Planning your trip to South Africa.
There are quite a number of things that you should not leave home when you are planning your trip to South Africa.
A comprehensive travel insurance plan firstly is strongly recommended and probably the most important for purposes of treatment, since in some hospitals you will be refused if you don’t have an insurance and also helps to know the duration of your trip.
Secondly, in South Africa, the sun is too strong than that of Europe. Its recommended to avoid exposing your body to midday sun especially in the summer and spring months.
Cover yourself with high factor sunscreen or with loose clothings whenever in the sun. Take notice of this since even on overcast days, the sun still remains strong and nothing is bad on a holiday like being burnt by the sun, it can ruin up the whole trip.
The sun almost remains strong throughout the year and on your trip, never get insect repellent, moisturizer, lip shine, a wide brimmed hat as well as not forgetting the sun glasses.
Also essential for your use include work clothes, since its not hot throughout the year. In Cape Town, winds blow the surrounding and even some evenings remain cool.
South Africa Travel Planner
Time changes:
Eastern: Standard winter time + 7 hours.
Central: European winter time + 1 hour.
Comfy shoes:
If you intend to walk through some National Parks in South Africa and a pair of good quality walking boots is also important, since some paths remain un certain despite the majority paths and tracks being good.
Driving licence:
If you intend to drive, then a Driving licence is more important.
National book service:
During your stay, you will need more information on how accommodation can be booked in the whole of South Africa, by Compu ticket as well as cinema and theatre. For more details, visit the web site.
Electricity:
At 50 cycles per second -220/230 Volts AC, Universal round fringed plugs. For electric small appliances and showers, all rooms inmost hotels have 110 Volts outlets.
If you are bringing your own appliances, a travel adapter may be required.
South Africa presents a number of various packages for a holiday safaris. It has numerous national parks and game reserves which give the opportunity to come close to the wild beasts as they meander in their natural environment, and also explore the it’s different landscapes. Because of this wide range of attractions, making a choice may be overwhelming at times. But if your time of visiting is limited, below is a list of destinations that you could opt for.
Addo Elephant National Park
Unlike other pack that have the big five, Addo National Park prides in the big seven which include leopards, rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalos, the white sharks and whales. These make this park both a marine and land adventuring platform for holiday travelers. Addo Elephant National Park is popularly known for having the biggest population of elephants in the whole world; so if you fail to catch sight of an elephant in this park you won’t be able to see any other anyplace in South Africa.
Hluhuwe-Imfolozo Game Reserve
Situated in KwaZulu Natal, Hluhuwe-Imfolozo is a natural wilderness that is part of the well-known rhino conservation program. It is comprised of rising and falling hills covered with sub tropic forests and acacia woodland. Taking a safari holiday in this Game Reserve will enable you to see the resident rhino which include the black and white rhinos.
Being a sanctuary for the Big Five, Hluhuwe-Imfolozo provides a unique view in its grass-covered hills and foggy forests of wildlife. It shelters the hardly seen bataleur eagle and the nyala antelope. You will be able to view zebra, spotted hyena, giraffes, and blue wildebeest; and with the rapidly flowing river, you will miss out on seeing the hippos.
Kruger National Park
Being the most admired park in South Africa, Kruger National Park offers the finest game viewing for those on a holiday safari. It is a haven to more than 147 mammals, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 species of birds and different species of plants. You will enjoy a guided tour and view the large antelopes- Kudu, sable antelopes, the roan antelopes which are under extinction, large herds of Zebras, giraffes, and not forgetting the Big Five: lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants and rhinos.
Pilansberg National Park
Pilansberg National Park is best known for its large population of birds. Among the resident birds are the kori bustards which remain the heaviest flying bird species in the world. You will catch sight of secretary birds, weavers, ostriches, golden and red bishops, and widows. Pilansberg not only boasts of the many birds but also offers a game viewing package that includes elephants and rhinos for holiday travelers. Since 1994, there has been a spectacular increase in the population of lions, leopards and hippos. There is a popular game drive through the park in the night to catch sight of the black rhino, spotted eagle owls, Jameson’s red rocket rabbits, the rare bush-baby and genets. You will also see Africa’s biggest rodent; Cape Porcupine.
