Physical Features: South Africa Travel, South Africa Safaris & Tours

South Africa Travel

Physical Features

The western half of the country, comprising the Great Karoo, Bushmanland and Namaqualand, is a sparsely populated semi-desert. These areas cover most of the Northern Cape, the north-western sections of the Western Cape and the north-eastern sections of the Eastern Cape.

The Free State, southern Gauteng, eastern North West Province and the western portions of Mpumalanga are covered by extensive natural grasslands at elevations exceeding 1000 metres. The northern sections of Gauteng, the Limpopo Province and the eastern sections of Mpumalanga are covered in extensive bush and tree landscapes and are home to most of South Africa’s most prominent wildlife areas.

The coastal regions of KwaZulu Natal are characterised by thick coastal forests, where these have not been disturbed by agriculture, magnificent sandy beaches and in the north, the most southerly coral reefs in the World. The interior of KwaZulu Natal consists of broken hills covered in bush and trees and sections of open grassland. The jagged rim of the Drakensberg Mountains, rising to elevations in excess of 3000 metres, forms the escarpment between the sub-tropical coastal belt and the temperate high-elevation grasslands of the interior. The Drakensberg stretches from the northern sections of Northern Province, through Mpumalanga, along the border between KwaZulu Natal and Lesotho and into the northern sections of the Eastern Cape and are often covered in snow during the winter months.

Magnificent natural forests are found along the narrow coastal strip of the Western and Eastern Cape between George and Port Elizabeth, where the forested mountain slopes sweep down into the sea. The coastal belt of the Eastern and Western Cape is home to unique fynbos (fine bush) vegetation and is the smallest of the five plant kingdoms in the World. This area is home to an unrivalled number and variety of spectacular flowering plants, unmatched anywhere else on Earth. Numerous and spectacular mountain ranges separate the coastal fynbos regions of the Eastern and Western Cape from the dry interior of the Great Karoo.

MOST POPULAR AREAS:

Sun City, South Africa	Kruger Park, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa	Cape Winelands, South Africa
Garden Route, South Africa	Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Durban, South Africa	Drakensberg, South Africa

COUNTRIES & REGIONS:

Travel to Eastern Cape Garden Route - EC, Wild Coast Region	Travel to Gauteng Johannesburg Region, Pretoria Region
Travel to Free State	Travel to Kwazulu Natal Drakensberg Region, Dolphin Coast (KZN), Kwazulu Natal South Coast, Zululand, Midlands (KZN), Battlefields, Kwazulu Natal North Coast, Elephant Coast
Travel to Mpumalanga Kruger Park - MP, The Panorama	Travel to Northern Cape Namaqualand
Travel to Limpopo Province Capricorn, Kruger Park - LP	Travel to North-West Province
Travel to Western Cape Garden Route - WC, Cape Winelands, West Coast, Cape Town & Surroundings, Peninsula, Overberg, Klein Karoo / Little Karoo, Southwestern Cape, Karoo	Travel to Kruger Transfrontier Park
Travel to South Africa	Travel to Garden Route
Travel to Kruger Park

Tours covering South Africa - Show all safaris & tours covering South Africa »»
	Safari & Cape Town - Kruger & Cape Peninsula From $1023 per person per night	Join guided walking safaris, game drives and birding safaris in an area where you enjoy exclusive traversing rights in the best Big Five game viewing area in the Kruger National Park. Continue your trip with a stay in a five star waterfront retreat right on the beach in the picturesque lobster-fishing village of Kommetjie, a short thirty-minute drive from Cape Town. *Tour Duration:* 6 days

	Western and Eastern Cape Self Drive (CIAA-ELA) From per person per night	Travel at your own pace and explore the beautiful Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces. Visit the magnificent Addo Elephant Park, see the whales at Hermanus and enjoy a variety of picturesque little towns through which you will travel before arriving in East London. *Tour Duration:* 20 days

	Cape, Zambezi Splendour (CIA-JIAI) From $3907 per person per night	A magnificent 14 day tour that starts off in the Fairest Cape of the world. Next visit is to beautiful KwaZulu Natal, followed by Africa's Kingdom of Pleasure - Sun City, and last but not least the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. Enjoy all of this while staying in most luxurious establishments. *Tour Duration:* 14 days

