South Africa

INSIDER GUIDE TO SOUTH AFRICA

GUIDE TO

Try to picture South Africa. Are you riding in an open-top off-road vehicle, peering across the savannah to spot a lion? Sipping a glass of chilled chenin blanc surrounded by the breathtakingly rugged landscape of Stellenbosch? Or taking in the sights and sounds of Cape Town as you stand atop the iconic Table Mountain?

Wherever your mind wanders to, we’re sure it depicts the beauty and majesty of this incredible destination. In this first-timer’s guide to South Africa, we show you how you can get up close and personal with some of nature’s most impressive beasts, indulge in gourmet food in culinary hotspots, or discover the hidden histories of this country’s fascinating past. 2018 also marks the centenary of Nelson Mandela and is a momentous year for the Rainbow Nation, as they celebrate 100 years since the iconic leader’s birth with a whole programme of events, festivals and cheer.

Population: 55.9 million

Capital: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)

National Motto: !ke e: Ixarra Ilke (Unity in Diversity)

Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)

Official Language: English, Afrikaans, plus nine others

Time zone: UTC +2

Flight time: 11 hours

South Africa Interesting facts...

ClimateSouth Africa lies in the Southern Hemisphere’s subtropical zone between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. This means that it has a wider variety of climates than most other countries on the continent. It experiences a high degree of sunshine while having rainfall that is around half of the global average, and weather can vary slightly depending on which part of the country you’re in. The country’s hottest and driest months are typically from November through to March, while May to September is the wet season where temperatures are generally colder.

Average monthly temperatures (°C):

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

22 22 20 17 14 10 11 13 15 18 19 21

South Africa’s coastline is one of the best in the world, and sports 42 Blue Flag

beaches

Although English is widely spoken throughout South Africa, the country has

11 official languages!

The largest optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere can be found in Sutherland, which is in the Northern

Cape

The national animal of South Africa is the Springbok, which also features on the emblem, and is the nickname of, South

Africa’s national rugby team

South Africa has hosted football, cricket and rugby World Cups – making it the

only nation other than England to do so

South Africa is home to the world’s largest baobab tree, which has a bar

inside and is over 6,000 years old! It can be found in Limpopo near Kruger

South Africa is located on the southern tip of Africa and borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and Swaziland, whilst also surrounding the kingdom of Lesotho. It is divided into nine provinces and also has three capital cities, which all carry out a key component of the country’s administrative responsibilities.

Although Johannesburg is South Africa’s biggest city and is home to Mandela House, the Apartheid Museum and Soweto, tourism tends to focus on the coast, where towns and cities such as Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth are popular choices alongside Kruger and Addo Elephant National Parks and Drakensberg, which is home to one of Africa’s largest waterfalls.

The Republic of South AfricaCape Town can be found on the southwest coast and as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa, it is the legislative capital of the country as well as its second most-populous city.

Resting between the iconic Table Mountain and the Rainbow Nation’s most visited attraction, the V&A Waterfront, this cosmopolitan city is bursting with natural beauty and fascinating culture. Enjoy awe-inspiring mountain top views, tour world famous wineries and unwind on sun-drenched sandy beaches.

Northern Cape

Western CapeCape Town Port

Elizabeth

Eastern Cape

Bloemfontein

Durban

Johannesburg

Gauteng

Pretoria

Mmabatho

Polokwane

Nelspruit

SPOTLIGHT ON: CAPE TOWN

cape town

Try something a little differentiSimangaliso Wetland Park

Located in the far north of KwaZulu-Natal province are a collection of nature reserves and parklands that form the iSimangaliso wetlands. Here, you can discover an incredible eight different ecosystems from mountain ranges and lake systems, to sand dunes and tropical forests. This is the only place in the world where you will find crocodiles, sharks and hippopotamuses living in the same lagoon!

