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SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa - highlights of Africa

FURTHER

Acquaintance with the country

Guide to SOUTH AFRICA

Basic Information

Many of South Africa's cities bear distinctly European names, reflecting their colonial history. South Africa embodies the stories of Africa that have been etched in our childhood memories. Here, you'll find an expansive ocean coast with pristine beaches stretching for kilometers, the renowned Cape of Good Hope, exhilarating safaris in the heart of the continent, and even penguins. Yes, the famous spectacled penguins reside here, forming their own colony known as "Penguin Beach."

Photos of SOUTH AFRICA

Capital

Pretoria

Language

English

Currency

South African rand

Time zone

GMT+2

Population

59 308 690

Territory

1,221,000 km²

Dishes worth trying:

Bunny chow — A combination of crumbless bread stuffed with curry (vegetable, meat and so on).

Amagwinyah — fried bun with meat stuffing.

Waukee-Toki — Chicken head and feet that are boiled or braised.

Roti Johnny — a meat curry and cheese stuffed flatbread, also the main local hangover dish.

Smiley — boiled sheep's head. The meat is very tender, eaten with bare hands.

Boerevors — something like ground beef sausage, also contains coriander, cloves and nutmeg.

Biltong — a salted dried piece of beef or kudu, but sometimes it may be prepared from ostrich or rhinoceros.

Kota — quarter loaf of bread with hot meat shavings tomato sauce on top.

Bourbon buns — it's basically a sandwich - white bread with sausage, tomato sauce and fried onions on top.

Things to do in SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is called the adventure capital of the world. There are extreme adventure sports, safaris, wine tasting, cultural tours and city sightseeing.

Bungee jumps and crazy swings.
Swim with the sharks.
Climb Table Mountain
Visit the authentic villages of Zulu, Kosa, Basotho, Tswana, Shangaan and Ndebele.
A hot air balloon ride.
To admire the vineyards
Surfing
To play golf
Catch the wildflower boom in the Cape Floral Region
Go on safari

Tips

The water quality in South Africa is less than ideal, and it's advisable to avoid drinking tap water. Even while brushing your teeth, it's recommended to rinse your mouth with bottled water. When taking a shower, try to prevent water from entering your mouth. Additionally, when ordering drinks at cafes and restaurants, request them without ice. Swimming in ponds, rivers, and lakes can expose you to parasites, so it's best to avoid swimming in these bodies of water.

South Africa boasts excellent roads, and it would be a missed opportunity not to make use of the convenient car rental system available. However, it's essential to keep in mind that South Africa is a vast country, and traveling within it can be time-consuming. Particularly, traversing mountain roads can be quite time-intensive. The traffic can also be dense, with numerous vehicles and toll booths on the roads.

When in the Republic of South Africa, it's advisable to refrain from criticizing the country, its culture, politics, and related topics. It's essential to avoid discussions about apartheid, discrimination, racism, and similar sensitive subjects. If your conversation partner brings up such topics, it's generally best to listen attentively. If your interlocutor discusses the country's challenges or difficult situations, it's a good practice to listen with empathy and express sympathy. This approach can help create a more comfortable atmosphere for local people.

You can often identify disadvantaged areas by two noticeable characteristics. Firstly, there tends to be an excessive amount of litter and trash in such areas. Secondly, you may notice a lack of Caucasian faces in these neighborhoods.

Beware of baboon monkeys, they are very aggressive here and often attack houses and cars. They are also under the protection of the law.

Sights

The main attractions of South Africa are predominantly natural in nature. And no wonder, because the main riches of Africa are its natural spaces. National parks, caves, beaches, canyons make up the hot sun-soaked image of Africa.

Kruger National Park

is hardly the most famous safari park in the world. It is one of the oldest game reserves in South Africa and is located 3.5-4 hours drive from Johannesburg. It is here that nature lovers can see the "big five" in their natural habitat: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino.

