• see the up-to-date travel advice with a travel bulletin.
• Pack less, and remember to leave space for those souveneirs .
• Remove old destination tags on your baggage to avoid confusion.
• Attach some form of identification  onto your luggage so it’s easy to identify .
• Pack valuables and essentials (like your toothbrush) in your carry on luggage .

• Reduce painful and blocked ears, by sucking a hard sweet or gently blowing out your nose.
• Drink adequate of liquid  to avoid becoming dehydrated – this applies to air and road travel.
• To help with circulation walk around cabin  .

• It’s esy to sweat  , even in the winter; dress in layers and be prepared for ever-changing conditions and temperature changes at higher altitudes.
•  Avoid wearing jeans or cotton article of clothing – rather wear polypropylene, wool or other breathable materials that wick moisture away and dry quickly.
• Make sure you have rain gear
• Get to know your gear before heading out .
• Research your destination.
• Leave a copy of your itinery at home, and register your travel plans with your Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.
• Register a web based netmail handle that you can access overseas.
• Keep in touch with family and friends!
• Activate international roaming on your cell/mobile phone, but remember that it may not work in remote and rural parts of South Africa.

If your passport is lost or stolen, report the loss as soon as possible to your country’s embassy or consulate, and to      the local police.

Obey the law.

If hiring a car, check for damage, dents, scrapes and if found insist that the rental company make a note of them in committal to writing.

•  Only ever carry your own bags through customs  .
• Know where you’re going before you set off, particularly at night.
• Watch your possessions, lock your doors, avoid areas that are considered dangerous, and use your common sense.
• Keep valuables like jewellery, cameras, cell/mobile phones, handbags and wallets tight to you or out  of sight.
• As a foreigner, it is not advisable to use local commuter and metro trains.
• Do Not  hitchhike or pick up strangers.
• To avoid carjackings , drivers should be on alert at all times especially when stopping at robots  or stop streets and arriving at or leaving premises.
• Keep car windows closed.
• Park your car in well lit or security patrolled parking areas.
• Do not allow strangers or non-bank officials to help  you with any ATM transactions.
• Do not disclose privatet bank or credit card information.
• Never leave food or drink unattended where it can be ‘spiked’ with drugs.

• 1 January – New Year’s Day
• 21 March – Human Rights Day
• 9 April – Good Friday
• 12 April – Family Day
• 27 April – Freedom Day
• 1 May – Workers Day
• 16 June – Youth Day
• 9 August – Women’s Day
• 24 September – Heritage Day
• 16 December – Day of Reconciliation
• 25 December – Christmas Day
• 26 December – Day of Goodwill