South Africa is one of the most
diverse and enchanting countries in the world. From the outstanding
scenery in Cape Town and the Garden Route on the South coast to
the big five in the Kruger National Park in the
North East and Pilanesburg in the North West. Exotic combinations
of landscapes, people, history and culture offer a larger-than-life
experience for the traveler in search of a truly unique and inspiring
experience. South Africa's vast landscape includes savannahs,
mountains, forests, tropical swamps, endless beaches, tranquil
rivers and bustling urban epicenters.
South Africa is almost five times
the size of the UK and about twice the size of France
South Africa is best known for
its abundant wildlife (and of course the famous
"big five") as well as its fantastic birding and eco-tourism possibilities.
However, the real heart of this vibrant country is the diversity
of people and cultures.
South Africa's family tree goes
way back to the start of time. The country has been touted as
the Cradle of Humankind, because it was here that archaeologists
discovered 2,5 million year old fossil of Mrs Ples as well as
the 100 000 year old remains of modern humankind of Homo Hablis.
Many of South Africa's cultures have their roots in an ancient
world of the Bushman of the Kalahari some 25000 yrs ago, whilst
most of the Bantu cultures are relatively new, these migrated
from Central and East African regions around 1200 to 1400 AD.
The People- according to a statistics
census taken in 2011 (Census '02), South Africa's population
was recorded as 48 million people. The results across the racial
groups were: African 80%, White 10%, Coloured 8% and Indian/Asian
2%.
Languages- There are 11
official languages spoken in South Africa, namely:
English, Afrikaans, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho,
Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. However, English
is largely spoken in most large urban areas of the country,
the rural area's is mostly the cultural language of the chiefdom.
Currency - South Africa's unit
of currency is the Rand (ZAR) which is divided into 100 cents.
Notes are R10, R20, R50, R100 & R200 all displaying the Big 5
of the animal kingdom.
Climate - Many call it sunny
South Africa, for good reason. Warm temperate conditions are typical
of South Africa, making it a popular destination for sunshine-seekers.
South Africa is renowned for almost seven months of sunshine (give
or take a few chilly spells in the higher and southern regions).
From May to August, temperatures drop. However, generally speaking,
April and May are the most temperate months. August and September
are the best months for game viewing as the grass is at it's shortest
after the winter period. In certain areas, however, notably the
hot, humid KwaZulu-Natal coast, Mpumalanga and the Northern Province,
July and August are the ideal holiday months in malaria effected
area's. The wide expanses of ocean on three sides of South Africa
have a moderating influence on its climate. More apparent, however,
are the effects of the warm Agulhas and cold Benguela currents
along the east and west coasts, respectively. While Durban (east
coast) and Port Nolloth (west coast) lie more or less on the same
latitude, there is a difference of at least 6 degrees centigrade
in their mean annual temperatures.
Religion - Almost 80% of South
Africa's population adheres to the Christian faith. Other major
religious groups are the Hindus, Muslims and Jews. A minority
of South Africa's population do not belong to any of the major
religions, but regard themselves as traditionalists or of no specific
religious affiliation. Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the
Constitution, and official policy is one of non-interference in
religious practices.
South Africa Wildlife - Southern
Africa is privileged to have one of the largest variety of animals
anywhere in the world. It is home to more than 920 bird species,
150 mammal species, about 35 snake and 15 lizard species, 11
tortoise species and thousands of invertebrate animals like
insects and arachnids. Snakes; there are some 35 species in
southern Africa.
The Kruger National Park"
is situated in the north eastern corner of South Africa,
nestled between the two borders of Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
- (about 2 mil hectares - the size of Wales) and is
one of South Africa's oldest nature reserves. There are some
17 main rest camps inside the park, with restaurants and shopping
facilities, accommodations are in African style thatched chalets
en-suite varying in size to sleep from 2 persons upto the multi
units that can sleep a family of 6 comfortably, there are numerous
private luxury safari bush camps available, these are well worth
the extra costs as you tend to see more of the wildlife including
the BIG 5. The Kruger National Park as an exceptionally rich
mix of wildlife, with some 490 species of birds, 147 mammal
species including the BIG 5, 94 different reptile species, 33
types of amphibians and over 200 different kinds of trees. To
the west of the park is the Blyderiver Canyon,
Pilgrims Rest (living museum) gold town, together with various
waterfalls and scenic drives which can be visited before entering
and after leaving the park.
