Country Information

Capital: Bangui

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 236
Outgoing Code: Calls should go through the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Not available at present.

Tourist information: Fonds du Developpment et Touristique, BP 2327, Bangui, Central African Republic Tel: 611 351 Fax: 610 975. Office National Centrafrican du Tourisme (OCATOUR) BP 655, Bangui, Central African Republic Tel: 614 566

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of:- France, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Monaco, Niger, Senegal, Togo and Zaïre holding a national ID card or passport expired for no longer than five years. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all, except nationals of France and Greece, providing they are carrying written proof that they are travelling on business. Also nationals of, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Israel, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Mauritius, Monaco, Niger, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Switzerland, Togo, Zaïre and nationals of Lebanon providing they are carrying written proof of purpose of visit. Visas not required by those travelling to a third country on the same aircraft.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Precautions recommended falciparum form is prevalent. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required on arrival, by all travellers over one year of age. Other Health Risks: Cholera. A vaccination certificate is required by all travellers. Bilharzia, Meningitis and Rabies are also present.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: CFA franc (CFA Fr) = 100 centimes.
Exchange: Us currency circulates freely.
Major credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are widely welcomed
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Tourists can expect to pay high prices.

Languages: French is the official language and is essential for business. The native language is Sango

Weather: Hot all year round especially in the Northeast. The Monsoon in the south is May – Oct

Electricity: 220/380 Volts Ac 50 Hz

Post: Airmail takes 1 week although it is often much longer. Poste Restante is available in Bangui. Postal and telecommunication systems are currently being developed.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Domestic flights are limited to chartered planes. RIVER: River-boats operate along the Ubangi but can be very slow. ROAD: Good roads connect the main towns but are impassable during the raining season. Travellers must carry as much petrol as possible as deliveries to stations outside the towns are infrequent. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required.

Special information: HIGH RISK The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office strongly advise against travel unless essential. The border with Cameroon is closed and armed guards are targeting tourists. Visitors should dress modestly in Muslim areas and respect customs. Ensure you do not smoke or drink in public places during Ramadan. PHOTOGRAPHY: Be cautious and ask permission before taking photographs.

Capital: Kinshasa

Time zone: Kinshasa and Mbanaka GMT + 1 Haut Zaïre, Kasai, Kivu and Shaba GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 243 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: Office Nationale du Tourisme, BP 9502, 2a/2b avenue des Orangers, Kinshasa-Gombe, Democratic Republic of Congo Tel: (12) 30070

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required. Obtain prior to travel.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists all year round in the Falciparum variety throughout the country. Reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for travellers over one year of age.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera, Plague, Rabies

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Zaïre (Z) = 100 makuta has been replaced by the Congolese franc (July 1999).
Exchange: There is a large market for exchanging money but this is illegal.
NOTE: Import and export of local currency is prohibited. The purchase of airline tickets can only be made with officially exchanged money.
All major credit cards are accepted on a limited basis in Kinshasa, only. Travellers cheques are accepted in large towns and cities. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: All travellers are considered extremely wealthy by local people and will be charged accordingly

Languages: French and many local dialects.

Weather: North: Dry season = Dec – Mar. South: Dry season = May – Oct. It can be humid throughout the year.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50 Hz

Post: Takes 4 – 18 days to reach Europe.

Transport: There are indefinite restrictions on tourist travel within DRC. Overland journeys by hitchhiking or local public transport or foreign vehicle are forbidden. Nothing runs on time. Don’t take any roads marked on a map as anything other than a possibility. ROADS: These are amongst the worst in Africa. Drivers are required to move as far off the road as possible when the Presidential cavalcade approaches. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended. RIVER: This is one of the best ways to travel, although can be unreliable due to river shortages.

Special information: EXTREME RISK: Eastern Zaire should be considered a war zone. There is extreme risk in DRC and you are recommended not to travel there. If travel is essential this should only be to Kinshasa and you should only travel in daylight.