In South Africa, Spending your holiday in a lavish lodge in the Sabi Sand Reserve which neighbors Kruger National Park will enable you to experience the interesting and memorable night game drives. For a safari to be complete in South Africa, it must include this unique adventure of watching the wild beasts as they go about their nocturnal activities.
Night falls
When the sun sets, holiday safaris in South Africa take on a very beautiful appearance beneath the veil of the fading sunrays and escalating sounds rising from typically African bushes! Various bird species that are not commonly sighted at will be seen with widely opened eyes looking in a surprise. During day time, many animals are usually sleepy and often spend the day lying under trees to shelter from the hot sunshine, and at night they become alive again. The cool evening are usually busied with animals trekking to water holes for a drink as other start on their nocturnal activities.
As a tradition in South Africa, before you depart for a night safari, you must participate in a ‘sundowner,’ (an aperitif) with your accompanying friends. As the day light fades away with the spectacular setting of the sun and the skies turn dark, you will feel the bushes in close proximity and hear the day’s silence gradually giving into the sounds of the night.
On the road
In South Africa, a safari taken at night is always carried out in safe open-topped vehicles in the presence of armed park rangers. These professional rangers are highly knowledgeable about the animals’ predatory night behavior, and give a detailed explanation on the animals’ hunting lifestyle, mentioning who eats who. There are two or three bright spotting lights fitted on these vehicles and you may be privileged to control one of them. At the notification of the ranger you will turn you light and if lucky you may come face to face with a panicky baboon, giraffe, hippo, zebra or a rhino.
As you drive across this South African park, you will hear the echoes and rustles of the numerous of animals in the park fill the air as they meander in search of waterholes. You may come to a halt as large herds of animals by pass just inches away from you as they head to their drinking places.
The unique and memorable experience of the night drive should never be missed when taking a holiday safari in South Africa. The pleasant-humming of bushes that will continually echo in your mind even long after you have gone, and a feel of the true African Magic, is quite a memorable experience.
If you are thinking of traveling to South Africa be it for a family vacation or otherwise, it is always wise to find ways of cutting down your expenses for the entire trip. Traveling to South Africa will require you to visit many places like Cape Town and Kruger National Park.
Therefore if you are wondering on how to organize an affordable trip, always start by booking in an inexpensive airline flight heading to Africa. That way you will be able to save the extra cash for your tours in Johannesburg. Endeavour to book earlier before your proposed flight date; remember that South Africa is one of Africa’s top most visited states that offer exciting but affordable holiday packages.
To acquire the best seat at a good discounted price, make sure you book in your flight at least 8 weeks earlier than your expected travel date. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays you will be able to enjoy discounted flights heading to Cape Town. Other discounted flights to Cape Town are the month of October. Remember that booking much earlier will save you some dollars.
Always put into consideration the season you intend to take your flight. All airlines usually offer discounted airfares during the course of the week as compared to weekends. Unfortunately, many people prefer traveling on Fridays, over the weekend or during major festive seasons like the Christmas, yet flights during this time are rather expensive.
Consider making a reservation for a well discounted flight to South Africa from Europe. Preferably traveling during the day is much cheaper than flights at night. You could be flying from, London, Paris, Rome or Amsterdam; such an arrangement will help you save a large amount of dollars.
Making reservations with local-travel-agents will reward you with discounted tickets. Always make a comparison between the flight tickets to see the route that is cheaper. Some routes go through Ethiopia wile East African routes go through Kenya.
Alternatively, make good use of renowned airline companies. Airline companies such as British Airways, South African Airways, United Airlines, Air France Delta and some smaller airlines provide direct travel flights.
