Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle ... when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.
African Proverb
South Africa holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a South Africa holiday, personal to you.
South Africa, where light replaces architecture, as Cyril Connelly once said, is a land of outstanding natural beauty. South Africa itself is the size of France and Spain combined, but boasts an excellent infrastructure, enabling easy travel around the country on the air and bus networks. One of its main attractions is Kruger National Park, itself the size of Wales, and the perfect setting to get close to the Big Five as they cross the vast open savannah.
On a South Africa holiday you’ll also want to make time to explore the pleasant towns along the Western Cape’s Garden Route as well as the Winelands, touring the vineyards around Paarl and Stellenbosch. Of course no holiday is complete without a visit to the Cape of Good Hope and at least a few nights in Cape Town, exploring the markets and waterfront under the shadow of Table Mountain.
Contact a South Africa expert to prepare a personal itinerary and a no-obligation quote.
South Africa facts
Capital: Pretoria
Language: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu.
People: Zulu (23%), Xhosa, Ndebele, European descent (16%), Setswana, Sotho, Venda and other tribal origins.
Religion: Various Christian denominations, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish.
Size (sq km): 1,219,090.
Population: 43,786,115.
Population density/sq km: 35.90.
Etiquette
Normal courtesies apply. Casual dress widely accepted. Evening dress requires a jacket and tie for men, full-length dress for women. Smoking is prohibited in public places and on public transport.
Shopping
Upmarket boutiques mix with street traders. Ceramics and crafts from the continent, fur goods, diamond and semi-precious stone jewellery, gold, and local liqueurs.
Food & drink
Dishes include sosaties (a type of kebab), bobotie (a curried mince dish), bredies (meat, tomato and vegetable stews). Poetoepap or stywepap, made with white maize meal, is often served with meat. Biltong (dried meat) is a speciality. Excellent red and white wines are produced, as are sherries, brandies and unusual liqueurs.
International Airports
Cape Town (CPT) is 20 km from city. Johannesburg (JNB) is 25 km from city. Also Durban (DUR), Port Elizabeth (PLZ), Bloemfontein (BFN).
Internal travel
Excellent roads and flights, slightly erratic trains. Several bus companies operate, taxis throughout the country. Car-hire, and chauffeurs are available.
Red tape
Visas
Not required.
Vaccinations
BCG, Cholera, Hep. A, Hep. B, Typhoid, Malaria, Rabies, Y. Fever2 (See page 649).
Driving requirements
International Driving Permit. Minimum age 23 (21 with Amex or Diners Club card). English language licences valid for six months.
Reps in UK/US
UK: 15 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DD, tel (020) 7925 8900, fax (020) 7925 8930, email mailmaster@rsaconsulate.co.uk. US: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel (202) 232 4400, fax (202) 265 1607, email info@saembassy.org.
UK/US reps in South Africa
UK: 15th Floor, Southern Life Centre, 8 Riebeeck Street, Cape Town 8001, tel (21) 405 2400, fax (21) 405 2448, email Consular.SectionCT@fco.gov.uk. US: 877 Pretorius Street, Pretoria, tel (12) 431 4000, fax (12) 342 2299, email embassypretoria@state.gov
Currency
Rand (R).
Finance
Credit cards and traveller’s cheques widely accepted.
Business hours
0830-1630 Mon-Friday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Politically stable but experiencing high levels of crime, especially in cities and townships. Johannesburg is infamous for carjacking and muggings, rape is a serious problem nationwide.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 43.30, F 41.42.
Useful websites for travel
www.southafricahouse.com, www.southafrica.net, www.britain.org.za, www.saembassy.org, www.southafrica.com, www.sanparks.org, www.gardenroute.co.za, www.joburg.co.za, www.tourismcapetown.co.za, www.wine.co.za.
Local media
Published in English and Afrikaans, papers include Cape Argus, The Citizen, Daily Dispatch, Mercury, The Star and Sowetan.
Tourist boards
UK: 6 Alt Grove, London SW1A 2DD, tel (020) 8971 9364, fax (020) 8944 6705, email info@uk.southafrica.net. US: 500 Fifth Avenue, 20th Floor, Suite 2040, New York, NY 10110, tel (212) 730 2929, fax (212) 764 1980, email newyork@southafrica.net.
Below is a selection of some ideas for holidays to South Africa. This is simply a taste of what we can offer. If you're interested in a specific South Africa itinerary then please call one of our consultants on 0845 643 6562.
Since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world class rail journeys. Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era as you step aboard the lovingly restored Pride of Africa, where gourmet chefs prepa...
Sleek, elegant and ultra-comfortable, the Blue Train cossets passengers in all the luxury and service of a 5-star hotel.... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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From June to December every year, the small seaside town of Hermanus near Cape Town hosts the best land-based whale watching in the world. Stay in two Relais & Châteaux properties on this eight-day itinerary. First, stay in Cape Town at the intimate ... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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Set in the prestigious Hluhluwe National Park, just over three hours drive from Durban, Phinda Private Game Reserve comprises 17,500 hectares of prime conservation land bordering the Great St. Lucia Wetland Park - a World Heritage Site.... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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Tucked away on the banks of the Sand River in the prestigious Sabi Sand Game Reserve, andBeyond Exeter River Lodge shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park.... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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Set within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and sharing unfenced borders with the prestigious Kruger National Park, Kirkman’s Camp was originally built in the early 1920s and offers a historic atmosphere with colonial charm as well as exceptional Big Five game... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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Tailor-made holiday visiting the iconic city of Cape Town, the Winelands region, the prestigious Garden Route followed by a short domestic flight to Durban to explore the beauty of the majestic Drakensberg Mountains in Kwazulu-Natal. End this amazing holiday s... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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Explore South Africa to the full on this KwaZulu-Natal self-drive holiday: drive through the majestic Drakensberg Mountains and the authentic Zululand region, enjoy a Big 5 safari adventure and end your holiday relaxing by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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Your trip starts on the world renowned Garden Route before taking in the Cape Winelands and the Constantia Valley wine region on the Cape Peninsula. The journey concludes with a luxurious train journey from Cape Town through the heart of South Africa and its a... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
More information »Tailor-made thirteen day holiday visiting the iconic city of Cape Town, the Winelands region and relaxing along the beautiful Garden Route. End this amazing holiday spending a few days on safari in South Africa’s malaria free Eastern Cape.... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
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Explore the Mother City, Cape Town, enjoy a trip on one of the world’s most luxurious trains and spot the Big Five in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which shares an unfenced border with the world-famous Kruger.... Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.
More information »Dear Carla [Arando] & Tessa [Richmond],
To you both a very big thank you. Our trip was amazing, and thanks to your attention to detail, organisation and support, everything worked like clockwork. It could not have been better arranged. Plus, the hotel mysteriously knew that we were celebrating our 40th anniversary and consequently made us feel extra specially welcome … perfect.
Paul & Carolyn BellamyDear Alison [Nicolle],
Just to let you know we had a fantastic time in South Africa. CC Africa [recently relaunched as &Beyond] were brilliant and I would definitely use them again, especially for a safari. All of the accommodation was of excellent quality and luxury.
Thanks for everything.
Karen Goodall
Generally sunny and pleasant. Winters are usually mild.
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