Holliday Planning

Description:

Holliday Planning

For the energetic soul eco-adventure holidays are possible in the form of eco-adventure i.e.: climbing the highest mountains, to rafting the wildest rivers, walking the thickest jungles, horse-riding trails, kayaking, scuba diving and every other activity you can think of.

For the gentle type there are hiking, rambling, walking, mountain biking or just beach bumming and shell collecting (as long as the shells are washed up on the beach).

Planning tips:

• Self-catering holidays are becoming more popular and South Africa is filled with self-catering cottages, flats, farmhouses and chalets. Get the latest edition of AA Self-Catering Getaways. It will open your eyes to what is available in this country.

• Make sure that you have a passport and that is still valid for at least six months before you travel. Some countries demand that, on entry, your passport has to be valid for six months after your date of arrival. Many countries also demand that you have two empty pages left in your passport before you enter the country.

• The waiting period for applying for a South African passport used to be at least three months. The Department of Home Affairs is really getting jacked up and we have had several reports of readers applying and then receiving their passports within two to three weeks. That said, rather apply earlier than later.

• While waiting for your passport to be issued, you can get a temporary South African passport. However, today many countries will not accept a temporary South African passport.

• Check your passport to see if you will have diplomatic problems. Some countries are twitchy about letting you in if you have stamps from a country with whom they do not have good political relations. For example, Malaysia will not allow you entry if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport. If you are visiting a country whose stamp might cause problems in the future, ask them to stamp your entry on a separate piece of paper.

• If you hold a South African passport but also have another passport, take note of the following information from the Department of Home Affairs: South African citizens travelling on foreign passports do not need a departure permit from South Africa. However, they may only use their foreign passport to enter and leave the country their passport originates from. They must now travel on a South African passport to any other country they visit, otherwise they need a letter of permission from the minister of home affairs. This is available at any Home Affair office for a small fee (R80 at time of going to press) and remember to take your two passports to show officials issuing the letter).

Furthermore, they need to prove their South African citizenship on re-entry into South Africa. British and Irish permanent residence holders must prove their status in South Africa on arrival. Foreigners exempt from re-entry requirements irrespective of their nationality in terms of section 11(5) of the Aliens Control Act 1991 are: Holders of valid immigration permits. Holders of valid study and work permits. The dependants of the above permit holders who themselves are holders of valid visitors' permits endorsed to permit them to accompany their spouse or parents. If you have queries, phone the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria at 012 314 8911.


• Always carry extra passport- or visa-sized photographs. You might find yourself in a situation in a foreign country in which a new travel document is necessary and a picture is required. It is often impossible to find a convenient photo booth or photographer - and when you do, the cost is high. Before you leave, go to your local police station or bank and make sure your photographs are notarised. This is not usually necessary, but you never know. It will cost you nothing and is a sensible travel precaution.


• Remember to make three copies of all your vital documents. One copy to keep on you, one to put in your suitcase or another piece of luggage, and one to give someone who is remaining at home and has a fax machine. They will then be able to fax you this copy should any emergencies arise and your passports, luggage, etc are stolen.

• When travelling to a foreign country, look up the telephone and fax numbers of the South African embassy or consulate in that country. Keep these numbers with you and give them to someone at home, too. Then, should a problem occur, copies of your documentation can be faxed to them, too. Emergencies do happen.