< South African Thoracic Society 2024 Congress South African Thoracic Society 2024 Congress

GENERAL INFORMATION

Welcome to beautiful Cape Town

You will never be bored in Cape Town. A city where the ocean and the mountains are as much a part of the city as its people, the opportunities to explore will keep visitors to this cosmopolitan city entertained and excited.

The oldest city in South Africa, Cape Town’s cultural heritage spans 300 years, with diverse colonial influences and traditional cultures coming together to fascinate visitors with a rich experience. Famously known as the place of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment, Robben Island is situated just off the city’s coastline.

Other famous tourist attractions include Table Mountain and the internationally acclaimed Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. Wine lovers will find that Cape Town has much to offer when it comes to fine wines, and visitors can experience Cape Town’s beautiful landscape when going on a wine tasting tour. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a unique experience where culture and high-end shopping come together in one breathtaking location, offering world-class accommodation and efficient transport methods.

Tourism routes such as the Cape Care Route, showcases sustainable development by taking tourists to destinations that highlights projects where people are actively accepting the responsibility of caring for the environment and others. This initiative promotes sustainable development in a practical way, while reaching the hearts and expanding the attitude of local and international visitors in a way that will unite and empower all the participating communities.

For more information on Cape Town please visit https://www.capetown.travel/

 Entry requirements

South Africa strictly enforces entry and exit requirements and other immigration laws. Failure to observe these requirements may result in the traveller being denied entry, detained, deported, or deemed inadmissible to enter South Africa in the future.

Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for the most up to date entry and exit requirements.

Two consecutive blank passport pages: South Africa requires travellers to have two consecutive completely blank  pages in their passports upon every arrival in South Africa. You will be denied entry if you do not have two consecutive blank pages.

Six month’s passport validity: Travellers will not be permitted to enter South African borders unless their passport has a minimum expiration date of at least six months after the final day of travel. 

Travelling with minors: There are special requirements for minors travelling through South African ports of entry. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date requirements for travelling with minors to or from South Africa.

Immunisations and prophylaxis

Travellers entering South Africa from WHO-designated countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission must present their current and valid International Certificate of Vaccination as approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) (yellow card).

Most of South Africa is malaria-free, but if you are visiting the Kruger National Park or low-lying parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal, be aware that you are entering malarial areas and should take precautions in the form of prophylactic medication.

Health

South Africa has been well known for its medical skill since Professor Christiaan Barnard performed the first successful human heart transplant in the country in 1967. There are many world-class private hospitals and medical centres around the country, especially in the urban areas, additionally many state hospitals also offer excellent care, among them Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

Security

Use common sense and take basic safety precautions. Keep valuables locked away and don’t wear expensive watches or jewelry, flash expensive cameras, or walk in deserted areas. Keep car doors and windows locked at all times. If in doubt, ask a guide or at your accommodation for safety guidelines.

Communications

South Africa has a well-developed communications infrastructure. A number of cellphone providers offer national coverage and there are well-established landline phone networks. Internet and Wi-Fi are easily accessible in most urban areas.

For more information on Cape Town please visit https://www.capetown.travel/

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South African Thoracic Society 2024 Congress