| South Africa Overview | | | | has long been the adventurer's dream destination, |
| South Africa is a large, diverse and incredibly beautiful | | | | and South Africa is no exception. It is host to a wide |
| country and boasts an excellent infrastructure. | | | | variety of adventure activities - whatever your |
| Occupying the southern tip of Africa, its long | | | | preference, there is bound to be an adventure to |
| coastline stretches more than 2 500km - from the | | | | thrill you. |
| desert border with Namibia on the Atlantic coast, | | | | Climate - When to Visit |
| southwards around the tip of Africa and then north | | | | Cape Town and the Garden Route coastal belt have |
| to the border with subtropical Mozambique on the | | | | a Mediterranean climate, with warm/hot summers |
| Indian Ocean. This is the meeting place of two great | | | | and cold wet winters. However it can rain any time in |
| oceans, warm weather that lasts most of the year, | | | | the year, and Cape Town can have strong winds in |
| and big game roaming just beyond the city lights. | | | | the summer. Best time to visit is from October to |
| For many, the animals alone are reason enough to | | | | May. |
| visit - South Africa's fabulous wildlife is more varied | | | | KwaZulu-Natal has a subtropical climate, with plenty |
| than just the famous Big Five - it also a bird | | | | of sunshine throughout the year. However it can be |
| watchers' paradise. It is not only on land where animal | | | | uncomfortably hot and humid in summer. Best time |
| lovers can enjoy the wildlife, with South Africa being | | | | to visit is from May to November. |
| one of best destinations worldwide to encounter | | | | Mpumalanga (Kruger National Park area) has warm to |
| marine mammals. In early June, the southern right | | | | hot sunny days with possible rainfall in summer and |
| whales leave their Antarctic feeding grounds and | | | | moderately warm winter days with cold nights and |
| travel down to the Cape Coast, while the humpback | | | | chilly mornings. Winters are generally dry and best |
| whales arrive with their calves in early November. | | | | game viewing time as the grasses die back and the |
| These huge beasts often loll around close to shore, | | | | game is easier to spot. This is also the lowest risk |
| offering a sight not soon forgotten. | | | | time for malaria. Best time to visit is from May to |
| There are, of course, many reasons to visit South | | | | November. |
| Africa: attractive beaches, some of the world's best | | | | Johannesburg & Sun City enjoy sunny summer |
| surf, a spectacular range of diverse scenery, | | | | days, with brief but intense thunderstorms and |
| eco-systems found nowhere else in the world and | | | | heavy rain in the afternoons. Winters are generally |
| the opportunity to experience true African culture | | | | dry with chilly nights. Best time to visit - all year |
| and hospitality. South Africa is one of the great | | | | round. |
| cultural meeting points of the African continent - and | | | | Remember: South Africa has southern hemisphere |
| is known as the "rainbow nation", an apt description | | | | seasons. Midsummer is December/January and |
| for the rich cultural kaleidoscope that is South Africa. | | | | midwinter is June/July. December has the long |
| If botany is your interest, you could wish for no | | | | summer school holidays and Cape Town and the |
| better destination. South Africa is the only country to | | | | Garden Route, in particular are crowded with locals |
| contain an entire floral kingdom and has the | | | | and foreign visitors on holiday. |
| third-highest level of biodiversity in the world. Africa | | | | |