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When you are at the beginning of a new adventure, it is always difficult to know what to take with. Therefore we tried to make life a little bit easier by making this list. We've talked to many volunteers and have come up with a few essentials and a few things you may want to consider before you start packing your bags and making for the airport. Besides all the things you will have to bring along in your bags, you will have to make sure you have everything you require for entry into the country and to ensure a safe and comfortable stay in South Africa.
Visas,
permits and entry requirements
Travel insurance
Medical things to take in mind
Transport
Weather
What you can buy in South Africa--- Visas, permits and entry
requirementsFor most volunteers, a Temporary Residents' Permit with a volunteer work amendment is sufficient to cover you for up to 12 months in South Africa. For more information about visa requirements, please go to our Costs and Visas page. --- Travel insuranceYou will need to arrange your own comprehensive travel insurance for the duration of the time you plan to spend in South Africa, including the period you will be volunteering for. Your travel insurance should cover you for repatriation and also for any activities you may wish to take part in during your stay. These will depend on both the project you will be working on and your own interests. It is important to ensure that you are covered for activities such as horse-riding, abseiling, bungee jumping, sky diving etc. should you plan to participate in these. --- Medical things to take in
mindVaccinations The only vaccinations you need are updated tetanus and polio injections, although some doctors also immunise against yellow fever, should you be planning to travel elsewhere in Africa. It is advisable to consult a doctor or pharmacist before you leave to make sure you are covered against all eventualities. Malaria The majority of South Africa is free of malaria so, unless you are planning to travel in the Northern area (i.e. Kruger Park and surrounding area) or into Mozambique or Swaziland, you do not need to take anti-malaria medication. All anti-malaria drugs are freely available in South Africa and, in general, much cheaper than overseas so it's advisable to purchase them over here. It is also worth bearing in mind that many South Africans choose not to take anti-malaria medication even when in malaria areas. This is because there are three different strains of malaria and the presence of anti-malaria drugs in your bloodstream can make it harder to identify the strain and, therefore, more difficult to treat it promptly. Even if you contract malaria, it is very rarely life-threatening as long as it is treated promptly. There are a wide array of very effective mosquito repellents available in South Africa so I wouldn't worry about buying before you fly as they are also usually cheaper over here. Prescription drugs and medication Many prescription drugs will go under a different name in South Africa than the one you are familiar with. So, if you are on prescription drugs or any kind or are taking birth control pills, please make sure you bring the packet with you so a doctor can easily identify the equivalent product. --- TransportYou will also need to arrange your own flight to South Africa and your transport from your port of entry to Port Elizabeth. In terms of flights from Europe, Lufthansa often has reasonably priced tickets, as do South African Airways. I believe South African Airways is also good for the rest of world but it is best to search the Internet using the terms "cheap flights South Africa" and see what comes up as prices vary all the time. Your port of entry (Cape Town or Johannesburg) will effect how you travel to Port Elizabeth and you may well choose to take the opportunity to see some of the country before you begin volunteering. Of course you can also choose to do this when you are about to leave. --- WeatherThe weather in South Africa is not the continual hot tropical heat many expect. Being further south, the weather is variable and different areas experience different conditions depending on the time of year. During the winter months (mid-winter being around June), it can get quite cold. Throughout the year the evenings can often get quite chilly so don't leave all your warm clothes at home! Having said that, the summer months are often hot and sunny, although summer rainfall can also be quite high. --- What you can buy in South
AfricaSouth Africa is a modern country and all the big cities will have a range of stores that will stock much of the same produce as you are used to in your home country. Please don't worry about bringing toiletries etc. as you will probably be able to buy your usual brand here. You will also find that many clothes and, particularly, outdoor or camping equipment will be much cheaper here so it is advisable to bring the money with you and buy what you need when you arrive. South Africa is still a developing country and will benefit from you purchasing South African products while you are here. Please bear this in mind and save yourself the extra luggage by bringing over funds and investing them in South Africa's future. |
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CONTACT DETAILS PHONE: + 27 (0)41 378 2528 MOBILE: +27 (0)73 152 2277 PO BOX 15317 EMERALD HILL 6011 email: INFO@THEBAYWATCHPROJECT.COM www.THEBAYWATCHPROJECT.COM | Funded by: |