Capital: Bern

Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 41 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Ambulance – 144, Police – 117, Fire – 118

Tourist information: Switzerland Tourism, Swiss Centre, Swiss Court, London W1V 8EE Tel: (020) 7734 1921 Fax: (020) 7437 4577.

Passport information: Passport valid for 6 months after intended period of stay required by all except: Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain holding a national ID card. Nationals of Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, and San Marino holding a national ID card. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before travelling.

Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Australia, Canada, USA, EU, Japan. Nationals of countries in South and Central America (except nationals of Belize and Peru who need a visa). Nationals of Caribbean Island States (except nationals of the Dominican Republic and Haiti who do need a visa). Nationals of Andorra, Brunei, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Fiji, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tuvalu and Vatican City. Nationals of Bosnia – Herzegovina, Croatia, Turkey and Yugoslavia, providing they are resident in Canada, EU, USA, or EFTA countries.

Health information: No information is available at present. Please seek medical advice prior to travel.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: Swiss Franc (Sfr) = 100 rappen or centimes Exchange: Eurocheques are accepted
Major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques are accepted at airports, railway stations and banks. Cheques in Swiss francs are preferred
ATM availability: Over 4000 locations

Cost of living: Relatively expensive. Prices vary according to popularity of the resort

Languages: Mostly German in Central and Eastern parts. French in the West, some Italian in the South. Raeto-Romansch is spoken in the Southeast by 1%. English is spoken by many

Weather: Climate varies throughout Switzerland. In the Alpine regions the temperatures tend to be low. The lower land of the Northern areas has higher temperatures and warmer summers

Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz

Post: 3 days. Poste Restante facilities available at post offices

Transport: ROAD: Many mountain roads are closed during the winter because of poor driving conditions. Road quality is generally good but mountain roads can be narrow and winding. RAIL: Often more efficient than driving. Excellent services are provided. Cheap fares are available through the ‘Swiss Pass’ and leaflets and timetables are available from the railway company. BUS: Postal motor coaches provide services to even the remotest villages but few long distance coaches are permitted to operate. TAXI: All taxis are metered although it is advisable to agree the fare in advance. CAR HIRE: All the major companies are present. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence is sufficient. ‘Green card’ is recommended.

Special information: This is a very law abiding nation. Dropping litter can cause offence. Don’t give Chrysanthemums or white Asters to a host as they are considered to be funeral flowers. Many cultures overlap in Switzerland.

Capital: Yamoussoukro

Time zone: GMT

Telephone services: Country Code: 225
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present

Tourist information: Office Ivoirien du Tourisme et de l’Hôtellerie, BP 8538, 2nd Floor, EECI Building, Place De La Republique, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Tel: 206 528. Fax 225 624.

Passport information: Valid passport require by all except nationals of:- Benin; Burkina Faso; Mali; Mauritania; Niger; Senegal and Togo holding ID cards or a passport not expired for longer than 5 years. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Consult embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of: USA (for a period not exceeding 3 months); Finland and Sweden. Andorra; Benin; Burkina Faso; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; Congo; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea Bissau; Liberia; Madagascar; Mali; Mauritania; Monaco; Niger; Nigeria; Senegal; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Togo and Tunisia for a period not exceeding 3 months. Tourist; Business available; Transit visas not usually required by travellers not leaving the airport.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: The falciparum variety is present. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from all visitors over one year of age.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Meningitis, Rabies.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: CFA Franc (CFAFr) = 100 centimes
Exchange available in airport, banks and hotels.
ATM availability: Amex and MasterCard are widely accepted. Visa and Diners Club are only accepted on a limited basis. Travellers cheques are accepted in major hotels and some shops. French francs are the preferred currency.

Cost of living: No information available at present

Languages: French. Local dialects of Dioula and Baoule are also spoken.

Weather: Dry season: Dec- Apr and Aug – Sept. Raining Season: May – July and Oct – Nov

Electricity: 1220 Volts Ac 50 Hz. Plugs = round two pin.

Post: Airmail can take up to 2 weeks.

