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| South Africa :: South Africa Travel Guide |
South Africa Travel Guide |
| About South Africa |
 South Africa is a rare find…..!! Often referred to as "a world in one country", This country offers an extraordinary variety of leisure opportunities in a country where the scenery is magnificent, the climate sunny and mild and the hospitality legendary thus making it the most desirable holiday destination on earth. |
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| Climate |
| South Africa is said to have all 4 weathers in one day. Climate is generally mild throughout the year with summer from October until March and temperatures between 15C/59F and 36C/97F. Winter temperatures vary between 2C/36F and 15C/59F. |
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| Language |
| English is widely spoken throughout the country, although there are 11 official languages |
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| Currency |
| The monetary unit in South Africa is the Rand (R) = 100 cents, with the international symbol ZAR. The current rate of exchange is 1 USD = ZAR 6.50. Most credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express) and travellers cheques are accepted. |
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| Insurance/Safety |
 It is advisable to have travel insurance before going to S. Africa because medical treatment is expansive. Please contact Travel Relation for the same.
It is advisable to follow internationally accepted guidelines:
Leave valuables in a hotel room safe or safety deposit facility Only carry as much CASH as is necessary Don’t enter deserted or unsafe-looking areas Ensure that you have appropriate insurance cover |
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Tips for Tourists |
| Time difference |
| South Africa-GMT +2, i.e. 3.5 hrs behind India. |
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| Electricity |
| 220/250 V AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are of the round 3-pin variety. Bathroom plugs have two pins. |
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| Food |
| The excellent standards and tremendous range of the cuisine is another part of the holiday experience in S.Africa.Indian meal (both veg & non-veg) is easily available in major cities. |
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| Water |
| Drinking water from taps is safe in towns and hotels. |
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| Shops |
| Open from 08H30 to 17H00 Monday to Friday, and generally closing at 12H30 on Saturdays. |
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| Taxis |
| Should not be hailed on the street and must be ordered by telephone. |
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| Tipping |
| Tips are normally welcome and 10% is a good guideline. Tips are not included on restaurant bills. |
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| Taxation |
| 14% VAT (Value Added Tax) is levied on goods and services. Foreign Tourists can have their VAT refunded at a port of exit, provided the value of items purchased exceeds ZAR500.00 Proof of payment will be required for claims. No refund on services. |
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| South Africa Places of Interest |
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| JOHANNESBURG |
 Explore the bustling City of Gold - Johannesburg. Famous for the gold that was discovered there 100 years ago, it has grown into the biggest city in South Africa. This fast-growing, cosmopolitan city is a vibrant mix of different races, cultures and lifestyles. A popular attraction is Gold Reef City, just south of the city centre, where you can descend 220m underground, s ee a 12.5kg gold pour, be entertained by Siyagida African Dancers , For shopping, Johannesburg is tops: Southgate, Eastgate, Northgate, Westgate, Cresta, Sanlam Centre, Fourways Mall, Balfour Park, Rosebank, very chi-chi Hyde Park and ritzy, glitzy Sandton City, with its recent renaissance addition, Sandton Square |
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| PORT ELIZABETH |
 For the total South African experience, Port Elizabeth, gateway to the Eastern Cape, is the perfect extension to the Garden Route, Settler Hinterland, Sunshine Coast and Cape. Located on the southeastern coast of Africa, this major seaport and tourist destination is set along the dazzling shores of Algoa Bay and is fondly referred to as 'The Friendly City'. Algoa Bay's 40km of magnificent coastline boasts a perfect combination of warm water, protected beaches and invigorating sea breezes. This mecca for beach and water sport enthusiasts is fast becoming South Africa's water sport capital and offers activity throughout the year, especially windsurfing and fishing. In fact, Algoa Bay is regarded as one of the best sailing venues in the world, while scuba-diving is of world-class quality with beautiful reefs, shipwrecks, fish and colourful coral species |
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| CAPE TOWN |
 Known as the mother City, this is South Africa's premier Tourist attraction and
Sir Francis Drake after his record-breaking circumnavigation-dubbed it “the fairest cape in all the circumference of the world”. Table Mountain, Cape Point, Robben Island and Chapman's Peak are words that have become synonymous with one of the most beautiful Cities in the
world. It boasts the magnificent 1084 mt. high,900 million year old- Table mountain with white tablecloth of clouds cover. Victoria & Alfred waterfront, Canal Walk, Hout Bay. Vineyards in Stellenbosch and Paarl, Kristenbosch botanical gardens, Bo Kaap ( Malaya Town), Cape Point, Jackass Penguins, Robben Islands-where Mandela was imprisoned for nearly 24 years in isolation. Chapman’s Peak, Clifton and Sandy bay are words that have become synonymous with one of the most beautiful Cities in the world.
