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| ⇒ Country Profile: South Africa |
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 Introduction
South Africa is made of unforgettable scenery, from lofty mountains to sun-baked deserts and dramatic coastlines washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Game viewing in the many parks and reserves is both spectacular and surprising - you'll find both penguins and elephants.
Scenic highlights
Overshadowed by dramatic Table Mountain and washed by the Atlantic, Cape Town is one of the world's most picturesque cities. Sample fine wine in the tranquil winelands, then explore the country towns, lagoons and forests along the pretty Garden Route. The Wild Coast boasts isolated beaches, rocky coastline and traditional rural villages, and the resorts along the KwaZulu-Natal coast offer lots of family seaside fun.
Inland are the intriguing and moving battlefield sites that lay testament to the Anglo-Boer war. Here too rise the Drakensberg Mountains where vultures ride on the thermals over deeply green valleys and jagged peaks.
Classic safari country
The winning combination of fascinating wildlife and excellent lodges staffed by highly professional guides makes South Africa the perfect destination for safari enthusiasts. In the northeast is the Kruger National Park where the thorny bush harbours the 'Big Five' (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino) as well as many other animals and birds. There's more game-rich wilderness to explore further north in the Limpopo province and and North West provinces.
History and culture
South Africa has a vivid history. Apartheid was broken down in 1990 by President FW De Klerk, and jailed ANC leader Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment. In the first democratic elections to be held in South Africa, Mandela became president in 1994. The story is told in the excellent museums in Johannesburg, by far the most vibrant of the country's cities with a rich cultural heritage.
Apartheid activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu named the newly integrated South Africa the 'Rainbow Nation' - a fitting name for a country with 11 official languages and people of all colours, races and creeds, living in a vividly coloured and sculpted landscape.
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Contact Information
Keys Facts
Location
Southern Africa.
Time
GMT + 2.
Area
1,219,192 sq km (470,693 sq miles).
Population
49.1 million (2009 estimate).
Population Density
41 per sq km.
Capital
Pretoria (administrative). Population: 1.3 million (2007). Cape Town (legislative). Population: 3.4 million (2007). Bloemfontein (judicial). Population: 400,000 (2006).
Geography
The Republic of South Africa lies at the southern end of the African continent, bounded by the South Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east. It totally encloses the independent kingdom of Lesotho, and shares its northern borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland.
South Africa has three major geographical regions, namely plateau, mountains and the low-lying coastal belt. The vast, high plateau of the interior has sharp escarpments which rise above the plains, or veld. Despite two major river systems, the Limpopo and the Orange, most of the plateau lacks surface water. The mountainous regions that run close to the coastline from the Cape of Good Hope to the Limpopo Valley in the northeast of the country are split into the Drakensberg, Nuweveldberg and Stormberg ranges. The west coast is arid, while the south and southeast coasts are semi-arid, with a narrow belt of low vegetation fringed by sandy beaches and rocky coves. In the subtropical northeast, long sandy beaches are interspersed with lush wetlands and coastal forests.
South Africa is organised into nine provinces. These comprise the Western Cape with its capital Cape Town; the Eastern Cape with its capital Bisho and the major city of Port Elizabeth; the Northern Cape with its capital Kimberley; KwaZulu-Natal with its capital Pietermaritzburg and the major city of Durban; the Free State with its capital Bloemfontein; the North West Province with its capital Mafikeng and the major city of Potchefstroom; Limpopo with its capital Polokwane; Mpumalanga with its capital Nelspruit; and Gauteng with its capital Johannesburg. Northern Cape, in the far northwest of the country, is by far the largest and most sparsely populated province; Gauteng, landlocked in the northeast, is the smallest and most densely populated.
Government
Republic. Gained partial independence from the UK in 1910 and was declared a republic in 1961.
Head of State
President Jacob Zuma since 2009.