Transport: ROAD: Road system of poorly maintained tarmac roads with frequent petrol stations in the North. Driving standards are poor. Hire cars are available in the main towns. TAXIS are available in the main cities but are generally unreliable. FLIGHTS: regular domestic flights operate between the main cities. RAIL: Fast, regular trains operate throughout the day between the main cities.

Special information: HIGH RISK. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office ADVISE AGAINST ALL TRAVEL TO COTE D’IVOIRE IN VIEW OF CANCELLATION OF THE ELECTIONS. There is extreme ethnic and linguistic variety which distinguishes it from many other African countries. Demonstrations and rallies should be avoided. Swimming off the coast is dangerous. Visitors should be vigilant at all times because of street crime. There have been incidences of banditry on rural roads.

Capital: Avarua

Time zone: GMT – 10

Telephone services: Country Code: 682
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 999. Ambulance and hospital – 998. Fire – 996

Tourist information: Tourism Council of the South Pacific, 375 Upper Richmond Road West, London, SW14 7WX Tel: (020) 8392 1838 or (01344) 717 496 Fax: (020) 8392 1318.

Passport information: Required by all except nationals of New Zealand. Passports should be valid for 12 months after the intended date of departure. Return Ticket Required. Regulations may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required for business purposes. Not required for tourist purposes if staying for less than 31 days. NOTE: Proof of arranged accommodation and sufficient funds for length of stay will be required.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents.
Both credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted. Australian dollars are the preferred currency in travellers cheques.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Can be expensive in the tourist centres. However, accommodation is increasing yearly, which may bring a price decrease in the resorts.

Languages: Maori. English widely spoken

Weather: Hot climate throughout the year. Most rain Nov – Apr.

Electricity: 240 Volts Ac, 50 Hz

Post: Up to 2 weeks.

Transport: The cheapest way to travel around the island is on an Inter-Island cargo ship. On Rarotonga there is a bus service and plenty of taxis. ROAD: Vehicles can be hired from a number of outlets. DOCUMENTATION: A current Cook Islands driving licence is required and available from the police station in Avarua on presentation of a national licence or IDP.

Special information: Religious celebrations, for instance Gospel Day in October, are taken very seriously and should be respected. Beach-wear should not be worn in the towns. Usual social courtesies should be followed.

Capital: Porto Novo

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 229
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: 30 14 31 (UK Embassy)

Tourist information: Office National du Tourisme et de l’Hôtellerie (ONATHO), BP 89, Contonou, Benin Tel: 315 402.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except the nationals of the following countries, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, Niger Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, where possession of a national identity card or expired passport of less than five years will be accepted. Return Ticket Required. May be subject to short term change. Contact the Embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all excluding the above nationals in addition to the national of Denmark, Germany, Italy and Sweden.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Take precautions as Falciparum variety present.
Yellow Fever: Required with a vaccination certificate if arriving from an infected area.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Meningitis, Rabies, Trypanosomiasis, Cholera

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: CFA Franc = 100 centimes
Benin is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale is valid Credit cards are accepted on a very limited basis. French francs are the preferred currency in traveller’s cheques.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Moderate growth resulting in continuous rising prices.

Languages: French. A variety of languages are also spoken by ethnic groups. Some English is spoken.

Weather: South: hot and dry from Jan to Aug. Rainy season is May – July and Sept – Dec. North: hot and dry from Nov to Jun and cooler and very wet Jul – Oct.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50 Hz.

Post: 3-5 days for airmail.

Transport: RAIL: 600 km of track runs from Contonou to Pobé, Ouidah, Seg boroué and Patakou. ROAD: these are reasonably good but most are impassable during the rainy season. It is advisable to clear your itinerary with the authorities. Foreigners travelling outside Contonou are subject to restrictions and visitors are advised to check their position before travelling. TAXI: Settle fares in advance. CAR HIRE: A number of local car hire firms now exist. DOCUMENTATION: International Driving License is required.

Special information: NOTE: Recent attacks and armed robberies require the visitor to be vigilant. Importance is placed on religious beliefs which should be respected.