South Africa offers a truly stupendous mixture of experiences, from well-fed lions along with the vast areas of red sands, coastal beaches between the two oceans, glittering desert skies; pointed abundant mountains. The landscape tours in South Africa offers is stunning. The red hot water less sandy dessert of Karoo to the cloudy, foggy heights of the Drakensberg to the huge Blyde River Canyon. Even in the metropolitan city of Cape Town, you just need only to climb the inclined slopes of Table Mountain. Close by the coastal roads leading to Cape Point and Hermanus. Together with the vineyards covering a vast range of the Cape Winelands. A real variety to enjoy.
Visa
No visa is required for Maltese citizens to enter South Africa for a maximum stay of 90 days.
For any other nationals please visit this link to be up to date on the requirements.
Time Zone
The zone utilized in South Africa is South African civil time . The zone is 2 hours before UTC (UTC+02:00)
Best time to go on Tours in South Africa
Ideally one visit South Africa’s and its beautiful parks from May to September. During these months it is dry and the animals gather along with the wet patches or rivers available. Since this is considered as the winter season it will be quite chilly in the mornings and especially during the evenings. May and September are superb because it is warmer. The month of September will be ideal to view the wildlife. For private tours in South Africa please visit this link.
Vaccines
Some vaccines such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies and tetanus are recommended for travellers visiting South Africa. Malaria is also present in some areas so please use mosquito repellents and netting. Be responsible, stay healthy and safe. Further information can be gathered by visiting this link.
Currency
The Rand(ZAR) is the currency in South Africa. It is recommended to exchange currency before you leave for South Africa, however, ATMs are found throughout the country and credit cards are also widely accepted.
Food
People eat very diverse food in South Africa. The South African primary food for the locals is ‘mealies’, which is based on corn, seasonal vegetables such as potatoes, beans and carrots. South Africans also love meat also game meat. The kudu and springbok are popular. However, you also find beef, chicken and lamb. South African people also love the Braai, or as we know it the BBQ. The Bobotie the Malay food containing rice, lamb and fragrant spices. The koeksisters are doughnuts soaked in sticky sweet sauce, the corn mealie porridge, the Boerewors, the dry meat that is a typical South African(similar to beef jerky) are some of the famous food.
Country Top things to do by interest
Nature
South Africa is truly a nature lover’s destination. Grand, stunning and mysterious landscapes in the entire African continent. Forests, mountains, deserts, fields and flat meadows are some of the scenarios one can hope to encounter. A vast abundance of wilderness and wildflowers areas, giving the perfect place for the hikers and adventurer traveller.
Beaches, Swimming & Relaxing
The Garden Route, the coastal road on the southern coast of South Africa, where plantation, water stream, sand hills, seashores, reservours , and mountain highlight the scenery. It gives a stretch of approximately 300kms of shoreline between Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay. Ballob Bay, Brenton on Sea and Dana bay are some of the beaches one can enjoy on this route.
Nature & trekking
South Africa’s scenery is definitely the best place to paint a thrilling packed trip. Adrenaline activities are found in abundance, but if adrenaline sports aren’t your thing, opt instead for a hike. One can find a number of choices available for endless day treks through wildlife reserves, dusty day walks in the Karoo semidesert, ‘slackpacking’ trails along the Cape coast, or an overnight hike onto the sometimes white mountain tops of the Drakensberg.
Wildlife & Safaris
Of course no tours in South Africa make sense without the amazing Safaris and wildlife tours they offer. South Africa is one of the best safari destinations, offering the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) experience. You can drive right into the variety of wildlife at Kruger Park Africa’s wilderness or explore the bush walks on guided drives. The Kgalagadi, the raw waterless red sands in the Northern Cape and Botswana area were you can experience the cheetahs along the roadsides. One can also join the khaki-clad rangers and immerse yourself in the vast are of amazing sunsets and silky night skies. The wildlife will surely teach you to enjoy the little things life can offer.
Sightseeing
South Africa will grant vast possibilities to the visitor. South Africa offers a diverse and exotic combination of landscapes, history and culture giving the traveller a unique and inspiring experience. The Cape Winelands are defiantly among the most beautiful scenes. One of South Africa’s fastest-growing industries. South Africa offers the largest number of wineries in the world.
Shopping
When on tours in South Africa you can also buy souvenirs to help you remember the great memories. The African Craft Market of Rosebank, or the Neighbour Goods Market in Johannesburg, both offer vast options to buy your souvenirs. South Africa shopping is not an easy task! One has a large opportunity from big brands to local artists who attract you with art design, full of tradition and culture. You may come along places that have some typical south African staff, while the others may specialise in other international products!
Adrenaline
South Africa offers nail-biting activities. Adventure-seekers will have a blast. Swim with the great white shark, get close but not too much at the Gansbaai, just south of Cape Town.
Skydiving from 14,000feet from a moving plane with a view underneath should be on your bucket list of you aren’t scared of heights.
White water rafting, in the Western Cape along the Doring River, situated in the hills of Cedaeberg drain your fears away and embrace these swells.
Bungee jumping, get close to the death experience, at the Bloukrans the world’s highest bridge.
There is always some crazy things one can encounter. You can also try rock climbing in the craggy Cederberg, surfing off the Eastern Cape coast, abseiling from Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain, bungee jumping from the Garden Route’s Bloukrans Bridge, or swinging into Graskop Gorge.
Local Living Experiences
You can leave the normal tourist track and travel like a real local, experience and live the best of South Africa’s hidden secrets. Slow down and look around you. No better way to capture such an experience is to be in direct contact and see for yourself. Simply wander through a neighbourhood, The Maboneng Precinct, the slum area in Johannesburg, Glenwood, the oldest town in Berea Durban overlooking the harbour and city famous for its artisanal bakeries, organic cafes and coffee haunts and so much more.
Culture
South Africa is also called as the ‘The Cradle of Humankind’. It is because of the archaeological antiquity of tools and human remains is a proof that people lived in this country for more than 100,000 years ago. The San and the Khoi people were the amongst the early civilizations settling throughout the Cape. You find very few descendants of the local San people living in distant areas in the Karoo desert. The largest South African population group, the Zulu, mainly live in the countryside, they might also have a leader, best known as their King.
Cuisine
On tours in South Africa once can savour delicious cuisine. South African cuisine is a culinary diversity gathered from the many peoples who make up the population of South Africa. A combination of Eastern and Western foods eds to the flavours to the multi aspects of the Africa gourmet food. This is the authenticity of a vast historic evolution.
Children Theme Parks
Children love to visit theme Parks, for that vibrant feeling and be able to talk about it once back home. There are quite a few of outdoor adventure parks. The Acrobranch in Cape Town, the Marine World in Durban, art jamming in Johannesburg and themed water parks such as the Gold Reef City in Johannesburg, these are all fun places children would love. It all depends on the destination you will be travelling to during your experience in this beautiful country.