	Show all safaris & tours covering South Africa »»

South Africa - Tourist Information
Statistics Population: 47.4 million Area: 1 219 912 sq. kms. GDP per capita: US$ 12 200 Languages: Eleven official languages		Climate The climate is generally temperate in the interior and sub-tropical in KwaZulu Natal and the northern coastal areas of the Eastern Cape. The Western Cape experiences a Mediterranean climate with dry... More »»
Currency and Credit Cards The unit of currency in South Africa is the Rand; which is divided into 100 cents. Bank notes currently available are in denominations of R200; R100; R50; R20 and R10. Coins in denominations of R5;... More »»		Visa and Entry Requirements Valid passports are required by all foreign nationals to enter South Africa. Citizens of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the European Union may enter South Africa without a visa requirement. In... More »»
Public Holidays 01 January - New Year’s Day 21 March - Human Rights Day Good Friday (Easter weekend) April (variable date) Family Day (Easter weekend) April (variable date) 27 April - Freedom Day 01 May -... More »»		Brief History During the Late Stone age approximately 10 000 years ago, the hunter-gatherer San people roamed the open plains of southern Africa. Their legacy is evident in the thousands of rock art sites, which... More »»
Economy South Africa is rich in mineral deposits including high grade iron ore and coal, asbestos, manganese, copper, uranium, platinum, palladium, vanadium and chromium to mention a few and of course gold... More »»		General South Africa is the southern-most country on the African continent and is cradled by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Its great diversity of peoples, culture, scenic splendour, wildlife and nature... More »»
Geography Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe border South Africa to the north. Moçambique and Swaziland border South Africa to the north-east; while Lesotho is completely landlocked by South Africa. South Africa... More »»		Physical Features The western half of the country, comprising the Great Karoo, Bushmanland and Namaqualand, is a sparsely populated semi-desert. These areas cover most of the Northern Cape, the north-western sections... More »»
Political Features South Africa is divided into nine provinces and has eleven official languages, with English the language of business and government. There are two capital cities - Cape Town (Western Cape) is the... More »»		Accommodation The variety of accommodation in South Africa is almost as diverse as its many people. This ranges from luxury hotels to bed and breakfast type accommodation. The South African Tourism Board (SATOUR)... More »»
Banks and Foreign Exchange Banking hours in most centres are 09h00 to 15h30 Mondays to Fridays and 09h00 to 11h00 on Saturdays. Foreign bank notes and travellers cheques may be converted into local currency at most banks,... More »»		Dining and Drinking South African food is unique and varied and has its origins in the many countries and people, which makes up its cosmopolitan culture. European, Indian, Malay, African and French cuisine; augmented... More »»
Tipping Tipping for service is not compulsary but is in general standard practice in South Africa and usually ranges around 10% in restaurants and about R5 for hotel porters. Cleaners and maids in hotels and... More »»		Media and Television A wide variety of daily and weekly English and other local language newspapers are available in South Africa. In addition regular periodicals produced in South Africa cover every conceivable subject... More »»
Medical Care Visitors are responsible for their own medical needs and it is advisable to carry comprehensive medical insurance. There are Public Hospitals in most towns and cities with services ranging from good... More »»		Telephones A modern and efficient telephone service is available in almost all parts of the country. Direct national and international dialling is possible in almost all areas. Pay phones operating with coins... More »»
Value Added Tax (VAT) VAT is currently 14% and is included in the price of most goods. A VAT refund can be obtained on items taken out of the country; provided the total value exceeds R250 per claim. No goods consumed or... More »»		Rivers and Waterways The most important rivers are the Orange, Vaal, Tugela and Limpopo. The Orange River has its source in the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho and it flows westward across the dry Karoo and Bushmanland,... More »»
Road Travel and Public Transport The road network is well developed and of a high standard. All major international and a number of local car hire companies are represented in South Africa. Easy access to car hire from all major... More »»		Security Crime is a problem in all major Cities across the world, which need not impact on the enjoyment of your holiday in the country as long as you are aware of various facts: * Certain inner city areas... More »»

Map of South Africa

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South Africa Travel