Country Information

Capital: Papeete

Time zone: Ranges from -9 to -10 depending on the particular island

Telephone services: Country Code: 689 Outgoing Code: 00 (Operator’s assistance may be required.)

Emergency telephone numbers: Dial Operator

Tourist information: Tahiti Tourism Promotion Board, c/o maison de France, 178 Piccadilly, London W1V 0AL Tel: (020) 7629 2869 or (0891) 244 123 (information line).

Passport information: Valid passport required See France for details. See France

Visa information: See France

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for those over 1 year of age arriving from infected areas.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: French Pacific Franc (CFP Fr) = 100 centimes

Cost of living:

Languages:

Weather:

Electricity:

Post:

Transport:

Special information:

Capital: Sana’a

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 967
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Yemen Tourist Company, PO Box 1526, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen Tel: (1) 330 039

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and other holders of re-entry permits.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the falciparum form throughout the year. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Bilharzia, Rabies

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Yemeni Riyal is preferred (YR) = 100 fils Yemeni Dinar is also in circulation. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to YAR 5000 or equivalent Diners Club and Amex are widely accepted. Travellers cheques can be exchanged in most banks and hotels. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: If you conform to traditional Yemeni lifestyle you can live relatively cheaply but if you want to purchase western food and enjoy en-suite facilities this will be expensive. All accommodation has to be booked in advance.

Languages: Arabic and English.

Weather: Climate varies according to altitude. Highland are warmer in the summer. During the winter (Oct to Mar) the nights can be very cold in the mountains. Temperatures in the summer can be very high. The best time to visit is Oct to Apr.

Electricity: 220/230 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Airmail to Western Europe from Sana’a takes about 4 days, mail to and from other towns may take longer.

Transport: SEA: Local ferries connect ports. ROAD: The road network is mainly limited to desert track. Use of 4-wheel drive vehicles with a guide is recommended. BUS: There are regular intercity bus services. TAXI: Sharing taxis is the cheapest form of transport between cities. Fares should be negotiated before hand. CAR HIRE: Available in main towns. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is required.

Special information: NOTE: EXTREME RISK: – FCO advise against any travel to the Yemen at present. The rest of this advice applies when the situation improves – the potential for instability is likely to remain. The risk of random kidnapping remains. Travellers to Yemen should register with their local Embassy. Beachwear and shorts should be confined to the beach / pool. Smoking is forbidden in public during Ramadan. Where possible travel in organised groups with well-established tour agents. Armed theft of vehicles is common. There remains some danger from mines laid during the civil war in the Southern and Eastern Governances. Off-road travel is not recommended. Respect local sensitivities regarding religious sites.

Capital: Belgrade

Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 381
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 92. Fire – 93. Ambulance – 94.

Tourist information: Ministry of Commerce and Tourism. Nemanjina 22. 11000 Belgrade. Yugoslavia Tel: (11) 658 755 Fax (11) 642 148.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return ticket required. NOTE: Due to the current political situation in Yugoslavia requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority such as the Embassy or Foreign and Commonwealth Office for up to date information.

Visa information: Most foreign nationals require visas except for citizens from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy. Hungary and San Marino.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination Required.
Other Health Risks: Rabies.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: New Yugoslav Dinar (Yu D) = 100 paras
Exchange: German DM and US Dollars are the only currencies of value in the ex-Yugoslav Republics.

Travellers cheques and credit cards are not accepted.

ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Relatively cheap when compared with Western Europe. Limited commodities available outside Belgrade. Accommodation is sparse as a consequence of the civil war.

Languages: Serb-Croat. Albanian and Hungarian are also spoken in the autonomous regions of Kosovo and Vojvodina respectively.

Weather: Serbia has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Montenegro is mainly the same but with Alpine conditions in the mountains.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Postal services between the former Yugoslav republics have been suspended. Postal services within Serbia are reasonable.

Transport: RAIL: Internal rail services are generally poor often overbooked, and unreliable. ROAD: NOTE: Petrol stations may suffer shortages of fuel although the offer of hard CURRENCY may make otherwise rationed fuel available. Spare parts are difficult to obtain. COACH: Good, efficient services are used to connect towns. DOCUMENTATION: Full national driving licence is accepted. Insurance and ‘green card’ are also necessary.

