CALMet 2011
03 Oct 2011 - 08 Oct 2011
Contact Person: Liesl Dyson
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CALMET IX, 2011
3 – 8 October, Pretoria, South Africa
Hosted by the University of Pretoria and the South African Weather Service
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About CALMet
Since 1993, CALMet has been a forum to share experiences, expectations, and new ideas for applying emerging strategies for meteorology and hydrology education and training. The conference provides opportunities for learning from others who work both within and outside these disciplines, from professionals who all face similar challenges and share a similar passion for improving their practice. CALMet conferences have served to build international working relationships that continue to have world-wide impact. This year CALMet promises to extend this tradition with its first ever conference on the African continent.
For more information about CALMet go to the web site
Registration
Before you register
When you are busy with the registration process and the form is incomplete or wrong- the page will indicate where missing or incomplete information is which you then have to enter. At this point you have to enter a new security code as the one you entered before is no longer relevant.
After you have entered the security code please note that you have to click on the submit button again for the process to be complete. You will know that everything worked if you receive an e-mail with your registration information. If you do not receive this e-mail in 24-hrs it means that something went wrong and you have to register again
To register please click here.
You will receive an e-mail with payment options after registration and it is also available here.
If you prefer to pay cash on arrival, these payment facilities will be available on the the first day of the conference. Please inform the Conference Secretary if you will be paying cash.
Fees
| The registration fees for the conference are |
R |
3000 |
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Euro |
300 |
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US$ |
440 |
The CALMet 2011 registration fees covers the following
Admission to all sessions
One conference banquet and Ice Breaker
Conference lunches and tea breaks
An excursion to the Lion and Rhino Park
Internet access at conference venue.
A CD-ROM of the conference proceedings.
Currency Converter 

The City Lodge Hatfield, ideally located in the Hatfield business district and just a stones trow from the Gautrain station. The conference venue is a short walk away and there are several restaurants in close vicinity. See the location map. The City Lodge Hatfield is the recommended accommodation for the conference. Please provide the reference provided below when making a booking in order to qualify for the special rate.
A Guest House is often a private home which has been converted for the exclusive use of guest accommodation. Guest houses tend to be owner managed, due to their size in South Africa, guest houses can be very large mansions. South Africa also has a specific rating system for Guest Houses and the ones listed here have all within walking distance from the conference venue. You will find everything you need in the Guest House from friendly propriators to Wi-Fi internet.
| Recommended Hotel |
Recommended Guest Houses |
City Lodge Hatfield
http://www.cityimages.co.za/default.aspx?aid=20
Rates
Single or double R840 per night
Breakfast R95 per person
Bookings
Contact Lischen at clhatfield.resv@citylodge.co.za
Provide the reference group name Dept. GMM
In order to guarantee your reservation please the Credit Card Authorization Form.
Contacts
Tel: +27 12 423 5000
Fax: +27 12 423 5085
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Osborne House & Brooklyn Manor (7 rooms)
www.osbornehouse.com
Rates
Single – R600
Double – R400 pp sharing
Contacts
Sunette
Email: osbornehouse@worldonline.co.za
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Kareebloem Guest House (9 rooms)
http://www.kareebloem.co.za/
Rates
Single – R700
Double – R500 pp sharing
Executive – R850
Shuttle service free within 5km radius
Contacts
Ciela Bloem
Email: ciela@kareebloem.co.za
Brooklyn Guest House
http://www.brooklynguesthouses.co.za/
Rates
Single – R595
Double – R870 per room
Contacts
Lienkie
Email: info@brooklynguesthouses.co.za
Chancellor’s Court Guest House
http://www.chancellorscourt.co.za/
Rates
Standard – R600-R650
Studio – R650-R700
Suite – R700-R750
Family – R900-R950
Contacts
Email: chancellors@telkomsa.net |

Gautrain
The easiest way to get from the airport to Pretoria is to take the Gautrain. Make your way to the Gautrain station on the upper level of the airport and purchase a cold card ticket at the office or machines. You should use the last two carriages on the train as they are for the exclusive use of airport transfer. You have to switch trains at Marlboro or Sandton stations (Marlboro is a bit closer) and get on the train to Pretoria and get off at the Hatfield station. The trip should take you less than an hour. The City Lodge is +- 150m away from the Hatfield station. If you live in one of the guest houses there are exclusive Gautrain busses that will drop you off where you want to go. You can aslo use a taxi from the station.
Cost: From the airport to Hatfield R125. First time users will have to pay an extra R10 for the card. You may want to use the Gautrain busses during your stay in Pretoria. You will have to load extra money on your card.