Discuss at detail with a reliable travel agent or travel agency on ways to attain a cheap flight to Africa so as to save on your travel expenses. Majority of the inexpensive traveling and leisure packages include flights to Africa and tours to various tourist destinations.
Because of the numerous number of flights available to South Africa, special considerations should be put in place when choice one to take. There are both International and local flights and not to forget discounted flight for those who would love to save on their flight-fares. We shall now guide you on how to book a flight.
Steps/guidelines on booking a flight to South Africa
• The first step and fastest way to help you get a good discounted flight is by visiting the ‘trvelstart.co.za page’
• You will then fill an online form clearly stating your place of depature, destination place and select the duration of your trip.
• A list showing numerous flights will pop and from it you will choose the flight you prefer to take.
• From this list you will view the prices and make a comparison before making your choice.
From London to Cape Town
Among the available flights for this journey are: Emirates, South African airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Qatar Airways, BMI, British airways and Etihad airways. British Airways offers the shortest flight while Etihad Airways offers the longest flight duration. The lowest airfare at the time of writing this ranges between R6, 672.00/ $1112.00 and a luxurious flight R8, 916 / $1486.
Highlighted above are the guidelines to help you book a flight to South Africa. No matter which destination you are planning to visit, these guide lines will avail you with all the basic
Facts about book flights to South Africa
Because of the numerous wildlife, the splendid night-lifestyle and classy restaurants, South Africa is one of the destinations that attract most visitors from all parts of the world. There are a number of basic requirements that you should know of before you book into any flight. Highlighted above are the guidelines to help you book a flight to South Africa. No matter which destination you are planning to visit, these guide lines will avail you with the entire basics to help you get your desired flight.
Summary
• There are both Local and International Flights to make your pick from.
• For quick and the most rewarding results, you will have to visit the trvelstart.com page.
• You will fill an online form to capture your place of departure, place of arrival and duration of stay.
Additional information
There are five major reasons that will entice you into booking a flight in S.A. first and Foremost, because it is south Africa, secondly it is very convenient, thirdly, it’s a haven for the Big Five that include leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos and buffalos, fourthly it is an entire world in just one country, and lastly, the flight fare will cost you less than you expect.
Golden Gate is situated in the Free State Province in the North Eastern, 360Km South of Johannesburg. This Golden Gate highland lies in the hills that make up the base of Maluti mountains.
The Free State Golden Gate landscape is painted with wooded ravines ands indigenous grassland as well as sandstone cliffs and open blue African skies.
Golden gate highland takes its name from the golden sunlight, which reflects off the sandstone cliffs that face the park.
Its seen clearly on Brand wag rock which stands above the park’s rest camp.
More than 111/2000 hectares of scenery and ecological habitat is covered by Golden Gate highland National Park, making it a home of wildlife which include Orib, Springbok, Zebra and Black wild beest.
The Springbok, which symbolizes the rugby team of S. Africa remains a traditional animal in the park.
Scarcely seen birds include birds include bailbis and bearded vulture can be seen making nests on the sand stone cliffs.
The park also provides spots to our visitors like the Van Reenen Family graveyard cathedral core guided walk, restaurant and the Brandwag buttress of course.
Try Zuluhock if you are interested in senic vantage look out points and Generaalskop view point or try Oribi basin and Drakensberg look out points.
These spots provide excellent photographic opportunities, which allow you take your memories home.
Among the outdoor activities include; bowls, horse riding and tennis. A swimming pool is also formed for refreshing during the day. Also try to see the birds hide at Vulture restaurant and bushmen points.
For more active visitors, there is a 31Km hike on Rheebok trail, where you can see red hartebeest, Black eagle, vultures, zebra and eland. However, a variety of less challenging hikes are provided for everyone, where you can see wild life from your car and excellent drives for seeing wildlife activities during the night.
