GEOGRAPHY
This wonderful country consists of 9 provinces namely Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Kwazulu Natal, North West Province, Mpumalanga, Northern province and Gauteng. It is flanked by the Indian Ocean on the east and the Atlantic on the west. So it has a coastline of 2,954 kilometers, a temperate climate and topography ranging from Highveld grasslands to semi-desert to subtropical swamps. These different zones allow for diverse plant and animal kingdoms, which includes the Cape 'Fynbos'.
The population statistics are 41 244 500. Average 33.8 people per square kilometer.
ECONOMY
First and foremost, South Africa is a mineral exporting country with a particular emphasis on precious stones and metals. There are also huge deposits of coal, iron, ore, uranium and other minerals used by industry. As a country completely dependent on oil imports, South Africa has become a world leader in this area. There is a large manufacturing sector but the most significant sector outside of mining is that of agriculture. South Africa produces a large share of the subcontinent's food requirements and still has a surplus of grains, fruit, meat and fish to supply international export trade. Wine is a more specialized product for which the country is world-famous.
CLIMATE
Summer temperatures average between 15 - 30C ( 60 - 96F). South Africa's climate is generally mild through out the year and snow is limited to the highest mountain peaks. On a whole it is quite a dry country with rainfall about 502 mm a year. As far as sunny days are concerned South Africa ranks high in the world. Kwazulu Natal has mostly a sub tropical climate with a high humidity in summer. The Southern Gauteng has hot summers with occasional thunder showers and frosty winters, while the Eastern part enjoys mild winters. The Cape interior and the Freestate have similar weather conditions to the Southern Gauteng region. The Western Cape region has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.
MAJOR TOWNS AND CITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG
Situated on the Transvaal Highveld, 5751 feet above sea level, it is the largest city and the commercial and financial centre of South Africa. The city came into being when gold was discovered in 1886, since then it has grown from a shanty town to a modern sophisticated city. Johannesburg is the main gateway to the major tourist regions of Southern Africa. Points of inertest vary from the affluent northern suburbs to the hustle and bustle of Hillbrow in the city centre to the world famous town of Soweto (South Western Township). Soweto is the largest black residential area in South Africa. This sprawling "city within a city" essentially acts as a labor reservoir for the greater metropolitan area of the Witwatersrand. In many ways, the story of Soweto is the story of South Africa. Major points of interest in Soweto include Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Baragwanath taxi rank, Freedom Square, Hector Peterson Memorial and Nelson Mandela's former home.
Gold Reef City is another point of interest to visitors. The city that was founded way back in 1886 as a miner's village on the Witwatersrand goldfields which grew into what Johannesburg is today. The Gold Reef City theme park and museum is built around the original No.14 shaft of Crown Mines. It is a recreation of Johannesburg as it was during the early days of the gold rush. Guided tours on offer include an underground visit 220 meters below the surface, a gold pour and tribal dancing, providing the visitor with an in-depth look at the gold mining industry in South Africa.
PRETORIA
Although Pretoria lies only 58 km (36 miles) north of Johannesburg, South Africa's administrative capital provides a complete contrast to Johannesburg, the City of Gold. The city was founded in 1855 and named after the Voortrekker leader, Andries Pretorius. Often referred to as the "Jacaranda city", this nickname refers to the thousands of trees lining the streets, their purple blossoms heralding the approach of summer each October. Some points of interest in Pretoria are the; Voortrekker Monument, a striking memorial built to honor the early pioneers, the Kruger House Museum, Church Square in the centre of the city, where the statue of Paul Kruger looks down on the passers by. The imposing Union Building, which houses the office of the State President, provides an impressive view over the city.
CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa, with Table Mountain as a dramatic backdrop, it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Founded in 1652 as a victualling station for ships of the Dutch East India Company on their way to and from the East. It has now grown into a modern complex, with its suburbs, busy harbour of Table Bay, fishing villages, extensive vineyards, a spectacularly beautiful marine drive, innumerable beaches along its two shorelines, several nature reserves, including Cape of Good Hope Reserve, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the newly developed Waterfront district.
