General
Every country in the world displays some diversity, but South Africa, stretching from the hippos in the Limpopo River to the penguins waddling on the Cape, takes first place when it comes to this. It befits its position at the southern end of the world’s most epic continent, with more types of terrain than most other countries.
The country consists of 9 provinces namely Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Kwazulu Natal, North West Province, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Gauteng. It is flanked by the Indian Ocean on the east and the Atlantic Ocean on the west. It has a coastline of 2,954 kilometres, a temperate climate and topography ranging from highveld grasslands to semi-desert to subtropical swamps.
With nearly 400 years of association with colonial settlers, most communities are very much westernised, with African traditions mainly being preserved in more remote country areas. Friendliness and an outdoor and sports orientated way of life are hallmarks of the population. There is a colourful local arts and culture scene, which you will surely encounter in some shape or form as you enjoy your South Africa safari.
Practical Information
Money:
South Africa’s currency is the rand (R), which is divided into 100 cents. There is no black market. The coins are one, two, five, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and R1, R2 and R5.
The notes are R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200. There have been forgeries of the R200 note, and some businesses are reluctant to accept them.
The best currencies to bring are US dollars, Euros or British pounds in a mixture of
travelers cheques and cash, plus a Visa or MasterCard for withdrawing money from
ATMs. There are ATMs in all cities in South Africa, most of which give cash advances
against cards belonging to the Cirrus network.
Credit cards are widely accepted in South Africa, especially MasterCard and Visa.
Visas:
Visitors on holiday from most Commonwealth countries, most Western European countries, Japan and the USA don’t require visas. Instead, you’ll be issued with a free entry permit on arrival. These are valid for up to 90 days, and your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after the end of your intended visit. Unless you request otherwise, the immigration officer may use the date of your flight out as the date of your permit expiry.
Health:
Malaria is endemic in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, including Kruger Park and private game reserves) as well as in the Maputaland area in Kwa Zulu Natal. So if you are travelling to these areas, especially between October and May consult a health-care professional for the latest advice on malaria prophylaxis as it changes regularly.
Whether you take anti-malaria drugs or not it is strongly recommended to take precautions between dusk and dawn, such as using insect repellent, burn mosquito coils, wear long-sleeved clothing or sleep under a mosquito net.
No international immunization is needed when entering South Africa. Visitors who travel through a yellow fever infected country within six days before arriving in South Africa need to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Safety:
Crime is the national obsession however try to keep things in perspective and remember that despite the statistics and newspaper headlines, the majority of travellers visit the country without incident.
No matter where you are, you can minimize the risks by following basic safety precautions, remaining alert and exercising common sense. If you are a victim of crime in South Africa, it's most likely to occur at an ATM. There are dozens of scams that involve stealing your cash, your card or your personal identification number (PIN) - usually all three. Choose the ATM you use carefully, and try to avoid using them at night and/or in secluded places.
When to go
South Africa can be visited comfortably any time. However, depending on what you plan to do, it’s worth paying attention to the seasons, which are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere. Winter (June to September) is cooler, drier and ideal for hiking and outdoor pursuits. Because vegetation is less dense and thirsty animals congregate around rivers and other permanent water sources, winter is also the best time for wildlife-watching. In the eastern Highveld, nights are often crisp and clear, with occasional frosts, so come prepared with a jacket.
More of a consideration than weather are school holidays. From mid-December to January, waves of vacation-hungry South Africans stream out of the cities, with visitors from Europe and North America adding to the busy season. The absolute peak is from Christmas to mid-January, followed by Easter. At this time, accommodation in tourist areas and national parks is usually heavily booked. If you visit Cape Town, the Garden Route or other popular areas during this time, it’s essential to book accommodation in advance.
Spring (mid-September to November) and autumn (April and May) are ideal almost everywhere. Spring is also the best time to see vast expanses of the Northern Cape carpeted with wildflowers and see migrating whales along the coast.