History
South Africa's first genuinely inclusive national election, in 1994, brought the African National Congress (ANC) to power, with Nelson Mandela as President. Leading South Africa through the first five years of the post-apartheid era, Mandela earned great international respect for his nation-building policies. He retired in mid-1999 and was succeeded by Thabo Mbeki, who was re-elected in 2004.
Mbeki's administration struggled with two major domestic problems - violent crime and an HIV-AIDS pandemic. After much stalling, in early 2007 Mbeki launched a R45 billion action plan to provide treatment and support to those living with HIV-AIDS. Meanwhile his refusal to take remedial action over deteriorating political conditions in neighbouring Zimbabwe attracted widespread criticism.
Mbeki resigned in September 2008 over claims of political interference in a corruption case against the president of the ANC, Jacob Zuma. Kgalema Motlanthe, deputy president of the ANC and a close ally of Zuma, was named caretaker president. ANC leader Jacob Zuma was elected in April 2009.
Language
The official languages are Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.
Religion
Around two thirds of South Africans profess Christianity of some form and belong to Catholic, Anglican and other protestant denominations, Afrikaner Dutch Reformed churches or African independent churches. There are also significant Hindu, Muslim and Jewish communities. Traditional African beliefs are practised widely, sometimes in conjunction with Christianity.
Electricity
220/230 volts AC, 50Hz, except Pretoria (230 volts AC) and Port Elizabeth (200/250 volts AC). Three-pin round plugs are in use.
Social Conventions
Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Normal courtesies should be shown when visiting someone's home. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Formal social functions occasionally call for a dinner jacket and black tie for men and full-length dresses for women; this will be specified on the invitation. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings and on public transport; restaurants have enclosed or outdoor smoking sections.
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Public Holidays
Below are listed the Public Holidays for the January 2010-December 2011 period.
Holidays
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
21 Mar Human Rights Day.
2 Apr Good Friday.
5 Apr Family Day.
27 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Workers' Day.
16 Jun Youth Day.
9 Aug National Women's Day.
24 Sep Heritage Day.
16 Dec Day of Reconciliation.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Day of Goodwill.
2011
1 Jan New Year's Day.
21 Mar Human Rights Day.
13 Apr Family Day.
22 Apr Good Friday.
27 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Workers' Day.
16 Jun Youth Day.
9 Aug National Women's Day.
24 Sep Heritage Day.
16 Dec Day of Reconciliation.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Day of Goodwill.
Note
Holidays falling on a Sunday are observed the following Monday.
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Accommodation
National Parks/Game Reserves
Visitors to the national parks can stay in rest camps that usually have a restaurant and shop, and sometimes a swimming pool. Accommodation is typically in en suite rondavels (thatched huts) or cottages, some of which have kitchens and air conditioning. The private game reserves provide accommodation in luxury camps and lodges with top notch catering, hospitality and organised activities such as game drives. These are generally located in prime game-viewing areas and are often unfenced.
Hotels
South Africa's many hotel options include luxury establishments with a gym, spa and swimming pool, stylish boutique hotels, chain hotels and simple small-town places that double up as the local bar. Comprehensive accommodation guides are available from South African Tourism offices abroad and from regional tourist offices in South Africa. Confirm rates when you book; there may be a discount for booking online. Most hotels charge for extras such as laundry and phone calls but it is forbidden by law to levy service charges.
Grading: South Africa has a voluntary accommodation grading system, managed by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. Establishments which opt to join the scheme are assigned 1 to 5 stars. The type of accommodation is taken into account, so there are five-star B&Bs and caravan parks as well as five-star hotels.
Bed and Breakfast
Bed & Breakfast accommodation is found everywhere from rural villages to urban townships. The hosts may provide dinner on request. Advance bookings during the summer season (October to April) are becoming essential, especially in the Western Cape. Local tourist offices are the best source of information for finding this type of accommodation.
Guest Houses
These have a bit more charm than standard Bed & Breakfasts. Some are housed in historical buildings decorated with antiques, while others may be on a working farm where guests can get involved.
