Seasons Spring and Summer: September to March.
Autumn and Winter: April to August.
Daytime temperatures can soar above 40°
Celsius in some areas of the country in summer and night temperatures in winter
can dip to minus 0° Celsius in some areas. Best time of the year to visit
South Africa
Depending on personal preferences, every season has its advantages.
Generally, April and May are the most pleasant months with the most moderate temperatures.
October to April are ideal months to visit our south and western coastal areas.
April to October are the best months to visit our eastern coastline and subtropical
region, as well as the game reserves, wildlife areas and national parks, especially
in the northern and northeastern part of South Africa. Cuisine and Wine
These must rank amongst the finest in the world with meals catering to every taste.
South Africa’s fresh produce, meat, fish and wines are of the finest quality. Cuisine Visitors
can select from a large variety of affordable meals and dishes at the various
establishments throughout the country. All tastes are catered for, from the Western
and European, to the traditional, African, and exotic Eastern dishes. Restaurants
serving cultural dishes from all over the world can be found in most of the large
cities. Throughout the country, there are establishments that serve traditional
South African meals such as Bobotie (a curried Cape Malay dish), Sosaties (a type
of Kebab), Bredie (meat and vegetable casserole), Waterblommetjiebredie (a dish
made from mutton and indigenous water lily), Afval (a traditional Afrikaner meal
of tripe) and many more. On a cultural excursion or tour you can savour
some of the following traditional African dishes or meals: Pap and Sheba (cooked
maize or corn meal with gravy), Marog (wild spinach either alone or mixed with
potato), Braaivleis (a variety of barbecued meat) usually eaten with pap (cooked
corn meal) and gravy, Biltong (dried salted meat strips similar to beef or venison
jerky), Masonja (mopanie worms), flying ants and many more. You could also try
some traditional drinks like Tshwala and Mqombothi which are traditional African
drinks as well as marula beer (a brew made of the fruit of the Marula tree) and
iLala palm brew (made out of the rootsap of the iLala palm). Wines
South Africa is also well known for its large variety of quality wine, which compares
favourably with the best and can be found in establishments all over the world.
The main wine producing area is the Western Cape region with its Mediterranean
climate. Arts and cultureWith all the many languages spoken throughout
South Africa and a complex history, the country has a vibrant arts and culture
tradition. Visitors can experience or visit music and dance, arts and crafts,
performing arts, literature, films, museums and monuments, visual arts, and living
culture. There is also an abundance of national and regional arts festivals. Religion
All the major religions of the world are represented in South Africa. Time
South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 6 hours ahead of Eastern
Standard Time, USA. Agriculture Agriculture is
one of the sectors that employ the most people. Major agricultural produce includes
maize, corn, grain sorghum, cotton, tobacco, wheat, sugarcane, fruits (citrus
and other) and vegetables. Major livestock produce includes cattle, dairy products,
sheep, wool, pigs, poultry, goats, ostriches, and wildlife products. Industry
Besides the very large service industry, which employ the majority of
people in SA, there are also textiles, automobile assembly, iron and steel, fertilizer,
machinery, metalworking, chemicals, foodstuffs, oil and natural gas production,
mining Mining and Minerals South Africa is the world’s
largest producer of gold, platinum and chromium. South Africa has the deepest
gold mine in the world extending about 3.5 kilometres. There are several shafts
in various mines deeper than 3 kilometres. Besides the above other minerals
that are mined include diamonds, other precious minerals, coal, uranium, iron
ore, antimony, nickel, manganese, tin, phosphates, copper, vanadium, salt. Transport With
over 500 000 kilometres of streets and roads, South Africa has the largest road
network of any country in Africa. The public transport network consists
of buses, trains and aeroplanes, with private taxis available in all the large
cities and in many smaller cities and towns. Major Harbours &
Ports
Saldanha Bay, Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, East London,
Durban and Richards Bay
Major Airports
The largest and busiest airport is the OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg (formerly called the Johannesburg International Airport and before that, the Jan Smuts Airport). Cape Town International Airport is also one of the largest and busiest airports. Other major airports are Durban, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein. Domestic flights are available to all major cities and many towns. Charter flights are available to other areas.
Accommodation
Standards
and services are generally of a high quality. Accommodation facilities to choose
from, ranging from backpacking accommodation to the most luxurious hotels.
Main Attractions in South Africa
Nature scenery, wildlife
and wilderness areas, national parks, private game reserves, mountains, coastlines,
adventure activities, museums and monuments, cultural villages.
World
Heritage Sites
South Africa has eight World Heritage Sites. They are:
- Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein (Cradle of Humankind), Swartkrans, Kromdraai and Environs, with the two latest extensions namely Taung Skull Fossil site and Makapan Valley
- Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park
- Robben Island
- Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
- Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
- Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
- Vredefort Dome
- The Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
For more info about these sites visit: UNESCO World Heritage Sites/South Africa
Wetlands
South Africa has 17 wetlands on the
list of Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance.
Rivers and
Dams
Of the many rivers in South Africa, the two largest are the
Orange River or Gariep which flows west and the Limpopo River, which like most
rivers in the country, flows east.
Mountains
Of the
mountain ranges in South Africa, the largest is the Drakensberg / Maluti with
highest peaks above 3400 m.
Electricity
The
power supply is 220 / 230 / 250 Volts AC but conversion or adapters plugs can
be bought if needed. Many hotels have sockets for 110 / 220 volts which can be
used for hairdryers, shavers and other appliances.
National Symbols
Besides the South African Flag and Coat of Arms, the following fauna and flora
are also national symbols:
- National Animal – Springbok – Antidorcas
marsupialis
- National Bird – Blue Crane – Anthropoides
paradisia
- National Fish - Galjoen – Coracinas capensis
- National Tree - Real Yellowwood – Podocarpus latifolius
- National Flower - King Protea – Protea cynaroides
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