South Africa is a scenic and exciting country, which offers magnificent safari adventures, interesting culture and history and not least world-class diving. South Africa is perfect for combining an active holiday with relaxation on beautiful beaches.
On this page you will find practical information and facts about South Africa.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVELING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Climate and best travel time
South Africa can be visited all year round – but spring and autumn are often very good choices. Note that it is summer in South Africa when it is winter in Sweden. The summer is really really hot all over the country. In the north, winter is pleasant with warm, sunny days and cool nights, but it can be very cold if you are in the mountains. In the south it can rain and blow a lot in the winter. You can dive all year round and the high season varies depending on the destination. Visit watchtutorials.org for South Africa the rainbow nation.
Our recommendations on when it is best to travel in South Africa are based on how the climate has been during the previous year. The weather in South Africa can be very variable and unpredictable and therefore our recommendations should only be seen as a clue.
Money
Credit cards can be used anywhere except in small towns in the countryside. Also bring US dollars as a reserve in cash. It is easy to exchange foreign currency at international airports and in the banks of major cities.
Visa
conditions NOTE! The visa rules can be changed at short notice so We recommend that you check the current conditions at the country’s embassy or at The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
The following information may change.
From 1 June 2015, new rules for entry and transit in South Africa with minors will enter into force. This means that children (under the age of 18) must bring their birth certificate (in English). If the child travels only with one or without both parents, his / her written consent to the trip is required.
Transport
Flights
South African Airways has routes between all major South African cities. There are other smaller companies that fly different domestic routes, they will often be cheaper than South African Airways. From Johannesburg and Cape Town there are routes to the capitals of neighboring countries.
Trains
There is train traffic between the big cities. The trains have first, second and third class. First and second class must be booked at least 24 hours before departure. Trains are generally cheap and somewhat slow.
Bus
There are several large national bus companies. There are often luxury buses with air conditioning, toilets, etc. It is more expensive than trains, but much faster and more comfortable.
Car
The absolute best choice in this beautiful country. There are many routes, especially in the eastern part of South Africa that are great to experience in your own car. It is possible to rent in one city and leave in another for a small fee. Cars can be rented in all sizes and price ranges. You are guaranteed a car if you rent from home, but it can also be done on site. Remember to drive on the left side of the road in South Africa.
Tip
In most countries, tips are part of the salaries of employees in the service industry. Therefore, it is good practice (and sometimes directly necessary) to give tips to, for example, cleaning staff, waiters, guides, drivers, etc. depending on the country you are visiting. Therefore, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with how much is normally given in tips and to whom before you embark on your journey. Find information on tips in Lonely Planet’s guidebooks.
FACTS
CAPITAL: PRETORIA
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH, AFRIKAANS, ZULU AND OTHER LANGUAGES
CLIMATE: SUBTROPICAL TO TROPICAL
CURRENCY: STRIPE
RELIGION: CHRISTIANITY, HINDUISM, ISLAM, JUDAISM AND TRADITIONAL AFRICAN RELIGIONS
INFORMATION SOUTH AFRICA
In South Africa, the opposites meet
In South Africa, some of the world’s richest people live side by side with some of the world’s poorest. Here you will find a bizarre mix of luxury villas behind walls and barbed wire and poor shantytowns with dilapidated houses made of corrugated iron. There are vibrant and modern cities and small, quiet and dusty Zulu villages. At the same time, South Africa has a lush and magnificent wildlife, tropical waters, wide sandy beaches, wild coasts, but also dusty desert areas. South Africa offers an impressive and exciting variety of landscapes, climates and cultures.
Safari in Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park in South Africa is one of the world’s largest safari parks. Its size and location can boast of being one of southern Africa’s most magnificent natural areas. The national park has the largest diversity of animals in all of Africa. The park offers an impressive wildlife with all the exotic animals of the savannah. Here you can find THE BIG FIVE: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos – as well as lively monkeys, vigilant zebras and many strange – birds. In addition to the incredible wildlife, you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the national park. But South Africa is not just savannah and tropical wildlife, the country also offers animals that are usually associated with cold areas, such as penguins, seals and whales.
After apartheid
The Africans have endured an incredible amount, including all the years with the apartheid regime. As a traveler in the country, you can not avoid being moved by history and not least through meeting people who inspire with their hopes, energy and optimism. South Africa is truly a country with endless possibilities for fantastic experiences.
