Agents’ choice
Satour contact details: 6 Alt Grove, Wimbledon, London, SW19 4DZ. Tel: 020 8971 9350. Fax: 020 8944 6705. Brochure line:0906 3640600. Web site: www.south_african_tourism.org
Diary date: Indaba, Southern Africa’s annual trade marketplace, takes place from May 8-11 in Durban.
Resources: a Factfiler with detailed maps and information on South Africa’s nine regions is sent in response to all consumer enquiries and is available on request for travel agents. The Fundi (meaning expert in the Nguni language) training course can be sent or downloaded from the Web site. Images can be downloaded at no cost from the on-line photographic library.
8 things your clients need to know
South Africa is big. It’s four times the size of Britain and to drive the 875 miles from Cape Town to Johannesburg would take 12-16hrs.
Take common-sense precautions but don’t be put off by reports of high crime levels. Few incidents have involved tourists.
Getting there is easy. There are 49 direct flights from Britain to South Africa each week with Virgin, BA and South African Airways. Flying time is 10hrs and the time difference is just 1hr so jet lag is not a problem.
You don’t need inoculations. You can drink the tap water and malaria tablets are needed only in a handful of game reserves.
The standard of accommodation and tourist infrastructure is very high.
You don’t need a visa.
Driving is on the left.
The cost of living is low. A pint of beer costs about 35p; a two-mile taxi ride £2.50 and a good seafood dinner with wine for four people costs around £35.