Swim with the penguins

Head to Boulders Beach in Simonstown or Betty’s Bay in the Western Cape for a chance to see and swim with the local penguin colony. These lovable creatures enjoy diving into the waves and sunbathing on the shore alongside beachgoers.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

South Africa is famous for its divers and unique flora, and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden offers a beautiful array of gardens to explore. Situated on the rugged edge of the Table Mountain range, it boasts over 22,000 different varieties of plants – more than the entire United Kingdom! For the more adventurous, there are numerous paths that wind up the mountainside with walks typically taking between four and six hours. For those looking for something a little less strenuous, there are gentle walking trails through the gardens, including one signposted in braille.

Bungee Jumps and Rope Swings

South Africa has some of the most amazing bungee jumps and rope swings in the world. Bounce between two graffiti-laden cooling towers in Soweto, take on the world’s biggest highest commercial bridge jump at Bloukrans Bridge Bungy on the Garden Route near Port Elizabeth, or feel the adrenaline on the Big Rush Big Swing over Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

DID YOU KNOW?

Meandering through vineyards and valleys, Route 62 is the longest wine trail in the world. Grape and wine-producing towns sit nestled along hillsides, and tourists can stop off to sample some of South Africa’s finest produce.

‘The Big 5’ can be spotted in South Africa, as lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo all live within the country’s borders.

The naturally caffeine-free Rooibos tea grows naturally in the Cederberg area of the Western Cape province. It is the only place in the world where it is grown, and is a drink known for its health benefits.

Our Favourite SightsWondering what there is to see and do in South Africa? With rich history, a fascinating culture, wonderful wildlife and amazing attractions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Cape Town beaches

With over 1,600 miles of coastline, you can find yourself alone on one of South Africa’s long beaches. From Cape town, there are a host of beautiful bays from which you can choose although be warned – the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean even keep the locals out! Head to False Bay for warmer swimming temperatures, where you’ll find surfers hitting the waves from the Third and Fourth beaches.

Addo Elephant Park

Have you always dreamed of seeing herds of elephants walking in their natural habitat? Then make it a reality at Addo Elephant Park! A short drive from Port Elizabeth, the conservation park is home to over 600 elephants, while also offering game viewing and a wide range of outdoor activities.

Robben Island

Just four miles off the coast of Cape Town, this island is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. The maximum-security prison closed in 1991 and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site eight years later. Today it is a popular tourist destination and museum, with guided tours are available.

Apartheid Museum

A must-see for all visitors to Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum provides a detailed account of South Africa’s history. Many visitors describe the museum as a difficult, yet inspirational experience as it helps visitors to understand the significance and reality of the country’s past. Due to the nature of the exhibits, the museum is only open to those aged 11 or over.

Table Mountain

See South Africa from the lofty heights of Table Mountain. This impressive flat-topped behemoth is 3,558 feet tall and provides stunning views of Cape Town and beyond. Not one for rock climbing? Don’t worry! You can catch a five-minute cable car ride that takes you straight to the top.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

This popular destination for locals and tourists is a bustling centre of food, art, culture and entertainment. A wonderful mix of historic buildings, a working port and contemporary developments, it has wealth of restaurants, shops and live entertainment, with many festivals and craft markets held here throughout the year.

Biltong

Biltong is dried meat traditionally eaten as a snack and is usually made from beef or game, such as springbok and ostrich. Dry curing was a method used by the indigenous tribes of South Africa to preserve meat before the invention of refrigerators. The meat is cured in a mixture of vinegar, sugar and spices and is highly regarded by health enthusiasts due to its high protein levels and low fat content.

Boerewors

Translated into English as “farmer’s sausage,” boerewors is a type of sausage made from beef mince, with the mixture also containing spices such as coriander, cloves and nutmeg, giving it a very distinctive taste. It is traditionally served in a coiled shape and cooked on a barbeque.

South Africa...A taste of

Cape Malay Curry

In the 17th century, the Dutch and

French landed and settled in Cape

Town, bringing with them slaves from

eastern Asia. They also had spices

and traditional cooking methods and,

when combined with local produce,

Cape Malay curry was born, pairing

sweet and savoury flavours for a

wonderfully fragrant and delicious dish.