The Western Cape is one of South Africa’s premier tourist attractions, and for good reason. From the famous icon of Table Mountain to vast winelands and exquisite beaches to world-class restaurants and cosmopolitan entertainment haunts. For its exquisite scenic beauty - the province is renowned for being the favourite playground of fashion and film crews the world over. Cape Town also boasts a myriad of cultures and tourist treasures that are just waiting to be discovered.
Location: Situated on the south-western tip of Africa, the Western Cape is the meeting point of the cold Atlantic and the warm Indian Oceans. Its capital city Cape Town, dominated by the flat-topped bulk of Table Mountain. Area size of the province is 129 370km˛.
Climate/Weather: There are three climatic regions in the Western Cape. The Peninsula and the Boland enjoy Mediterranean-type conditions with dry summers and a winter rainfall. Moving up the west coast towards George and the Garden Route, rainfall is year-round. Towards the interior, the semi-desert of the Karoo experiences dry winters and low summer rainfall.
The ‘Cape Doctor’ is the name given to the south-easterly wind that visits the Peninsula with little warning, blowing with a force that clears the air of all pollution and leaves Table Mountain draped in a ‘tablecloth’ of snow-white cloud. Cape Town Accommodation Guide
WESTERN CAPE:
It was the Cape Peninsula - first known as the Cape of Storms which was a critical landmark for early explorers during their intrepid voyages but the full history can be traced in the rock paintings of the original inhabitants, the San or Bushmen, which date back approximately 7 000 years. With the arrival of the Dutch in 1653, however, colonization began in earnest. These settlers were soon followed by the French Huguenots and the British - nations which have all played a part in shaping the province as it is today. Cape Town is the centre of activity with a busy international airport, well-developed port facilities and the landmark splendour of Table Mountain. Scenic drives to be enjoyed include Cape Point Nature Reserve, Simon's Town, Hout Bay (where the original Dutch settlers harvested their timber - 'hout' being the Dutch word for wood), Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Signal Hill, Boulders Beach (known for its penguin colony) and other places of natural and historical interest.
Home of the world-renowned South African wine industry, Cape Town is also the place where you will find the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront harbour development with its shops, hotels, theatres, museums and amusements equal to any in the world. Robben Island, a World Heritage Site, can be accessed via ferry from the harbour. Interestingly, Table Mountain boasts more endemic species of flora than the total number of indigenous flora species of the entire United Kingdom.
Inland from the West Coast are the wheat farming and wine producing areas of the Swartland, the Boland and the picturesque university town of Stellenbosch. Across the Hottentots Holland mountain range lies the Overberg area, an intensive wine and farming region nestling within wide valleys and mountain ranges.
Along the southern Cape coast is the area known as the 'Garden Route', epitomized by breathtaking sea-views and lush vegetation which reaches down to secluded beach coves and up to cliffs which are traversed by the Blue Train.
The town of Hermanus is famous for its seasonal visits by birthing whales, which hug the coast on their journey north, while Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are two of the country's prime coastal holiday spots. Inland from here is the Klein Karoo area, where populations of ostrich thrive in a dry, hot climate. This is also the location of the Cango Caves, a spectacular and accessible cave system regarded as one of the wonders of the world. Western Cape Accommodation Guide
DURBAN ACCOMMODATION
Durban, the holiday city offers a subtropical climate, endless summers, an effervescent ocean lined with golden beaches and thousands of pleasure options. When you're not playing golf, fishing or lying on the beach, you can visit a crocodile farm, a nature reserve or follow an arts and crafts trail. It is a city full of colors, bustle and excitement with gleaming seafront hotels and miles of golden beaches edging the Indian Ocean.
A short flight or drive will take you to historic Pietermaritzburg, gateway to the Natal Midlands and the charming Drakensberg.
