10 tips to enjoy the World Cup 2010

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The FIFA World Cup (for football or soccer), the world’s largest sporting event after the Summer Olympics, kicks off in South Africa in a few days. This marks an historic occasion as it is the first time that the World Cup will be hosted by an African nation. Billions of dollars have been spent to build new state-of-the-art stadiums, improve infrastructure and ensure the safety of the World Cup visitors. The event will be staged in ten host cities across the country. Blessed with magnificent scenery, innumerable natural attractions, a fascinating blend of cultures, and powered by the infectious, colourful energy of millions of South African football fans, this event promises to be truly memorable.

Here are my ten travel tips for a safe and enjoyable World Cup 2010 trip to South Africa:

Before you leave for South Africa

1. Make sure you’re insured
Medical expenses can be a costly affair so make sure you’re insured. Check if your travel insurance also covers theft.

2. Bring warm clothing
Winter has arrived in South Africa. Cape Town has a mild Mediterranean climate but it can get a lot colder in the other host cities. Temperatures in Johannesburg can dip below freezing in the winter. Make sure you pack a good number of woolly sweaters, caps and gloves. Temperatures can vary significantly during the day so it’s a good idea to dress in layers. If you’re visiting Cape Town, pack an umbrella or a raincoat as it rains quite a bit in the winter months.

3. Pack some ear plugs
You’ll undoubtedly be sitting next to groups of fans blowing Vuvuzelas in the stadium. A Vuvuzela is a blowing horn that emits a loud monotone and is used by South Africans during football matches to cheer their team on. Unfortunately, the Vuvuzela has been known to cause ear damage. Better be safe than sorry – pack some ear plugs!

4. Check with your credit card company
It’s probably a good idea to call your credit card company to inform them of your trip to South Africa. This will help the credit card company keep an eye on transactions and avoid your card being blocked by mistake for anti-fraud reasons. When you’re in South Africa, never lose sight of your credit card during a transaction. I learned this lesson the hard way several years ago!

Safety tips when in South Africa

5. Safety on the road
If you’re planning to drive around South Africa, make sure you familiarise yourself with the local road rules. One thing I’ve learned in South Africa is to drive defensively as situations can be quite unpredictable on the road. When you’re there, for your own safety, do not give a lift to hitchhikers, keep your bags in the boot at all times, and if you’re driving through an urban area, keep your windows closed and doors locked, especially when stopping at traffic lights.

6. Travel safe
The South African government has taken many measures to ensure the safety of visitors but you should take your own precautions. If possible, always travel in the safety of groups. Keep all jewelry or valuable items safely locked up in a safe in your hotel room. If you’re carrying a bag, always keep your hand on it. Avoid walking around the city centres at night; instead, take a licensed taxi. In addition, it’s a good idea to have your mobile phone switched on at all times so you can quickly make a call should an emergency arise. The national emergency number for mobiles is 112. In addition, a 24-hour multilingual hotline is available for visitors seeking police or medical services. The hotline number is: +27 87 803 4636 from any phone.

Have FUN!

7. Expand your culinary horizons
South Africa boasts a varied cuisine featuring a number of unique game and seafood dishes. Try a kudu or zebra steak, the South African biltong (a cured meat similar to beef jerky), grilled kingklip (a type of fish found in South African waters) or a crocodile carpaccio. South Africa is also one of the largest producers of fine wines in the world. There are too many excellent South African wines to mention so just go ahead and indulge yourself. One more tip: don’t leave South Africa without visiting a local ‘braai‘, the famous South African barbecue.

8. Go on a safari
Game concentrations are higher in some parts of the country during the winter months so you will see a variety of species which are sometimes harder to spot in the summer. The most famous South African reserve is the Kruger National Park but there are many game reserves scattered across the country that are absolutely worthwhile.

9. Explore the countryside
South Africa is home to some of the most stunning natural scenery in the world: rolling green hills reminiscent of the Tuscan countryside interchange with towering mountains and savanna plains while the coast features dramatic cliffs and mile upon mile of white sandy beaches. In between World Cup matches, hire a car (you should do this in advance as cars will be in short supply during the event) or book a tour to explore the magnificent South African countryside. Stay in a rustic South Africa accommodation and enjoy wonderful hospitality, food and wines.

10. Mingle with other supporters
The World Cup is a unique opportunity to meet and mingle with the locals and people from all corners of the world. In addition to the many parties organised by the South African World Cup committee, many participating countries will also be hosting their own events in the various cities.

Visit the official FIFA World Cup 2010 website for more information or to download the official Fan Guide.

Read other Velvet Escape posts on South Africa:

• Driving the Cape Peninsula Loop
• Ten things to do in Cape Town
• The marine life of the Western Cape
• Driving the Klein Karoo loop
• Cederberg: mountain passes, safaris & San rock art
• A kaleidoscope of colour

In the post above, I’ve included a number of links to related articles by SA Venues, an online tourism resource. With its countless articles and gorgeous photos, SA Venues truly is a treasure trove of information on South Africa. Visit the SA Venues World Cup page.