| SOUTH AFRICA |
Every country in the world displays some diversity, but South Africa, stretching from the hippos in the Limpopo River to the penguins waddling on the Cape, takes some beating. It befits its position at the southern end of the world’s most epic continent, with more types of terrain than photographers can shake their zoom lens at. There’s the deserted Kalahari, Namakwa’s springtime symphony of wildflowers, iconic Table Mountain and Cape Point, Kruger National Park’s wildlife-stalked savannah (scene of the famous lion-buffalo-crocodile battle watched more than 75 million times on YouTube) and, running through the east of the country and into Lesotho, the Drakensberg. KwaZulu-Natal’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park alone has five distinct ecosystems, attracting both zebras and dolphins.
If you’re interested in another kind of wildlife, hit the nightclubs on Cape Town’s jumping Long St or sample African homebrew in a township shebeen (unlicensed bar). When it’s time to reflect on it all, do it over seafood on the Garden Route, curry in Durban’s Indian Area, a sizzling Cape Malay dish, or a braai (barbecue) in the wilderness – accompanied by a bottle of pinotage produced by the oldest wine industry outside Europe.
http://www.southafrica.info/travel/advice/
South Africa Video Clips
www.inside-edge.co.za/media_videos_southafrica
If you’re interested in another kind of wildlife, hit the nightclubs on Cape Town’s jumping Long St or sample African homebrew in a township shebeen (unlicensed bar). When it’s time to reflect on it all, do it over seafood on the Garden Route, curry in Durban’s Indian Area, a sizzling Cape Malay dish, or a braai (barbecue) in the wilderness – accompanied by a bottle of pinotage produced by the oldest wine industry outside Europe.
Read more:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-africa#ixzz3t9duN5VV
http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/landing/visitor-homehttp://www.southafrica.info/travel/advice/
South Africa Video Clips
www.inside-edge.co.za/media_videos_southafrica
Visas
Note: Requirements for entry into South Africa differ from country to country, and are subject to change. Always make enquiries before travelling to South Africa.
What are the requirements for entering South Africa?
You will need:
A valid passport or travel document that will be valid for the length of your intended stay. Your passport should have at least one blank page in it.
A valid visa, if required.
Sufficient funds.
A return or onward ticket.
Yellow fever certificates – if your journey starts or passes through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.
Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
Depending on your nationality, and the purpose and duration of your visit, you may not need a visa to visit South Africa.
See the Department of Home Affairs' list of countries exempt from South African visas
Read more:
http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/applying-for-sa-visa
The best wildlife viewing in Kruger is during the dry winter months from May to September. At this time the bush thins out and animals congregate around waterholes and rivers. It tends to get better as winter progresses and September is particularly nice since the mornings are a bit less chilly than in mid-winter. The best wildlife viewing time also coincides with the low season, making it even more attractive.
Malaria & vaccinations
Kruger Park lies in a malaria zone, but there is only a very small risk in the wet summer months (from October to April). At this time, malaria is a health concern and you should take measures to protect yourself by wearing mosquito repellent and by taking antimalarials. Several vaccinations are also advised when travelling to South Africa in general and to Kruger.
Currency
The South African unit of currency is the Rand (ZAR) (http://www.oanda.com), which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5, and notes in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200.
Banks and bureaux de change are available at the airport; changing currency at the airport on arrival is recommended. All major credit cards, e.g. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, are widely used. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) and 24-hour cash machines are widely used and accepted, including the Kruger National Park. A branch of the First National Bank is located at the Skukuza restcamp with a 24 hour Automatic Teller Machine.
Time
Local time is GMT + 2 hours.
Electricity
Current is 220 Volts.
Link to helpful website
About South Africa
Note: Requirements for entry into South Africa differ from country to country, and are subject to change. Always make enquiries before travelling to South Africa.
What are the requirements for entering South Africa?
You will need:
A valid passport or travel document that will be valid for the length of your intended stay. Your passport should have at least one blank page in it.
A valid visa, if required.
Sufficient funds.
A return or onward ticket.
Yellow fever certificates – if your journey starts or passes through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.
Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
Depending on your nationality, and the purpose and duration of your visit, you may not need a visa to visit South Africa.
See the Department of Home Affairs' list of countries exempt from South African visas
Read more:
http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/applying-for-sa-visa
http://www.southafrica.info/travel/documents/visas.htm#.Vl673MohtOw
Weather/Climate
The best wildlife viewing in Kruger is during the dry winter months from May to September. At this time the bush thins out and animals congregate around waterholes and rivers. It tends to get better as winter progresses and September is particularly nice since the mornings are a bit less chilly than in mid-winter. The best wildlife viewing time also coincides with the low season, making it even more attractive.
Malaria & vaccinations
Kruger Park lies in a malaria zone, but there is only a very small risk in the wet summer months (from October to April). At this time, malaria is a health concern and you should take measures to protect yourself by wearing mosquito repellent and by taking antimalarials. Several vaccinations are also advised when travelling to South Africa in general and to Kruger.
Currency
The South African unit of currency is the Rand (ZAR) (http://www.oanda.com), which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5, and notes in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200.
Banks and bureaux de change are available at the airport; changing currency at the airport on arrival is recommended. All major credit cards, e.g. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, are widely used. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) and 24-hour cash machines are widely used and accepted, including the Kruger National Park. A branch of the First National Bank is located at the Skukuza restcamp with a 24 hour Automatic Teller Machine.
Time
Local time is GMT + 2 hours.
Electricity
Current is 220 Volts.
Link to helpful website
About South Africa
