SOUTH AFRICA COUNTRY INFORMATION

Situated at the southern tip of Africa, South Africa has a landmass of 1,233,404 km² edged on 3 sides by a nearly 3000km coastline washed by the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic. Read More

South Africa is a nation of diversity, with over 47-million people and a variety of cultures, languages and religious beliefs. According to Statistics South Africa's mid-2006 estimates, the country's population stands at some 47.4-million. Read More

The earliest representatives of South Africa's diversity - at least the earliest history can name - were the San and Khoekhoe peoples (otherwise known individually as the Bushmen and Hottentots or Khoikhoi; collectively called the Khoisan). Read More

South Africa's economy has been completely overhauled since the advent of democracy in the country in 1994. Bold macroeconomic reforms have boosted competitiveness, growing the economy, creating jobs and opening South Africa up to the markets of the world. Read More

South Africa is a vigorous multi party democracy with an independent judiciary and a free and diverse press. It has a constitutional democracy with three tiers - national, provincial and local government - each with their own executive authority. Until 1994, the country was known for apartheid - white-minority rule. Read More

Sports is the national religion. Transcending race, politics or language group, sport unites the country - and not just the male half of it. Read More

South Africa's large areas of semi-desert scrub and grassland might suggest a certain poverty of plant life. Aside from the fact that a tract of pristine grassland can hold up to 60 grass species, nothing could be further from the truth. There are five major habitat types in South Africa: fynbos, forest, Karoo, grassland, and savannah. Read More

A subtropical location, moderated by ocean on three sides of the country and the altitude of the interior plateau, account for the warm temperate conditions so typical of South Africa - and so popular with its foreign visitors. South Africa is famous for its sunshine. Read More

That depends on what you want to do. The flowers are obviously best in August and September. The best time for game viewing is late spring (September and October). The southern right whales hang around off South Africa's coasts from about mid-June to the end of October. Read More

International Arriving Airport: OR Tambo International Airport (formerly Johannesburg International) is the busiest airport on the continent - and the air transport hub of southern Africa. Read More

South Africa has it all. Experience wildlife safaris in national parks such as Kruger, private game reserves like Phinda, trekking the Drakensberg, Cederberg or Table Mountains to beautiful coasts of the western and eastern cape offer world class destination such as Cape Town, Durban, Knysna etc. Read More

South Africa offers an endless list of activities: Game drives and walking safaris, Elephant back and horse riding safaris Spectacular Scenery & Panoramic Tours Including Blyde River Canyon, God's Window In Kruger's Lowveld region Hot air balloon safari Shangaan Cultural Village Tour Visit Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden & Botanic Gardens Horse Whispers & Elephant Whispers Experience Active Adventures: White Water Rafting-Tubing, Abseiling, Quad Bike Trails, Experience Cape Town's Wine Regions of Franschhoek, Paarl, Stellenbosch; Experience Cape Town Day Tours, Table Mountain, Cape Of Good Hope Connect & Tour Johannesburg and Cape Town City & Water Front Experience the Garden Route & Tour Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Mossel Bay & Hermanus Experience Many Other Activities In & Around The Western Cape etc. Read More

South Africa offers accommodation that caters to a variety of tastes. The range accommodations include very personalized luxury camps and lodges to the general tourism focused and value accommodations. Read More

South Africa is a place of remarkable people and places, offering lush forests, vast desert plains, vibrant cities, pristine beaches and great shopping! There are sophisticated malls, vibrant markets, specialist curio shops and informal street sellers at almost every turn. Read More

Of their 3 meals a day, most South Africans enjoy their main meal at night. Lunches are generally far lighter, except for the business lunch which may be a full 3-course affair, depending on the occasion. Read More

South Africa Visitors (Tourist) Visas - issued on request to applicants intending to visit South Africa for a period between 1 to 90 days. Most western country tourists generally do not require a visa. Read More

On average, there are over nine million annual arrivals in to South Africa. Around 75-80% came from within Africa while 20-25% came from outside the African continent. Read More

Consulate: U.S Embassy, British High Commission in South Africa, Emergency numbers and more... Read More

South Africa boasts 3 international airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, but the lion's share of international airlines operating to this country do so to and from O R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, or ORTIA for short. Read More

The South African telecommunication infrastructure is much in tune with global development, and connections to countries beyond South Africa's borders are easy and efficient. Read More

With a few exceptions in deep rural areas, electricity is available almost everywhere in South Africa. With the growth of the population, business and industry, supply is sometimes under pressure, particularly in densely populated urban areas when usage reaches a peak, such as on winter evenings, resulting in a power outage. Read More

South African Customs regulations afford visitors to the country the opportunity to bring in certain goods without incurring duties and value added tax (VAT). These are limited in quantity and value. Read More

Flag Symbolism The South African national flag was designed by a former South African State Herald, Mr Fred Brownell, and was first used on 27 April 1994. The design and colours are a synopsis of principal elements of the South Africa's flag history. Read More

Most parts of South Africa are malaria-free. Consult your doctor or travel clinic regarding appropriate malaria prophylaxis. You can further minimize the risk by wearing mosquito repellent and sleeping under a mosquito net. Read More

Money can also be withdrawn at automated tell machines (ATM) of which there are many countrywide. South Africa's 'big 4' banks are ABSA Bank, First National Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank. Read More

Facilities for the disabled in South Africa are perhaps not as numerous as they should be, but the good news is that there is a groundswell of awareness regarding the 'special needs' sector of the tourism market. Read More

South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. In terms of location time difference, South Africa is 6 hours ahead of New York (Eastern Standard Time) and 2 hours ahead of London, UK. Read More

Twelve public holidays are celebrated in South Africa, among them special days to mark workers, the youth, women, freedom and human rights. Most of these days revolve around historical events that have deep meaning and significance for the population. Read More

The units of measurement used in South Africa are metric - road distances are measured in kilometers, petrol in liters and solid food in grams. Read More

You'll never be left in the dark in this part of Africa. South Africa boasts a free, robust and flourishing press - and it's not restricted to print. All the major media operators in the country, and plenty of smaller ones besides, have a healthy presence in cyberspace. Read More