FREE STATE ACCOMMODATION
The Free State has literally been at the crossroads of the country's history and its today a melting pot of local cultures where the San, Xhosa and South Sotho nations have variously established their domains. The seat of the country's judicial capital (the appellate division) is the modern centre of Bloemfontein. Close by is the casino resort of Thaba'Nchu which, apart from its Las Vegas style high life, offers convenient access to the Maria Moroka National Park with its varieties of antelope. The eastern part of the province is a scenic highland area, the highlight of which is the Golden Gate National Park near Bethlehem. The park boasts some of the most striking sandstone rock formations in terms of colour, texture and dimension. Also present are a number of outstanding examples of San rock paintings. The central Quaqua area is the traditional home of the South Sotho people and features mountainous terrain. It is also one of the last refuge of the spectacular bearded vulture or lamergaaier. In towns such as Clarens there are a number of art galleries, local craft and traditional art centers.
NORTH WEST PROVINCE
Although famous for its gold and platinum mining, which together account for about 60 percent of South Africa's export product, this is mainly an agricultural region where the common crops are maize and sunflowers. This area is equally well-known for its world-class casino and resort operation at Sun City. The adjacent Pilansberg National Park offers a more serious view of the African wildlife and landscape.
Not far to the north lies the Madikwe Game Reserve where a project to restock the wildlife - in one of the largest animal relocation schemes ever undertaken - has ensured that there are plentiful viewing opportunities, especially of the endangered wild dog. Similar to, although not as impressive as Table Mountain's, is the Magaliesberg cableway, which transports patrons to one of the range's highest points overlooking the Hartebeespoort Dam. Here you can view hang-gliders and Para-gliders as they take off as close range.
The central part of the province covers the Mafikeng region where the important siege for control of the town took place during the Anglo-Boer War. Fittingly, the town offers an excellent museum of the region's history, much of which involved the late Sir Winston Churchill when he was a lowly corporal in the British Army.
For those whose interest is literature, Lichtenburg and the Groot Marico area is a must, as this is the setting of author Herman Charles Bosman's famous stories about life in South Africa. The home-distilled spirit called 'mampoer' is still produced here. Lichtenburg is situated near the 'eye' of the Molopo River, and it is these clear, shallow bathing pools that are on an infinitely smaller - of Botswana's famous and incomparable Okavango Delta. The Borphirima region also takes you back to distant times at the town of Taung, where a skull of an early hominid was discovered in 1924, beginning the scientific debate of whether Man originated in Africa.
In the east of the province is the De Wild Cheetah Research Centre - established to help preserve this endangered species and which, more recently, embarked on a successful wild dog breeding program - and the Borakalalo National Park which offers further wildlife experiences.
WESTERN CAPE It was the Cape Peninsula - first known as the Cape of Storms which was a critical landmark for early explorers during their intrepid voyages but the full history can be traced in the rock paintings of the original inhabitants, the San or Bushmen, which date back approximately 7 000 years. With the arrival of the Dutch in 1653, however, colonization began in earnest. These settlers were soon followed by the French Huguenots and the British - nations which have all played a part in shaping the province as it is today. Cape Town is the centre of activity with a busy international airport, well-developed port facilities and the landmark splendor of Table Mountain. Scenic drives to be enjoyed include Cape Point Nature Reserve, Simon's Town, Hout Bay (where the original Dutch settlers harvested their timber - 'hout' being the Dutch word for wood), Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Signal Hill, Boulders Beach (known for its penguin colony) and other places of natural and historical interest. WESTERN CAPE ACCOMMODATION
Home of the world-renowned South African wine industry, Cape Town is also the place where you will find the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront harbour development with its shops, hotels, theatres, museums and amusements equal to any in the world. Robben Island, a World Heritage Site, can be accessed via ferry from the harbour. Interestingly, Table Mountain boasts more endemic species of flora than the total number of indigenous flora species of the entire United Kingdom.
Inland from the West Coast are the wheat farming and wine producing areas of the Swartland, the Boland and the picturesque university town of Stellenbosch. Across the Hottentots Holland mountain range lies the Overberg area, an intensive wine and farming region nestling within wide valleys and mountain ranges.
Along the southern Cape coast is the area known as the 'Garden Route', epitomized by breathtaking sea-views and lush vegetation which reaches down to secluded beach coves and up to cliffs which are traversed by the Blue Train.
