As soon as you arrive at Johannesburg International Airport, you will discover that South Africa is a melting pot of cultures, languages and traditions. And we are very proud of our diversity.

Most pocketbook guides on the country give information about these cultures, and how to behave around people of different cultures. But, as in most places, if you are friendly and polite to the people you meet, you will probably be met with at least twice the warmth.

South Africa has a population of more than 40 million people and no less than 11 official languages (namely English, Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu). English is widely spoken and understood throughout the country, with the exception of the deep rural areas, and most of the official road signs are in English.

South Africa has a wonderful climate with more than 300 days of sunshine per year on average. The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. The northern part of the country is hot in summer, with summer rain, and mild in winter. The heat of a summer's day is often relieved by an afternoon or evening thunderstorm. The coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal and eastern Mpumalanga are subtropical and humid. Snowfalls occur in winter in the Drakensberg Mountains and Lesotho. For detailed information on the weather in South Africa, the South African Weather Service can be contacted at 082 162.

The currency is the South African rand. There are a hundred cents to a rand. Banknotes are in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200. Silver coins are in denominations of R1, R2 and R5, while brass coins are in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c. Most establishments accept Visa, Master, American Express and Diner's Club credit cards.

All major cities and banks have Bureau de Change offices. International banks have branches in the major cities. Most of the banks in small towns accept travellers' cheques. There are automatic teller machines (ATMs) in most towns and cities. These are usually found at banks, in shopping malls or at filling stations. Banking hours at Bureaux de Change are weekdays from 09:00 to 10:30.

VAT is currently set at 14% and should be included in the retail price displayed on most goods and services. Visitors to South Africa may claim refunds on VAT paid on goods to be taken out of the country. VAT refund administration offices are found at all the major international departure points. To claim VAT, the original VAT invoice document is required. Note that services rendered or goods consumed in South Africa do not qualify for a VAT refund.

Telephones are fully automatic with direct dialling to most parts of the world. Calls from hotels generally carry a surcharge. Public pay phones can be found at post offices, hotels, shopping malls and corner shops. At pay phones coins or telephone cards can be used. (The green phones use phone cards of R10 to R200, which can be bought at hotels, post offices and supermarkets.) Telephone directories provide full details of international dialling codes. The international dialling code for South Africa is +27 followed by the local regional code. Cellular or mobile phones can be rented at all international airports or as part of a car rental package from any of the three cellular network companies. Most post offices are open from 08:30 to 16:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays.

The standard power supply in South Africa is 220/230 volt (V) AC, with the exceptions of Tshwane (230 V) and Port Elizabeth (200/250 V). Adaptors for electrical appliances are widely available at shops in all major towns and cities.

South Africa uses the metric system.

It is an offence to smoke in public areas. Check with all accommodation establishments whether smoking is allowed. If it is not allowed, they will be able to direct you to a designated smoking area.

There are strict laws governing drug and alcohol use in South Africa. No person under the age of 18 may buy or consume alcohol. Alcohol consumption in public is restricted to bars and restaurant. All habit-forming and recreational drugs are illegal. Take care not to accept drugs or drinks from strangers.

The usual tip for most services (if the service is satisfactory) is 10%. Most restaurants do not include a service charge in the bill, so it is customary to tip the waiter directly or add the tip to the final account.

Eleven years into democracy the teeming townships of South Africa are, like the favelas of Brazil, places where the people suffer from poverty and the living conditions are not always easy. But nothing beats a township shebeen after midnight, filled with the sound of laughter and jazz, or a township marketplace on a Saturday morning. There is a sense of vibrancy in the townships that cannot be equalled. This is where you find the soul of South Africa.

For a truly South African experience, pay a visit to one of the townships. But do take a guide along or go on an accredited tour: never enter a strange settlement on your own. With the right introductions, and a few simple safeguards, you will have a great time.

The big cities all have their own daily newspapers, and there is a thriving magazine industry that supports tourism. Travel tips, lifestyle information and useful facts can be found at all bookshops and newsagents. If you want to catch up on international news, most leading newsagents also sell overseas publications.

There are Internet cafés all over the country, not only in the large centres but also in many of the small rural towns you pass through.

Crime is not endemic to South Africa. Take the same basic personal safety precautions you would in any country. Never willingly reveal to any stranger that you are a tourist, and follow these basic rules while travelling:

• Never leave your luggage unattended.
• Store valuables in the hotel's safety deposit box.
• Keep your room locked, whether you are there or not.
• When someone knocks, check who it is before opening the door.
• Hand in the keys at the desk whenever you leave the hotel.

• Avoid displaying expensive jewellery, cameras and other valuables.
• It's definitely not advisable to carry large sums of money on your person.
• Steer clear of dark, isolated areas - especially at night.
• It's better to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit, busy streets.
• Plan your route beforehand.
• A policeman or traffic officer will be glad to direct you if you get lost.
• If you want to call a taxi, your hotel or nearest tourism information office can recommend a reliable service.

• Plan your route in advance.
• Keep the car doors locked at all times and wind up the windows.
• Lock valuable items in the boot (trunk).
• Park in well-lit areas at night.
• Never pick up strangers.

If at any time you fear for your safety, call South Africa's national emergency number: 10111.

You must have a valid passport to enter South Africa. Check with the office of the South African representative in your country of departure or with a tourism office whether you will require a visa.

Visitors to South Africa who have been travelling through a yellow fever area must be vaccinated against yellow fever and, on arrival, must produce a certificate of proof of this vaccination. Malaria is endemic to parts of the country and it is advisable that all precautions be taken (eg drinking malaria tablets, using insect repellents and wearing protective clothing). It is also advisable to have vaccinations for both cholera and tetanus. We recommend that you contact a SAA Netcare Travel Clinic for up to date information. Visitors can also order a standard medical kit from this company, which can be delivered to destinations in Gauteng or the greater Cape Town area, or waiting for them at Johannesburg or Cape Town International Airport. All cities and most of the bigger towns have hospitals. Health care is offered at either state or private hospitals, and health clinics are found in rural areas. In some cases Medical insurance is recommended as private hospitals require some payment up front.