Home Safari.com Your ad on Safari.com?
 Contact our ad-manager for information about marketing plans and conditions.		    
 
   
South Africa
 
Language | Currency | Time | Geography | Climate | Health | Transport | Tips | Holidays | Top 10 Attractions in South Africa

View Larger Map
General
  South Africa with its 1 219 090 km2 and ca. 48, 5 million inhabitants is situated at the bottom of the African Continent. It is a democratic country with three capitals: Cape Town (legislative), Pretoria (administrative) and Bloemfontein (judicial).

The country has nine provinces: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Free State, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
Language
  There are 11 official languages in South Africa, namely Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho sa Leboa, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. Although English is the mother tongue of only 8, 2% of the population, it is the language most widely understood, and the second language of the majority of South Africans.
Currency
  Rand (ZAR). 100 cents equals one rand
Time
  GMT +2 hours
Geography
  From west to east the country shares its borders with Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, with Mozambique and Swaziland at the north-east and in the south-east there is small mountain kingdom of Lesotho, completely enclosed by South African territory.
Climate
  Climate in South Africa is semi- arid but it varies by region.  The great inland Karoo plateau is very dry, and gets more so as it shades in the north-west towards the Kalahari desert. Summer months are usually very hot, but winters can be icy. The eastern coastline, on the other hand, is lush and well watered. The southern coast is rather less tropical but also green, as is the Cape of Good Hope, especially during winter months. The south-western part of the country has a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and wet and hot winter months. It is known for its wind blowing continuously practically all year round, either from the south-east or the north-west. The eastern part of the Karoo does not extend as far to the north as the western part. Its flat landscape is also semi- arid but receives a little bit more rain. North of the Vaal River, the Highveld is better watered and knows no extreme heat. Winters are cold, however snow is rare. Temperatures rise further to the north and to the east as the Tropic of Capricorn slices through the extreme north. One can find here South Africa’s´ typical wild inhabitants and Bushveld.
Health
  The healthcare in South Africa is generally good, but in rural areas it may be only basic. In some areas there are Malaria precautions necessary. For those travelling from yellow-fever areas is vaccination required.
Transport
  There are various means of transport available, such as airlines, railroads, roads, luxury touring buses (coaches) and motor cars, so that the tourist can travel comfortably to and within the country.  A number of international airlines fly regularly to and from South Africa and several inland airlines operate in the country as well.
Tips for the tourist
  To entry the country every traveler must have a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa. Visitors who intend traveling between South Africa and neighboring countries are advised to apply for multiple-entry visas. Tourists must prove to immigration officers that they will be able to support themselves during their stay and that they have return or onward tickets. They must also have valid international health certificates. Visitors from the yellow-fever belt in Africa and the United States of America (USA), as well as those who travel through or disembark in these areas, have to be vaccinated against the disease. It is essential to take anti-malaria precautions when visiting these areas. Foreign tourists visiting South Africa can have their value-added tax (VAT) refunded, provided the value of the items purchased exceeds R20. VAT is refunded on departure at the point of exit.
South Africa has 12 public holidays
 
New Year’s Day 1 January
Human Rights Day 21 March
Good Friday Friday before Easter Sunday
Family Day Monday after Easter Sunday
Freedom Day 27 April
Workers’ Day 1 May
Youth Day 16 June
National Women’s Day 9 August
Heritage Day 24 September
Day of Reconciliation 16 December
Christmas Day 25 December
Day of Goodwill 26 December
The top 10 tourist attractions in South Africa:
 
1. Kruger National Park
2. Table Mountain
3. Garden Route
4. Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
5. Robben Island
6. Beaches
7. Sun City
8. Culture villages
9. Soweto
10.   The Cradle of Humankind