The town of Hermanus is famous for its seasonal visits by birthing whales, which hug the coast on their journey north, while Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are two of the country's prime coastal holiday spots. Inland from here is the Klein Karoo area, where populations of ostrich thrive in a dry, hot climate. This is also the location of the Cango Caves, a spectacular and accessible cave system regarded as one of the wonders of the world.
EASTERN CAPE
From the Tsitsikamma National Park in the south to Port Edward in the north, this province features 800km of pristine natural and cultural attractions. The home territory of the Xhosa nation - from whose family former president Nelson Mandela is the most famous descendant - this area features the cities of Port Elizabeth and East London, both commercial centers famous for their tourist facilities and warm water beaches. But don't ignore the smaller towns like Port Alfred with 30km of navigable river, Bathurst with its English country ambience or the university town of Grahamstown where the premier contemporary cultural event on the South African calendar takes place every July, the National Arts Festival. For naturalists, the Addo Elephant National Park in the Sundays River Valley is an essential stop where you can find elephant as well as black rhino, Cape buffalo and numerous antelope. For the wild at heart, Jeffery's Bay is one of the world's great surfing sits where, its is said, you can find the 'perfect right-hand wave'.
The former Transkei region is known for its so-called Wild Coast, which is stormy and windswept. This is where many famous shipwrecks have occurred, even in these days of modern seafaring technology. It is also one of the world's most picturesque and untouched shorelines. EASTERN CAPE ACCOMMODATION
NORTHERN CAPE
A semi-desert area which stretches from the Karoo in the south to the Kalahari in the north, this is South Africa's largest province but most sparsely populated area. The main city is Kimberley, famous for the largest diamond rush in history, which took place from 1871 until mining was strictly controlled in 1914. The Big Hole was the main excavation, where some 30 000 men moved 25 million tons of earth to produce 14,5 million carats of diamonds. Today, the 365m deep pit remains as a monument to these hard and hopeful days. The southern region is the Karoo, a giant semi-desert, not unlike Australia's Outback, where sheep farming is also the main industry. The Vaalbos National Park is where large herds of game survive on the water-storing local plant life and is the traditional territory of the San (previously known as the Bushmen), some of whom can still be found here, along with many rock paintings left by their ancestors. In the interior lies the Richtersveld National Park and the region of Namaqualand. The landscape is stark and rugged and the climate is hot and dry, but when the seasonal rains come in spring, the area is miraculously transformed into a carpet of colors, an annual event which lasts for only a couple of weeks. People from all over South Africa travel to Namaqualand to witness the botanical metamorphosis, which starts in a matter of hours after the first rains have fallen. In the northern extremity of the province is the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park which shares an unfenced border with the adjoining National Park in neighboring Botswana to allow free movement of migratory animals and the wandering families of San. The Orange River - South Africa's largest - plummets 56 meters over the Augrabies Falls, a National Park area where plentiful wildlife thrive along its banks. Some distance below the falls, the river passes through an unusual channel with sheer, black walls made from cooled magma. This area, known as the 'Alleyway', boasts some spectacular scenery through which white-water rafting trips can be arranged. ACCOMMODATION
FREE STATE ACCOMMODATION
The Free State has literally been at the crossroads of the country's history and its today a melting pot of local cultures where the San, Xhosa and South Sotho nations have variously established their domains. The seat of the country's judicial capital (the appellate division) is the modern centre of Bloemfontein. Close by is the casino resort of Thaba'Nchu which, apart from its Las Vegas style high life, offers convenient access to the Maria Moroka National Park with its varieties of antelope. The eastern part of the province is a scenic highland area, the highlight of which is the Golden Gate National Park near Bethlehem. The park boasts some of the most striking sandstone rock formations in terms of colour, texture and dimension. Also present are a number of outstanding examples of San rock paintings. The central Quaqua area is the traditional home of the South Sotho people and features mountainous terrain. It is also one of the last refuge of the spectacular bearded vulture or lamergaaier. In towns such as Clarens there are a number of art galleries, local craft and traditional art centers.
NORTH WEST PROVINCE ACCOMMODATION
Although famous for its gold and platinum mining, which together account for about 60 percent of South Africa's export product, this is mainly an agricultural region where the common crops are maize and sunflowers. This area is equally well-known for its world-class casino and resort operation at Sun City. The adjacent Pilansberg National Park offers a more serious view of the African wildlife and landscape.