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| KRUGER NATIONAL PARK |
 South Africa's premier wildlife destination is home to the largest variety of
Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Insects, Trees & Plants in Africa. This world
renowned Eco-reserve is well known for terms like the "Big 5" and the
"Magnificent 7" and thousands of Tourists each year visit this wonderland of
sights, sounds and smells. Witness Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and many
more in their natural habitat. |
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| GARDENROUTE |
 Regarded as one of the most splendid journeys in the world, the Garden Route is
exactly what you need, to get rid of all your stress. Travel through towns like
Hermanus, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Port Elizabeth and discover wonderful
little restaurants and coffee shops along the way. Some of the attractions in this
area include Ostrich Farms, splendid natural Bays, magnificent Mountains and lush
Indigenous Forests. And not to forget the Whales. This is one of the best areas in
the world to see the Southern Right Whale. |
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| CAPE WINE |
 Voted as some of the best wines in the world, the grapes grown in this area are
magically turned into world-class wines. In this region there are over 100 well
known farms that allow visitors to take a tour through their Cellars and of caurse
do formal wine tasting sessions of their top wines. Some of the Internationally
renowned Cellars are Nederburg, Simonsig, Bellingham, KWV, Douglas Green
and Swartland. This area is also well known for it's fruits and some of these
products can be found in Shops as far away as London and Paris. |
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| SUN CITY |
 Deep in the rugged bushveld, in the heart of an ancient volcano, lies the world's most unique resort. This is the internationally acclaimed Sun City.
The Resort has a unique heartbeat and an African rhythm of its own and is unlike any other Resort destination in the world. This is pure fantasy and your every desire is met. There are four world-class hotels including the magnificent Palace of the Lost City that glitters like a jewel beneath the African sun, brilliant in its rain forest surroundings and luxurious in its detail and design. Many world famous
celebrities spend time at this Resort every year.
Adjoining the Resort is the beautiful Pilanesberg National Park, which will delight game viewers, as it is a malaria free zone and home to the Big 5. |
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| DURBAN |
 Africa's bewitching seaside playground in the sun, Durban has from its earliest days possessed a special charm ... a certain mystique that adds 'something extra' to the meeting of warm Indian Ocean, radiant golden sands and lush sub-tropical greenery. The creation of Durban Metro beckons visitors to this sublime paradise.... To offer the broadest possible spectrum of unforgettable experiences, we've brought to your holiday doorstep the magnificent environment and cultural wonders of the Valley of a Thousand Hills, long and tranquil beaches of The South and up-market ambience of the historic and culturally rich Sugar Coast.
Sophisticated and cosmopolitan, Durban Metro after dark is abuzz with elegant lounges, funky taverns and cosy inns ... distinctive local theatre and live music ... trendy clubs, pubs and discos. Rave 'till dawn and catch sunrise over the vast Indian Ocean horizon - this is nightlife in a modern, authentic African metropolis! |
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| THE VICTORIA FALLS - ZAMBIA - LIVINGSTONE |
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 David Livingstone explored this land of potent beauty and discovered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. In his footprints, only moments away from the mighty Zambezi River with the dramatic torrent of the Victoria Falls as its natural milieu, a magnificent Resort has been created as a testament to his discovery and in reverence to the splendour of this World Heritage site.
Journey to this magical place and witness the greatest mass of falling water on earth as it plunges down a sheer rock face, spraying its mystical mist hundreds of metres in the air. The awesome Victoria Falls is much closer to you here - literally on the doorstep of The Falls Resort - it feels as if you could reach out and touch it, as it plummets into the chasm far below. The turbulent waters emerge through a narrow gorge leading to a steep-walled, zigzag canyon. At highflood stage, a roaring, curtain of water makes the ground shake and throws a plume of mist hundreds of meter's into the air. Visible for many kilometres around, this spray earned this natural phenomenon its African name, Mosi-OaTunya, "the smoke that thunders". Visit The Falls, FREE of charge, as often as you wish, from either of the two Sun International Hotels in Zambia. Here they are literally at the bottom of the gardens, a mere stroll from the hotels.
 Today, the Falls is one of Africa's prime travel destinations. It straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and it has grown into a busy resort and the principal gateway for safaris in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia. Although the waterfalls remain and will always be the main reason for visiting this area, plenty of other attractions have been developed over the years to turn Victoria Falls into the Adventure Capital of Africa! For the thrill-seekers whose adventurous spirit is stirred by this mighty waterfall, there are challenges that lie in wait set to test even the bravest of hearts. Like white water rafting, river boarding, jet boating, abseiling, gorge swings, bungi jumping, or the ever popular Flight of Angels - an exhilarating helicopter, or microlight flip, that takes you over The Victoria Falls and The Boiling Pot, an aptly named gorge, where the water foams and churns in its effort to escape. |
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