Country Information

Capital: Sana’a

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 967
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Yemen Tourist Company, PO Box 1526, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen Tel: (1) 330 039

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and other holders of re-entry permits.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the falciparum form throughout the year. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Bilharzia, 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: Yemeni Riyal is preferred (YR) = 100 fils Yemeni Dinar is also in circulation. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to YAR 5000 or equivalent Diners Club and Amex are widely accepted. Travellers cheques can be exchanged in most banks and hotels. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: If you conform to traditional Yemeni lifestyle you can live relatively cheaply but if you want to purchase western food and enjoy en-suite facilities this will be expensive. All accommodation has to be booked in advance.

Languages: Arabic and English.

Weather: Climate varies according to altitude. Highland are warmer in the summer. During the winter (Oct to Mar) the nights can be very cold in the mountains. Temperatures in the summer can be very high. The best time to visit is Oct to Apr.

Electricity: 220/230 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Airmail to Western Europe from Sana’a takes about 4 days, mail to and from other towns may take longer.

Transport: SEA: Local ferries connect ports. ROAD: The road network is mainly limited to desert track. Use of 4-wheel drive vehicles with a guide is recommended. BUS: There are regular intercity bus services. TAXI: Sharing taxis is the cheapest form of transport between cities. Fares should be negotiated before hand. CAR HIRE: Available in main towns. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is required.

Special information: NOTE: EXTREME RISK: – FCO advise against any travel to the Yemen at present. The rest of this advice applies when the situation improves – the potential for instability is likely to remain. The risk of random kidnapping remains. Travellers to Yemen should register with their local Embassy. Beachwear and shorts should be confined to the beach / pool. Smoking is forbidden in public during Ramadan. Where possible travel in organised groups with well-established tour agents. Armed theft of vehicles is common. There remains some danger from mines laid during the civil war in the Southern and Eastern Governances. Off-road travel is not recommended. Respect local sensitivities regarding religious sites.

Capital: Belgrade

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

Telephone services: Country Code: 381
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 92. Fire – 93. Ambulance – 94.

Tourist information: Ministry of Commerce and Tourism. Nemanjina 22. 11000 Belgrade. Yugoslavia Tel: (11) 658 755 Fax (11) 642 148.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return ticket required. NOTE: Due to the current political situation in Yugoslavia requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority such as the Embassy or Foreign and Commonwealth Office for up to date information.

Visa information: Most foreign nationals require visas except for citizens from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy. Hungary and San Marino.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination Required.
Other Health Risks: Rabies.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: New Yugoslav Dinar (Yu D) = 100 paras
Exchange: German DM and US Dollars are the only currencies of value in the ex-Yugoslav Republics.

Travellers cheques and credit cards are not accepted.

ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Relatively cheap when compared with Western Europe. Limited commodities available outside Belgrade. Accommodation is sparse as a consequence of the civil war.

Languages: Serb-Croat. Albanian and Hungarian are also spoken in the autonomous regions of Kosovo and Vojvodina respectively.

Weather: Serbia has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Montenegro is mainly the same but with Alpine conditions in the mountains.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Postal services between the former Yugoslav republics have been suspended. Postal services within Serbia are reasonable.

Transport: RAIL: Internal rail services are generally poor often overbooked, and unreliable. ROAD: NOTE: Petrol stations may suffer shortages of fuel although the offer of hard CURRENCY may make otherwise rationed fuel available. Spare parts are difficult to obtain. COACH: Good, efficient services are used to connect towns. DOCUMENTATION: Full national driving licence is accepted. Insurance and ‘green card’ are also necessary.

Special information: HIGH RISK: The situation in Yugoslavia is calm at present but the FCO advise caution. Foreign nationals should still not visit Kosovo. For further information see the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Those who intend to travel should ensure they have Deutschmark currency to pay for fuel and tolls.

Capital: Pretoria

Time zone: GMT + 2

Telephone services: Country Code: 27 Outgoing Code: 09

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 1011, Ambulance – 10222, Fire – 1022

Tourist information: In the Arrivals Halls of most of the International Airports in South Africa AND South African Tourism Board (SATOUR), Private Bag, X164, 442 Rigel Avenue South, Frasmusrand, Pretoria 0001, South Africa Tel (12) 347 0600 Fax (12) 454 889 or 454 768.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all and must be valid for 6 months after proposed departure. years. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the High Commission before departure.

