South Africa South Africa

South Africa is a vast country with an incredible variety in landscapes, people, traditions, languages, cuisines and more. The country is often referred to as the “Rainbow Nation” due to its population diversity. The country is also renowned for its wines, so make sure not to miss these while you are here!

While big cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg can look quite first worldly, most of the country has remained underdeveloped. This is a perfect example of the economic inequality that exists in the country.

South Africa is an ideal destination for those interested in nature and it is incredibly varied in terms of landscapes. The country boasts a large number of National Parks such as Kruger, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is located in the desert, Addo Elephant National Park, Simangaliso Wetland Park and many more. It is also a great place to spot the “Big Five” (African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and White/Black rhinoceros) as well as a wide range of other species.

All in all, South Africa is an ideal place to start if you wish to travel in southern Africa and get a good insight into the region.

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South Africa Cape, Winelands and Safari

This vast country is undoubtedly one of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth. Fondly known by locals as the ‘Rainbow Nation’, ...
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£5590
/ person
duration
9 days
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Exclusive Safari and Luxury Island Adventure

Get to know Africa in true style on this once in a lifetime Safari and Island adventure especially suited to groups or families. Set the pace ...
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£6460
/ person
duration
8 days
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Wilderness and Water: Zambia and South Africa Safari to Beach

Stray off the beaten path and into the pristine wilderness on this highly personal safari adventure, far from the crowds. Broad, meandering rivers feature strongly in ...
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£11320
/ person
duration
13 days
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Photography Volunteer Project Abroad in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Teach children photography, from township areas, giving them a chance to learn about this exciting medium whilst also training them to become self-sustainable professional photographers. ...
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£1195
/ person
durations start from
28 days
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South Africa Self Drive

This vast country is undoubtedly one of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth. Fondly known by locals as the ‘Rainbow Nation’, ...
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£5625
/ person
duration
17 days
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Luxurious Bucket List Safari Tour Across South Africa

A truly bucket list ticking experience, this itinerary will take you through South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana – highlighting all the very best nature and sites ...
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£4600
/ person
duration
9 days
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Wildlife Sabi Sand Escape

This itinerary captivates you on a 4-day safari adventure at the most famous game reserve of all, Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The game reserve is ...
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£2590
/ person
duration
4 days
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Phinda and Sabi Sand Relaxation

Embark on an amazing 7-day adventure exploring the region of Phinda and Sabi Sand. Be captivated by the range of thrilling activities at both destinations. ...
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£6870
/ person
duration
5 days
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Game Ranger Training Course Abroad in South Africa, Sidbury

Get an intriguing behind the scenes look at the inner workings of a well established Game Reserve, and work towards obtaining the accredited FGASA Level 1 ...
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£3595 £3545
/ person
duration
56 days
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Sole Safari At Phinda Homestead

Are you seeking a soulful adventure that is bound to enrapture your soul by the beautiful wilderness? Phinda Homestead is calling your name. This trip will ...
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£3610
/ person
duration
4 days
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Old World Safari Camp and Pristine Island Retreat

Take in one of South Africa’s best and largest game reserves at Sabi Sands, with an incredible array of wildlife and exceptional leopard sightings ...
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£7885
/ person
duration
8 days
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Where The Lions Roar

Embark on a 4-day African safari that will take you to the beautiful land of Ngala Private Game Reserve. Experience luxury accommodation, amazing wildlife encounters ...
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£2620
/ person
duration
4 days
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Southern Africa: Wild Bush to Island Heaven

Welcome to a romantic escape in three of the most beautiful natural environments Southern Africa has to offer. Adventure through the andBeyond Phinda and Sabi Sands ...
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£12225
/ person
duration
11 days
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African Safari and Island Romance – Kirkman’s Kamp

Discover South Africa and Mozambique in style with this exclusive getaway. Delve deep into bush habitats and swim through luxurious blue waters as you explore the ...
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£7535
/ person
duration
8 days
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South African Wild Coast and Garden Route

Explore the Wild Coast and the Garden Route, view the home town of South Africa’s beloved Madiba, the Storms River Bridge, as well as an ...
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£870
/ person
duration
8 days
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Phinda Wildlife Adventure

Be captivated on this 4-day wildlife adventure to Phinda Private Game Reserve also known as the ‘Seven Worlds of Wonders.’ Phinda is positioned ...
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£2700
/ person
duration
4 days
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Football Coaching Volunteer Project in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Share your passion for football by coaching football to disadvantaged South African children. Help organise football matches and coaching sessions for keen football players in schools ...
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£1045
/ person
durations start from
28 days
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Winelands and Garden Route Discovery

