Extra Information 2

Passports and Visas

All foreign visitors to South Africa must be in possession of a valid passport. This should be valid for at least six months beyond the the intended length of stay and should contain sufficient blank space for the entry stamps upon arrival. All visitors may be requested to show proof of sufficient funds and an onward travel / return ticket.

Nationals of most European countries, plus Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA do not need a visa to enter South Africa for tourism or business purposes. Also, the nationals of a number of other countries do not require a visa for stays of less than 90 days or 30 days (depending nationallity).

This information is current as at December 2002, but you are advised to check on any visa requirements for nationals of your country with your nearest South African Diplomatic Mission. For further information on visa requirements, and for contact details of South African missions world-wide, please consult either of these websites: SA Info - Visas or SA Home Affairs - Visas

If there is no South African representation in your (or a neighbouring) country you can contact the South African Department of Home Affairs directly:

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Travelling to Durban

There are a few international airlines which serve Durban Airport (including South African Airways, British Airways and Singapore Airlines). However there are relatively few international flights direct to Durban and most international delegates will have to fly to Johannesburg Airport and take a domestic connection from there to Durban. Booking flights using South African Travel agents will result in significant saving on flights from Europe. The official Travel agent of ECM-21 is ASTRA/ SURE Travel. Block bookings by e.g., student groups, can result in even larger savings. Contact : Johan le Roux +27-51-4476352, Fax: +27-51-4476665, email: 

An airport transfer service will be provided at a cost of € 20.00 (euros) per person for the return (airport-hotel-airport) transfers. If you require this service, please e-mail or fax your flight arrival and flight departure times IN DURBAN (with flight numbers) to Conference Call (, Fax: +27 31 266 2380) as soon as they are available.

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Medical Requirements

There are no compulsory vaccinations required for entry into South Africa - except for travellers entering South Africa within six days of leaving a yellow fever infected area, who must be in possession of a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

In General, travel to South Africa poses no major medical hazard (except for malaria which occurs in Mpumalanga (Kruger Park area) and northern KwaZulu-Natal, but is not a problem in the Johannesburg and Durban areas).

Tap water is safe to drink in South Africa, but if you prefer, bottled water is readily available.

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Medical Services

Good quality medical services are available in urban areas and in the vicinity of major tourist attractions such as game reserves. Hospitals and Medical practitioners often require immediate cash, or (in most cases) credit card, payment. You are advised to ensure that you have adequate medical cover either from your normal medical insurance, or included in your travel insurance. Most major hotels have contracted medical practitioners and dentists to provide medical assistance for their guests.

Most medicines are readily available and may be purchased from pharmacies (on production of a doctor's prescription - where required), however, you are advised to bring adequate supplies of any specialised medicines with you.

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