Self Catering
Holiday flats and chalets are available in all the main tourist areas, notably the coast from Cape Town to Kosi Bay and in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Drakensberg. Some are located in resorts with spas and swimming pools. Self catering works out economically for a family or group, but must be booked well in advance, especially during the summer months.
Camping/Caravanning
Almost every town in the country has a municipal caravan and camping site (camping is not allowed outside of them) and they are found along all the tourist routes in South Africa. The standard is usually high with clean ablution and sometimes kitchen blocks and secure fencing. Many have additional simple self-catering chalets to rent, and a swimming pool. The national parks have campsites too. A number of car hire companies can arrange camper van hire, with a range of fully equipped vehicles.
Backpacker Hostels
Located all over the country, hostels are cheap, clean and well-run places to stay. They typically offer a choice of en suite private rooms or beds in dorms with shared shower rooms. Self-catering facilities are provided. Some rent out mountain bikes or surfboards. Most are listed in Coast to Coast, a free book available from hostels or online (www.coastingafrica.com). A backpacker bus service known as the Baz Bus offers a door-to-door service for hostellers.
Accommodation Information
The Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA)
PO Box 71517, Bryanston 2021, South Africa
Tel: 011 467 5009.
Website: www.fedhasa.co.za
Tourism Grading Council of South Africa
Afrifocus House, 90 Protea Road, Chislehurston, Sandton 2146, South Africa
Tel: 011 895 3000.
Website: www.tourismgrading.co.za
Bed and Breakfast Association of South Africa
PO Box 1125, Wingate Park 0153, South Africa
Tel: 082 239 2111.
Website: www.babasa.co.za
Guesthouse Association of South Africa
PO Box 18416, Wynberg, Cape Town 7824, South Africa
Tel: 021 762 0880.
Website: www.ghasa.co.za
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Communication
Telephone
Country code: 27.
Area codes are used even if you are making a call in the same area.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage extends to most of the country except in the very remote areas.
Internet
Internet cafes are common in towns throughout the country and wireless is available at airports and in upmarket hotels.
Post
Airmail takes a minimum of two days to Europe, three days to USA and four days to Australia.
Post office hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1530; Sat 0800-1100; longer in airports and shopping malls. The smaller post offices close for lunch 1300-1400.
Media
South Africa's many broadcasters and publications reflect the diversity of the population as a whole. Well-established state-run and commercial TV networks broadcast nationally, and hundreds of thousands of viewers subscribe to pay-TV services operated by major cable and satellite company Multichoice. Deregulation in 1996 led to a proliferation of radio stations. The constitution provides for freedom of the press, and this is generally respected in practice.
Press
- The main newspapers are in English and Afrikaans, and include dailies Cape Argus and Cape Times (published in Cape Town), The Star and Sowetan (published in Johannesburg) and The Citizen (a national tabloid).
- A weekly highbrow newspaper is Mail & Guardian.
TV
- SABC is a state broadcaster operating three national TV networks.
- E.tv is a free-to-air commercial network.
- M-Net is a pay-TV channel.
- DSTV is a multi-channel satellite subscription network.
Radio
- SABC is a state broadcaster with 18 regional and national services in 11 languages.
- Commercial stations include: KFM, Highveld Stereo, Jacaranda FM, Algoa FM, 702 Talk Radio, Classic FM and East Coast Radio.
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Entertainment
Food and Drink
A thriving agricultural sector yields excellent meat, fruit and wines and the long coastline produces very fresh and cheap seafood. South Africans like to eat out so there is an excellent range of restaurants, especially in cities, where all international cuisines are represented. Meat dishes, including game, are a national favourite. Fruity and sweet Cape Malay cuisine can be found in Cape Town, the Indian influence on the KwaZulu-Natal coast provides authentic Asian food, and spicy Mozambican peri peri chicken and prawns are eaten all over the country. Braais (barbecues) are hugely popular: every campsite, self-catering resort and picnic spot has a braai pit. Vegetarians are offered at least a couple of dishes, even in small-town eateries.
