South Africa

South Africa At A Glance

South Africa is a treasure chest of unforgettable scenery, from lofty mountains to sun-baked deserts and dramatic coastlines washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Its game viewing equals the best in Africa, and where else can you find both penguins and elephants?

Overshadowed by dramatic Table Mountain and surrounded by the Atlantic, Cape Town is one of the world's most picturesque cities. You can sample fine wine under the grapes in the tranquil winelands, while the pretty Garden Route offers country towns, lagoons and forests to explore. The Wild Coast boasts isolated beaches, rocky coastline and traditional rural villages, and the resorts along the KwaZulu-Natal coast offer lots of family seaside fun.

Inland is the intriguing and moving battlefield sites that lay testament to the Anglo-Boer war. Here too rise the Drakensberg Mountains where vultures ride on the thermals over deeply green valleys and jagged peaks. To the east is the Kruger National Park where the thorny bush harbours the 'Big Five' animals to see (the lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino) as well as many other fascinating animals and birds.

South Africa also has a vivid history. Apartheid activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu named the newly integrated South Africa the 'Rainbow Nation'. It is a fitting name for a country with 11 official languages and people of all colours, races and creeds, living in a vividly coloured and sculpted landscape. It is no wonder then that its cities are so cosmopolitan.

Climate

South Africa lies almost wholly within the southern temperate zone, and its climate is more equable than that of corresponding northern latitudes because of its surrounding waters. Cape Town and the southernmost part of Western Cape has a Mediterranean-type climate and is warmer than some areas further north that are affected by the cold Benguela Current on the west coast of Southern Africa. The winter months are mild and changeable, this is also the time when most the rainfall occurs. The Durban and Kwa-Zulu-Natal coastline is affected by the warm Mozambique current and enjoys a sub-tropical climate, with plenty of sunshine throughout the year, but the summer months can become very hot and humid.

Throughout the country, however, the mean annual temperature is just below 15.6°C (60°F). On the high veld there are sharp differences of temperature between day and night; but there is less daily fluctuation nearer the coast. Rainfall is unpredictable in large parts of the country, and prolonged droughts are a serious restriction on farming in such areas. While the mean annual rainfall is 18.6 inches, nearly 30% of the country receives less than 10 inches and 65% receives less than 20 inches. Much of South Africa gets its rain in the summer months, but the western coastal belt is a winter rain area. Along the Cape south coast, rain falls during both seasons. Generally the winter months are between April and August with summer being from September to March.

Currency

The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). At the time of printing the conversion rate was AUD$1.00 = ZAR6.00.

Travellers Cheques:

Traveller's cheques are also widely accepted and exchanged. Different commission charges are incurred depending on which bank you use and which traveller's cheques you have.

Credit Cards:

Credit and charge cards are widely accepted, including American Express, Bank of America, Diners, MasterCard, Standard Bank Card and Visa. Some ATM's give cash advances. Please note that at petrol stations credit cards are not accepted and therefore cash is required.

Health

There is a malaria risk in the low-lying areas of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park) and north-eastern KwaZulu Natal, and precautions are advised when travelling to these areas. Anti-malaria medication should be taken according to physician recommendations. Travellers arriving in South Africa from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate Other vaccinations may be recommended so please check with your doctor or Traveller's Medical & Vaccination Centre as they will determine what is required.

Passport

Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay. A minimum of two blank pages in your passport is required. If there is insufficient space in your passport entry will be denied.

Visa information

At this time, no visa for South Africa is required for travellers on Australian passports. Please double check this with your travel agent as this may change at any time. You must hold return or onward flight tickets.