Not far to the north lies the Madikwe Game Reserve where a project to restock the wildlife - in one of the largest animal relocation schemes ever undertaken - has ensured that there are plentiful viewing opportunities, especially of the endangered wild dog. Similar to, although not as impressive as Table Mountain's, is the Magaliesberg cableway, which transports patrons to one of the range's highest points overlooking the Hartebeespoort Dam. Here you can view hang-gliders and Para-gliders as they take off as close range.
The central part of the province covers the Mafikeng region where the important siege for control of the town took place during the Anglo-Boer War. Fittingly, the town offers an excellent museum of the region's history, much of which involved the late Sir Winston Churchill when he was a lowly corporal in the British Army.
For those whose interest is literature, Lichtenburg and the Groot Marico area is a must, as this is the setting of author Herman Charles Bosman's famous stories about life in South Africa. The home-distilled spirit called 'mampoer' is still produced here. Lichtenburg is situated near the 'eye' of the Molopo River, and it is these clear, shallow bathing pools that are on an infinitely smaller - of Botswana's famous and incomparable Okavango Delta. The Borphirima region also takes you back to distant times at the town of Taung, where a skull of an early hominid was discovered in 1924, beginning the scientific debate of whether Man originated in Africa.
In the east of the province is the De Wild Cheetah Research Centre - established to help preserve this endangered species and which, more recently, embarked on a successful wild dog breeding program - and the Borakalalo National Park which offers further wildlife experiences.
LIMPOPO PROVINCE ACCOMMODATION
The Limpopo province occupies 10.2% of the country's land. Its northern border is the Limpopo River, its northern neighbor Zimbabwe. Mountain ranges include the northern Drakensberg to the west, the Soutpansberg in the north and the Waterberg towards the east. The province is rich in Bushveld and includes the northern part of the Kruger National Park, which itself borders on Mozambique. It has variable summer rainfall. The far west, bordering on Botswana, is the driest area. The province's centrally situated capital is Polokwane (previously Pietersburg), which is both on the Maputo Corridor route - a direct link with the Mozambique port - and on the N1 from Johannesburg to the Zimbabwe border at Beit Bridge. Part of the Great North Road, the N1 also conveniently connects the towns of Warmbaths, Nylstroom, Potgietersrus and, virtually on the border, Messina. Other significant towns are Phalaborwa, Thabazimbi and Tzaneen. Phalaborwa, on the Kruger Park border, has the world's largest open-cast copper mine; Thabazimbi is an important iron mining centre. Other minerals include asbestos, coal, platinum, chrome, vanadium, nickel, titanium, diamonds, phosphates and gold.
It is a major producer of vegetables, and the subtropical climate enjoyed by much of the province gives rise to the cultivation of tea, coffee and fruit, especially tropical fruit. Forestry makes a major contribution to the economy, as do sunflower, cotton, maize, groundnut crops, and cattle ranching.
KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE ACCOMMODATION
One of the greenest and best-watered areas of the country is KwaZulu-Natal which accordingly, although it has only 7.6% of the area, is the second most populous province. Lying in a broad strip with the Indian Ocean as its western border, it borders on Swaziland and Mozambique to the north. Its western border is marked by the dramatic Drakensberg mountain range which has several peaks well over 3 000m, and its topography combines mountainous areas, rugged green hills and deep cut valleys. Between the mountains and the humid, subtropical coastline is savannah grassland, but there are also areas of indigenous forest here and along the coast. The largest of its many rivers is the Thukela. It is a summer rainfall area, with a climate that ranges from extremely hot along the coast in summer, to heavy snow on the mountains in winter. The Midlands are drier than the coast and can be very cold in winter. KwaZulu-Natal has two capitals: the more southern Pietermaritzburg (the province's second-largest city) and Ulundi, the traditional capital, in the north (the two capitals a reflection of the province's coalition government). Both are inland. The largest city is Durban. South Africa's two biggest harbors are situated in Durban and Richard's Bay - the latter a comparatively small town, its harbour specializing in bulk exports, especially coal which is mined in the interior. Heavy minerals are mined at Richard's Bay. Durban's is the busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa. Other major towns are Ladysmith, Newcastle and Escort. A world-renowned feature of the northern coastline is the St Lucia Estuary: the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park is a World Heritage Site (as is the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park). The fertility of the soil and comparatively good rainfall - more than 1 000 mm a year - make agriculture central to the economy. Sugar cane and tropical fruit are major products of the coastal belt. Dairy, stock and vegetable farming are important inland. Other land uses include forestry and tea plantations. Within a little over 85,700 sq km there are 71 Parks, Game Reserves and State Forests, ranging from the peaks and vast natural amphitheatres of the Drakensberg mountains to rhino sanctuaries in the sub-tropical bush of Zululand. The three most rewarding aspects of Kwazulu-Natal are the pleasures of the coast, the historical sites and game reserves of Zululand and the crisp, sub-alpine scenery of the Drakensberg.