Milktart

Known as melktert in Afrikaans,

milktart is a pie-like desert that has

similar properties to an English egg

custard tart or a Portuguese pastel

de nata. It consists of a sweet pastry

crust that has a filling made from milk,

flour, suga and eggs, combining for

a delightful treat.

Basilicious

This signature South African cocktail

is made with vodka, freshly squeezed

lime juice, syrup, basil leaves and,

believe it or not, Robertsons Barbeque

Spice. The luminous green concoction

is usually served over ice with a sprig

of basil.

South African foodie experiencesaccording to the Travel CounsellorsTravel Counsellor Roger has visited South Africa 30 times and even met his wife on a plane from London to Cape Town in 2000! We asked for a few recommendations for places to indulge, and here’s what Roger had to say:

In Cape Town:

“Blues has been a solid seafood

haven since before my first visit

in 1998. It’s situated in the picture-

perfect cove of Camps Bay –

sundowners here first, then food!

“For Italian food – which we always

go to after cycling the 110km Cycle

Tour – try Il Leone. For possibly the

best Indian restaurant in the country,

Bukhara is beyond belief!

“A recent discovery, on a local

recommendation, is Live Bait which,

unsurprisingly, is based around

a seafood menu in the sea village

of Kalk Bay. The novelty of having

the waves literally crashing up and

over the windows and watching the

squid being caught on the pier then

appearing 10 minutes later as calamari

on your plate will never get old!

“My absolute favourite in the city is

Barristers Grill. It’ll blow your socks

off, and the ice cream and chocolate

sauce dessert is beyond memorable.”

In Franschhoek:“Franschhoek is classed as the gourmet capital of the country, generally, so anything in business is generally outstanding.

“The very reasonable, but high quality, Le Quartier Francais is often voted the best in the country and is just inside the village limits.

“My favourite, though, is the less expensive Le Petit Ferme. Their 16-hour cooked lamb shank will take your breath away.”

TC Recommended: South AfricaTravel Counsellor Cornel grew up in South Africa and is somewhat of an authority when it comes to things to see and do there! Here, she shares some of her pearls of wisdom and favourite places.

To share your South Africa holiday memories, don’t forget to upload your photos and videos to your social media accounts using #TCexperience!

First time visitors should head to…

“Cape Town is a beautiful city with lots to do, see and eat. Take a

cable car up Table Mountain for amazing views over the city, explore

the shops and restaurants on the V&A Waterfront, take a stroll on the

beach at Camps Bay, see the penguins at Boulders Beach and visit

Bloubergstrand for the iconic flat-top view of Table Mountain.”

My favourite place in South Africa is…

“The wine region near Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. It’s one of the

best wine regions in the world, with views to die for whilst you travel

from one wine estate to the next to sample what they have to offer.”

Souvenirs? Don’t forget these holiday mementos…

“Typical souvenirs include handcrafted wooden objects such as bowls

and furniture, or beaded animal statues. You can also get beautiful

African-themed paintings or painted table cloths. In terms of food, a

bottle of Amarula or a case of wine is a good choice, but don’t be tempted

to bring biltong back – it’s meat and isn’t allowed back into the UK.”

If you want to go off the beaten track, head to...

“For the active traveller, you can do spectacular

hiking and cycling holidays through the

Drakensberg area. The area around Kruger

National Park is also beautiful, with lovely

waterfalls, caves and lookout points to visit. If you

are not familiar with this area, I would recommend

an escorted tour rather than going on a self-drive.”

The hidden gem I’d recommend is…“Robberg Nature Reserve in the

Plettenberg Bay area. Pack your hiking shoes and go for a hike around the

reserve for beautiful sea views from all angles and well-deserved relaxation on

a private beach.”