Opperation times: Every 12-20 minutes depending of the time of day. The train only runs from 05:30 to 20:30. If you arive outside of these times please use the Alternative airport transfer.
Alternative airport transfer
We reconmend the following 2 transport companies. You have contact them and to make transport arrangements prior to arrival.
Kwatlano transfers
Ulysess transport
Otherwise please use airport-approved operators only. Approved operators display the ACSA logo on their vehicles and are available outside the arrivals terminals. Visit the OR Tambo Airport website for more information


The passport holders of many countries in Africa, Europe and America are exempted from acquiring a Visa to enter South Africa. However, these requirements may change and it is better to make enquiries at your local South African embassy or consulate before travelling to South Africa.
If you require a letter for Visa purposes please contact he Conference Secretary with the following information
- Nationality and passport number

- Accommodation details in South Africa
- State whether you want the letter sent to you via post (supply postal address) or e-mail
Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa. The official seat of the government of South Africa is located at the Union Building which stands tall on Meintjieskop and also acts as a good navigation beacon around town. Pretoria has a rich involved history as the many museums, historical places and significant old buildings attest too. Pretoria lies within the greater City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality- you may encounter the use of the name Tshwane and Pretoria synonymously. It is an eloquent and quite city but located in close proximity to the more lively and boisterous Johannesburg.
October months in the Jakaranda City promises warm days, cool evenings and beautiful scenery as this old town is transformed by the purple blossom-bedecked trees which line the streets and thoroughfares. There may even be a thunderstorm. |
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| City |
Position |
Height (m) |
Temperature ( C) |
Rainfall |
| |
|
|
Average Max |
Highest Max |
Average Min |
Lowest Min |
Average monthly (mm) |
Number of days with rain |
Highest in 24 hrs |
| Pretoria |
25°44'S
28°11'E |
1330 |
27 |
36 |
14 |
4 |
71 |
9 |
108 |
| Cape Town |
33°59'S
18°36'E |
42 |
21 |
37 |
11 |
1 |
30 |
9 |
53 |
| Durban |
29°58'S
30°57'E |
8 |
24 |
40 |
17 |
8 |
98 |
15 |
105 |
| Skukza (Kruger National Park) |
24°59'S
31°36'E |
263 |
30 |
44 |
16 |
6 |
40 |
7 |
44 |
About the host institutions
The University of Pretoria is the leading research university in South Africa and one of the largest in the country. There were nearly 60 000 students enrolled at UP in 2008 at one of the six campuses and a number of other sites of operation such as the Pretoria Academic Hospital. In 1996, the University of Pretoria became the university with the highest research output in South Africa and is at the forefront of tertiary education in the country and collaboration with world-class partners is encouraged to ensure continued excellence in learning and teaching. One such fruitful partnership is with the South African Weather Service.
The South African Weather Service is one of the leading weather services in Africa. The head office is located in Pretoria but there are 23 remote offices country wide
About the venue
The CALMet conference will be held at the University of Pretoria Conference Centre which is ideally located on the main campus of the University.
CALMet will use two of the fully equipped conference rooms as well as well as the reception area where round-table discussions can thrive.
This interesting building allows for areas where break away discussions can easily take place and the computer labs are a short walking distance away and workshops could be the order of the day.
There are on campus restaurants, bookshops and even a travel agent. For all your other daily needs Hatfield business district is within walking distance. There you will find banks, restaurants, supermarkets in fact shops of all descriptions. The Gautrain train station is a few minutes away for transportation from the airport or a quick visit to Johannesburg.
University of Pretoria Campus map
PDF map
University of Pretoria Conference Centre at 50 or H14
Geography Building at 23 or E9
The day excursion will be on Wednesday 5 October and we will be visiting the Magaliesberg area and in particular the Rhino and Lion nature reserve. There you will have the opportunity to visit the animal creche and interact for a few minutes with lion and tiger cubs. This will be followed by lunch and the day the excursion will end with a game drive through the nature reserve.
Bring a hat and sun block and maybe some pocket money
Confernce Dinner
The conference dinner, sponsored by the South African Weather Service will be held at the Pretoria Zoological Gardens on Thursday evening 6 October 2011. We will watch the sun set over some African antelopes.