Things to know: All restaurants, bars and cocktail lounges have waiter service: you pay your bill at the end. Some restaurants close on Sundays or Mondays. 'Liquor stores' are open weekdays 0900-1800 and Sat 0900-1300. Supermarkets are permitted to sell wine but not beer or spirits. No alcohol can be sold from shops on a Sunday.
National specialities:
- Sosaties (a type of kebab).
- Bobotie (a curried mince stew).
- Potjiekos (a spicy casserole, traditionally slow-cooked in an iron pot, usually outside).
- Bredies (meat, tomato and vegetable casseroles: waterbolmmetjiebredie, made with a local water plant, is particularly good).
- Biltong (seasoned dried meat).
National drinks:
- Umqombothi (a home-brewed sorghum beer). Castle lager is also popular.
- Excellent local red and white wines (including chardonnay), sherries and brandies.
- Rooibos (a red-leafed tea grown in the Western Cape).
- Amarula Cream (a sweet creamy liqueur made from the fruit of the Marula tree).
Legal drinking age: 18
Tipping: Normally 10 to 15% if service is not included. By law, hotel rates do not include a service charge.
Nightlife
All the large cities have cinemas screening international films, theatres showing plays, operas and musicals, and comedy clubs hosting cabaret nights. Some cities have arthouse cinemas which show grittier releases and foreign language films and occasionally host film and documentary festivals.
South Africa has a thriving music scene, covering everything from symphony concerts to late-night jam sessions. There is a unique South African township jazz style, exponents of which can be seen in all large cities, but particularly Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Bloemfontein. Local bands also play homegrown rock, reggae, rap and kwaito, a type of hip hop originating from Johannesburg.
There are a number of annual local music and arts festivals, of which the most famous are the Cape Town Jazz Festival (www.capetownjazzfest.com) in March, the Splashy Fen rock and pop festival in Underberg, KwaZulu Natal (www.splashyfen.co.za) in April, the 10-day National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape (www.nafest.co.za) in June and Woodstock, held near Johannesburg (www.woodstock.co.za) in November. Open air concerts are held in Cape Town's Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on summer Sundays (December to March). Sports stadiums host international pop and rock stars on a regular basis.
Most restaurants and cafes double up as bars in the evening and some have large screen TVs to watch sporting fixtures. In the towns and cities, the nightclubs stay open until late; Cape Town has a thriving gay scene. Sun City's glitzy casinos not only have gaming floors but also entertainment such as bowling alleys, restaurants, and sometimes supper theatres for comedy and cabaret.
Large hotels usually have live music, and may lay on tourist-oriented music, drumming and dance shows. In the parks and reserves, there may be some organised entertainment, but it tends to be low-key; it's more usual for safari lodge guests and staff to gather round a campfire to swap stories.
Shopping
South Africa is home to the mega-mall - and more and more are being built. These large shopping centres generally have long opening hours and parking for hundreds of cars. Apart from shops, they feature post offices, banks, cinemas, restaurants, fast-food courts and supermarkets. The Gateway Mall in Durban is reputedly the largest shopping mall in the southern hemisphere; coming in second is Canal Walk in Cape Town. Johannesburg has several giant shopping centres including the Eastgate and Southgate malls.
In the tourist areas, malls feature shops selling crafts and souvenirs - particularly at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront where there are a number of upmarket African art and curio shops, and in Johannesburg's Rosebank Mall, which is also home to an African craft market.
Away from the malls, African souvenirs can be found in all the cities and along the coast. The bewildering variety of items to buy from across the continent include wooden sculptures, hand-crafted wire objects, cloth and batiks, jewellery, carved soapstone products, drums, stationery made from handmade paper and a vast range of pictorial books. Gold and diamonds make for good buys in South Africa and local wine, brandy and liqueur are cheap and usually excellent.
On departure at the airports or land borders, visitors can claim a 14% VAT refund, minus a 1.5% commission (minimum commission R10), on any unused purchases with a total value of R250 or more bought in South Africa. You need to show your passport, flight ticket, the items and their original tax invoices to the customs officer at the VAT refund desk. For more information look online (www.taxrefunds.co.za).