Arrangements for accommodation are made at Golden Reenen Rest Camp or Wilgen hot Environmental Educational Centre. Brandwag hotel or highlands mountain retreat, which caters for every one’s choice.
West Coast National Park.
To protect the migratory birds that once were seen at the park and the wetland area, measures to proclaim the park area were raised in 1985. On Malgas Island, a quarter f the earth’s Cape gannets are supported by the park, with over 70,000 migratory wading birds and 12% of Oyster catcher. Safe nesting sites are provided along the coast. This place is a home to over 31/2 million sea birds.
From misty mornings, sunny and warm summer days emerge on the Langebaan lagoon and rains between may and August are reserved.
To visitors, the coastal climate is very friendly for enjoying all out door activities.
The lagoon still waters are surrounded by luscious green vegetation and this gives clear view of all the natural beauty of the west coast region.
The region has a number of fauna and flora that concentrates itself along drawbacks to the eco-tourist system.
The park has abundant bird life, seasonal beautiful flowers and fossil deposits.
West coast National Park enjoyed activities include; Fishing in peace fun and silent areas, picnics in secluded spot areas, excellent game viewing such as the antelope within your private vehicle. It becomes more convenient to hire a private car in the cape for those coming from up country.
Share a chance to drive through this natural beautiful west coast and seaside towns, while exploring.
Along the set coast, during August and September, spring flower season is celebrated for this period, Portsberg Trail and it is the park’s special hiking trail. This trail gives you a chance to explore the natural beauty of the park.
Before leaving the park you are given cold drinks and light meals offered by Geelbeck homestead. These home steeds are surrounded by bird hides for viewing the birds in the area and other sea birds that nest on the lagoon sheltered islands.
The most frequent inhabitants of the park include stunning pink flamingos, black harrier waders and jackals penguin.
So before heading home, you should try your best to spot these wonder birds.
Along the R 27 high way, its 100km to the west coast gates. The parks’ roads are terraced and you ca drive through.
Langebaan town serves the best in accommodation. It offers rental houses for the week end.
Opportunities for other accommodation facilities are also present in plenty. From breakfast, bed caravan parks and campsites. Langebaan town ahs a number of restaurant branches and shopping areas to serve all your needs.
For those interested in bird watching west coast national park remains number I place along with Geelbek bird hide which makes it the best place.
For viewing migratory birds. During winter, 400 flamingos are seen at sea berg at high tide.
Fertile and fresh cold water is sent by Benguela current from the Antarctic. This helps in marine life concentration.
The August and October spring month wild flowers grow in the region and if you are here this time, try not to miss this glorious colour from these natural flowers.
Wilderness National Park is situated in the heart of the Garden route. Through the wilderness Nature trails and relaxing rivers are provided and also a home to King fisher species and the reknown brightly coloured Kynsna Lourie, while great coloured flowers concentrate in the area in Spring months. This provides great spot for picnic.
A variety of activities are offered at Wilderness National Park and these include Dolphin and Whales watching from Dolphin point especially in winter and spring months. Hire canoeing, cycling, hang-gliding, paragliding and abseiling.
Others include bird hide visiting for all ages under African star camping. Also available along side the log cabins and coastal rivers.
The park starts in the west around Touw River and then spreads down Swartulei estuary and then joins the Goukamma Nature Reserve. This helps in 5 lakes protection and serpentine.
Durban to Johannesburg 598 Km.
Port Elizabeth to Durban 927Km
Johannesburg to Kruger National Park 478Km
Johannesburg to Cape Town 1405Km
Cape Town to Kruger National Park 756Km
Cape Town to Kruger National Park 1888Km
We drive on the left side on the in South Africa and seat belts are compulsory for the driver and the passengers. The roads are good throughout South Africa and between cities lies, toll gates in most stretches. Driving at night is not advisable but driving during the day if generally safe. You have to check your car daily to see whether there is enough water and oil, as well as seeing the functionality of lights, tyre pressure and indicators and to check these, there petrol stations are spaced within 200Km.
