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 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 ...
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£8670
/ 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 Africa Garden Route Journey

Embark on an oyster cruise on the Knysna Estuary and enjoy whale and dolphin watching on an ocean safari. Travel from Oudtshoorn to Cape Town along ...
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£810
/ person
duration
4 days
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Cricket Coaching Volunteer Project in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Coach cricket to township children in South Africa and share your passion for cricket with young athletes who are desperate to play the sport. Our cricket ...
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£1045
/ person
durations start from
28 days
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Swimming Teaching Volunteer Project in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Coach and teach swimming to children in South Africa, teaching them the swimming skills to stay safe in the swimming pool and at the beach. This ...
from
£1045
/ person
durations start from
28 days
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Southern Africa: Romance in the Heart of Nature

Combine sea and safari in this journey that showcases Southern Africa’s dazzling natural wonders. Experience some of Africa’s finest game viewing in ...
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£8115
/ person
duration
8 days
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Serene Escape to Sabi Sand

Be captivated by this 4-day itinerary to Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. Located adjacent to the world-famous Kruger National Park in the Lowveld of ...
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£2590
/ person
duration
4 days
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South Africa 10 Week Surf Instructor Course | Cape Town to Durban

Combine the ultimate South Africa surf road trip with a globally recognised surf coaching qualification!   On this epic trip from Cape Town to Durban, you ...
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£5795 £5595
/ person
duration
70 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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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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Best of Victoria Falls and the Mother City

From the majesty of the earth’s greatest waterfall, to the wonder of a modern capital steeped in nature, this is a journey of pure ...
from
£3880
/ person
duration
7 days
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The Cellars Hohenort – Cape Town

Get ready to be captivated by this 5-day itinerary that explores the wonders of Cape Town, known as South Africa’s Mother City and ...
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£1525
/ person
duration
5 days
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Basketball Coaching Project in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Volunteer in South Africa as a volunteer basketball coach, teaching the sport to keen basketball players who do not have the opportunity to play and train ...
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£1045
/ person
durations start from
28 days
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Teaching Volunteer Project Abroad in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Volunteer in South Africa on our teaching project and help educate children in English as well as maths, science, sports and other subjects, providing much needed ...
from
£1045
/ person
durations start from
28 days
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Garden Route Essentials

Explore the Garden Route from Port Elizabeth, visiting Tsitsikamma, standing on the Storms River Bridge, Oudtshoorn sights and the Cape Winelands....
from
£360
/ person
duration
3 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 ...
from
£11320
/ person
duration
13 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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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 ...
from
£6460
/ 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 ...
from
£870
/ person
duration
8 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. ...
from
£6870
/ person
duration
5 days
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Hockey Coaching Volunteer Project in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Coach young hockey players in the townships of Port Elizabeth and give them the opportunity to play hockey in a fun and enjoyable way. Working as ...
from
£1045
/ person
durations start from
28 days
Tailor Made

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 ...
from
£3595 £3545
/ person
duration
56 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...
from
£850
/ person
duration
5 days
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Multi-Sports Tour (Community Coaching & Playing) in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

Take your school or club team to South Africa on a sports tour with a difference. Play against local school and club teams and help coach ...
from
£725
/ person
durations start from
7 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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