Travel to South Africa and experience one of Africa's best travel destinations for all budgets. South Africa offers excellent safaris, beautiful beaches, diverse cultures, gourmet food and world class wines. This article covers your basic travel information for South Africa including visas, health, safety, weather, currency, when to go, how to get there and local transport options.
When to Go
South Africa's seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere.
Spring is September - October
Summer is November - March
Fall is April - May
Winter is June - August
Summers can get quite hot especially around Durban and KwaZulu-Natal where summer rains make it humid and muggy. The winters are generally mild with perhaps a dusting of snow on higher elevations. Click here for today's weather forecast and average annual temperatures.
There's not really a bad time to go to South Africa but depending on what you would like to do, some seasons are better than others.The best time to:
Go on safari is June to September (dry season)
Visit Cape Town is November to March (summer)
Go rafting is December to February (rainy season)
See flowers is August to September (spring)
Go whale watching is June to December
Note: Most South Africans will plan their vacations during the long school holiday from mid-December to the end of January so hotels, tours, and lodges book up quickly during that time.
Getting To South Africa
By Air
Most tourists fly in to South Africa. There are three international airports but the one most people arrive at is the Johannesburg International Airport. It is a large modern airport, very easy to use and there's lots of transport available to get in to town.
The other two international airports are: Cape Town International Airport and Durban International Airport.
By land
If you are lucky enough to and have the time to travel Overland (or if you live in a neighboring country) there are several borders you can cross. Border posts are open daily, the main ones are as follows:
South Africa / Namibia Vioolsdrif 24 hours
South Africa / Mozambique Komatiepoort 07:00 22:00
South Africa / Botswana Tlokweng 07:00 22:00
South Africa / Zimbabwe Beitbridge 06:00 20:00
South Africa / Swaziland Oshoek 07:00 22:00
Source Go2Africa.com
By Bus
There are several luxury bus services that run from South Africa to Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. One such company is Intercape Mainliner.
By Train
It is possible to travel to South Africa by train from a number of countries. Perhaps the best option is the Shongolo Express which travels between South Africa , Namibia , Mozambique , Botswana , Swaziland , Zambia and Zimbabwe. It's a tourist train and a bit like going on a cruise except you don't have to deal with the waves.
The Rovos Train is another luxurious train which offers regular trips from Pretoria to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia).
Getting Around South Africa
By Air
Domestic flights are numerous and connect most of the major towns and cities. It's a good option if you don't have a lot of time to see the whole country. Kulula.com offers some good rates. Click here for a good overview of all domestic airline services offered.
By Bus
There are several bus companies servicing the main towns of South Africa. They are generally very comfortable and luxurious and cheaper than flying. A reputable company is Intercape Mainliner their site has routes and prices as well as a route map. The Greyhound Bus company is also a good option, although their web site isn't quite as easy to use.
For budget travellers, the Baz Bus is an ideal way to get around. The company offers passes where you can get on and off whenever you want. It drops you off and picks you up at your hostel door.
By Train
The Blue Train is the ultimate in luxury train travel, the kind of experience which includes five forks and five knives in the place settings at breakfast. You have to book well in advance since this train ride is truly a legendary experience. It is certainly not about getting from A to B, the train has one basic route, from Pretoria to Cape Town.
The Shosholoza Meyl is an excellent option to get around the country. A luxury train with many routes to choose from it is safe and inexpensive to boot.
By Car
South Africa is an excellent country to rent a car and plan your own trip. The roads are good, gas stations have gas and there are plenty of hotels and lodges to stay at along the way. Find out more about renting a car in South Africa by clicking here. You need a valid driver's license (get an international one if yours is not in English), and a major credit card.
http://goafrica.about.com/
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