VALIDATE Workshop One Health in TB and Leishmaniasis - Travel and Safety Guide

VALIDATE is looking forward to welcoming you to South Africa for a productive and safe workshop. While we are not anticipating any major issues, it is important to note that South Africa is considered a high-crime country according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). As usual for our events, we have provided some guidance to ensure a safe and comfortable stay.

 

Keep up to date with the situation in South Africa

Most governments provide travel advice for their citizens visiting South Africa on their respective websites. We highly recommend consulting these pages before you travel.

The Minibus Strike in Cape Town

You may have heard about the recent unrest in Cape Town, including around the Airport, due to the seizure of taxis and minibuses by local authorities. The strikes have been called off and the situation seems to have calmed down for now, but the VALIDATE Team is monitoring the situation and will be in touch if anything changes.

The current UK Foreign office advice is:  

“While this should mean the main routes to and from the airport, and the Garden Route, are clear you should still check for any disruption on your route before travelling and try to stick to major routes (for example the main N2 motorway route).”

Insurance 

Many delegates will receive insurance coverage through their employers. We advise all delegates to inform their institutions about their planned trip to South Africa. If your organization does not provide insurance, we strongly recommend purchasing it as soon as possible. VALIDATE can cover the cost of personal insurance as part of your expense claim.

Safe Travel

 

Airport transfer

VALIDATE has already been in touch about your pick-up from the Airport ensuring a safe and straightforward journey to Paarl (get in touch if you have not received this information).  You will be met by a driver from Winelands Sightseeing:

 

If in the unlikely event your car is not there on arrival, you are welcome to book your own transport but please make sure you book an official taxi. The Cape Town Airport Website has some helpful information about how to safely book Taxis: https://www.capetown-airport.com/taxi.php

 

Getting to dinner venues

While there is an excellent restaurant at the Grande Roche, in case you want to explore other dinner venues in Paarl for a change of scenery, please follow these tips to enhance your safety:

Avoid walking and using public transport

We advise against walking around Paarl, especially at night and if you are alone. Public transport should also be avoided.

Use official taxis

For safe travel within Paarl, we strongly encourage using pre-booked taxis from reputable companies. You can ask the hotel or restaurant reception to book a taxi for you. The Grande Roche Hotel (our venue) recommends Winelands Sight Seeing:

Uber

Uber is generally safe for travel in South Africa, but be cautious of scams. To use Uber, download and set up the Uber App. Verify the vehicle registration and identity before entering the vehicle. Avoid waiting in the street, keep valuables out of sight, and ask the driver to secure the vehicle when inside. Be aware of unregulated drivers posing as Uber drivers. If you use Uber, go to the designated waiting area.

Taxi/Uber Costs – Covered by VALIDATE 

VALIDATE will cover reasonable taxi/Uber travel expenses incurred during the workshop, for example going into Paarl for dinner at a restaurant. This not only ensures your convenience but also promotes your safety while navigating Paarl.

Protect Your Valuables 

During your stay in Paarl, the venue provides safes in your rooms. We recommend using these safes to securely store valuables such as passports, travel documents, electronics, cash, and other important items (but don’t forget them on checking-out!). When out and about, limit the amount of cash you are carrying, avoid displaying valuables, and be cautious with your mobile phone, as phone snatching does occur in South Africa as it does in other countries.

Power issues – Load Shedding

Due to pressures on the electrical system in South Africa, you will likely experience a series of rolling power cuts or “Load Shedding”. Loadshedding discontinues the power supply to certain areas, according to a schedule, to allow the power utility to get failed generation units back online. Our venue is used to the disruption cased by Loadshedding and has a number of generators that kick in when the main power cuts. There might be a short interruption in power and the Wifi Might go down as the venue switches to the generators.

Find our more about load shedding (and how to plan for it) here - https://www.capetown.travel/travelwise/loadshedding/

Health

Tap Water

Drinking water in South Africa is safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps in urban areas like Paarl and Cape Town. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so it is advised you take precautions if necessary – www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/category/what-you-need-to-know/drinking-water-in-south-africa

Vaccines

Please consult a medical practitioner for advice on vaccines.

Cape Town and Paarl are not malaria infected areas, but if you are exploring South Africa before or after the workshop, please be aware of the high risk areas - www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/south-africa/south-africa-malaria-map

Paarl Provincial Hospital

10 Hospital St, Lemoenkloof, Paarl, 7646, South Africa (Maps)

  • Tel: +27218602500

Weather 

It will be early spring in South Africa. The Cape is famous for its unpredictable weather so you should prepare for weather in the low double digits to 30°C

 

Useful Contacts 

Local Useful Telephone Numbers 

  • The Grande Roche Hotel: +27 (0)21 863 5100
  • South Africa Emergency Services Number: 10177
  • Crime Stop (report criminal activity anonymously): 08600 10111
  • South African Tourism helpline: 083 123 6789

South Africa will be a fantastic location to host for our Workshop and we hope the trip gives you the chance to experience this fantastic country.