Cape Town

One of the most breathtaking cities on the planet. The most impressive bird's-eye views can be found by hiking to the top of Table Mountain or soaring to its summit via cable car. While strolling along the local waterfront, tourists can easily spot whales.

Isimangaliso wetland area

Isimangaliso, which means "wonder and awe" in the Zulu language, is a fitting name for the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's home to Africa's largest estuary system, where eight interconnected ecosystems coexist. These ecosystems encompass coral reefs, crocodile-filled rivers, lakes, towering coastal dunes, swamps, and savannah. It's no surprise that this place is a true paradise for wildlife and plants.

Tours to SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa offers a diverse range of tours to cater to various interests, from beach vacations to hunting excursions.

Given its vast size and unique attractions, South Africa is particularly well-suited for winter travel, allowing you to explore the country's national parks. During your journey, you can visit notable destinations like Tsitsikamma, Donkin, and Naches Valley National Parks. Addo Park stands out, offering the opportunity to interact with African elephants.

In the summer months, which align with the calendar winter, beach tours become popular in South Africa. The ocean coastline is a magnet for surfers and water sports enthusiasts.

South Africa also offers extreme tours, including hunting safaris, which are typically available from May to October.

It's important to note that the cost of a tour to South Africa typically starts at around 1200 USD for a week for two people. This cost covers the flight and hotel accommodation, with other expenses not included in the base tour price.

Where to go SOUTH AFRICA

If you're not in the mood to spend your entire vacation lounging on the beaches of the Republic of South Africa and are eager to explore the country's diverse attractions, it's crucial to realistically assess your time and energy. Prioritize which parks, capes, caves, and reserves you intend to visit, as you won't have enough time or energy for everything unless you plan to stay in South Africa for an extended period. Therefore, having a well-thought-out plan for your upcoming trip is essential, and tripmydream can assist you in selecting where to go in South Africa.

When to go SOUTH AFRICA

Winter in South Africa, situated in the Southern Hemisphere, aligns with our calendar summer. This season is ideal for sightseeing and exploring South Africa's national parks as the weather tends to be cool and dry, a surprising departure from the typical African heat. However, swimming might not be as enjoyable during this period. For beach enthusiasts, the best time to visit the beaches is from October to March when South Africa experiences its summer. The weather during this period is not excessively hot, despite the common perception of African heat, but it can be humid.

South Africa in the spring

March is a summer month in South Africa. The heat in this period reaches +30°C. But in April and May, autumn comes to South Africa. The air gradually cools down to +20...+25°C, the nights become cold. But the best time for trips and walks comes little by little.

South Africa in summer

Winter comes to South Africa in the days of summer that we are used to. And if during the day the air temperature is quite comfortable, from +15 to +20°C depending on the specific part of the country, at night the temperature drops to +5°C. So the recommendation to take a warm jacket to Africa in summer is not a joke at all.

South Africa in the fall

September is the last month of spring in South Africa. The rains begin, the air warms up to +25°C, and many plants bloom. In October, the thirty-degree heat with thunderstorms returns, which will last until March.

South Africa in winter

When it's winter on the calendar, it's summer in South Africa. Temperatures hover around +30°C and the weather is contrasting to the extreme. The sun is bright in the morning and a thunderstorm in the afternoon, increasing the humidity level.

Usefulness

Information about South Africa, which we have collected for you, will help you to optimally organize your vacation in this country.

Visa to SOUTH AFRICA

Visa to South Africa is mandatory for many nationalities. Cost from 25 USD.

Customs & Tax Free

South African Customs regulations on the importation and exportation of goods into and out of the country.

Travel by car

Renting a car will help you move freely throughout South Africa, shaping itineraries to your liking.

Phrasebook for tourists

To be understood in South Africa, all you need to know is a few phrases of English.

Public transport and prices

The railroad and bus system in South Africa safely connects the remote corners of the country.

Events

To visit one of South Africa's holidays, check our events calendar in advance.

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