Spending moneyWondering how much spending money you’ll need for your travels? To help you plan your trip, here’s a rough guide to the cost of living in South Africa!

R15.00One-way ticket on local public

transport

R25.00Domestic

Draught Beer

R450.00Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant

R800.00Half day wine tour from Cape Town

R1685.00Full day

safari at Kruger National Park

R209.00Taxi from OR Tambo International Airport

to Johannesburg

R55.00Bottle of mid-range South African wine

R85.00Entry to the Apartheid Museum

Chat with the locals

One of 11 official languages of South Africa is English, which is widely spoken throughout the country. But a lot of natives do use homegrown terms and slang in everyday dialect.

So, to help you feel like a local when you’re exploring South Africa, here are a few phrases for you to try!

SKINNERMEANING: Afrikaans slang for gossip.

LEKKERMEANING: A widely used term to indicate that something is good, great or nice.

BRAAIMEANING: Pronounced br-eye, braai is a widely used noun and verb for an outdoor barbeque where meat is cooked over a fire or coals.

EISHMEANING: Eish is an exclamation of surprise, disapproval, exasperation or regret derived from Xhosha.

JOLMEANING: A widely-used term for club, party or to have fun.

KIEFMEANING: Derived from Arabic, this word means cool, great or awesome.

SOUTH AFRICAN – MEANING

JUST NOWMEANING: An unknown amount of time which can refer to a few minutes, tomorrow or even never.

BRA, BRUMEANING: Friend, buddy or pal.

AGMEANING: Generally used at the beginning of a sentence to express resignation or irritation.

SHAMEMEANING: A typical word for shame or admiration.

ROBOTMEANING: Some South Africans use robot to refer to traffic lights.

HOWZITMEANING: How’s it going? Or how are you?

Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg

Arrive at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport where you will be met by a Your Africa representative who will assist with logistics and answer any questions you may have. You will then be escorted to your transfer vehicle which will take you to your accommodation at the Park Inn Sandton

Day 2: Johannesburg

You’ll have the full day to explore this relatively young city. Take a trip to Soweto, the biggest township in Johannesburg, or visit Liliesleaf Farm. Nestled in the quaint suburb of Rivonia, Liliesleaf became a refuge for leaders of the liberation struggle. So much more than a museum, Liliesleaf is a living heritage site and a place of activity, dialogue and engagement. And don’t forget to stop by the Apartheid Museum and learn about one of South Africa’s darkest eras and its impact on the Rainbow Nation.

Day 3 & 4: Clarens

After breakfast, depart for your next destination in Clarens. A scenic drive leads through the Golden Gate National Park, en route to your accommodation at Protea Hotel Clarens. Situated in the heart of the Free State, the hotel is popular with jaded city dwellers, adventure enthusiasts and art lovers who love relaxation. Discover this mountainous retreat with its breathtaking views, enjoy fine dining or laze away the hours in luxury and comfort..

Day 5 & 6: Underberg

Fill your stomach before departing for Underberg. On the way stop off in Howick to visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, where a sculpture stands marking the place where Nelson Mandela was arrested and taken into custody by police prior to the start of his 27-year incarceration.

Continue on to Underberg, which lies in the foothills of the mighty uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this rural farm town, pristine mountain streams and limestone backdrops have helped craft a rustic haven. Underberg is a great base for a tour over the Sani Mountain Pass into Lesotho – but don’t forget your passport as you’ll be crossing the border.

Day 7 & 8: Lusikisiki

The next destination is on the rugged and undeveloped Wild Coast. Head to your accommodation in the rural village of Mboyti in the Lusikisiki district, which is bounded by a lush indigenous forest and the warm Indian Ocean. Here you can enjoy the beach, go hiking, birding, horse riding, rock, surf and fly fishing and even canoeing!

Day 9 & 10: Coffee Bay

Take care on the way to Coffee Bay! Although the drive is only 170 kilometres, most of the roads are gravel roads which can be in bad condition. Drive slow and carefully at all times.