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1400, although there is an increasing trend to open later and all weekend in major tourist spots and in the large shopping malls. In the cities, there are 24-hour convenience stores.
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Getting There
Getting There by Air
The national airline is South African Airways (SAA) (www.flysaa.com). There are frequent direct and indirect flights by numerous major airlines from destinations throughout Europe and North America.
Approximate Flight Times
From London to Cape Town is 12 hours and to Johannesburg is 11 hours. From New York to Johannesburg is 17.5 hours.
Main Airports
Cape Town (CPT) (Cape Town International) is 22km (16 miles) east of the city (journey time - 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Round-the-clock shuttle buses meet incoming flights. Courtesy buses are operated by some hotels. Authorised airport taxis are operated by Touch Down Taxis, with a surcharge after 2300. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, ATMs, postal services, tourist information desk, restaurants/bars, wi-fi (subscription / credit card), medical clinic and conference facilities.
Durban (DUR) (Durban International) is 18km (11 miles) southwest of the city (journey time - 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Airport shuttle buses and taxis are available to the city. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, ATMs, postal services, tourist information desk, restaurants/bars and wi-fi (subscription / credit card).
Johannesburg (JNB) (OR Tambo International) is 22km (14 miles) east of the city (journey time - 35 minutes). To/from the airport: Shuttle bus services and taxis to Pretoria and Johannesburg are available. Courtesy coaches are operated by major hotels within the vicinity of the airport. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, ATMs, postal services, tourist information desk, restaurants/bars, wi-fi (subscription / credit card), medical clinic and conference facilities.
Port Elizabeth (PLZ) (Port Elizabeth International) is 5km (3 miles) west of the Capital Business District (journey time - 15 minutes). To/from the airport: There is an airport shuttle bus to the main international hotels in Port Elizabeth upon request. Taxis are also available. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, ATMs, post box, information desk, restaurants/bars and conference facilities.
For more information regarding the airports, contact Airports Company South Africa (www.acsa.co.za).
Departure Tax
All taxes are included in the price of an air ticket.
Getting There by Water
Main ports: Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. For more information regarding the ports, contact Transnet National Ports Authority (www.transnetnationalportsauthority.net).
Cruises are offered by various companies between South Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.
Getting There by Road
There are main routes into South Africa from Botswana (via Ramatlabama), Lesotho, Mozambique (via Komatipoort), Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe (via Beitbridge). Services to and from the capital cities of neighbouring countries are provided by the major bus companies, Greyhound (tel: 083 915 9000; www.greyhound.co.za), Intercape (tel: 0861 287 287; www.intercape.co.za) and Translux (tel: 0861 589 282; www.translux.co.za).
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Sightseeing
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
Cape Town's main hub, the V&A Waterfront (www.waterfront.co.za), a beautifully restored old Victorian harbour, offers free entertainment and a wide variety of shops, plus museums (including an excellent aquarium), taverns and restaurants.
Government Avenue, Cape Town
Lined with fine old buildings, Government Avenue harbours relics of colonial government, including the South African Museum, Planetarium and National Gallery, the Houses of Parliament, Bertram House, the Groote Kerk (Dutch Reformed church) and Company's Gardens, a park founded in the 17th century.
Boulders Beach's penguin colony
The largest colony of African penguins to live on the mainland make their home in burrows on a protected part of Boulders Beach in Simonstown, near Cape Town. Visitors can watch them from a boardwalk.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
This extraordinarily beautiful landscaped garden, created by Cecil Rhodes in 1895 on the lower slopes of Table Mountain, is dedicated to indigenous plants and flowers, particularly those unique to the Cape (www.sanbi.org).
Addo Elephant National Park
Elephant herds are easy to spot in this park (www.addoelephant.com), which is also home to black rhino, buffalo and antelopes. Nearby is the upmarket Shamwari Game Reserve (www.shamwari.com), an award-winning conservation project, which has elephants, lions, leopards, rhino and buffalo.
iSimangaliso (formerly Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park
This wilderness park (www.isimangaliso.com), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the only place in the world where hippos, crocodiles and sharks share the same lagoon. It also has giant dunes, beaches and tropical reefs, with superb birdwatching and diving.
