South Africa, on the continent's southern tip, is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and by the Indian Ocean on the south and east. Its neighbors are Namibia in the northwest, Zimbabwe and Botswana in the north, and Mozambique and Swaziland in the northeast. The kingdom of Lesotho forms an enclave within the southeast part of South Africa.
The southernmost point of Africa is Cape Agulhas, located in the Western Cape Province about 100 mi (161 km) southeast of the Cape of Good Hope.
Climate and Weather
South Africa stretches between the 22nd and 34th degrees of southern latitude and hence is part of the subtropical zone. Compared to other regions at that latitude, temperatures in many areas of South Africa are rather lower. The cold Benguela current causes moderate temperatures on the West Coast, and on the central plateau the altitude (Jo'burg lies at 1753m) keeps the average temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius. In winter, also due to altitude, temperatures drop to the freezing point, and in places even lower. Then it is warmest in the coastal regions. Precipitation is to be expected mainly in the summer months, with the exception of the Western Cape which is a winter-rain area.
Population
According to the mid-2007 estimates from Statistics South Africa, the country's population stands at some 47.9-million, up from the census 2001 count of 44.8-million.
Africans are in the majority at just over 38-million, making up 79.6% of the total population. The white population is estimated at 4.3-million (9.1%), the coloured population at 4.2-million (8.9%) and the Indian/Asian population at just short of 1.2-million (2.5%).
While more than three-quarters of South Africa's population is black African, this category is neither culturally nor linguistically homogenous.
Transportation
South African Airlines and Air Charter: SAA (South African Airways) is domestic airline, and offers regular scheduled flights between the major centres, as do many international airlines. Private Air Charter Companies are ideal when travelling in a group and will chart your own route. For information about flights to and from South Africa or within the country, please contact a South African Travel Agent, who will be able to best advise you on flight availability and costs involved.
South Africa Car Hire, 4x4 and Camper Rentals: The roads in South Africa are excellent. Vehicles in South Africa are right hand drive and travel on the left hand side of the road. There are many car hire companies from whom luxury to budget cars are available for hire. Or consider hiring a camper for a self-drive vacation or "do" South Africa' in a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
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Top Attractions
1. Kruger National Park.
2. Table Mountain.
3. Castle of Good Hope.
4. Houses of Parliament.
5. South African Museum and Planetarium.
6. Greenmarket Square.
7. St George's Cathedral.
8. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
9. Beaches.
10. Robben Island
Best Travel Time
South Africa is a fabulous all year-round destination so when you visit depends on what you would like to do. The best time for game watching, for instance, is early spring (August to October). The southern right whales can be seen off our coasts from about mid-June to the end of October, and the humpback whales from August to December.
The diving is generally best from April to September, and so is the surfing, but these activities are by no means limited to these periods. Flowers are at their best in August and September. River rafting is better at the end of winter in the Cape; and in summer (late November to February) in KwaZulu-Natal.
In Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, activities are not quite as time-dependent but spring and autumn are best for hiking since summer can be very hot. If you want to lounge on the beaches, midsummer is the best time to do so, though bear in mind that everyone else will be there too. The beaches of KwaZulu-Natal are warm and sunny, even in midwinter.
Food and Drink
National specialties:
• Sosaties (a type of kebab).
• Bobotie (a curried mince dish, of which waterbolmmetjiebredie, made with a local water plant, is particularly good).
• Potjiekos, a casserole cooked for hours in an iron pot, usually outside.
• Bredies (meat, tomato and vegetable casseroles).
• Biltong (seasoned dried meat).
• Poetoepap, a sort of polenta made with white maize, is widely eaten with meat.
• Seafood including oysters, crayfish (or rock lobster) and linefish (examples of which are Kingklip, Kabbeljou, Cob and Red Roman).
National drinks:
• Umqombothi, a home-brewed sorghum beer.
• Excellent local red and white wines (including chardonnay), sherries, brandies and some unusual liqueurs.
Local Products/Shopping
Upmarket boutiques and supermarkets generally coexist with a mass of street traders selling arts, crafts and anything else profitable. Stores are modern. Special purchases include Swakara hand-crafted gold, coats, gold, diamond and semi-precious stone jewelry, leather, suede and fur goods, ceramics and crafts, of which there are now a bewildering variety including many from the rest of the continent. Local wine, brandy and liqueur are cheap and usually excellent.
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1. Kruger National Park.
South Africa is a fabulous all year-round destination so when you visit depends on what you would like to do. The best time for game watching, for instance, is early spring (August to October). The southern right whales can be seen off our coasts from about mid-June to the end of October, and the humpback whales from August to December.
The diving is generally best from April to September, and so is the surfing, but these activities are by no means limited to these periods. Flowers are at their best in August and September. River rafting is better at the end of winter in the Cape; and in summer (late November to February) in KwaZulu-Natal.
In Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, activities are not quite as time-dependent but spring and autumn are best for hiking since summer can be very hot. If you want to lounge on the beaches, midsummer is the best time to do so, though bear in mind that everyone else will be there too. The beaches of KwaZulu-Natal are warm and sunny, even in midwinter.