Holiday Guide to South Africa

South Africa has emerged as one of the the most popular holiday destinations in Africa for travellers from the Middle East. Arab tourists are specially eager to travel to Kruger National Park to see big game. Other tourist attractions include the clean beaches, lush winelands around Stellenbosch and Paarl, craggy cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope, forest and lagoons along the Garden Route, and the picturesque city of Cape Town, beneath flat-topped Table Mountain.

The exotic blend of landscapes, history, culture and people, all add up to makes it truly a unique and inspiring travel destination of the world. South Africa tourism is a heady mix of amazing cultures along with some of the best and least crowded beaches of the world. Throw in thrilling wildlife parks like Kruger National Park, beautiful countryside, 8 World Heritage Sites, fabulous infrastructure and friendly ambience.

Whether you travel to South Africa to experience everything, or simply to explore the beaches, the mountains or the wine routes, there is seldom a traveller who has not found something on South Africa at which to marvel.

Fun Facts About South Africa

• The highest commercial bungy jump in the world is situated along the Garden Route. It is 216 metres high and is called the Bloukrans Bridge Bungy.
• South Africa is the second largest fruit producer in the world.
• Approximate 20% of the world’s gold is mined in South Africa.
• South Africa is the largest producer of macadamia nuts in the world.
• The first heart transplant in the world took place in 1967 performed at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.
• There are more than 2000 shipwrecks in and around the South Africa coast.
• South Africa is the only country in the entire world where a street has produced two Nobel Prize winners in history.
• The Route 62 in the Western Cape is the longest wine route in the world.

What To See, Where To Go

Experience the breathtaking scenery and widen your horizons when you get down at the Blyde Canyon Adventure Centre, explore the Magaliesberg Mountains and enjoy outdoor actcities, see McGregor Museum of Kimberley to explore the rich culture, or relax by the most serene beaches. South Africa tourism is simply enchanting in every way.

The popular tourist attractions of South Africa include Western Cape / Cape Town, Eastern Cape, Garden Cape, KwaZulu Natal / Durban, Mpumalanga, Gauteng / Johannesburg, North West Province, Free State, Northern Cape and others. However, here is a suggestive list of places that you might consider visiting while travelling across South Africa:

• Kruger National Park
• Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Sun City Resort
• Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve
• Blyde River Canyon
• Cape Winelands
• Knysna
• Durban Beaches
• Amphitheatre, Drakensberg
• Table Mountain
• Whale Watching

From the sandswept, icy waters of the Cape West Coast to the sunbaked savannah of the Limpopo there are terrains too numerous to absorb in one visit – South Africa is the gem of the African continent.

Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain and Cape Point, Namakwaland’s annual spring flower symphony, the epic peaks of the Drakensberg, the Kruger National Park’s wildlife-filled plains, the shopping bonanza and heartbeat of Jo’burg’s nightlife, the implausible scenic beauty of the Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window in Mpumalanga, and the five ecosystems of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on South Africa’s Elephant Coast – there is magic in every corner of the country.

How many days do you need in South Africa?

For most first time international travellers to South Africa we would recommend 8-12 days as a starting point, as South Africa has an extensive variety of attractions on offer. Cape Town cannot be justified in less than 4 days. A night (or two) in the nearby Cape Winelands or Whale Coast is a great add-on.

Best Time To Visit South Africa

The best time to visit South Africa is from May to September. 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. South Africa makes a year-round destination.

Where to Stay in South Africa

South Africa’s accommodation choices are as diverse as its landscapes, ranging from wine estate country houses to bayside lodges and city-centre hotels. Here is a suggestive list of luxury hotels, resorts and lodges you might consider:

How To Get There

South Africa nation has ten international airports, out of which two major ones are Cape Town International and Tambo International in Johannesburg. There are direct flights from most Middle East countries. There are also direct flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and many other cities across the globe.

Visa Requirements

Visa requirements for entry into South Africa differ from country to country. It is advisable to check with the nearest South African embassy or consulate about documents you need for travel to South Africa.

Getting Around

Most travelers from the Middle East prefer to rent a car to drive around South Africa. It is the easiest and cheapest way of getting around the country. The country’s road infrastructure is excellent, the driving conditions similar to any other developed country.

Itinerary: Editor’s Suggestions

During one of my visits to South Africa, I rented a car from Johanesburg Airport and drove approximately 5,000 kilometres across South Africa covering a almost all major cities in South Africa in one month. Based on my experiences I have outlined a suggestive itinerary for those wanting to explore South Africa:

Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg
Day 2: Sun City Resort
Day 4-5: Durban
Day 6-9: Garden Route
Day 10-13: Cape Town
Day 14-17: Johannesburg

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South Africa in Pictures

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Video Report

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