Things to do in Pretoria
| Cultural and Historic |
Outdoor and Wildlife |
Day tours |
Shopping and Entertainment |
Getting around town |
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Corporate Shuttle
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Rixi Taxi
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SA cab
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Gautrain Bus
You can use the Gautrain busses to transport you in Hatfiled and surrounding areas. A ticket will cost you R8 if you use the train and R20 if you use the bus alone. Load money onto your Gautrain cold card. Go to the Gautrain website and click on Hatfield Station to get information about the bus routes. You wont go very far but you will be able to fit in a shopping trip or two (Menly and Brooklyn). Please remember the busses only go until 20:30, if you miss the bus, you will have to take a taxi. |
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City of Tshwane Buses
Bus timetables are available at Church Square and from any place selling bus tickets A single bus trip will cost between R4 and R6.
+27123130839
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Mini bus Taxis
Available on every street corner and with the appropriate hand signal (ask the locals) the driver will stop any where for your fare. Could be a vey jovial experience but choose your driver well and maybe just check for 4 wheels on the outside and a steering wheel on the inside.
R10 around Pretoria
R30 from Johannesburg and Pretoria
Working hours only
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In the case that you would like to rent your own car for the duration of the conference, the following links provide information on car rentals:
These are all available from OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, your point of arrival.
See: Driving tips and requirements in South Africa
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Avis Rent a Car
http://www.avis.co.za/main.aspx?id=243
Budget Car Rental
http://www.budget.co.za/
Europcar
http://www.europcar.co.za/
Tempest Car Hire
http://www.tempestcarhire.co.za/
Hertz
https://www.hertz.co.za/ |
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Most car rental companies are represented at South Africa's main airports and in most city centres. Subject to fees which vary, vehicles may generally be picked up at one centre and dropped off at a branch in another centre.
It is advisable to take out the insurance offered by the vehicle rental companies, unless you have specific cover in place. All major credit cards are accepted.
Driver's licences
Any valid driver's licence is accepted in South Africa, provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is printed in English. However, vehicle hire companies may also require an international driver's licence. It is worth confirming this with your travel agent or the vehicle hire company when making your booking. This holds for additional drivers as well, who must be identified when you hire your vehicle.
Keep left, belt up, think kilometres
South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road, and our cars are therefore right-hand drive vehicles, the gear shift being operated with the left hand- there are automatic cars available if you think your hands may get confused.
All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are marked in kilometres.
Wearing of seat belts is compulsory. Using hand-held phones while driving is against the law – use a vehicle phone attachment or hands-free kit if you want to speak on your mobile phone.
Speed limit
The general speed limit on South Africa's national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph). On secondary (rural) roads it is 100km/h (60mph). In built-up areas it is usually 60km/h (35mph), unless otherwise indicated. Check the road signs.
Filling up
Various types of petrol (gas) are available in South Africa: unleaded, 97-, 95- or 93-octane ("super" or "premium"). The 95-octane petrol is available at higher altitude, as well as 93-octane. At the coast, your choice is between 95- and 97-octane. Diesel is available with 0.05% sulphur content and 0.005% sulphur content. Hire cars are more likely to require unleaded petrol, but check before you set off.
South African petrol stations are not self-help: an attendant will fill the car, ask if you'd like your oil and water and tire pressure checked, and offer to clean your windscreen – for which he or she will expect a tip of two to three rand.
Driving around the country
Our road infrastructure is excellent, so driving between cities and towns is a viable option – and, given the stunning scenery in many parts of the country, a highly enjoyable one. However, South Africa is a huge country not easily traversed in a day, so plan your journeys carefully. If you're not used to driving long distances, rather break the journey, as fatigue is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents.
Petrol stations are found on both the main and country roads, most of them open 24 hours a day, although some keep shorter hours. However, distances between towns (and therefore between petrol stations) are considerable in some parts of the country, so remember to check the fuel gauge before passing up the opportunity to fill up.
While most national roads are tarred and in good condition, the more rural the road, the more likely it is to be pot-holed and poorly surfaced.
Road info, maps
Current information on the conditions of roads can be obtained through the Automobile Association of South Africa. The AA also provides invaluable guides for road users in the form of strip maps tailored for specific destinations and information for tourists on accommodation en route.
Automobile Association: Maps and Route Planner
Maps of South Africa
Toll roads
Before you set off, check your route. Many of the national roads between the major centres are toll roads. Check the toll fees before you leave, and make sure that you have either a credit card or cash to pay.
Toll fares for a light passenger vehicle vary from R2.50 to R61.00 per toll plaza – and you may pass through three or four of these before you reach your destination.
Automobile Association: Toll plazas and fees
Animals in rural areas
In many of South Africa's rural areas, the roads are not fenced, so watch out dogs, chickens, sheep and even horses or cows on the road. These can be particularly hazardous at night.
Large antelope crossing the road can also pose a danger in certain areas – if you see road signs depicting a leaping antelope, take it slowly, especially towards evening.
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