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve
With rocky hillsides, open savannah and thick woodland, this huge protected area supports numerous mammals, including the 'Big Five', and well over 300 bird species. There are more rhinos here than anywhere else on earth.
Kruger National Park
World-famous for its wildlife, the Kruger Park (www.sanparks.org) is one of Africa's most popular places to track down the 'Big Five'. Surrounding the massive park are private concessions that are less crowded, with exclusive safari camps and lodges catering for luxury travellers.
Pilanesberg Game Reserve
The third-largest game park in South Africa, this is an excellent 'Big Five' destination (www.pilanesberggamereserve.com). Ringed by ancient hills and scattered with prehistoric remains, it's within easy reach of the over-the-top resort of Sun City.
Panorama Route, Mpumalanga
At the top of the spectacularly scenic Blyde River Canyon in the northern Drakensberg, just to the west of Kruger, there are waterfalls, dramatic mountains, plunging cliffs and fine views of the Lowveld, 1,000m (3,300ft) below (www.mpumalanga.com).
KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields
You can learn about the series of wars between the Zulus, Afrikaans and British (1830-1902) by exploring their bloody frontline in northern KwaZulu-Natal, an area of rolling grassland and rocky kopjies (hills), marked by graves, memorials and monuments (www.battlefields.kzn.org.za).
Kimberley
Here you'll find the Big Hole (www.thebighole.co.za), hand-dug by eager diamond prospectors in Kimberley's glory days of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The nearby Visitors Centre includes a period reconstruction of the town and a well-stocked diamond vault.
Apartheid Museums, Johannesburg
Johannesburg's critically acclaimed Apartheid Museum (www.apartheidmuseum.org) tells the whole story of pre-1994 South Africa, Soweto's excellent Hector Pieterson Museum covers the 1976 student uprising and Constitutional Hill (www.constitutionhill.org.za) is on the site of a notorious jail where many activists were detained.
Robben Island
A short ferry trip from Cape Town takes you across Table Bay to Robben Island (www.robben-island.org.za), where Nelson Mandela and many other anti-apartheid activists were incarcerated. Visitors can ride around the island on an old prison bus and peek inside Mandela's cell.
Spring flowers in Namaqualand
The arid Namaqualand region (www.namaqualand.com) explodes with colour between mid-August and mid-September, when wild flowers burst into bloom, blanketing the landscape. The West Coast National Park is one of the best places to see the phenomenon.
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Things To Do
Climbing Table Mountain
Cape Town's Table Mountain, the famous flat-topped range, has unique vegetation and stunning views across the peninsula to the Atlantic Ocean. You can either walk up or take the dizzying Aerial Cableway (www.tablemountain.net).
Exploring the Winelands
South Africa has 13 major wine-producing regions (www.winelands.co.za), with signposted wine routes. Wine estates offer tastings in the vineyards or in old Cape-Dutch whitewashed mansions, many of which have excellent restaurants.
Driving along Route 62
This scenic drive (www.route62.co.za) takes you through the Breede Valley area, and the charming little towns of Tulbagh, Worcester, Wellington and Ceres, which all have fine old buildings, interesting small museums, beautiful scenery, vineyards and fruit orchards.
Whale-watching
Migrating whales make their way along the South African coast in the winter months, from June. The best place to watch them is Hermanus, which hosts a Whale Festival (www.whalefestival.co.za) annually during the last week of September.
Scuba diving in KwaZulu-Natal
The KwaZulu-Natal coast offers superb conditions for underwater exploration. Sodwana Bay near Durban is a popular base for reef dives among turtles and tropical fish, while Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, further south, are superb for sharks and wrecks.
Surfing
You can take to the waves at Jeffrey's Bay (J-Bay) near Port Elizabeth, which is home to Supertubes - considered by some surfers as the world's best right hand point break (www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za).
