Our South Africa Travel Guide

South Africa is a beautiful and diverse country located at the southern tip of the African continent. It is known for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and incredible wildlife, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino). One of the top things to do in South Africa is to visit its national parks, such as Kruger National Park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and the Garden Route National Park.

The country is also home to vibrant cities, such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, which offer a range of attractions, including world-class museums, beautiful beaches, and cultural sites like the Apartheid Museum and the Hector Pieterson Museum. South Africa has a variety of accommodation options, including luxury hotels, cozy guesthouses, and traditional safari lodges.

When it comes to food, South Africa is known for its delicious cuisine, which combines European, African, and Asian influences. Some popular dishes to try include biltong, bobotie, and bunny chow. Overall, South Africa is a great destination for travelers looking to experience a unique blend of culture, history, and nature.

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Reasons why you should get travel insurance for your next South African trip

Medical Cost

While traveling, unexpected health issues or accidents can occur. Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, hospital stays, doctor's visits, and medications, ensuring you receive necessary medical care without worrying about costs.

Lost Baggage

Luggage can sometimes be misplaced or delayed during air travel, causing inconvenience. Travel insurance can provide compensation for essential items if your baggage is lost, stolen, or delayed for an extended period.

Adventure Activities

South Africa offers a range of adventure activities such as safaris, hiking, and water sports. Travel insurance can provide coverage in case of accidents or injuries related to these activities.

Natural Disaster

South Africa's diverse landscapes include wildlife reserves. Travel insurance can provide coverage for trip disruptions caused by natural disasters or wildlife-related incidents.

Main Facts About South Africa

Currency

The South African rand (ZAR) is the national currency of the country of South Africa, with the symbol ZAR being the currency abbreviation for the rand in foreign exchange (forex) markets. The rand comes from the word "Witwatersrand," which means "white waters ridge." Johannesburg, the location of a majority of South Africa's gold deposits, is located on this ridge

Language

South Africa has a diverse linguistic landscape, with 11 official languages recognized by the Constitution: Sepedi (also known as Sesotho sa Leboa), Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, and isiZulu. For many years, the official languages of South Africa were European – Dutch, English, and Afrikaans – while African languages, spoken by the majority of the population, were not recognized. However, the new Constitution of 1996 granted official protection to all major languages. In total, South Africa has around 34 historically established languages, 30 of which are living languages and 4 of which are extinct Khoesan languages.

Weather

Mean annual temperature for South Africa as a whole is 17.5℃, with average monthly temperatures ranging between 22°C (December, January) and 11°C (June, July). Annual precipitation is 469.9 mm, with highest rainfall occurring November to March, coupled with extremely low precipitation occurring between June to August.

Power Plugs

For South Africa there are four associated plug types, types C, D, M and N. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins, plug type D is the plug which has three round pins in a triangular pattern and plug types M and N both have three round pins. South Africa operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Population

According to the latest data from the United Nations, the current population of South Africa is 61,097,618 as of November 25, 2022. This information was compiled by Worldometer

Fun Fact

Three of the world's five fastest animals – the lion, cheetah, and wildebeest – can be found in South Africa. These animals are known for their speed and agility, and are popular attractions for visitors to the country.

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Your South Africa Bucket list

If you're in South Africa, you HAVE to do these things:

1. Go On An African Safari.
2. Hippos Spotting At ISimangaliso Wetlands
3. Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces.
4. Swim with Great White Sharks.
5. Go Surfing.
6. Learn About Apartheid.
7. Visit Robben Island.
8. See African Penguins.
9. Go Wine Tasting.
10. Explore the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve.