South Africa

South Africa Flag

"Rainbow Nation" 

Karkloof Falls, Howick, South Africa. Photo Credit: Lynn Greyling/Pixabay 

Why visit South Africa?

Offers something for every traveler whether seeking to enjoy beaches, birdwatching, diamond mines, ecotourism, game reserves, gold mines, golf. heritage sites, hiking, indigenous culture, mountain biking, national parks, nature reserves, nightlife, picturesque natural landscape, rocky coast, safari, scuba diving, shopping, snorkeling, surfing, vineyards, wilderness trails, and wildlife.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Towm, South Africa. Photo Credit: Whisker Flowers/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Art, baskets, beadwork, diamonds, fabric, gold coins, red bush tea, wood carvings, and woven rugs.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Biltong (dried meat). Bobotie (curried meat). Boerewors (sausage). Braai (grilled meat). Bredie (stew). Chakalaka (spiced tomato). Koeksisters (doughnuts). Malva (pudding). Melktert (dessert).
  Potjiekos (stew). Samosa (fried pastry). Upens (tripe). Waterblommetjies (edible flower).
• Local Drink to Try: Black Label & Castle (beer). Pink Lady (gin). Rooibos (tea). 

Photo Credit: Stephen Cruickshank/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• The 24th largest country in the world.
  
• Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918 - 2013), Activist & President spent nearly 20 years as a political prisoner (Robben Island).
  
• Has as 11 official languages.
• Has 3 capital cities: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, and Pretoria.
• Largest city is Johannesburg.
  
• Home to an estimated 200,000 traditional healers.
• Has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa.
• Buffelsfontein (Eastern Cape) is the coldest place.
  
• World's largest producers of chrome. manganese, platinum, vanadium, and vermiculite. 
  
• Where District 9 (2009), Tsotsi (2005), The Endless River (2005), and U-Carmen e-Khayelitsha (2005) were filmed. 

Photo Credit: Jeanine Smal/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Cape Minstrels Carnival, Duzi Canoe Race, J&B Metropolitan Horse Race, Shakespeare Open Air Festival, South Africa Open, Spier Arts Festival, (February) Dance Umbrella, Design Indaba Cape Town, Sangoma Khekheke's Annual Snake Dance, (March) Cape Argus Cycle Tour, Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, (April) Two Oceans Marathon, (May) Cape Times Waterfront Wine Festival, Franschhoek Literary Festival, Infecting the City, PSL Awards, Prince Albert Olive Festival, The Gourmet Festival, (June) Comrades Marathon, Fingo Festival, Standard Bank National Arts Festival, (July) Knysna Oyster Festival, Mr Price Pro Surfing Classic, National Arts Festival, S.A. Fashion Week, The Sardine Run, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, (August) Jomba Contemporary Dance Experience, Namaqualand Wild Flower Season, Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival, (September) Arts Alive International Festival, Gariep Arts Festival, King Shaka Day Celebrations & the Zulu Kings Reed Dance, Out in Africa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Royal Reed Dance, Whale Festival, (October) Jacaranda Festival, Mr Gay World South Africa, Shembe Celebrations, (November) South African Horrorfest, Turtle-Tracking, (December) Appletiser Summer Sunset Concerts, Million Dollar Golf Challenge, Mother City Queer Project, South African Hip Hop Awards, and Vortex New Year's Eve Rave Party.
• Holidays: New Year’s Day, Human Rights Day, Good Friday, Family Day, Freedom Day, Workers' Day, Youth Day, National Women’s Day, Heritage Day, Day of Reconciliation, Christmas Day, and Day of Goodwill.

Photo Credit: Jeanine Smal/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• You will be denied entry if you do not have 2 consecutive blank passport booklet pages for entry stamp.
  
• Wreck diving is popular around Cape Town.
  
• From March - September surfing is best.
• Surfers enjoy Elands Bay, Hout Bay, Jeffrey's Bay, Kalk Bay Reef, KwaZulu-Natal, Mdumbi, and Nahoon Reef, Stilbaai.
• Cyclist enjoy Dirtopia Trail Centre, Giba Gorge, Golden Gate National Park, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Mankele Mountain, and Midlands Meander.
• Avoid walking alone especially after dark.
  
• Birdwatching is popular at Kruger National Park (northeastern) and the Zululand Reserves (Kwazulu-Natal).
  
• Between August - September flowers displays are best viewed.
  
• Hikers seek Kruger National Park (Limpopo/Mpumalanga), UKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park (KwaZulu-Natal), and Table Mountain (Cape Town).
• Cape Town and Johannesburg are known for fine dining options.
  
• Avoid leaving valuables in parked cars.
• Drive with doors locked and windows closed.
  
• Winter Season is between June - August.
• Prevalent Diseases: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever.
• ATM scams and Credit card fraud are common. 
  
• Traffic moves on the left.
  
• Due to rip tides do not swim alone in isolated beach areas.
• Prone to driving under the influence of alcohol, poor driving, and road rage.
• Wildlife photography requires at least a 300-mm lens.
• Crime is an issue.
• Seatbelts are a requirement.
• Cellular hand use or texting is illegal while driving.
• Cape Town is best visited between November - February.

Photo Credit: Jeanine Smal/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with 2 consecutive empty pages for entry stamps.
  
• Yellow Fever Vaccination required from select countries. 
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $25,000ZAR.

Muizenberg, South Africa. Photo Credit: Greg Montani/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: May - September
• Coldest Months: May - August
• Hottest Months: November - March
• Peak Season: November - March

Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa. Photo Credit: Aldk/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains, Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Khomani Cultural Landscape, Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, Richtersveld Cultural & Botanical Landscape, Robben Island, uKhahlamba/Drakensberg Park, and Vredefort Dome.

Cape Town, South Africa. Photo Credit: El Grincho/Pixabay 

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                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.