Petrol stations are not hard to find although they are widely spaced a long major roads in almost every town. These petrol stations have good quality restaurants, toilet facilities and are open 24 hours for those moving for longer journeys. Other services may include washing your window, checking your oil, water and fill oil for your car. Besides, attendants do appreciate a small tip.
Payment for petrol stations is made in cash for all, mostly the majority and in a garage, no national credit and debit cars will be allowed.
Petrol price is a round R50 per litre on average. On major highways, the speed limit is 120Km/h and in towns, 40Km/h and on major built up areas is 60Km/h.
For details check your road signposts.
Do carry your driver’s licence to avoid being stopped by traffic police. For more driving clues, look for the safety page.
Also becoming common is the flying between towns at a reasonable price. For more information, contact cheap flights in South Africa.
Among the tourist activities include; walks along the numerous trails. Among others include the trail, which leads you to the Africa’s Southern far point. Other attractions include the parks museum and a built center to educate visitors on the environment of the area.
Among the four Agulhas National Park’s treasures include: -
A built Light house to lend much desired assistance to weary explorers of the early times as they rounded the trip to Africa. It took 71steps to climb up to the top of the Light house where it’s possible to view the remains of the Khoi-Khoi fish traps.
The Lighthouse is also made up of limestone from a nearby quarry. The light house museum has attractive art facts.
Zoetendal is among the wrecks found along the Agulhas coast as well as Birken head and Armiston.
Shipwreck museum found in Bredasdorp from these wrecks, has a display of pieces. Visitors can see some remains of the wreck on the shores of Cape Agulhas.
The Flora and Fynbos are well known to the Cape region most especially between May and September, with Flowers seen all year round.
The most visited area is the Africa Continent’s South-most tip, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.
Schoen maker skop along the coast is a gorgeous little seaside village in Eastern Cape, which has a variety of caves, scenic spots holiday resorts, rock pools & tidal pools for fishing.
Water sports, canoeing, wind surfing, angling, sailing & power booting can be enjoyed in swart kops River Estuary.
Also popular is Bungi Jumping. Its 100% safe and takes place in Gouritz River bridge.
From port Elizabeth, you can visit Addo Natural Elephant Park for 75km and while in here you can sport over 450 Elephants & have a chance to see other animals.
Fish caught in summer include sardine & large reef fish. Southern right whales & along with their calves can be seen from the dunes during November & May and close to the shore is the bottle nose dolphins.
The Sardinia bay covers along distance of clear coastline & crystal clear water & basically known as a Marine Reserve.
The Eastern Cape is yet a home to the Xhosa despite the colonial history. Africaans & English are spoken here and has a concentration of over 7 million people hence being the third largest populated province.
It offers direct fights to the main areas & 2 harbours a companied by a rail system and road. The place is seen as a place of growth & economic value.
The province’s climate varies considerably but remains a great holiday place for all years. 7 hours of sun is experienced a day, with winters being average & summer being hot while its much cooler in the North.
The province’s shoreline stretches from Umformvuna River (Kwazulu Natal) to the North bordering Lesotho.
The Eastern Cape today incorporates with the previously independent homelands of Tromskei & Ciskel.
Information on tours in South Africa, car rental and hire, golf tours, vacations, adventure and holiday trips. This guide will enable to have a successful tour to South Africa. Information has been carefully arranged to cater for your needs as a tourist or citizen.
We arrange all tours and vacation packages across South Africa.
South Africa Tours / South Africa constitutes unmatchable distinctive and captivating attractions compared to none on Earth. Exotic combinations of landscape painting*, people, earlier period furthermore culture offer the traveler a exceptional along with barracking know. Republic of South Africa is a heady conflate of third gear in addition to first of all global polishes – together with the most effective furthermore smallest amount jam-pawncked beaches incoming the macrocosm. Cast in wildlife parks such as the Kruger National Park, Eight human race Heritage web content, pretty natural surroundings, a cracking infrastructure and a stable post-apartheid surround and you have a dandy destination inhibition to happen.
