South Africa

Welcome to South Africa ! Black-maned lions framed against Kalahari dunes; powdery beaches lapped by two oceans; star-studded desert skies; jagged, lush mountains – this truly is a country of astounding diversity ! Wild Life South Africa is one of […]

Welcome to South Africa !

Black-maned lions framed against Kalahari dunes; powdery beaches lapped by two oceans; star-studded desert skies; jagged, lush mountains – this truly is a country of astounding diversity !

Wild Life

South Africa is one of the continent’s best safari destinations, offering the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) and more in accessible parks and reserves. You can drive right into the epic wilderness at Kruger, Kgalagadi and other parks, or join khaki-clad rangers on guided drives and walks. But it’s not all about big-game sightings – wildlife watching here also teaches you to enjoy the little things: a leopard tortoise ambling alongside the road, a go-away bird chirping its distinctive chant in the trees, or an encounter with seals, whales or a great white shark along the coast.

Dramatic Landscapes

South Africa’s landscapes are stunning, from the burning Karoo and Kalahari semideserts to the misty heights of the Drakensberg range and the massive Blyde River Canyon. Even in urban Cape Town, you need only look up to see the beautiful fynbos (indigenous flora) climbing the slopes of Table Mountain, while nearby, two of the world’s most dramatic coastal roads lead to Cape Point and Hermanus. Add the vineyards carpeting the Cape Winelands, old-growth forests along the Garden Route, wrinkly mountain ranges from the Cederberg to the Swartberg, and Indian Ocean beaches, and there’s a staggering variety to enjoy.

Outdoor Activities

South Africa’s ever-changing scenery is the perfect canvas on which to paint an activity-packed trip. Try rock climbing in the craggy Cederberg, surfing off the Eastern Cape coast, abseiling from Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain, bungee jumping from the Garden Route’s Bloukrans Bridge, or swinging into Graskop Gorge. If adrenaline sports aren’t your thing, opt instead for a hike: options include multi-day treks through wildlife reserves, dusty day walks in the Karoo semidesert, ‘slackpacking’ trails along the Cape coast, or an overnight hike into the sometimes snow-capped peaks of the Drakensberg.

History

To visit South Africa without learning about its tumultuous history would be to miss a crucial part of the country’s identity. Museums from Jo’burg to Robben Island, many including exhibits on the apartheid era, might not be lighthearted, but will help you to understand the fabric of South African society and appreciate how far the country has come. Continue your history lesson with a township visit to the likes of Soweto (Jo’burg) or Langa (Cape Town), chatting to locals and learning that, despite the heart-wrenching past, there is great pride here and an immense sense of promise for the future.

When to Go & Weather :

Most parks offer year-round wildlife viewing, but they are at their best during the Dry season when wildlife is easier to spot. Kgalagadi gets extremely hot during December to February and is best visited in cooler months.

May to September –Dry Season – Winter

• Wildlife is easier to spot because there is less vegetation and animals gather around rivers and waterholes
• Little to no rain and most days are sunny
• Few mosquitoes
• Low season and parks are not crowded, except for Kruger during school holidays
• It gets cold at night and in the mornings

October to April –Wet Season – Summer

• After the first rains, the scenery turns green and all looks fresh
• Best time for bird watching, and migratory birds are present
• Rains are mostly short afternoon showers and seldom really interfere with your trip
• Wildlife viewing can be quite slow since the bush is thicker and wildlife is more difficult to spot
• It gets very hot in December, January and February, and parks get crowded during the school holidays in December

Sample Itinerary

This trip combines wildlife watching with the Cape’s scenery and culture.

Head directly east from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport to Kruger National Park, where more than 20,000 growly members of the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) roam the bushveld. Staying in a bush camp or luxurious private reserve and going on self-drive safaris, guided drives and walks will keep you and your binoculars busy. From Kruger, head back to the bright lights of Johannesburg.

Next, take a flight to Cape Town; alternatively, take a scenic overnight train ride in tourist class on Shosholoza Meyl’s trans-Karoo service (or the Blue Train or Rovos Rail from Pretoria). Relax and enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful cities, spending your days exploring the likes of Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and your nights dining in world-class restaurants and drinking in the ‘Tavern of the Seven Seas’. CapeTown is surrounded by beaches and vineyards; have lunch in winemaking Stellenbosch and wander the refined Cape Dutch student town’s lanes.

Fast Facts

Capital: South Africa actually has 3 Capitals.

1. The administrative capital of South Africa is Pretoria.
2. The legislative capital is Cape Town
3. The judicial capital of South Africa is Bloemfontein

Currency: South African Rand

Language: Zulu, Xhosa, English, Afrikaans

Recommendations: Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Kgalagadi (Kalahari) Transfrontier Park