At the southernmost tip of the African continent, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) is flanked in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south and east by the Indian Ocean, in the north by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and in the north-east by Mozambique and Swaziland.
The RSA covers an area of 1,127,200 sq. km - about one eighth the size of the USA, and nearly five times the size of the United Kingdom.
and district enjoys a Mediterranean climate (warm dry summers, cool wet winters). Occasional winter snowfalls cover the surrounding mountains. Average maximum summer temperature is 24 C; winter 18 C.
Enjoys elements of the Mediterranean climate of Cape Town as well as that of the summer rainfall regions to the east.
Enjoys summer rainfall (typically after thunderstorms) and cool dry winters. Snowfalls on the Drakensberg cause brief cold snaps. Average maximum summer temperature in Durban is 25,5 C; winter 22,6 C.
Enjoys summer rainfall, typically afternoon thunderstorms of short duration. Mild dry winters are the norm with occasional early morning frost on the Highveld. Average maximum summer temperature in Johannesburg is 24,7 C; winter 18 C. Pretoria summer 27,5 C; winter 21 C. Midsummer temperatures in the Kruger National Park can exceed 35 C.
Pack what you would normally wear in a warm, temperate climate. In the game parks, at holiday resorts and on tour, casual clothing is advisable. In city hotels and restaurants dress is more formal in the evenings. Men usually wear ties and jackets for evening meals and also in the lounges after 18h00.
On tour, wear comfortable clothing for travelling and comfortable shoes for walking. Warm clothing must be packed for the late afternoon and early morning game viewing in the game parks.
Sun, wind, rain, rivers and the opposing influences of two currents, one cold, the other warm, have given rise to a phenomenal spectrum of awe-inspiring landscapes: mountains, plains, plateaux and coast lands, lakes and lagoons, deserts and sun-scorched 'moonscapes'.
There are three capital cities: Cape Town (legislative), Pretoria (administrative) and Bloemfontein (judicial).
Johannesburg is the largest industrial, financial and cultural centre in South Africa.
Cape Town and Durban are two of the most popular holiday playgrounds.
Notable cities and towns from a historical and cultural point of view include: Pietermaritzburg, Grahamstown, Graaff-Reinet, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and Stellenbosch.
The population is currently estimated at approximately 42,000,000.
Most Whites are descended from Dutch, French, British and German immigrants who settled in the country between the 17th and 19th centuries. In more recent times, the country has attracted additional immigrants from these countries, as well as other parts of Europe, China and Africa north of the Limpopo. Unofficial estimates put the number of people of Portuguese extraction (the largest group of recent immigrants) at half a million. It's said that apart from New York, there is no city outside Israel which is quite as Jewish as Johannesburg, where some 60% of the country's 120,000 Jews live.
The Black population is made up of several major ethic groups. The majority are Zulu's, followed by Xhosas, North Sothos, South Sothos, Tswanas, Shangaan-Tsongas and Swazis. All are descendants of tribes who migrated south from central Africa. About 50% of South Africa's Blacks are urbanised.
The majority of Coloureds (people of mixed racial origins) inhabit the eastern Cape. Cape Malays, a subgroup, number about 200,000, and most inhabit the Cape Peninsula, with a heavy concentration in Cape Town's Malay Quarter. The first Asians arrived in 1860 to work on Natal's sugarcane fields, and today over 85% of South Africa's Indians live in Natal. After India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, South Africa's Indian community is the fourth largest in the world. Many are prosperous merchants, traders and professional people.
English and Afrikaans, only two of 11 official languages, are spoken throughout the country. Official notices and road signs appear in both languages. Each of the Black groups has its own language. Urbanised Blacks are usually competent in English and/or Afrikaans. A number of (mainly older generation) Indians still speak the languages of their forefathers, but the practice is gradually falling away in favour of English. Languages such as French, German ad Italian are spoken by staff members at many upmarket hotels and shops.
Efficiency is the keynote of the South African infrastructure: travel and accommodation reservations may be relied upon with confidence.
The national carrier, South African Airways, and several international air and shipping lines link the country with the rest of the world. South Africa's international airports are situated in the vicinity of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
Road and transport systems are the finest on the continent. The road network links all centres, from the largest metropolis to the tiniest village.
In addition to domestic airlines, the following transport options are available: railways (the Blue Train offers a five-star ride), inter-city coaches and fly-drive safaris. 'Designer' tours, arranged to suit individual preferences, are offered by this operator.
Major international car hire companies are represented in South Africa.
Standards are generally high. All tourist accommodation establishments, belonging to the national grading and classification scheme are graded and classified. A one-star grading ranks as good; five stars indicate that the establishment is outstanding. Classification indicates those establishments that offer superior standards of service and hospitality.
In addition to hotels, tourist accommodation encompasses motels, holiday flats and chalets, beach cottages, game lodges, guest farms and youth hostels.
Caravan/camping parks occur throughout the country. Time-share units are a relatively new, but fast developing concept.
On a limited scale, accommodation in private homes provides an attractive option.
Farm holidays are catching on fast, and these are offered throughout the country - a boon for city people who yearn for wide open spaces and a simple life style.
Enquire about information and accommodation in South Africa
Accommodation in South Africa from SafariNow.Com
A direct dialling service connects all local centres except for tiny villages in remote country districts. Europe, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand and India, the Republic of China, Hong Kong, Japan and Israel are among a large number of places where subscribers may be dialled direct. Major hotels and businesses have telex and fax services.
Most city and town power systems are 220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. The Pretoria power system generates 250 volts and Port Elizabeth 220/250 volts. (Adapters for electric shavers and hair dryers are obtainable locally.)
Tap water is purified and 100% safe to drink.
Visitors to the eastern Transvaal lowveld and northern Natal should take anti-malaria tablets before, during and after their stay. The tablets are obtainable without prescription from local pharmacies. It is inadvisable to swim in rivers; and lakes in the eastern and northern regions of the country, as the bilharzia parasite may be present in the water. More Malaria in South Africa information
The South African currency unit is the Rand, denoted by the symbol R. R1 = 100 cent.
The Rand Exchange Rate is in Your Favour!
In addition to shopping bargains, an upmarket hotel will cost you a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere. And the same applies to fine cuisine and wine, entertainment and transport.
VAT, currently at 14%, is included in the marked/quoted price of most goods and services. Foreign tourists may claim refunds of VAT paid on goods which they take out of South Africa. Information leaflets on the procedure to follow to claim VAT refund, are available from Vat Refund Administration offices at the borders and airports.
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