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE ACCOMMODATION
This region is well known for its spectacular scenery, wildlife and historical interest. It is the province east of Johannesburg en route to the Kruger National Park. You have the advantage of some stunning scenery. The Mac Mac pools are worth stopping for and you can treat yourself to a swim in the crystal clear pools. A small detour leads you to the town of Pilgrim's rest, a historic gold rush town well worth exploring before you continue on to Blyderivierspoort Nature Reserve. Here you can feast your eyes on attractions like the Blyde River Canyon and the view across the Lowveld from God's Window. It is a short drive from here to the world famous Kruger National Park.
GAUTENG PROVINCE ACCOMMODATION
Gauteng is the financial hub of South Africa and contributes transport, technology, and telecommunications, as well as offering a host of benefits to companies needing a commercial base in Africa. Gauteng is the economic engine of the southern African region, and the key gateway to doing business throughout Africa. Although the smallest of nine provinces, covering only 1.4 per cent of the total land area of the country, Gauteng contributes more than 38% of South Africa's Gross Domestic Product and 60% of fiscal revenue. In fact, it generates 9% of the Gross Domestic Product of the whole of the African continent. With its excellent air, road and rail network and its telephone and power lines, Gauteng dominates the country's infrastructure. Most of the world's leading airlines fly into Johannesburg International Airport. New businesses are attracted to the province largely by the excellent first world infrastructure and the facilities on offer, and the proximity of the big consumer market.
The attractions of doing business in Gauteng are numerous. Electricity is the third cheapest in the world according to a World Economic Forum survey. Special discounts on electricity are given to large consumers (Gauteng's gold mines each consumes as much electricity as a small city). Land and building costs in Gauteng are competitive by international standards and there are many well-developed industrial and commercial centers throughout the province. Occupancy costs for commercial and industrial properties are among the lowest in the world. South Africa has been established and recognized as the gateway into Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
THE GARDEN ROUTE ACCOMMODATION
The Garden Route is the stretch of land and coast line that runs between Mossel Bay and Storms River, which features lakes, mountains, golden beaches, cliffs and dense indigenous forests. The Oudtshoorn area in the Little Karoo is famous for its ostrich show farms, Cango Caves and Cheetah Ranch. The Knysna - Plettenberg Bay area has attractions such the Knysna Lagoon, Tsitsikamma Forests and Featherbed Nature Reserve, Outeniqua Tjoe choo Steam train, that runs between Knysna and George. The garden route in general is host to lots of intimate little country inns, lodges, guest houses and hotels making this a delightful area to spend a few days pottering around.
BEST TIME TO GO
South Africa is an all year round destination, however there are some places more popular at certain times. The northern regions are good destinations in the winter months (May - August) as game viewing is at its best and temperatures are very mild (20-25 deg Celsius). It is dry during the winter months, that there increased visibility through the bush and limited surface water in the bush, hence this time of year being slightly better for game viewing. The Southern regions are summer destinations with low summer rainfall and temperatures reaching (28-30 deg Celsius) or higher on beautiful days. Summer is between Nov - March. It is recommended that you reserve all your accommodation as far in advance as possible, since availability is at a premium.
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