Visa information: Requirements may be subject to change at short notice, please check before travelling. Currently visas are issued on arrival for business or tourist purposes for nationals of EU member countries, or nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, USA, and New Zealand. Similarly visa for visits of up to 90 days by nationals of Argentia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Malta, Paraguay, St. Helena, Urugay and Venezula. It may be possible for Nationals of other states to obtain a visa on arrival but you are advised to check with the High Commission well before travel (Allow at least ten weeks to process a visa if required in advance.)

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exist throughout the year. 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 travelling from infected areas. Passengers arriving by unscheduled flights at airports other than those used by scheduled airlines must possess a certificate
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera and Rabies are also present. There is a very high prevalence of AIDS/HIV. Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling.

Food & drink: Water outside of municipal areas is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products except those bought sealed from supermarkets as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: South African Rand (r) = 100 cents NOTE: Import and export of Local Reserve Bank notes is limited to R500. Foreign currency must be declared on arrival.
All major credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques in all currencies are accepted, including SA Rand.
ATM availability: Widely available in all cities.

Cost of living: Accommodation and other tourist facilities in the cities can be expensive. Avoid short trips in city taxis which are sometimes more expensive than long distance journeys.

Languages: English and Afrikaans with 9 other African languages, Ndebele, Pedi, Soto, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu

Weather: Generally warm and sunny. Winds are usually mild

Electricity: 250 Volts AC in Pretoria, 220/230 Volts AC elsewhere

Post: Airmail takes 1 week although it is often much longer. Poste Restante is available throughout the country

Transport: FLIGHTS: Regular domestic flights operate between the main cities. SEA: Various cruises are operated between the major ports. ROAD: Good roads connect the main towns. NOTE: Fines are imposed for speeding. It is illegal to carry petrol unless in ‘built up’ petrol tanks. DOCUMENTATION: (IDP) International Driving Permit is required

Special information: The level of violence remains high throughout South Africa ans care should be taken when travelling to safeguard yourself against the risks of random mugging and theft – day and night. Casual remarks should not be made about the political situation; which is complex. There is a risk of car-jacking and armed robbery. It is unwise for outsiders from any race to enter into a black township without a guide. Daylight muggings are not uncommon especially in parts of Johannesburg. Unauthorised overstaying can result in arrest at departure and imprisonment until trial when a high fine is likely to be imposed. PHOTOGRAPHY: Be cautious in rural areas and ask permission before taking photographs.

Capital: Cockburn Town

Time zone: GMT – 5 (GMT -4 from first Sunday in April to Saturday before the last Sunday in October)

Telephone services: Country Code: 1649
Outgoing Code: 01

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 911

Tourist information: Turks and Caicos Tourist Information Office, International House, 47 Chase Side, Enfield, EN2 6NB Tel: (020) 8364 45188 Fax: (020) 8367 9949.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Canada and the USA if holding proof of identity. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except: Nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU countries, Japan. Nationals of commonwealth countries. Nationals of Argentina, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Quatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Korea, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, Yemen and Zaire. Transit visas are not required except for nationals of communist countries.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Drinking water should be filtered and boiled and visitors should avoid eating food purchased from local street vendors. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents.
All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques are widely accepted, preferably in US dollars.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Extremely expensive. Hotels range from standard to 2 luxury and 2 deluxe, with private beaches and moorings.

Languages: English

Weather: Tropical climate with cool winds. Nights are cool with rain in the winter.

Electricity: 110 volts AC

Post: 5 days

Transport: ROAD: Less than a quarter of the roads are tarred. TAXI: Available at the airport but may be scarce meaning they may have to be shared. CAR HIRE: Limited selection available from local firms. DOCUMENTATION: A local licence is obtainable on presentation of a national or IDP licence.

Special information: The islands consist of 30 in total, forming the southern eastern Bahamas chain. Access is primarily by boat, although the larger islands have airports. Turks and Caicos are a British Dependant Territory.