A 5 day discovery of the secluded Cape Winelands, the road less travelled, Garden Route sites and guest house and boutique hotel hospitality experiences...
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£850
/ person
duration
5 days
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Wild and Scenic South Africa

See the sights of Pretoria before heading out of the city to enjoy ‘Big 5’ game viewing in the Kruger National Park. Discover the African bush ...
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£900
/ person
duration
4 days
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Your Private Big Five

Be captivated by this 13-day private itinerary that takes you to the best destinations in South Africa. Explore the amazing landscapes and wildlife of the ...
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£2065
/ person
duration
13 days
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Cape Town, Falls and Delta – Luxury

Jump into Southern Africa with a journey for those that want a bit of everything. Begin with adrenaline rushes and Zambezi safaris at Victoria Falls, before ...
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£4220
/ person
duration
9 days
Tailor Made

Sports Management Internship in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Gain real life experience in the sports charity sector and support our great team in South Africa. Take part in local marketing efforts, structuring up timetables ...
from
£1045
/ person
durations start from
28 days
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Tailor Made

Big Cat Photographic Safari

Explore the world-renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve from a different angle, and let your experienced guide get you in position for the perfect photo of ...
from
£1940
/ person
duration
5 days
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South Africa Safari and Mauritian Island Adventure

Get a taste for southern Africa in an adventure like no other, combining the urban excitement of Johannesburg, the heart-pumping thrill of safari and the ...
from
£8670
/ person
duration
11 days

Accommodation Examples

Quick Facts

Name

Republic of South Africa

Population

55 million

Capital

Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial), Pretoria (executive)

Language

English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana, Northern Sotho, Venda, Tsonga, Swati, Ndebele

Currency

South African Rand

Time Zone

UTC +2

Flag South Africa

Climate

The climate in South Africa ranges from area to area. The southwestern corner of the country receives a Mediterranean climate, the northeastern regions are subtropical, the interior plateau is quite temperate and even a small area in the northwest has a desert climate.

Winter: South Africa is situated at a high altitude and during winters, temperatures can get very low. The coldest months are June, July and August.

Summer: During the summer months, most of the country receives rainfall and thunderstorms during the afternoon are not uncommon. Rain is heavier and more frequent in the eastern part of the country than in the west. The only exception to this rule is the Western Cape area, where rain is more common during the winter.

Culture

South Africa is often dubbed the “Rainbow Nation” due to its multicultural diversity. While 80% of the population is made up of Black South Africans, they all belong to different ethnic groups. To add up to this, South Africa is extremely diverse due to its colonial past. A large number of Afrikaans (descendants of Dutch settlers) reside here, as well as many British descendants. Moreover, in 1600s, Germans, Portuguese and French Huguenots brought in a large number of slaves from India and what is now Indonesia. Islam and Hindu traditions are also a huge part of daily life in South Africa.

South Africa is so diverse that there are eleven officially recognized languages in the country, English being one of them. Another one of the official languages is Afrikaans, which is derived from Dutch.

Gastronomy

The food in South Africa is one of the highlights of most visitor’s time in the country. A great variety of restaurants serve both modern and traditional food. It is almost impossible to write about the cuisine of South Africa in brief as it is incredibly varied due to its multicultural sources. The diversity of dishes is a great reflection of the cultural differences in the country. To summarize a bit, let’s divide it into two categories:

Traditional cookery, which is mostly prepared by indigenous people and roots back to the precolonial period. The food is generally cooked over an open fire and meat is one of the main ingredients, either stewed or grilled. Typical dishes include morogo, chakalaka, amadumbe and don’t forget to try tripe, a traditional treat that is considered a regional delicacy in the Cape.

Settlers cookery, which was introduced during and after the colonization periods. A popular style of South African cuisine is called “Cape Dutch” and is characterized by its use of spices. A famous dish, which is often regarded as the national dish, is babotie. It consists of spiced minced meat baked with an egg topping.

Transportation

By Plane
South Africa is well developed in terms of inland air travel, with airports in all major cities. Numerous domestic airlines operate within the country and it is often the fastest way to get around albeit not the cheapest.

By Bus
Bus is a great alternative to get around the country, although distances are often great. Major companies such as Greyhound and Intercape Mainliner operate between major cities with stops along the way.

Another option for you is Baz Bus, which offers a hop-on-hop-off service along popular tourist routes from one major city to another major city. It will also pick you up and drop you off at many accommodation options (including hostels and guest houses).

By Train
Trains are a another alternative to travel around the country, with a national rail available. Budget options are available as well.

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