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SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL GUIDE
South Africa is a busy tourist hotspot and has a lot going for it, with bustling cities, gorgeous beaches, stunning landscapes, decent weather and reasonable prices. It is home to Cape Town – one of the world’s great cities - with its fine beaches and many attractions. Other major centres include laid-back Port Elizabeth on the south coast, manic Durban on the east coast, cultured Pretoria in the north and the bustling neighbouring city of Johannesburg. Sun City is also a major talking point, with its casinos and mega hotels, while Kruger National Park is the country’s foremost reserve and a great place to enjoy a wildlife safari.
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SOUTH AFRICA WEATHER - When To Go
Heavily influenced by the flanking of the Indian and Atlantic oceans, South Africa has a mostly temperate climate with many sunny, dry days, making it possible to visit at any time of year. The coolest and driest time to visit is during the winter (June to September), which is especially popular with hikers and wildlife watchers. Summertime, from October to February, generally sees rainfall throughout the country and hot, muggy weather.
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SOUTH AFRICA HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Cape Town: with the iconic Table Mountain looking on, Cape Town, the ‘Mother City’, is South Africa’s jewel in the crown, a city of contrasts and massive tourist appeal where at least a week is needed to do the place justice. It has the best hotels, shopping and dining on the continent, superb surfing beaches, and an impressive history best seen in its museums and cultured areas such as Bo Kaap. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (V&A Waterfront) is the main tourist hangout, where shops, cafés and bars galore reside, and from where you can get a boat to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned. For hikers, Table Mountain the hard way is a must.
- Johannesburg: is South Africa’s gateway and largest city. Better known as Jo’burg, it features excellent museums, including the Mandela Family Museum in Soweto and the Apartheid Museum, as well as nearby nature reserves. The Johannesburg Art Gallery and Museum Africa are also worth a look while those in search of nightlife need look no further than the Rivonia district with its many bars, clubs and restaurants. Johannesburg has a reputation for crime and keeping your wits about you is a must.
- Durban: lies on the east coast and features South Africa’s best weather and beaches. Mega resorts and hotels line the beachfront of the Indian Ocean where the bulk of the attractions and tourist facilities are. You could easily base yourself here for a week or two to bask in the sun and absorb the mix of colonial, Zulu, and Hindu cultures. If you can tear yourself away from the beach be sure to check out City Hall, African Art Centre, uShaka Marine World, the beautiful Botanical Gardens and the fascinating Zulu culture in nearby Kwazulu Natal. Also, make sure you try the city’s delicious seafood.
- Kruger National Park: is South Africa’s premier wildlife sanctuary, where leopards, lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, hippos, zebras, giraffes, and crocodiles all reside, along with over 500 species of birds. Major attractions in Kruger National Park include nine outstanding wilderness trails and some luxurious as well as basic lodging options. It is hard to get bored here and most visitors need at least a few days wildlife spotting to get the most out of this vast park.
- Blyde River Canyon: is the third largest canyon on the planet and can be accessed from Kruger National Park in a day for a scenic driving trip.
- Pretoria: is one of South Africa’s major cities but is a far cry from its larger neighbour of Johannesburg. This fine leafy city is one of tree-lined roads, stunning old architecture, and a fine collection of museums and galleries, of which the African Window Museum is a highlight. Being a university town, Pretoria also boasts a decent nightlife as well as several quality theatres, while options for getting active around Pretoria abound; hiking, mountain biking and four-wheel driving are all popular.
- Sun City: is located in South Africa’s North West province. It is a purpose-built city and a pure leisure destination with hotels, casinos, shops, restaurants and golf courses galore. The city essentially consists of four massive, opulently-decorated hotel complexes where every type of leisure activity awaits, including great swimming, sunbathing, shopping and eating. Hotels include: Sun City Hotel, Cabanas Hotel, Cascades Hotel, and Palace of the Lost City. The latter is lavish beyond words and features the bustling casino area.
- Port Elizabeth: borders the Indian Ocean halfway between Cape Town and Durban. The windy city is purported to also be a friendly one, founded by the British in the early 1800s and as such it displays a wealth of fine colonial niceties, including the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club and the Historic Donkin Heritage Trail. Port Elizabeth also has fine beaches where water sports are ever popular, as well as a bustling boardwalk, malaria-free wildlife areas, a vibrant restaurant and night scene and the oldest bowling green in South Africa.
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SOUTH AFRICA HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: Every major city and resort has a wealth of eateries where prices are generally reasonable and the choice excellent. Cape Town, Pretoria, Sun City and Port Elizabeth feature everything from international restaurants where European, Indian and Malay influenced dishes can be had, to typical Western fast food chains. Popular national dishes include: bobotie (curry), sosaties (kebab), and potjjekos (casserole).
- Entertainment and Nightlife: All the big towns and resorts have great nightlife, with Cape Town and Port Elizabeth doing particularly well. Pretoria is also known for its theatres, while local beers and imported brands are popular throughout South Africa. Wine lovers will be bowled over by the choice, particularly in Cape Town.
- Accommodation: Everything is here from the five–star opulence of Sun City and Cape Town to a thicket of mid-range hotel and bed and breakfast options in all cities, as well as camping in the sticks. Some of the reserve lodging is surprisingly luxurious and affordable.
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SOUTH AFRICA FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
Direct flights to Cape Town from London are available via British Airways and South African Airways.
Flights to Johannesburg are available via British Airways, South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Also try Expedia.co.uk and Netflights for regional flight options to South Africa, via stop-over flights in places such as Amsterdam or Paris.
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