Cape townspeople attractive force* are plenteous furthermore departed. The northwestern Cape is one of South Africa’s premier tourism destinations furthermore for the reason that benevolent grounds. The Cape region equals renowned for the world-famous landmark Table Mountain, its vast Cape Winelands and the most exquisite coastline … Western Cape Attractions / Cape Town Attractions
Garden Route
The Garden Route is a coastal corridor on the western coast of South Africa, where ancient forests, rivers, wetlands, dunes, stretches of beach, lakes, mountain scenery and indigenous fynbos all merge to form a landscape of restorative beauty. This is a strip of land like no other in the world in terms of … garden route attractions
Eastern Cape
The second largest of South Africa’s nine provinces, the diverse Eastern Cape is situated between the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal, and bordered by the Orange River and Drakensberg Mountains. The Eastern Cape is an interesting place to visit. Some of the country’s most powerful political figures … eastern cape attractions. KwaZulu Natal / Durban
KwaZulu Natal is a world in one province: to the North of Durban you will find the best of African game reserves and pristine beaches, to the West lie the majestic Drakensberg Mountains and temperate Midlands while to the South there await superb golf courses, fishing spots and miles of subtropical … kwazulu natal attractions
Gauteng / Johannesburg
Although it is the smallest of South Africa’s nine provinces, Gauteng (the Sotho word for “Place of Gold”), is the commercial and industrial powerhouse of the country and indeed of southern Africa. Gauteng is a cosmopolitan, multicultural mix of people from all walks of life, from all corners of … gauteng attractions
Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga is one of South Africa’s top tourist destinations. Know as “Paradise Country”, few regions in the world can match the extraordinary beauty of the Lowveld and escarpment. Mpumalanga covers nearly 80 000 km² from rolling highlands to the lofty escarpment and the lush wetlands. The Mpumalanga … mpumalanga attractions
Limpopo
Limpopo is the northern most province in South Africa, bordering onto Moçambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Limpopo offers a mosaic of superb scenic landscape, a fascinating cultural heritage, an abundance of wildlife species and many nature based tourism opportunities. Limpopo is a land of legends and … limpopo attractions
North West Province
From untamed bushveld to the sophistication of 5 star luxury resorts, the North West Province provides the complete tourism package. Nature has blessed the North West with breathtaking scenic beauty, rolling fields of maize, golden sunflowers and vast plains of African bushveld. When visiting the … north west province attractions. Free State
The Free State is a rural province of wide horizons and blue skies, with farmland, mountains, goldfields and widely dispersed towns. This tranquil land of the windmill is famous for its warm South African hospitality and a mix of culture which is clearly evident in street names, public buildings, monuments and … free state attractions
Northern Cape
The Northern Cape boasts a colourful history and a variety of cultural tourist attractions and is particularly well known for its incredible annual floral display that takes place in Namaqualand. An utterly beautiful coastline and a number of unique national parks offer the tourist a very different … northern cape attractions
South Africa Attractions
Notable South African Attractions
South Africa’s 8 World Heritage Sites
World Heritage Sites recognise and protect areas of outstanding natural, historical and cultural value. Given South Africa’s diverse culture and history and her spectacular natural resources and wildlife, it is not surprising that she boasts 8 World Heritage Sites … south africa world heritage sites National Botanical Gardens
The Garden Route is a coastal corridor on the western coast of South Africa, where ancient forests, rivers, wetlands, dunes, stretches of beach, lakes, mountain scenery and indigenous fynbos all merge to form a landscape of restorative beauty. This is a strip of land like no other in the world in terms of … south africa national botanical gardens
South Africa’s Game and Nature Reserves
South Africa boasts a huge collection of wildlife regions and game parks – both public and private – encompassing every possible landscape from deserts to forests,