Special information: HIGH RISK: The situation in Yugoslavia is calm at present but the FCO advise caution. Foreign nationals should still not visit Kosovo. For further information see the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Those who intend to travel should ensure they have Deutschmark currency to pay for fuel and tolls.

Capital: Pretoria

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 27 Outgoing Code: 09

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 1011, Ambulance – 10222, Fire – 1022

Tourist information: In the Arrivals Halls of most of the International Airports in South Africa AND South African Tourism Board (SATOUR), Private Bag, X164, 442 Rigel Avenue South, Frasmusrand, Pretoria 0001, South Africa Tel (12) 347 0600 Fax (12) 454 889 or 454 768.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all and must be valid for 6 months after proposed departure. years. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the High Commission before departure.

Visa information: Requirements may be subject to change at short notice, please check before travelling. Currently visas are issued on arrival for business or tourist purposes for nationals of EU member countries, or nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, USA, and New Zealand. Similarly visa for visits of up to 90 days by nationals of Argentia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Malta, Paraguay, St. Helena, Urugay and Venezula. It may be possible for Nationals of other states to obtain a visa on arrival but you are advised to check with the High Commission well before travel (Allow at least ten weeks to process a visa if required in advance.)

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exist throughout the year. Precautions recommended, falciparum form is prevalent. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required on arrival by all travellers over one year of age travelling from infected areas. Passengers arriving by unscheduled flights at airports other than those used by scheduled airlines must possess a certificate
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera and Rabies are also present. There is a very high prevalence of AIDS/HIV. Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling.

Food & drink: Water outside of municipal areas is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products except those bought sealed from supermarkets as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: South African Rand (r) = 100 cents NOTE: Import and export of Local Reserve Bank notes is limited to R500. Foreign currency must be declared on arrival.
All major credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques in all currencies are accepted, including SA Rand.
ATM availability: Widely available in all cities.

Cost of living: Accommodation and other tourist facilities in the cities can be expensive. Avoid short trips in city taxis which are sometimes more expensive than long distance journeys.

Languages: English and Afrikaans with 9 other African languages, Ndebele, Pedi, Soto, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu

Weather: Generally warm and sunny. Winds are usually mild

Electricity: 250 Volts AC in Pretoria, 220/230 Volts AC elsewhere

Post: Airmail takes 1 week although it is often much longer. Poste Restante is available throughout the country

Transport: FLIGHTS: Regular domestic flights operate between the main cities. SEA: Various cruises are operated between the major ports. ROAD: Good roads connect the main towns. NOTE: Fines are imposed for speeding. It is illegal to carry petrol unless in ‘built up’ petrol tanks. DOCUMENTATION: (IDP) International Driving Permit is required

Special information: The level of violence remains high throughout South Africa ans care should be taken when travelling to safeguard yourself against the risks of random mugging and theft – day and night. Casual remarks should not be made about the political situation; which is complex. There is a risk of car-jacking and armed robbery. It is unwise for outsiders from any race to enter into a black township without a guide. Daylight muggings are not uncommon especially in parts of Johannesburg. Unauthorised overstaying can result in arrest at departure and imprisonment until trial when a high fine is likely to be imposed. PHOTOGRAPHY: Be cautious in rural areas and ask permission before taking photographs.

Capital: Lusaka

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 260
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 1 2 25067 / 254798

Tourist information: Zambia National Tourist Board, 2 Palace Gate, London W8 5NF (0171) 589 6343

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of: Ireland and the UK. Nationals of Commonwealth, dependant and associated states (with the exception of Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka who do need visas). Nationals of Fiji, Norway, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the Falciparum variety throughout the whole country all year. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. Malaria is endemic and worsens during the rainy season
Yellow Fever: Vaccination is strongly recommended to all travellers. Those arriving from infected areas will require a vaccination certificate
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, and Rabies Outbreaks of cholera and dysentery occur regularly during the rainy season. There is a very high prevalence of AIDS/HIV. Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Drinking water should be filtered and boiled and visitors should avoid eating food purchased from local street vendors. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Kwacha (K) = 100 ngwee
Exchange: only at authorised banks and bureaux de changes
NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to K100. Currency exchange forms must be shown if purchasing airline tickets in Zambia.
American Express is widely accepted, with other credit cards less so. Travellers cheques are widely accepted. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: High inflation means that prices for tourists tend to be expensive.

