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Tourist Information Offices
in the Northern and Central Drakensberg
Climate
- The Drakensberg experiences hot summer days and refreshingly cool
evenings. However its winters are extremely cold, sometimes with heavy
snowfalls.
The following table provides the maximum and minimum temperatures in
centigrade and average rainfall figures for the Royal Natal section of the
Drakensberg
MONTH
|
MAX TEMP
|
MIN TEMP
|
AVERAGE RAIN(mm)
|
|
JANUARY
|
26.2
|
15
|
241
|
|
FEBRUARY
|
25.8
|
14
|
231.5
|
|
MARCH
|
24.2
|
12
|
171.2
|
|
APRIL
|
22.6
|
9
|
68.1
|
| MAY |
20.4 |
5 |
26.1 |
|
JUNE
|
18.8
|
2
|
16.1
|
|
JULY
|
18.3
|
3
|
11.5
|
|
AUGUST
|
20.2
|
5
|
34.1
|
| SEPTEMBER |
24.4 |
9 |
56.6 |
|
OCTOBER
|
23.8
|
11
|
108.5
|
|
NOVEMBER
|
25.0
|
12
|
151.5
|
|
DECEMBER
|
26.0
|
14
|
195.1
|
Official Languages
- There are eleven official languages in South Africa. In the Berg,
Afrikaans, English and Zulu are widely spoken
Banking
- Banking hours are from Monday to Friday 09h00-15h30 and Saturday
08h30-11h00.
-
In the Northern and Central Berg there is a First National Bank and an ABSA
Bank in Bergville. Winterton has a First National Bank.
-
Estcourt and Mooi River have branches of most of the major banking groups
that are found in South Africa. This is similarly the case with the Southern
Berg towns of Himeville and Underberg.
Credit Cards
- Most departmental stores, shops, hotels and restaurants accept
international credit cards i.e. American Express,VISA, Diners Club,
Mastercard.
Currency
- The currency in South Africa is the Rand. Bank notes currently available
are R200, R100, R50, R10 and coins of R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, and
1c. There are 100c in R1.
VAT
- 14% tax is charged on most purchased goods and services. However, foreign
tourists are able to reclaim this money on their departure from the country
provided that the goods purchased exceed R250. Ask for more information at
the airport on arrival.
Hospitals/Medical Care
-
Ladysmith Provincial Hospital (036) 637-2111
Important Telephone Numbers
-
Mountain Rescue Service: (031) 3077744
- Or Contact the Search and Rescue Section of the Mountain Club of South
Africa: KwaZulu-Natal Section, directly on 082 990 5877.
Airports
- Durban International Airport:
Durban Airport is situated approximately three hours' drive away from the
Berg. It handles international flights as well as domestic flights to and
from all major centres throughout South Africa.
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