South Africa

South Africa - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

With a range of iconic landscapes such as the sight of penguins in the Cape, the Table Mountain, hippos of the Limpopo River, the lions and crocodiles of the Kruger National Park, the various ecosystems of iSimangaliso Wetland Park and those exotic wildflowers of Namakwa, South Africa is one of the most diverse countries in the world. South Africa holiday allows you to experience its beautiful sights and the natural fauna and flora.

South Africa - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

• Explore the modern city of Cape Town.
• See the sights in Johannesburg, such as the Cradle of Humankind—an archaeological site that is filled with history and wildlife.
• Learn of South Africa’s history at the Apartheid museum.
• Marvel at the Boulder’s Penguin Colony.
• Experience the gentle giants, elephants, at Addo Elephant National Park.
• Tour the South African wine country, in the Winelands.
• Visit Robben Island, and stand in the shoes of Nelson Mandela.
• Drive along the Garden Route and see the coast of South Africa.

South Africa - Travel Tips

• When on a South Africa holiday, try not to be too flashy in what you wear in order to draw less attention to yourself.
• While most of South Africa is malaria free, if you go north, come prepared with malaria pills.
• Bring clothes for warm weather, but also prepare for cooler evenings.
• If driving in a car, keep the doors locked and windows up at all times. If people try to approach you, ignore them.
• Mobile coverage is simple to get and available.
• Be prepared to veer off the beaten path on your South Africa tour. For example, visit Seal Island, off the coast of Cape Town.

2. Wildlife & Animals – South Africa

South Africa is a prime wildlife destination. All main safari animals are easily seen. Kruger National Park offers excellent general wildlife viewing, and the scenic KwaZulu-Natal parks are best to see rhino. In Sabi Sand, the main focus is on seeing the Big Five and it is famous for its habituated leopards.

Cape Mountain zebra is endemic to South Africa and can be seen in Mountain Zebra National Park. The rare black wildebeest, another endemic to the country, thrives in the Karoo reserves, and some dry-country specials can be seen in the Kalahari habitat. These include meerkat, gemsbok, springbok and bat-eared fox.

South Africa can be visited any time of the year, but wildlife viewing is best in the Dry season (May-September). The end of the Dry season (August-September) is especially rewarding as water is scarce and animals can be found near waterholes. The middle of the Dry season (June-August) is mid-winter when early morning and afternoon drives in open vehicles can be very cold.

3. Best Time to Visit – South Africa

The best time to visit South Africa’s parks is from May to September. This is the Dry season and animals congregate around waterholes and rivers. As this is winter, mornings and nights are cold. May and September are wonderful because it is less cold and, especially in September, the wildlife viewing is excellent.

May to September – Dry Season – Winter

• Wildlife is easier to spot because there is less vegetation and animals gather around rivers and waterholes
• Little to no rain and most days are sunny
• Few mosquitoes
• Low season and parks are not crowded, except for Kruger during school holidays
• It gets cold at night and in the mornings

October to April – Wet Season – Summer

• After the first rains, the scenery turns green and all looks fresh
• Best time for bird watching, and migratory birds are present
• Rains are mostly short afternoon showers and seldom really interfere with your trip
• Wildlife viewing can be quite slow since the bush is thicker and wildlife is more difficult to spot
• It gets very hot in December, January and February, and parks get crowded during the main school holidays in December

4. Getting There – South Africa

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg is the air transport hub of southern Africa. Onward, travel is mostly by car. Because of excellent roads and facilities in South Africa, some people choose the self-drive option. In most other cases, your local tour operator will arrange pick-up from the airport and further transportation as part of your tour package.

Other international airports are located in Cape Town and Durban, but few flights from Europe or America fly directly to either destination.

Passport, Visa and Other Entry Requirements

• A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months
• All foreign visitors will need to carry a return or onward ticket
• Citizens from most countries do not require a visa and will get a 90-days entry permit on arrival
• If you have minors traveling with you, accompanied by only one or no biological parents, additional documents may be required. Contact your local embassy or check on the official website for more information.