All travelers must complete mandatory declarations online before traveling to the country: Traveler Declaration Website.

​

If you are travelling with children please take note of important travel requirements: Children travelling through SA ports of entry

​

Please consult these webpages for visa requirements: 

Apply for a Visa

What you need to know

Wits has a number of campuses. The conference is being held on the Braamfontein Main Campus. See the campus map.

The currency is South African Rand (ZAR). For many travelers the exchange rate is very favourable. The most common form of payment is by bank card. Tipping 10 - 15% for services is suggested. 

Use hotel and Wits Guest Wifi when at these locations. Use international roaming or an e-sim between locations.

Joburg is 1,753 m (5,751 ft) above sea level so you may want to arrive a day or so early to adjust to the high altitude.

The recommended accommodation is next to a mall with all the shops you will need. On campus there is a small student centre with essentials called The Matrix.

Fly to OR Tambo International Airport which is on the outskirts of JHB.

Flights to JHB may also go to Lanseria Airport in Gauteng but this option has fewer ground travel options to the accommodation and conference venue.

On arrival at the airport follow signs to the airport's Gautrain Station (this is inside the airport and close to the international arrivals terminal). Take the next train to Sandton Station and change trains for the Rosebank Station. You can pay for the train ticket by simply tapping in and out with your bank card. If you are staying in Rosebank then you can walk between the station and the hotel or use the hotel shuttle service. Check the Gautrain operating hours before choosing this option. Use pre-booked shuttle services if you are arriving outside of operating hours.​

We recommend getting a travel plug adapter at the airport: Type M is essential. You may also want Type C. 

Joburg winters are usually sunny, dry and moderate. 

​​

​Average Temperature:​ max of 17°C (63F) to min of 3°C (38F) but it can go as high as 22°C and as low as 0°C.

​

July is the middle of our winter and cold fronts can come through dropping temperatures for a few days.

​

Our infrastructure is set up for summer, more so than winter, so you may find it quite cold indoors. However, the conference venues and hotels are heated.

While South Africa has 12 official languages, in the cities and tourist areas you can easily converse in English. 

We recommend getting travel insurance inclusive of medical cover for your visit. Check requirements with your local travel doctor before travelling but we are not aware of vaccine requirements for visiting South Africa. Johannesburg is NOT a malaria area but the Wits Rural Facility is in a low risk malaria area (the risk is also lower in winter). If you need medical care while in JHB, see the medical facilities listed below.

Joburg is a multicultural city with a variety of local and international cuisine available. Many international fast food chains are near to the recommended hotels. Tap water is safe to drink and bottled water is readily available. See places to eat below.

Johannesburg is a metropolis best navigated by specific transport services. It is not a pedestrian city and walking between areas/neighbourhoods is not viable.

Many public transport options are very difficult to navigate for non-locals. It is not recommended to use metered-taxi's, buses, and mini bus taxi's. 

Use the Gautrain, hotel shuttles, e-hailing services, hire a car or use conference recommended shuttle services.

It is challenging to catch e-hailing services from the airport​​, rather use recommended shuttle services, hire a car or use the Gautrain.

​

When using e-hailing services, like Uber or Bolt, to get around JHB use the security features in the apps.