Things you might want to know before you travel to Franschhoek

Car hire

There is one hire car company in Franschhoek and they will pick you up at Cape Town international airport. Contact us if you need further advice on car hire.

In South Africa the law says that one must park alongside the kerb in which one is travelling and facing the direction of travel. Car hire companies invariably forget to tell overseas visitors this resulting in them getting a traffic fine.

Electricity

South Africa works on a 220 volts AC, 50 cycles system. The plugs are unique to South Africa. Converters that can take the European two pin plug can be bought pretty much everywhere and many accommodation units will have them available.

Health

South Africa has excellent medical facilities, but these need to be paid for so it is advisable to take out medical insurance.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.

You can swim along the entire coastline but rivers in the Eastern & Northern regions should be avoided due to the possibility of Bilharzia (snail sickness). The whole of the Western Cape is Bilharzia free.

You should take Malaria tablets before visiting game areas in the Limpopo, Kwazulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces. British Airways are particularly well organised to give advice on malaria areas and what medication to take. www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk. Again the Western Cape is Malaria free.

Phones in South Africa

Public phones are either coin or card operated, phone cards can be bought in shops, Post Offices and airports. Many visitors hire mobile phones at the airport, these work pretty much everywhere.

A certain amount of airtime to make calls is included in the rental and all calls received are free.

Cell phones in South Africa work on the GSM system on 900 and 1800 mhz.

Weather

Franschhoek's weather is a Mediterranean one, somewhat like the South of France or South of Italy.

Summer in Franschhoek falls at Christmas time as it is in the Southern hemisphere.

The summer weather in Franschhoek is warm to hot and generally rain free the least amount of rain falls from mid-March to mid-April. Temperatures vary from 15 degrees Centigrade (60F) minimum up to a maximum of about 29 degrees Centigrade (85F) though on some days temperatures can reach as high as 38 degrees Centigrade (100F).

Franschhoek has a mild winter, the rainy season is winter, from mid-May untill the end of August with most rain falling in July and August. Winter temperatures range from 8 degrees Centigrade (48F) minimum to about 19 degrees Centigrade (66F) maximum during these months.

Clothes

Franschhoek is an informal town and shorts and casual clothes are widely worn and accepted.

Coats and ties are not necessary even in the most upmarket restaurants.

In summer a light wind breaker might be necessary if the evenings are windy. and in winter a warm coat and sweater will be required.

Public holidays

Public holidays are on January 1st, March 21st, Good Friday, Easter Monday, April 27 May 1, June 21, August 9, September 24, December 16, 25 and 26.

Franschhoek shops and restaurants are usually open on public holidays, but banks are not. (in other towns, shops and restaurants may close on public holidays)

Foreign exchange

Only a few businesses accept foreign currencies and then at an un-favourable exchange rate. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM's) are widely available and give the best exchange rates. Some B&B's expect to be paid in cash. Almost all other institutions (including Akademie Street Guesthouses) accept all major credit cards. Petrol is the one major exception, it has to be paid in cash.

Time difference

South African time is Standard Mean Time (GMT) plus 2 hours.

South Africa does not have daylight saving. So South Africa's time is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard time in the United States winter and 6 hours ahead in summer.

Similarly South African time is the same as central European time in the European summer and one hour ahead in the European winter.

Passports/Visas

The South African immigration authorities sometimes turn visitors away on arrival because their passports do not contain the required number of blank pages. Please check that you are fully compliant with all the up to date requirements before leaving home.