Capital: Washington D.C.

Time zone: USA has 6 time zones ranging from GMT – 5 on the East coast to – 10 in Hawaii

Telephone services: Country Code: 1
Outgoing Code: 001

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 911

Tourist information: United States Travel and Tourism Administration, Room 1860, 14th Constitutional Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 Tel: (202) 482 3811 or 482 2000 Fax (202) 482 2887

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Canada arriving from anywhere in the Western hemisphere with at least 1 proof of identity and residents of Canada or Bermuda who have a common nationality with the nationals of Canada or with British subjects in Bermuda who are arriving from North, Central or South America. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of: EU countries (except nationals of Greece and Portugal who do require visas) if not exceeding 90 days and with a valid passport, British subjects resident of the Cayman Islands or Turks and Caicos Islands who arrive directly from those islands. Japan, Andorra, Brunei, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, and Switzerland who have a valid passport and are not staying for more than 90 days. NOTE: It may be worthwhile to check with the relevant consular authority before finalising travel arrangements as visa/passport regulations my be subject to change at short notice.

Health information: Health Risks: Rabies

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

Currency: US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange: Most hotels do not exchange foreign currency and only a few major banks are willing to do so. It is advisable to take US$ Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted, preferably in US dollars
ATM availability: Over 135000 locations

Cost of living: Food and accommodation and petrol are cheaper than Western Europe allowing budget travel to be a possibility.

Languages: English. Many other languages are also spoken.

Weather: Varies considerably with region.

Electricity: 110/220 Volts 60 HZ. Plugs are of the flat 2-pin type.

Post: Up to 1 week

Transport: A variety of convenient modes of transport exist. When driving IDP is recommended.

Special information: Since the tragic events of Sept 11, 2001, higher than normal vigilance is required when travelling particularly by air. As airport procedures are now much tighter travellers should allow an hour or two longer for check in formalities. Do not carry sharp objects in hand luggage (including manicure scissors and little nail clippers). Inappropriate jokes about these or otherrestrictions could result in a traveler being unpleasantly detained. Within the USA a wide variety of cultures and customs are prevalent which co-exist within a diverse topography. Crime rates vary from state to state.

Capital: N’Djamena

Time zone: GMT + 1

Telephone services: Country Code: 235 It may be necessary to go through the operator
Outgoing Code: Calls must go through the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Not available at present.

Tourist information: Direction de la Promotion Touristique, BP 86, N’djamena, Chad Tel: 524 416, Fax: 524 397 or 522 261.

Passport information: A valid passport is required by all except by nationals of:- Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact embassy.

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: The falciparum variety is present.
Yellow Fever: Vaccination required with certificate for travellers over one year of age.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, River blindness, Sleeping sickness and Meningitis.

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.
Advisable to bring US Dollars rather than sterling into the country.
Credit cards and travellers cheques are not accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: The economy is very unstable due to civil unrest.

Languages: French. Arabic and Sara are also widely spoken. There are over 50 local languages.

Weather: The climate is hot and tropical. South has a raining season from May – Oct. Central has a raining season from Jun – Sept. The North has little rain. It is often cool in the evenings

Electricity: 220/380 Volts Ac 50 Hz

Post: Airmail takes about one week.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Very limited. ROAD: N’Djamena needs 4-wheel drive and permits are usually required. Due to security conditions and lack of petrol and repair facilities the government have prohibited travel especially in central and northern areas. Most roads are impassable during the raining season. DOCUMENTATION: Carnet de passage is required and is issued by the Tourist Association in the country of origin. An IDP is also required and either a Green card or ALL RISKS insurance obtained in Chad. Documentation must be obtained at all times as travellers may encounter road-blocks.

Special information: NOTE: MODERATE RISK. Visitors to Chad should be vigilant at all times. Respect for traditional beliefs and customs is expected. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Chad’s Northern provinces bordering Libya constitute a military zone and remain heavily mined. Travel to and from this area is very dangerous and should be avoided. Rebel activity is spreading avoid travel to Tibetsi plateau and Bardai. Travel to the SW border area is also dangerous. Do not travel at night. We strongly advise against travelling at night. Pay close attention to all military road blocks.