Home Tours World Tours South Africa

South Africa is the southernmost country on the continent of Africa, which is the world's second largest continent.

A wise old Sage of the 17th century, Sir Thomas Browne, once wrote: "We carry with us the wonders we seek without us." And he went on to say: "There is all of Africa and her prodigies within us." Though on the one hand he seems to say that you don't have to go anywhere, whatever you seek outside of yourself is already inside of you, he also seems to suggest that "the wonders we seek without us" are also there to make us go within, to rediscover our soul, or "remember our spirit". In other words, the external worlds of our discoveries are the 'teasers', the stimuli for rediscovering our inner worlds again. We have to discover the inner reaches of the outer spaces…

Without getting too deeply into the 'philosophy of travel', it seems true enough to say that travelling is about finding ourselves in the very process of discovering other places. Travelling awakens something inside of us - of our souls that may have gone to sleep, or been merely dreaming, or may never have been called into awareness yet. Indeed, the world outside is always holding up a mirror to the soul. It is always calling us to greater awareness, and to self-recognition.

And the reference to Africa is significant: it is still the most undiscovered continent, the hidden world of marvels that we fantasize about: its great age, its ancient, strange cultures, that seem to stretch back into the mists of time and the mythical world of legend, where fact blends with, or is superseded by, fiction.

Perhaps in the developed world something has been lost. We live with noise pollution, air pollution and soul pollution, with countless intrusions on our privacy and never-ending demands on our time. We tend to become disconnected from one another. Perhaps there is too much plastic, too much disposable culture, and too much high tech without the high touch? Values have become superficial, too much gloss and too little substance. Where has it all gone?

Well, perhaps it is waiting for you in Africa: in the silences, the spaces, the clean air and pure water, the wildness of unadulterated, pristine nature, the soul's playmate from childhood times…the animals that seem to have always been there, and the people who still carry the memories of former, simpler times…

And if so, then South Africa is the best starting-point for getting into Africa. South Africa is a sense of the high touch, 'crossover' country, where you will get the best of both worlds, where you will, indeed, get 'the world in one country'. Much of what life in the new millennium is going to be all about, deciding what kind of future we and our children are going to have, is distilled here under the intense blue dome of the sky. Here you will discover so much of that which you carry within you…

Seasons to Visit: South Africa is an all year round destination. However there are certain regions that are more popular at different times. The northern regions are good destinations in the winter months as game viewing is at its best and the temperatures are very mild. The southern regions are summer destinations with low summer rainfall. Namaqualand in the Western and Northern Cape Provinces becomes a floral masterpiece in spring (mid-August to mid-September), when the desert-like terrain is transformed into a carpet of flowers and draws thousands of visitors. The warm waters of the east coast make for almost year-round swimming. Winter is mild, except in the highest parts of the country. South Africans tend to take their annual holidays in summer and this causes tourist destinations to be overcrowded from mid-December to late January, as well as during the other school holidays.

Entry Requirements: Entry permits are issued free on arrival to visitors on holiday from many Commonwealth and most Western European countries, as well as Japan and the USA. If you aren't entitled to an entry permit, you'll need to get a visa (also free) before you arrive.

Dress: Casual, comfortable wash and wear clothing is most useful. Jackets and ties are required in city hotel restaurants and golf clubs. Fleece or sweater and a warm jacket for game drives or cool evenings. Good comfortable walking shoes, Wide brimmed hat and Sunglasses.

Food/ Restaurants: The cities are very well endowed indeed with restaurants of every persuasion. Cape Malay restaurants serve mostly fruity, not-too-hot curries (and some don't allow you to bring alcohol, so ask when booking). African restaurants tend to offer the staple food eaten by the majority of Africans, and Traditional South African restaurants concentrate on what we fondly call boere kos (which usually means Afrikaner, but there is always some overlap with Malay and African). Township restaurants, which may double up as shebeens (local taverns) offer soul food in vibrant surroundings. And, of course, don't forget that wonderful seafood, which is best, enjoyed beach restaurants. If you don't fancy getting sand in your shoes (what shoes?) there are a number of excellent "normal" seafood restaurants.

Shopping: The first choice would be arts and crafts, including a range of fantastic pots, basketware, beadwork and carvings all over the country. South Africa's wealth is built on the mining industry and you will find good quality designer jewellery in many centres. The clothing industry manufactures garments ranging from high fashion to well-made safari clothing and sportswear, all of which are reasonably priced. If you're after real bargains, though, check out some of the factory outlets, mainly in Cape Town, which is the centre of the clothing industry. Another wonderful buy is colourful African cloth, which you can have made up into contemporary or traditional garments. And, in true African style, shopping is not limited to conventional stores, or even markets. In South Africa you'll find street stalls offering the most unlikely goods, and the one memory you will almost certainly take home with you is the incredibly vibrant trade which is conducted on the side of the highways and at traffic lights.

Transportation: South Africa is served by more than 70 international airlines and the national carrier, South African Airways, flies to many destinations in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Johannesburg International Airport is the major gateway offering both domestic, African regional and international connections. There are also an increasing number of international flights direct to Cape Town, and a few direct to Durban. Altogether there are more than 30 international airports in South Africa. South Africa's road infrastructure is excellent, so it's a viable option to rent a car, a four-wheel drive or even a motorcycle. If you're not used to driving long distances, buses and trains offer comfortable alternatives, allowing you to relax and enjoy the landscape. It's a huge country, so make sure you plan your journey ahead.

Health risks: Malaria is mainly confined to the eastern half of South Africa, especially on the lowveld (coastal plain). Bilharzia is also found mainly in the east but outbreaks do occur in other places, so you should always check with your overland adventure guide before drinking water or swimming in it.

[top]