FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Cape Town

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Cape Town each year. The main ones are listed below.

Commemorates the fight against racial segregation and in particular the Sharpeville massacre on this day in 1960, when policemen opened fire on a group of peaceful protesters demonstrating against the regime's “pass laws”, which restricted black South Africans from entering certain areas.

Commemorates the day in 1994 that millions of black South Africans were allowed to vote in an election and the Constitution that followed thereafter.

The equivalent of Labour Day elsewhere in the world, this day has been a public holiday in South Africa only since 1994, celebrating in particular the role played by trade unions, the Communist Party and other labour movements in the struggle against the country's apartheid system.

Honours the memory of the black South African high school students in Soweto township killed by police during protests beginning on this day in 1976. Commemorations include solemn processions, ceremonies, music and dance performances, etc.

Commemorates the demonstration by some 20,000 black South African women in Pretoria on this day in 1956, to protest the extension of the pass laws to women.

On this day, South Africans recognize and celebrate the cultural wealth of their nation, with ceremonies and events remembering the living heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of South Africa. Aspects of living heritage include singing, dancing and concerts.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Cape Town

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	16/61	26/79	15/0.6	Not the best period to go
February	16/61	26/79	17/0.7	Good period to go
March	14/57	25/77	20/0.8	Good period to go
April	12/54	23/73	41/1.6	Good period to go
May	9/48	20/68	69/2.7	Not the best period to go
June	8/46	18/64	93/3.7	Not the best period to go
July	7/45	17/63	82/3.2	Not the best period to go
August	7/45	18/64	77/3.0	Not the best period to go
September	9/48	19/66	40/1.6	Not the best period to go
October	11/52	21/70	30/1.2	Not the best period to go
November	13/55	23/73	14/0.6	Good period to go
December	15/59	24/75	17/0.7	Good period to go

Cape Town International Airport

The Cape Town International Airport is located about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south-east of the city centre. It is the second busiest in the country after Johannesburg's airport and the third busiest in Africa.

• Two terminals:
  • Terminal A (Air France)
  • Terminal B
• Getting from the airport to Cape Town and back:
  • By car
    • Accessible via the N2.
    • Five parking facilities, including a pick-up and drop-off area and a long-term parking lot (P5). The first 30 minutes are free, then ZAR 6 for 1 hour.
    • Several car rental companies have counters in the car rental centre on Transport Plaza, opposite the Central Terminal Building.
  • By bus
    • The MyCiTi A01 bus connects the airport with the city centre every 20 minutes. Standard fares are ZAR 60 each way.
  • By shuttle van
    • Four private companies offer shuttle van services between the airport and the city centre, with fares starting at ZAR 240.
  • By taxi
    • Taxis are available at the ranks outside Terminal A. Touch-Down Taxis is the only officially authorized airport taxi service provider. The trip from the airport to the city centre takes 20 to 40 minutes and costs around ZAR 200.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +27 (0)86 727 7888
• Website: http://www.acsa.co.za/

GETTING AROUND Cape Town

Cape Town is a very pleasant city and not at all difficult to get around. The public transport system is limited, but satisfactory. In addition, there is very little traffic congestion and drivers respect traffic rules.

By bus

Buses are certainly the most convenient way to discover Cape Town: 31 regular routes serve all areas of the city using dedicated lanes. Service is limited on the weekends. About ZAR 10 for a one-way ticket.

By minibus taxi

As in Johannesburg, many minibus taxis operate in Cape Town and will drop you off wherever you wish along their set routes. Minibus taxis are a very popular mode of transport in the city because they are not expensive (about ZAR 5 for a trip within the city).

By car

Given the lack of traffic congestion, renting your own car is a solution definitely worth considering for getting around Cape Town. It is a good way to travel within areas not served by the main bus routes. Daily rental rates run about ZAR 200. An international driver's licence is required. For security reasons, keep the windows closed and the doors locked at all times.

By taxi

There are relatively few sedan taxis in Cape Town. Fares run about ZAR 8-10 per kilometre.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Cape Town, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.

Offers sightseeing recommendations, tourist information and brochures.

• Address: The Pinnacle Building (corner Burg and Castle Streets), Cape Town 8001
• Telephone: +27 (0)86 132 2223
• Website: http://www.capetown.travel

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in South Africa is the Rand (ZAR).

1 € = 17 ZAR

1 ZAR = 0,06 €

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home. Cape Town counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to South Africa.
However, the following vaccines are recommended:

• booster doses for protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio
• typhoid, hepatitis A and B, rabies (depending on the length of your stay)

For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38, Quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris
• Website: http://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

It is recommended to drink from sealed bottles in Cape Town.

Formalités administratives

As a French citizen, you do not need to obtain a visa in advance if you will be visiting South Africa for less than 90 days. A short-stay visa will be issued to you when you enter the country. There must be at least two blank pages remaining in your passport and it must be valid for 30 days beyond the period of your stay.

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Cape Town and South Africa, be sure to check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country for the latest travel information and recommendations. Comprehensive information that may be helpful for international visitors is also provided on the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website:

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays/afrique-du-sud/

Useful Addresses

South African Embassy in France (consular services provided by the Embassy)

• Address 59 quai d’Orsay, 75343 Paris Cedex 07
• Telephone +33 (0)1 53 59 23 23
• Website http://www.afriquesud.net/index.php?lang=fr

French Embassy in South Africa

• Address 250 Melk Street, New Muckleneuk, 0181 Pretoria
• Telephone +27 (0)12 425 1600
• Website http://www.ambafrance-rsa.org

French Consulate General in Cape Town

• Address 78 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens, 8001 Cape Town
• Telephone +27 (0)21 423 15 75
• Website http://www.consulfrance-lecap.org

Essential phrases

Good to know

00 27

+ phone number without the (0)

0 : 00
of time difference with
Paris

No daylight savings time in South Africa.

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
In Cape Town and throughout South Africa, tipping is not necessarily required, although always appreciated if you are satisfied with the service. It is customary to tip between 10 and 15 percent of the bill in restaurants and bars. Parking facilities are usually monitored by attendants. The latter often ask if you would like them to keep an eye on your car. If you accept, be sure to leave a few rands as a tip, depending on how long your vehicle has been parked.