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| South Africa lies at the southern end of the vast African continent, flanked by the Indian Ocean on the east and the Atlantic Ocean on the west. It is bordered by Namibia to the northwest, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, and by Mozambique to the northeast. |
South Africa's area is one-seventh the size of the United States and more than 5 times larger than Great Britain. The various population groups of South Africa have combined to create a society of diverse historical and cultural backgrounds, often described as a fascinating ethnic mosaic. |
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JOHANNESBURG  |
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Born as a mining camp in 1886 when the unbelievable rich gold deposits of the Witwatersrand were first discovered, Johannesburg has grown to a sophisticated city of two million. It is the largest city in South Africa and the third largest on the African continent.
It stands over 5,000 feet above sea level and is the country's financial and commercial centre. Johannesburg is the main gateway to the major tourist regions of Southern Africa. |
| KRUGER NATIONAL PARK |
| The first national park created in Africa, Kruger Park, covers an area of over 12,000 square miles of the Eastern Transvaal's bushveld - the natural habitat of hundreds of species of animals and birds. Lion, elephant, giraffe, crocodile, baboon, zebra, and a large number and variety of antelope are some of the animals often spotted in a day's gameviewing. Lilac-brested rollers, vultures, hornbills, secretary birds - these are a few of the birds that are bound to be seen. The entire region is a gigantic parkland covered with shrubs and trees, with rocky outcrops, an occasional line of hills and watercourses edged with thick dark riverine growth. The park's rest camp provides comfortable accommodation in huts and chalets and most camps have a restaurant and curio shop. |
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| CAPE TOWN |
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"Mother City" is the affectionate term for Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa and the country's legislative capital. With Table Mountain as a dramatic backdrop, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Founded in 1652 as a victualling station for the ships of the Dutch East India Company on their way to and from the East, Cape Town has grown to a great modern complex. Cape Town lies at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula which also contains its suburbs and the busy harbour of Table Bay, fishing villages, extensive vineyards, a spectacularly beautiful marine drive, innumerable beaches along its two shorelines, several nature reserves, including the Cape of Good Hope Reserve at the southern tip of the Peninsula, and the world-renowned National Botanic Gardens at Kirstenbosch on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. |
| DURBAN |
| Durban is known as the Holiday City, but it is also a large and important harbour. The Port of Durban handles more cargo than any other port along the African coastline. Durban's subtropical climate has made it South Africa's most popular holiday resort, and is warm enough for swimming and sunbathing in any season. It is a city full of colour, bustle and excitement with gleaming sea-front hotels and miles of golden beaches edging the blue Indian Ocean. A combination race course and golf club near the centre of the city reinforces the holiday city image. Tennis courts and bowling greens add their quote, as do the restaurants, nightclubs and discotheques. North and south of Durban, a chain of resorts fringe Natal's Indian Ocean coastline, catering to every taste and budget. |
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| DRAKENSBERG |
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Extending for about 1,000 miles from the Cape Midlands to the Northern Transvaal, the Drakensberg is Southern Africa's principal mountain range, its highest peaks being on the border between Natal and Lesotho. Along the lower slopes of the Natal Drakensberg are some of South Africa's most appealing country hotels, guest farms and nature reserves. Stone Age paintings decorate the walls of many caves and rocky overhangs, the flora and fauna of the mountains are a source of constant delight to naturalists. |
| ZULULAND GAME PARKS |
| Zululand has many splendid game and nature reserves. The best known and most accessible are St. Lucia Game Reserve which is primarily a reserve for hippos and crocodiles, and further inland, Umfolozi, Hluhluwe and Mkuzi, all three of which contain, among their varied animal population, both the black and the white rhino. Northward, on the Mozambique border, is Ndumu, noted especially for its unique concentration of bird life. All these game parks have comfortable hutted camps. |
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TOURIST INFORMATION:
CLIMATE
South Africa is generally sunny and temperate throughout the year. Since the country lies south of the Equator, the seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Winters (June/July) are usually mild although snow falls on the mountain ranges of the Cape and Natal. Summer days (December/January) are warm with cool nights. Summer rain is the norm over most of the country. December to February is the best time to enjoy a Mediterranean summer in Cape Town, while June to September is the ideal time to visit Kruger National Park.
| Weather in Cape Town: Alt 56 Feet |
| Temp (F) |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Av Low |
60 |
60 |
58 |
53 |
49 |
41 |
45 |
46 |
49 |
52 |
55 |
58 |
| Av High |
78 |
79 |
77 |
72 |
67 |
65 |
63 |
64 |
65 |
70 |
73 |
76 |
| Days no rain |
28 |
26 |
28 |
24 |
17 |
19 |
18 |
18 |
23 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
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| Cape Town, known as the Mother City - nestles between the majestic Table Mountain and the ocean. This city has plenty to offer the traveller - a trip up Table Mountain is a must to experience the awe-inspiring 360° view of Cape Town and the surrounding areas. Robben Island is a national monument where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. The castle, Kirstenbosch Gardens, and of course a trip to the winelands are a few of the diverse and exciting sights and things to do. |
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Game Parks - Your visit to South Africa would not be complete without a visit to one of the many game parks to experience wild animals in their natural habitat. What a thrill if you are fortunate enough to see the big five - Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant - this surely would be the piece de resistance. Also for the avid birdwatcher there is an abundant birdlife. Game parks such as Sabi Sabi, Londolozi, Ulusaba, Thornybush, Singita are but a few where one would experience a sunrise and sunset game drive in an open landrover, dinner in a boma under the African sky, and an option for the adventurous a mid-morning nature walk with an experienced guide. |
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