Sun City Travel Info

Electricity
220-240 volts is used throughout South Africa. Outlets generally accept three round pins arranged in a triangle as well as a two pronged plug (Adaptors are required for visitors from the United Kingdom). If you have a video or digital camera, make sure your battery charger is of the same voltage (Americas 110 – 120V).

Time Zone
South Africa GMT + 2

Currency
The South African currency is the Rand ZAR (divided into 100 Cents). Credit card facilities and cash machines (ATMs) are easily available.

Mobile Phones
Sun City has access to international roaming (GSM compatible) and mobile reception is good throughout the resort.

Bugs
With Sun City being located in Africa you may encounter all manner of local wildlife; guest staying at the Cascades Hotel should close their windows when leaving their rooms, as the local monkeys have a tendency to explore.

Security
Please ensure that your passport, air tickets and money (cash and travellers cheques) are securely stored in your room safe. Do not leave jewellery, mobile phones, cameras or any other valuables in your room or in public areas.
In terms of your physical safety if you are on an organised safari then risks are minimal, if you are guiding yourself ask for local advice before heading off. The security is quite high at the resort due to the casinos. Professional lifeguards are on duty around all the pools and water parks.

Tipping
Tipping of guides and hotel personnel is customary throughout Sun City, though whether or not you wish to do so is ultimately a personal choice. You may wish to tip anyone who works in service: guides, drivers, waiters in bars and restaurants, porters and room cleaners.

Safety in Wildlife Areas
The basic rules of the wilderness are:
Don’t feed animals you don’t own.
If you don’t know ask.
Always listen to your guide.
Do not go walkabout without a guide.
Wild animals are called that because they are wild and unpredictable.

Road Safety
The Sun City Hotels are in such close proximity to each other that walking is the simplest option. Guests staying at the Palace can make use of the inter-hotel shuttle service.

Health
These are merely guidelines please follow the advice of your local health practitioner and the World Health Organisation.
Sun City is a resort a of a world class standard, the tap water is safe to drink and the resort is located in a malaria free zone.
Compulsory Vaccinations
A Yellow Fever certificate is required if arriving within 6 days after leaving or transiting countries with infected areas. Exempt: Children under 1 year, those not leaving the airport whilst in transit and those entering Sun City not having left an airport during transit in affected countries.

Recommended Vaccinations
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis, Rabies, Tuberculosis & Cholera.

Visas (all subject to change without notice)
All travellers need a valid passport (usually valid for 6 months after your trip), with sufficient pages for entry and exit stamps (usually at least two).

Citizens of all countries must obtain a visa in advance from the South African Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the country where you reside.

Nationals of the following countries do not need a South African visa (up to 90 days):
African Union laissez-passer, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark ,Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany ,Greece ,Iceland ,Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,Malta,Monaco,Netherlands,New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, British Islands, Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Man and Virgin Islands, Republic of Ireland, Uruguay, Venezuela, United States of America,

*Zimbabwe (*temporary measure until further notice)

British Overseas Territories who are in possession of British passports namely: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St. Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island, Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha), Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the Turks and Caicos Island.

Language
The 11 official languages of South Africa are Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.

Religion
South Africa has a wide variety of religions. The majority of the South African population follow Christianity, although Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Traditional religions are also represented.

Culture and Customs
South Africa is a multicultural society; it is vast and rich in its offerings and experiences. The people of South Africa are polite and always welcoming of tourists. Rural Africans are formal in their elaborate greetings and displays of respect toward the senior members of the community.
Handshaking is the popular form of greeting and is usually an intricate African version that the locals are happy to teach foreigners.
As many people in rural South Africa follow their traditional way of life, visitors should be sensitive to customs which will inevitably be unfamiliar to them. Bear in mind that outside urban areas and safari destinations, people may well not be used to visitors.

Lifetyle & Entertainment
Sun City features four unique and completely different world-class hotels; The Cascades, The Cabanas, Sun City Hotel and the spectacular Palace of the Lost City. The hotels range from family friendly, affordable, superior to over the top luxury. The tropical gardens, walking trails and swing bridges are definitely some of the highlights of this resort.
The Pilanesberg National Park borders on the resort and offers the ideal safari experience for game viewers interested in the Big 5(Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Rhino and Leopard). The resort has an abundance of activities on offer, from glamorous casinos and restaurants to extensive sports and entertainment. It boasts two 18-hole golf courses, horse riding, and beaches, tube rides and surfing at the Valley of the Waves water park. Nightlife is both glamorous and casual depending on what you looking for, whether it’s an evening at the theatre, gambling at the casino, dancing at a nightclub or simply relaxing at one of the many bars or restaurants. For the avid shopper, the resort has several boutique stores including two surf shops. Sun City also offers excellent spa facilities at the Gary Player Health Spa and the Royal Salon.

Photography
When photographing people it is best to first ask permission.

When to travel
Sun City is an excellent destination all year round, due to its temperate climate. Summer (November to March) is the peak holiday season and coincides with the South African school break, and during this time many of the destinations can get crowded and busy. Sun City goes all-out during summer, with a plethora of organised entertainment and events. The Palace, with its privacy and opulent luxury accommodation, guarantees a relaxing and enjoyable holiday regardless of the time of year. Visitors looking for solitude and a calmer Sun City experience should visit outside of peak season. Valley of the Waves closes down for one month during the winter, due to maintenance.