|
|
|
E & S Africa, South Africa |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Overview | South Africa is an exhilarating and complex country. With its post-apartheid identity still in the process of definition, there is undoubtedly an abundance of energy and a sense of progress about the place. Travellers are returning to a remarkable land that has been off the trail for way too long.
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 To Go | South Africa can be visited comfortably any time. Winter June to September is cooler, drier and ideal for hiking and outdoor pursuits. This is also the best time for wildlife-watching. Spring is the best time to see vast expanses of Northern Cape carpeted with wildflowers.More of a consideration than weather are school holidays when waves of vacation-hungry South Africans stream out of the cities, with visitors from Europe and North America adding to the crush. Accommodation is heavily booked, and prices can more than double. It's essential to book in advance. On the plus side, the high summer months offer some great festivals, including the Cape Town New Year Karnaval, and Swaziland's Incwala ceremony. | Visas | Entry permits are issued free on arrival at the airport and land crossings to visitors on holiday from many Commonwealth and most western European countries, as well as Japan and the US. If you aren't entitled to an entry permit, you'll need to get a visa also free before you arrive. It's much less hassle when arriving by air if you arrive with a return air-ticket. | 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. | Getting There | Although about 30 airlines now fly to South Africa, it still isn't exactly a hub of international travel and the fares reflect that. Johannesburg International Airport remains the main international airport, but there are an increasing number of flights to Cape Town and a few to Durban. There's an airport departure tax of 6.00 for domestic flights, 10.00 for flights to regional African countries and 30.00 for other international flights. The tax is usually included in the ticket price. |
|
 |
|
 |  | Cape to Victoria Falls | Your journey begins in South Africa and after exploring cosmopolitan Cape Town you’ll walk in the rugged mountains of Cedarberg. Heading north you cross into Namibia and gaze into the Fish River Canyon, comparable in size to the Grand Canyon, and climb the towering red sand dunes at Sossusvlei, the highest in the world. The seal colonies and rugged cliffs of this desert coastline are simply amazing. |
| | Please Click Here for more information on Cape to Victoria Falls | |
|  | | | | Johannesburg to the Cape | In the immense wilderness of South Africa’s national parks you should see elephant, lion, zebra, giraffe and a whole host of other wildlife on a series of game drives. You will also have a glimpse of authentic Zulu culture in a local village. In Malolotja you can walk through Swaziland’s hills and Mkuzi offers excellent rhino viewing. |
| | Please Click Here for more information on Johannesburg to the Cape | |
| | | | | Kids in the Cape Family Holiday | Addo Elephant Park kicks off the excitement with close viewing of these giants of the bush. You may also spot rhino, buffalo and perhaps even leopard or lion. Then travelling along the coast you explore the Garden Route with its wild, unspoilt beaches, forests and lagoons. There are many optional activities on offer; sea kayaking, mountain biking, hiking trails, dolphin spotting and surfing. |
| | Please Click Here for more information on Kids in the Cape Family Holiday | |
| | | | | Kruger & Zululand | Your adventure starts with stunning scenery and culture as you explore Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Blyde River Canyon and the preserved Victorian gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. Next up is the famous Kruger National Park where you’ll head out on game drives hoping to spot the big five of elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo – not to mention zebra, giraffe, antelope and numerous species of colourful birds. |
| | Please Click Here for more information on Kruger & Zululand | |
| | | | | Kruger, Mountains & Cape | The perfect South Africa trip for those who don’t want to camp. Following the itinerary of our extremely popular ‘Johannesburg to the Cape’ ref.SA trip you take in the highlights of this amazing country and stay in a mixture of tented lodges, chalets and hotels, thereby enjoying the great African outdoors without sacrificing creature comforts. |
| | Please Click Here for more information on Kruger, Mountains & Cape | |
| | | | | Rainbow Nation Family Holiday | From Johannesburg you’ll drive into the scenic region of Mpumalanga. You’ll have a chance to get close up to some of Africa’s birds of prey, take in the fabulous scenery and try your hand at panning for gold. After a cultural encounter with the Shangaan people, you’ll go on safari in the famous Kruger National Park – a chance to spot the Big Five: elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard. |
| | Please Click Here for more information on Rainbow Nation Family Holiday | |
| | | | | The Garden Route | Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa is a beautiful cosmopolitan city dominated by the flattopped Table Mountain, which you’ll climb. It’s a fantastic base from which to explore great vineyards, the Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Point, the amazing scenery of Chapman’s Peak Drive, the Boulder’s Beach penguin colony and the notorious former prison of Robben Island. Heading out of town along the famous Garden Route you’ll stop amongst the Cape Dutch architecture of Stellenbosch to sample a few vintages and do some walking in some of the best scenery in South Africa |
| | Please Click Here for more information on The Garden Route | |
| | | | | Zululand and Big Game | Your journey of discovery begins at the stunning Bourke’s Luck Potholes, absorbing the views from God’s Window over Blyde River Canyon and visiting the ancient gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. Then on to Kruger National Park which stands in a class of its own. Enjoy spectacular game viewing of the big fi ve - elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo. |
| | Please Click Here for more information on Zululand and Big Game | |
| | |
|
|
|