The Luxury Camps in the Kruger Park are a favorite for Honeymooners
and that romantic holiday getaway.
Time Zone - South African time
zone is GMT + 2 hrs
Electricity Supply - 220 volts
50 hz, plugs are the large 3 pin round type rated at 15 amps.
Airports -There are 3 world class
airports being Jo'Burg, Cape Town and Durban, some visitors plan
their holidays by arriving at one airport and departing from one
of the others after their vacation
Johannesburg - Known as "Egoli"
the City of Gold, established after the worlds largest gold
deposits where discovered in 1886, today Jo'Burg is a cosmopolitan
city and the Business hub of Africa, nearby is the famous township
of "Soweto" pivotal in the downfall
of the old political structure of inequality.
Jo'Burg is an ideal place to start your tour to South Africa with
the Capital City of Pretoria, Sun City, the Kruger
Park and Blyderiver Canyon, Swaziland
and the Anglo-Zulu Battlefields.
Cape Town is one of the most
popular cities in the world and with one visit it is clear to
see why. The mountainous scenery is spectacular, the rugged coastline
is magnificent and the activities to entertain are endless. The
scuba diving in Cape Town provides a great diversity of marine
life; this is attributed to the differences in sea temperature
created by the cold Benguela and warm Agulhas currents colliding
off the Cape peninsula. Whale watching is one of the best experiences
that you'll probably ever see.
South Africa is one of the best-kept secrets in golf
and is fast growing into one of the world's premier destinations.
The fantastic courses and exotic locations provide a unique golfing
experience found nowhere else in the world. It's little
wonder South Africa has established itself as a top golfing destination.
Perfect golfing conditions, the vast and natural beauty of South
Africa's countryside together with the diversity of different
regions and courses all play a part in providing the absolute
best when it comes to golfing.
Interface Travel package tours and safaris.
South Africa Tours and Safaris suitable
for Families, Seniors and Tour Groups to destinations
in South and Southern Africa including Victoria Falls,
tours are designed around clients needs and interests, while
being surrounded in comfort and style..... We have a choice
of fully escorted all year round South African
tour and package holidays with tours to the famous BIG 5 Kruger
National Park of almost 2 mil ha in size, the scenic
Blyderiver Canyon being the third largest in
the world where the early pioneers established themselves in
1844, the mountain kingdom of Swaziland know
as the Switzerland of Africa, we get an opportunity to experience
first hand a traditional way of life of a tribal village.
One of South Africa's first heritage sites with the wetlands
of St Lucia on the east coast and the Rhino conservation of
Hluhluwe Game reserve which saved the white Rhino from extinction.
African Battlefields and Military History sites
of KwaZulu-Natal of the British colonial era of the 19th century
and the nearby mountain range, the Zulu's call it "uKhahlamba"
(the barrier of spears); we know it as the Majestic Drakensberg
and the Sani-Pass 4 x 4 route as used by the
early traders and missionary's. North of Jo'Burg we have Sun
City "the kingdom of pleasure" with the casino's and
entertainment complex and Pilanesberg nature
reserve both of which are situated in an old volcano. South
Africa's business hub of Jo'Burg also known as "Egoli" the place
of gold, it was here in 1886 that the largest gold deposits
was discovered, about 15 kms away the township of Soweto
was setup for the miners of the day and was pivotal in the downfall
of the apartheid system in 1976, this is also the place of Nelson
Mandela's old residence. The mother City of Cape Town
and Garden Route, Table Mountain, Robben Island and
so much more....... the choices of destinations are yours!