When you’ve arrived safely, check into Ocean View Hotel. Nestled between cliffs and the sea, family values are held dear here, and mealtimes are characterised by getting together around a table to enjoy flavoursome home-cooking.

Day 11 & 12: Chintsa

A short detour on the way to Chintsa will take you to the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu. This national heritage institution offers a memorable cultural experience that gives insights into Mandela’s life.

Once you arrive in Chintsa, check in to Crawfords Beach Lodge and spend your days walking on the endless golden beaches of the magical Wild Coast.

Day 13: Port Elizabeth

Make your journey via King Williams Town and visit the Steve Biko Garden of Remembrance. Bantu Steven Biko is one of the most recognised leaders of the Black Consciousness Movement and is regarded as one of the greatest martyrs of the ant-apartheid struggle in South Africa.

Then, the ‘Friendly City’ awaits. Head to Port Elizabeth where you can visit the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, or one of the city’s many beaches.

Day 14: Port Elizabeth

Before heading to the airport, take some time to visit the beautiful Voting Line Sculpture at the Donkin Reserve. Here you get a true sense of South Africa’s spirit and diversity, where metal figures represent all the communities who share the land. Afterwards, depart to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight back home.

The Nelson Mandela TourIf you’re looking for a trip packed full of history and culture in South Africa, then this 13-night tour will fulfil your needs. See some of the most poignant landmarks in the life of Nelson Mandela and places that hold great significance to the Anti-Apartheid movement, while also taking advantage of South Africa’s wonderful scenery on this self-drive adventure – a great addition to your 2018, the year of Nelson Mandela Centenary celebrations.

Day 1: Departure day

Depart from Cape Town and travel along the scenic False Bay coastal route to Hermanus. After spending a little time having lunch and discovering this quaint village, you’ll be whisked off to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa.

Day 2: Agulhas to Knysna

Drive through the rolling wheat fields to Swellendam and on to Mossel Bay where you can visit the Diaz museum complex before heading through the wilderness towards Knysna.

Day 3: Knysna to Storms River Mouth

Visit local Knysna attractions such as the Garden Route National Bark and Buffalo Bay, the head on through Plettenberg Bay to the Tsitsikamma National Park for a short coastal hike. Overnight in seaside accommodation.

Day 4: Storms River Mouth to Port Elizabeth

Visit the big tree ahead of the drive to the trip’s second departure point – Port Elizabeth – and beyond to Settler County where you’ll enter a private game reserve for an afternoon safari and an overnight stay in the park.

Cape, Garden Route & Bush SafariGet acquainted with South Africa’s natural beauty on this eight-day tour through Cape Agulha and along the Garden Route! Go in pursuit of elephants at one of the country’s most famous national parks or hang with the ostriches in Oudtshoorn in stunning, scenic surroundings along the south coast.

Day 5: Private game reserve to Addo Elephant National Park

Enjoy an early morning game drive before moving on to the Addo Elephant National Park where you can see these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

Day 6: Day at Addo

A siesta stands between early morning and afternoon game drives where you can search for elephants or, if you’re lucky, see them from your accommodation.

Day 7: Addo National Elephant Park to Oudtshoorn

Leave Addo and drive along scenic country roads to Oudtshoorn. Visit the spectacular Cango Caves and continue to Oudtshoorn, also known as the “Ostrich Capital of the World.”

Day 8: Oudtshoorn to Cape Town

Take the opportunity to ride an ostrich on an ostrich tour through Little Karoo along Route 62 to Barrydale. Head through the vineyards to Swellendam before arriving back in Cape Town.

Here, we’ve chosen a few of the things we think you

should see, do and eat while you’re in South Africa. We hope it inspires you to journey to South Africa time and time again.

Get in touch to build a bespoke itinerary, tailor-made just for you! We’d love to see your photos and stories on social

media so please share your memories using #TCexperience

To find your local Travel Counsellor please visit

www.travelcounsellors.com