Bungee jumping
The Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump (www.faceadrenalin.com) on the Garden Route, Western Cape, is strictly for adrenaline junkies - at 216m (709ft) above the Bloukrans River, it's one of the world's highest, more than twice the height of the jump over the Zambezi near Victoria Falls.
Golf
Golfers can play a round at any of hundreds of courses across South Africa. Many are in scenic locations and several have been designed by one of the greatest golfers of all time, South African Gary Player.
Hiking
South Africa's beautiful wilderness regions are excellent for hikers. Highlights include the Drakensberg's (www.drakensberg.kzn.org.za) many mountain trails, with refreshing mountain streams, ancient yellow-wood trees and Bushmen cave art and the Otter Trail, a multi-day coastal hike through Tsitsikamma National Park (www.sanparks.org).
Shark-diving
Several cage-diving operations in Gansbaai and Mosselbaai, Western Cape, offer shark enthusiasts close-up encounters with great whites. Near Gansbaai, Dyer Island, with its penguins, seals and large game fish, is the sharks' natural hunting ground.
Township tours
City visitors can join a guided tour of the townships (the areas where blacks were forcibly relocated during apartheid) to experience their vibrancy and sense of community. Tours run from most major cities; Soweto in Johannesburg and Cape Town's Cape Flats are most popular.
Beaches
South Africa's world-renowned beaches include popular Plettenberg Bay; Durban's attractive city beach, the Golden Mile; the family beaches at the South Coast resorts of Amanzimtoti, Scottsburgh, Port Shepstone and Margate; and Cape Town's impossibly trendy Camps Bay.
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Transport
Getting Around by Air
Domestic flights are run by South Africa Airways (SA) (www.flysaa.com) along with Airlink (4Z) (www.flyairlink.com) and South African Express (YB) (www.flysax.com), and by three low-cost airlines; Kulula (MN) (www.kulula-air.com), 1Time (1T) (www.1time.aero) and Mango (JE) (www.flymango.com). Daily flights link Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth; South African Airways, Airlink and South African Express also cover Kimberley and the smaller regional centres. Good deals can be found if booking early online.
Getting Around by Water
Cruise ships stop in Cape Town and Durban ports.
Getting Around by Rail
The principal intercity services are run by Shosholoza Meyl (tel: 011 774 4555; www.shosholozameyl.co.za), and there are eight daily trains that crisscross the country. Trains go between Johannesburg and Musina, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town and also between Cape Town and Durban. These trains are cheap, but very slow and most journeys go overnight. Tourist class trains have a restaurant car and sleeping compartments with shared showers; economy class trains just provide seats and a snack bar. Children under four years of age travel free. Children aged four to 12 years pay half fare.
Luxury trains
Premier Classe (tel: 086 000 8888; www.premierclasse.co.za) runs between Johannesburg and Cape Town twice a week, and is more comfortable than the regular train, with a formal dining car and extras such as gowns and toiletries. The Blue Train (tel: 012 334 8459 or 021 449 2679; www.bluetrain.co.za) and the Rovos Rail Pride of Africa (tel: 012 315 8242; www.rovos.co.za) offer luxurious cabins with baths and digital entertainment, plus gourmet food and fine wines in the elaborate dining cars. Often dubbed 5-star hotels on wheels, they both run between Pretoria and Cape Town. The Shongololo Express (tel 011 483 0657; www.shongololo.com) is a luxury tourist service running from Cape Town to Johannesburg and on to other sightseeing spots in southern Africa.
Gautrain Rapid Rail Link
This is presently under construction and when completed, in time for the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup, will link Johannesburg with Pretoria via OR Tambo International Airport (tel: 011 891 7108; www.gautrain.co.za).
