Travel Information
From Eastern Cape “Must See’s”, to local cultural experiences, relentless natural beauty, Big 7 Safaris as well as architectural points of interest, see top travel tips and things to know when visiting the Eastern Cape province.
Language
Surrounded by Xhosa-speaking South Africans, while most locals will speak English, here are a few typically South African phrases to say:
- Howsit / Howzit – Hello or Hi
- Cheers – Goodbye
- Aikona – Oh dear
- Boet/Bru – Brother
- Chommie / Chomma /China /Cuz – Friend
- Hayibo! / Eish – an exclamation at something shocking
Medical Information
The Eastern Cape is a malaria free area and does not fall within the Yellow Fever belt of Africa, however when entering the country you will need a yellow-fever certificate. The province is supported by a number of private and public medical facilities, clinics, hospitals as well as first responder emergency medical personnel.
Emergency
Regardless of the type of emergency you may have, the national number for any emergency is 112, from here the operator will dispatch the call to the related emergency services you may need.
Other emergency numbers you may like to save include: Emergency Police Services: 10111 | Netcare Private Medical Care: 082 911 | ER24 Emergency: 084 124
Water
Water supplies in urban areas are safe to drink directly from the tap unless otherwise advised however rural areas may make use of fresh water or borehole water supplies and should not be used for human consumption.
Safety
As with any travels that see you venturing to new places, sensible safety and security precautions are always advisable. Pre-planning your itinerary will help to avoid getting lost in undesirable locations and travelling in groups is always recommended.
Always lock up your accommodation when leaving as well as locking vehicles and rentals when parking. It’s also recommended to secure valuables in a safe and out of sight place.
