From bushveld through deserts and forests, up winter snow-capped peaks down to wide,
unspoiled beaches and coastal wetlands, lies the sprawling land called South Africa. This
land of unequalled splendor and diversity beckons you.
In a country so spoiled with natural beauty, you will find the great outdoors irresistible.
Hiking trails range from day-long to week-long expeditions. Hot-air ballooning, bungee
jumping, river-rafting, surfing, all water sports and eco-adventures - any oudoor acitivities
you can imagine.
Experience some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. Visit some of the
world's best wine estates. With 2236 miles of coastline there is no shortage of beaches
for sun lovers.
Visit an African cultural village or take a guided tour of Soweto - a melting pot of old and
new. It brims with an enormous "informal economy" of vendors, artists, traditional healers
and craftsmen. Dance to township music, sample the cuisine and listen to the stories.
Meet the people who are the backbone of our nation.
Music and arts festivals occur year round. In all major cities and towns, you'll find street
markets filled with African art - each with a distinct local style. And shopping malls - like
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront situated in the Cape Town docks, now an enormous
entertainment venue.
There is no shortage of restaurants. Menus range from the everyday to the sublime;
Indian curries, Cape Malay dishes, thick juicy steaks, as well as numerous seafood
delights. After dinner your options are still unlimited. Theatres host local and international
productions. Live music venues, night-clubs, cigar bars, cinemas and casinos will keep
you entertained until dawn.
Come - gaze upon ever changing, endless vistas. Feel the warmth of tropical and
temperate climates. Explore areas of fynbos, forest, Karoo or savannah - each home to
an incredible array of flora. See the floral carpets in Namaqualand stretch to the horizon
in springtime. Walk the cycad valleys in the northern Province - unchanged since
prehistoric times and home to Modjadji the Rain Queen. Stand in the shadow of a giant
baobab tree - the ancient guardians of the north. Or picnic in the Kirstenbosch Gardens of
the fair Cape - home to more that 6000 species of plant and tree.
In this well-preserved natural heritage, you will discover South Africa's cultural riches -
equally unspoiled: the beehive huts of the Zulu people, Ndebele artwork and jewellery
and the traditional dress of the Xhosa people. Sculptures, weaving, paintings, songs and
dances. In every sight, sound and texture, you will catch glimpses of ancient cultures. In
fact, South Africa is home to three world heritage sites. The Sterkfontein Caves - where
humankind first stood up straight and our consciousness awakened. This wonder of
palaeontology is a mere twenty minutes from the modern metropolis of Johannesburg.
From Cape Town, a short ferry trip takes you to Robben Island and Nelson Mandela's
prison cell, where you can experience the view that kept the dream of freedom for his
people and his country alive. North of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, you can visit the great
estuarine lake of St. Lucia - home to hippopotamus and crocodile and a birdwatcher's
paradise.
And whether you witness our sun rising from Signal Hill in Cape Town or over the
savannah, you will find it hard to believe that it's the same sun you see at home.
Access by air
More than 60 international airlines including South African Airways, link the country with the rest of the world. A
flight from New York to Johannesburg takes 17 hours and 30 minutes.
Accommodation
Accommodation ranges from the most exclusive 5 star hotels, resorts and luxury game lodges, right through to
bed and breakfast, backpacker lodges and hostels.
Banking & currency
Foreign exchange services are provided by all major banks and Foreign Exchange Bureaus. American Express,
Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa are welcome. Local currency = Rand (R1 = 100 cents). Because of the
favorable exchange rate, foreign currency goes very far in South Africa. The following is the US $ equivalent of a
Big Mac in several countries: US-2.43; UK-3.07; France-2.87; Germany-2.72; Netherlands-2.66; South
Africa-1.38.
Getting around
Major car rental companies service all cities and airports. Package deals with airlines and hotels are offered. South Africa drives on the
left. Speed limits range from 60 km/h (37mph) in urban areas to 120km/h (75mph) on freeways. Coaches, buses, trains & domestic
airlines service all major cities.
Entry requirements
Visitors must hold a valid passport & may require a visa. Although over 80 countries, including the USA, Canada, Japan and the EU
member countries do not require visas, check if you need a visa & if travelling to neighboring countries and back to South Africa apply
for a multiple-entry visa.
Health & immunization
Visitors to Northern KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Northern Province should consult their doctor or pharmacist about appropriate
malaria prophylactics. Travel health insurance is recommended.
From bushveld through deserts and forests, up winter snow-capped peaks down to wide,
unspoiled beaches and coastal wetlands, lies the sprawling land called South Africa. This
land of unequalled splendor and diversity beckons you.