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the left. There is a well-maintained network of roads and national highways in populous regions. Except for rural lanes and tracks in most national parks and game reserves, most roads are paved. The main roads in Kruger are tarred and suitable for a normal car. Road signs are in English and Afrikaans. National highways link the main cities; they are denoted with an 'N' and are toll roads. Tolls vary from R2.50 to R61; expect to pay around R0.3 per kilometre. Many of these run into neighbouring countries. There are 24-hour service stations with convenience stores, restaurants and ATMs at regular intervals along the major routes. However it should be noted that credit cards cannot be used to pay for fuel; only cash is accepted.
Bus/coach: Various operators, such as Greyhound (tel: 083 915 9000; www.greyhound.co.za), Intercape (tel: 0861 287 287 or 021 380 4400; www.intercape.co.za) and Translux (tel: 0861 589 282; www.translux.co.za), run intercity express links across the country using modern air-conditioned coaches with onboard toilets, movies and refreshments. Be aware, however, on long distances the buses travel overnight so you may arrive at your destination at an inconvenient hour. Bus tickets can also be bought through South Africa's national travel and entertainment ticket agency, Computicket (tel: 011 340 8000; www.computicket.co.za), which has online booking and kiosks in the larger shopping malls.
The Baz Bus (tel: 021 439 2323; www.bazbus.com) is a hop-on, hop-off bus service that runs between Cape Town and Durban and between Durban and Pretoria via Johannesburg on two routes; one via the Drakensberg and one via Swaziland. It picks up and drops off passengers at backpackers' hostels.
Taxi: Available throughout the country, at all towns, hotels and airports, with rates for distance and time. For long-distance travel, a quotation should be sought.
Car hire: To hire a car, travellers must have a valid driving licence. Self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available from both international and local car hire companies at most airports and in major city centres.
Regulations: In non-residential areas, speed limits are 120kph (75mph) and 60kph (35mph) in built up areas. Overtaking is permitted in any lane, including the hard shoulder. Speed cameras are common and fines for speeding and drunk driving are very heavy. It is illegal to carry petrol other than in built-in petrol tanks. It is compulsory to wear a seat belt and obligatory that all vehicles carry two red triangles to be placed 20m (66ft) in front and behind the vehicle in the event of a breakdown.
Emergency breakdown service: Automobile Association (AA) (tel: 083 84322 or 011 799 1000; www.aa.co.za).
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is not required, and drivers can use a licence from their home country as long as it is in English. Generally the minimum age is 25 but with some companies it is 21.
Note: Visitors are advised to avoid the Berea and Hillbrow areas of Johannesburg. There have been a number of muggings around the Rotunda Bus Terminal in the city centre.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
There are bus networks in all the main towns. In Cape Town, the buses are run by Golden Arrow; the operator in Johannesburg is Metrobus. Fares are zonal, with payment in cash or with 10-ride pre-purchase 'clipcards' from kiosks.
There is an urban train network Metrorail in the larger cities, which is used by commuters. These trains are generally not recommended to visitors due to a high crime risk.
Minibus taxis are also found in all South African towns. These, although cheap and very fast, should be used with care as they are driven rather recklessly.
For ordinary taxis, fares within the city areas are fairly expensive. Taxis do not cruise and must be ordered by phone. Taxi drivers expect a 10% tip.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Cape Town to other major cities/towns in South Africa.
| Air | Road | Rail |
| Johannesburg | 2.00 | 15.00 | 24.00 |
| Durban | 2.00 | 18.00 | 38.00 |
| Pretoria | 2.00 | 16.00 | 26.00 |
| Port Elizabeth | 1.00 | 7.00 | - |
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Weather
South Africa's climate is generally sunny and pleasant, but there is considerable regional variation: the northwest is very arid, the south is temperate, and the northeast has a more typically tropical climate. Winters (May to August) are generally mild, particularly in the Western Cape; most of the rest of the country receives only a brief cold spell, when snow falls on the mountain ranges and occasionally in lower-lying areas. The rainiest months in Cape Town are May to August; Johannesburg receives most of its annual rainfall in the summer, between November and March.
Required Clothing
Lightweight cottons and linens; rainwear. Warmer clothes are needed for winter.
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