Page 433 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

PRA C TICAL INFORM A TION 431

caught in fog, keep warm and between September and April
wait for the weather to lift. Be but it is essential to obtain local
sure to tell a responsible advice about conditions. If you
person at your hotel which are travelling to these places
route you intend to take and during the risk period, consult
Ambulance the time you expect to return. your doctor or travel clinic
Ensure you are familiar with about taking anti-malarials
your route before setting off. and ensure that you finish the
course. If already in South
Africa, Netcare Travel Clinics
Poisonous Bites can be found in Johannesburg,
and Stings
Police vehicle Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria
Few travellers are likely to find and Port Elizabeth. Experts here
themselves in danger of being can advise on malaria and also
bitten or stung by any one of vaccinations and other health
the venomous creatures of requirements for travel beyond
South Africa. People on safari or South Africa’s borders.
on hiking trails should never-
Fire engine theless watch where they place DIRECTORY
their hands and feet.
exercise common sense. In the Few snakes in South Africa Emergency Numbers
informal markets, avoid meat or are deadly, and most are not
dairy products that may have poisonous at all. They strike Ambulance
been lying in the sun, and wash only when attacked or threat- Tel 10177 all areas.
all fruit and vegetables carefully. ened. The most dangerous Fire
Travellers to South Africa do spider is the seldom-encoun- Tel 10111 all areas.
not gen erally suffer the same tered button spider (Latro- Police
stomach upsets as they may in dectus species). Most of the Tel 10111 all areas.
the rest of the continent. species of scorpion are only ∑ saps.gov.za
slightly venomous. In general,
those with thick tails and small AA Emergency Road Service
Outdoor Hazards Free call Tel 0861 000 234.
pincers tend to be more
In many parts of South Africa, poisonous. Because of their 24-hours, all areas.
forest and bush fires are a lower body weight, children ∑ aa.co.za
major hazard, especially during are more susceptible to the Netcare 911
the dry winter months. Never toxins than adults. Private medical rescue service
discard burning matches and Tel 082911 all areas.
cigarette ends and always ∑ netcare911.co.za
ensure a braai fire is put out. Malaria
Always protect yourself from South Africa has a low seasonal Medical Facilities
the harsh sun with a wide- risk of malaria in the extreme Cape Town Medi-Clinic
brimmed hat, a high-factor east of the country along the 21 Hof St, Oranjezicht.
sunblock and sun glasses. Mozambique border. This Tel 021 464 5500.
Before you climb or hike at includes parts of the Kruger ∑ mediclinic.co.za
high altitude, ask about the National Park in Mpumalanga Netcare Christiaan Barnard
expected weather conditions. and Limpopo provinces and in Memorial Hospital
Be aware that these can the extreme north of KwaZulu- 181 Longmarket St, Cape Town.
change very quickly. If you are Natal. The risk period is usually Tel 021 480 6111.
∑ netcare.co.za
Netcare St Augustine’s
Hospital
107 Chelmsford Rd, Glenwood,
Durban. Tel 031 268 5000.
∑ netcare.co.za
Sandton Mediclinic
Peter Place, Bryanston, Jo’burg.
Tel 011 709 2000.
∑ mediclinic.co.za
Malaria
Netcare Travel Clinic
∑ travelclinic.co.za
The police station in Pietermaritzburg