, and the currency symbol is R. The most frequently used exchanges are between ZAR and EUR and ZAR and US$.

Power plugs

The standard electrical current used in South Africa is 220 volts AC. Electrical sockets (outlets) in South Africa are quite unique – no other country uses these and you will need an adapter.

Time zone

In July South African time is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2).

Telephone code

The South African country code 27 will allow you to call to South Africa from any other country. The code 27 is followed by an area code. The Pretoria area code is 012 (+27 12 xxxxxxx). There is no area code if you are calling a mobile phone (cell phone).

Weather

September in South Africa marks the beginning of the Spring season! On average, the sun rises at 06:04 am and sets around 18:00 pm. This month is also known as a dry month as average days of rainfall are merely 3. The average high-temperature in September slightly increases from an agreeable 22.4°C (72.3°F) in August to a warm 26.8°C (80.2°F). The nights can be cooler with a minimum of 13°C. Visit https://www.weathersa.co.za/ for more information.

Pre- and post-conference tours

https://www.explorekrugerpark.com/

https://pilanesbergsafaris.com/

http://www.glenwoodtravel.co.za/

Liability and insurance

Please check the validity of your insurance before you travel. The UPICLC Committee or University of Pretoria does not accept any liability for personal injuries, or for the loss or damage to property belonging to conference participants (or their accompanying persons) either during or as a result of the conference.

Safety

The South African government is committed to nurturing and growing the tourist market and is aware of the challenges that stand in the way of healthy tourism growth. South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has committed to removing any unnecessary barriers that discourage travellers from coming to South Africa. To this end, the safety of all tourists is also of paramount importance to the South African tourism sector. Tourism creates much needed jobs and economic opportunities for many historically disadvantaged South Africans, often in areas where there are very few other opportunities.

The South African government is well aware that crime remains a challenge in our country, and is elevating the fight against crime and corruption as one of our top priorities, both to ensure the safety and security of our own citizens, as well as visitors to South Africa, who are so important to us. In fact, most of South Africa's popular tourist spots, including beaches, game reserves and shopping precincts are safe by any standards. South Africa is working with tourism stakeholders and other government departments to make these places, and some of our urban precincts even safer and more tourist friendly.

Thankfully, South Africa has been spared the terrorist attacks experienced in many countries in the world. South Africa takes great pride in its cultural and religious diversity.

Most visits to South Africa are trouble-free, but you should take sensible precautions to protect your safety. Tourists in South Africa are the targets mainly of petty crime. Much of staying safe means following the safety rules you obey back home and following your intuition e.g. keep your doors locked and car windows closed when slowing down or stopping, keep your valuables close to you and out of reach and sight. There are certain areas that one should avoid but most areas are as safe as in most big cities in the world.

Nobody can guarantee that there will be no problems with safety, but Pretoria is a fairly safe city and the campus, where the conference will be hosted, is a safe area - we travel there every day.