Languages: English and over 73 local dialects.

Weather: High altitudes prevents the temperatures becoming too hot. The winter is cool and dry from May – Sept. The weather is hot and dry from Oct – Nov. the hot raining season is Dec – Apr.

Electricity: 220 Volts, AC, 50 Hz.

Post: 7 – 14 days to Europe.

Transport: FLIGHTS: There are over 127 airstrips in the country and several charter companies operate domestic flights. ROADS: A good network exists but they ban be dangerous in the raining season. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended. BUS: Services are often unreliable and can be very overcrowded. RAIL: Trains serve Lusaka; Ndola, Kitwe and Mulobezi. Local services are limited.

Special information: Care and sensible precautions should be taken when travelling in Zambia to minimise the risk of muggings and armed robberies. Non-essential travel to the North-Western areas of Zambia bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola should be avoided due to the increasing violence in these countries. Travellers to rural areas have very limited health facilities. In general travellers to remote areas will be met with curiosity. Particular care should be taken in these areas. African culture and traditions dominate. Traditional dancing is popular throughout the country and many colourful annual ceremonies take place.

Capital: Harare

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 263
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: General emergencies – 999 Police – 995, Ambulance – 994, Fire – 993

Tourist information: Zimbabwe Tourist Development Corporation (ZTDC), PO Box 8052, corner of Jason Moyo Avenue and Fourth Street, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe Tel: (4) 793 666 Fax: (4) 793 669

Passport information: Valid passport required by all with at least 6 months from date of entry. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure

Visa information: Visa required by all except: nationals of E.U. countries (except nationals of Finland, Portugal and Greece who do need a visa.) Nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, French Overseas Territories, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Iceland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts & Nevis, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Solomon Islands, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa and Zambia. NOTE: Citizens of the former Yugoslavia should contact the Zimbabwean diplomatic representation in order to obtain up to date information on visa requirements

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in certain areas throughout the year in the Falciparum variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from infected areas
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera and Rabies. Incidence of AIDS is high, Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling.

Food & drink: Piped water in urban areas is considered drinkable. Normal precautions should be observed with food. In rural areas water is untreated and not safe to drink. All fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Zimbabwe Dollar (Z$) = 100 cents
Exchange: Major currencies at hotels and banks.. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to Z$500.
American Express, Diners Club and Visa are all widely accepted. Banks and major hotels will exchange Travellers cheques. US dollars are the preferred form of currency.
ATM availability: Over 75 locations.

Cost of living: Lower prices can be found away from the tourist centres if you are willing to live simply.

Languages: English, Shona and Ndebele.

Weather: Set – Oct = Hot, dry season. Rainy season = Nov to Mar. Best time to visit = Apr – May and Aug – Sept

Electricity: 220/240 Volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Up to 1 week to Europe by airmail.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Domestic flights run between the main cities. ROADS: Excellent road network. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required and vehicle identification. BUS: Services are provided in most parts of the country. NOTE: If you are white and use the rural bus services you may provoke attention. RAIL: Daily between the main cities.

Special information: HIGH RISK: There have been serious violent incidents connected with election campaining including attacks on white by-standers and illeagal mass occupation of white owned land by supporters of the ruling party. Some white farmers have been kinapped and murdered; one of them outside a police station; therefore police protection connot be guaranteed. Avoid large crowds and demonstrations as they could turn violent without warning. Avoid rural areas without checking the local situaion. Petty crime is prevalent in Harare. Be careful at ATM machines. Backpackers are at risk in the main tourist areas. Visitors should exercise extreme caution if travelling in eastern and southern areas due to severe flooding damage from January to March.