Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa. A huge continent of 1 ½ million sq./km of land offering something for everyone. Unspoiled landscape, glorious scenery and diverse culture.

South Africa is so diverse in culture, scenery and activities it is sometimes difficult to remember South Africa is one country! Lazy beaches, buzzing cosmopolitan cities, mountains, waterfalls, the Garden Route, goldmines, wildlife… you simply must find out more.

Johannesburg (or Jo’burg as it is known) is South Africa’s commercial centre and is the largest African city South of the Sahara due to its explosion in growth when traces of gold were found here back in 1886. Jo’burg is full of life with plenty of hotels, restaurants, culture and especially nightlife. A real taste of South Africa comes at the price though, although it is safe to walk the streets please be vigilant, the horror stories you’ve heard were probably true. Don’t flaunt your wealth (even as a backpacker!) and leave the evening strolls for other areas of South Africa.

Pretoria is approx. 50kn North of Jo’burg and is renowned for its beautiful gardens, having grown at a lower rate than Jo’burg it is more structured, and has many more parks, bird sanctuaries, historical monuments and museums and nature reserves.

Durban is a major holiday resort and 5*hotels fight for space down the ‘Golden Mile’ beachfront with idyllic views of the Indian Ocean lapping against the beach. Durban is a melting pot of cultural influences, creating a rich cosmopolitan society. Modern sophistication merging with simple Africa. Durban is a stunning city, an exciting place to visit and experience. The Asian of the spices markets, Zulu ladies selling their wares on the street, brightly coloured rickshaws make for a perfect destination whether as a stop on the grand tour of South Africa or as the sole stop.

Port Elizabeth is known as the friendly City, sandy beaches and a thriving nightlife. Port Elizabeth is destination for water-sport and scenery lovers. The Garden Route is an area of South Africa that gets rainfall year round, hence is richly endowed by nature, from beaches, lakes and rivers to a variety of exquisite flora and fauna and rainforests.

Most of South Africa is semiarid; Along the Eastern Coasts it is subtropical; expect sunny days and cool nights. Winters are mild, but there can be the occasional frost in areas of altitude. Remember that the South African Summer falls in our winter!

However saying that South Africa is such a large country that the range of climatic variances is great, for example Kruger National Park can reach 32’C in the summer months.

Cape Town as low as 21’C in the winter, Cape Town and the Garden Route have a distinctly Mediterranean climate (rain all year, sunny but unpredictable windy summers and cold wet winters).

Durban is slightly hotter than Cape Town during the summer but more humid, and is probably best visited during winter when the average temperature is around 22’C

The North can be extremely humid

Jo’burg and Pretoria have near perfect weather experiencing the same weather as Durban without the humidity.

There are many nature reserves and National Parks in South Africa, some of the best to visit are Pilanesburg National Park in the North-West lying in the remains of an eroded remains of a 1.4 billion year old extinct volcano and Kruger National Park in the Northern Province, one of the best places to do an DIY safari. Mkuxi Game reserve is a bird lover’s paradise near Natal and on the Northern Cape Geogap Nature Reserve where you may see zebra, springbok, gemsbok or oryx.

A visit to Tabletop Mountain, especially at sunset is high on most peoples list; this is great vantage point of Cape Town.

A tour of Nelson Mandela’s prison cell can be an emotional yet eye opening experience on Robben Island, Cape Town.

Safari, who can go to South Africa and not admire both the animals in their habitat and the expansive scenery at the same time, there are so many opportunities and places to do safari, take advice when you arrive.

Take a tour of one of the many diamond mines, whale watching along the South-East shore of the Western Cape, hot air ballooning to put the whole picture together are just some of the things to do in South Africa. One thing that is for certain you’ll never be without something to do. And we didn’t even mention the museums, art and craft or markets!

RECOMMENDED READING:

Lonely Planet: South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland ~ John Murray, Jeff Williams (Paperback - 24 March, 2000)

A Rough Guide to South Africa ~ Barbara Mccrea, et al (Paperback - 30 September, 1999)

AA Essential South Africa ~ Richard Whitaker (Paperback - 2 January, 2001)

Throughout January Capetown is home to the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival.

The 4-day Easter Festival in Ficksburg is a treat for partygoers and music lovers alike.

April and May in Durban – 18-day religious festival in honour of the Goddess Draupadi.

Mid March in Cape Town the Cape Argus Pick ‘n’ Pay Cycle tour is great for entrants and spectators alike.

Knysna oyster festival early July is a feast for oyster lovers, a real festival of taste. If you like oysters that is!

At the beginning of September every year throughout South Africa they celebrate South African Music Week, much can be learnt about the diverse cultures whilst having a great deal of fun!

End of Sept the One City Festival in cape Town fills this cosmopolitan towns streets, one to try and plan for, whilst in Hermanus whale watching is on the agenda at what is claimed to be the best site in the world to watch whales.

New Years Eve, Cape Minstrel Carnival, dating back as far as the celebration of slave’s independence in 1834, brightly dressed troupes of coloured men dance and party through the streets of Capetown.

HOTELS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Heritage Hotel in Capetown is a standard 5* hotel to be found throughout the whole of South Africa; prices for a double cost from £25pppn for a standard room in low season. There are many 5* hotels and at that price there is no doubt that many European travellers stay in the 4-5* class of hotel. Off peak prices can be as much as 50% off standard rack rates. The off peak season generally spans from May to October. The savvy traveller can pick up a steal of luxury accommodation during this period.

The Shamwari Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth prices start at £120pppn in a standard room, fully inclusive meals plus 2 game drives each day, fantastic for a couple of nights if you really want to get close to nature on a safari and sleep so close to the action. This is what South Africa is all about!

For those with a very limited budget accommodation priced as low as £6pppn at places such as the 2* Whale Watchers Inn at Whitsand between Cape Town and Knysna, for a 4 person room. This type of accommodation is more bed and breakfast than hotel living ad can give a great insight into the life of the South Africans. Another is the Lions Head Lodge in Capetown, a popular stop off in South Africa, and this 2* hotel costs as low as £10pppn. Makes South Africa a very realistic place to visit!

VISAS AND INNOCULATIONS

British nationals do not require visas if staying for 3 months or less. Overstaying without the proper authority is a serious matter and visitors are likely to be arrested on departure and detained before appearing in court where a substantial fine could be imposed.

Hep A, Polio and Typhoid are all strongly recommended. Yellow Fever is essential if arriving within 6 days of visiting an infected country. Please seek professional advice. If you have not previously been immunised against diphtheria, polio or tetanus this is an ideal opportunity to have the immunisations carried out.

The usual health advice applies as with most foreign countries. Don’t drink the tap water or consume ice in drinks. Drink bottled water or use purification tablets. Take care against dehydration and over exposure to the sun, by drinking lots of (bottled) water and use high factor sun creams.