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Zebra in Mokala National Park, South Africa

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South Africa travel advice

From 1 May 2010, the airport that serves Durban will change to the new King Shaka International Airport. This facility is located at La Mercy, 65kms north of the existing airport. The old airport will no longer be in use.

Most visits to South Africa are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

There is a high level of crime, but most occurs in townships and isolated areas away from tourist destinations.

The standard of driving is variable, and there are many fatal accidents.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Embassies and tourist offices

South African Tourism Board in the USA

500 Fifth Avenue, 20th Floor, Suite 2040, New York, NY 10110, USA
Tel: (212) 730 2929 or 1 800 593 1318 (information and brochure requests).
www.southafrica.net
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in the USA

3051 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 232 4400.
www.saembassy.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1245 and 1330-1700.

Consular Section (for visas, passports, immigration matters)
4301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 274-7991.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200.

South African Tourism Board in the UK

6 Alt Grove, Wimbledon, London SW19 4DZ, UK
Tel: (020) 8971 9350 or 0870 155 0044 (enquiry line).
www.southafrica.net
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

South African Consulate in the UK (Visa services)

5 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DD, UK
Tel: 090-655-40798 (appointments) or 0207 925 8900 (enquiries).
www.southafricahouse.com/Consulate.htm
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1030 (appointments only).

South African High Commission in the UK

South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DP, UK 
Tel: (020) 7451 7299.
www.southafricahouse.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

The British High Commission in South Africa

255 Hill Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, South Africa
Tel: (012) 421 7600.
www.ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1700; Fri 0800-1230.

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