Introduction
Wildlife, wild times and a culture in repair. Smell the braai (barbecue), hear kwaito music blaring out of a Soweto nightclub, feel the Capetonian sea breeze, see the stripy flash of a zebra as it zigzags through the bush.
South Africa bombards the senses from the moment you step foot on its soil.
The infrastructure is constantly improving, the climate is kind and there are few better places to see Africa's wildlife. But if you want to understand South Africa, you'll have to deal with the full spectrum; poverty, the AIDS pandemic and violence remain a problem.
'When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said, "Let us pray." We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.' - Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Geography:
South Africa is a big wallop of a country, extending nearly 2000km (1240mi) from the Limpopo River in the north to Cape Agulhas in the south and nearly 1500km (930mi) from Port Nolloth in the west to Durban in the east. Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland run from west to east along South Africa's northern border and Lesotho soars above the grassland towards the southeast. The country can be divided into three major parts: the vast interior plateau, the Kalahari Basin, and a narrow coastal plain.
Destination Facts
Capital: Pretoria (official); Bloemfontein (judicial) and Cape Town (legislative).
President: Jacob Zuma
Government: republic and independent member of the British Commonwealth
Time zone: GMT +2
Area: 1233404
Population: 49052489
People: 79% black, 9.6% white, 9.0% mixed race, 2.6% of Indian or Asian descent
Currency: Rand (R)
Major industries: Mining, finance, insurance, food processing
Major Trading Partners: USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Italy
Country Dialing Code: 27
Getting there and away
Although about 30 airlines now fly to South Africa, it still isn't exactly a hub of international travel and the fares reflect that. OR Tambo International Airport, east of Jo'burg, remains the main international airport, but there are an increasing number of international flights to Cape Town and a few regional flights into Durban. Numerous buses cross the borders between South Africa and all of its neighbours. These are the most efficient way to travel overland, unless you have your own vehicle. Other than sometimes-lengthy queues, there are usually no hassles. At the border, you'll need to disembark to take care of visa formalities, then reboard your bus and carry on.
Getting around
Domestic fares aren't cheap. If you plan to take internal flights, check with a travel agent before you leave home for special deals on tickets and air passes. South Africa is geared towards travel by private car, with some very good highways but limited and expensive public transport. If you want to cover a lot of the country in a short time, hiring or buying a car might be necessary. If you don't have much money but have time to spare, you might organise lifts with fellow travellers and, if you don't mind a modicum of discomfort, there's an extensive network of minibus taxis, buses and trains. Two major national bus operators cover the main routes and will usually be pretty comfortable. The hop-on hop-off Baz Bus is cheap and convenient for backpackers.
Weather
South Africa has been favoured by nature with one of the most temperate climates on the African continent, and plenty of sunny, dry days. The main factors influencing conditions are altitude and the surrounding oceans. Basically, the farther east you go, the more handy your rain-gear becomes, but there are also damp pockets in the south-west, particularly around Cape Town. The coast north from the Cape becomes progressively drier and hotter, culminating in the desert region just south of Namibia. Along the south coast the weather is temperate, but the east coast becomes increasingly tropical the further north you go. When it gets too sticky, head for the highlands, which are pleasant even in summer. The north-eastern hump gets very hot and there are spectacular storms there in summer. In winter the days are sunny and warm.
Warning
Travellers should be aware that criminal gangs are known to operate at airports, bus stations and other major transport hubs in South Africa, particularly at Johannesburg International Airport. Muggings and carjackings are regularly reported in Johannesburg's city centre.
Related Posts: Mozambique, Lesotho, Bostwana
Wildlife, wild times and a culture in repair. Smell the braai (barbecue), hear kwaito music blaring out of a Soweto nightclub, feel the Capetonian sea breeze, see the stripy flash of a zebra as it zigzags through the bush.
South Africa bombards the senses from the moment you step foot on its soil.
South Africa is a big wallop of a country, extending nearly 2000km (1240mi) from the Limpopo River in the north to Cape Agulhas in the south and nearly 1500km (930mi) from Port Nolloth in the west to Durban in the east. Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland run from west to east along South Africa's northern border and Lesotho soars above the grassland towards the southeast. The country can be divided into three major parts: the vast interior plateau, the Kalahari Basin, and a narrow coastal plain.
Capital: Pretoria (official); Bloemfontein (judicial) and Cape Town (legislative).
President: Jacob Zuma
Government: republic and independent member of the British Commonwealth
Time zone: GMT +2
Area: 1233404
Population: 49052489
People: 79% black, 9.6% white, 9.0% mixed race, 2.6% of Indian or Asian descent
Currency: Rand (R)
Major industries: Mining, finance, insurance, food processing
Major Trading Partners: USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Italy
Country Dialing Code: 27
Although about 30 airlines now fly to South Africa, it still isn't exactly a hub of international travel and the fares reflect that. OR Tambo International Airport, east of Jo'burg, remains the main international airport, but there are an increasing number of international flights to Cape Town and a few regional flights into Durban. Numerous buses cross the borders between South Africa and all of its neighbours. These are the most efficient way to travel overland, unless you have your own vehicle. Other than sometimes-lengthy queues, there are usually no hassles. At the border, you'll need to disembark to take care of visa formalities, then reboard your bus and carry on.
Domestic fares aren't cheap. If you plan to take internal flights, check with a travel agent before you leave home for special deals on tickets and air passes. South Africa is geared towards travel by private car, with some very good highways but limited and expensive public transport. If you want to cover a lot of the country in a short time, hiring or buying a car might be necessary. If you don't have much money but have time to spare, you might organise lifts with fellow travellers and, if you don't mind a modicum of discomfort, there's an extensive network of minibus taxis, buses and trains. Two major national bus operators cover the main routes and will usually be pretty comfortable. The hop-on hop-off Baz Bus is cheap and convenient for backpackers.
South Africa has been favoured by nature with one of the most temperate climates on the African continent, and plenty of sunny, dry days. The main factors influencing conditions are altitude and the surrounding oceans. Basically, the farther east you go, the more handy your rain-gear becomes, but there are also damp pockets in the south-west, particularly around Cape Town. The coast north from the Cape becomes progressively drier and hotter, culminating in the desert region just south of Namibia. Along the south coast the weather is temperate, but the east coast becomes increasingly tropical the further north you go. When it gets too sticky, head for the highlands, which are pleasant even in summer. The north-eastern hump gets very hot and there are spectacular storms there in summer. In winter the days are sunny and warm.
Travellers should be aware that criminal gangs are known to operate at airports, bus stations and other major transport hubs in South Africa, particularly at Johannesburg International Airport. Muggings and carjackings are regularly reported in Johannesburg's city centre.
Related Posts: Mozambique, Lesotho, Bostwana
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