South Africa

Rich in biodiversity, South Africa is located on the southern tip of Africa and has gone through significant changes since 1994. The nation is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Lesotho. In addition to the spectacular natural offerings, the country is a melting pot of cultures, heritage, music, food, and entertainment. As you may already know, South Africa is known for its gold – but it’s also famous for its wine!

The gateway to South Africa is typically Johannesburg; other major cities include Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Durban. You’ll find unique attractions and vibrancy and a reflection of South African life in the cities.

So much to see, where do I start? Plan your schedule based on your interests and places you’d like to see and visit. The nation is large, diverse, and unique – there is something for everyone.

Sights of South Africa

There are a number of spectacular sights from the city to the country. First, check out Cape Town, known as the mother city. Famous landmarks in Cape Town include Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope. Wine lovers should definitely visit the Cape Winelands located around Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek.

Drive the spectacular Garden Route. Located in the Western Cape, the route stretches from Mossel Bay to Port Elizabeth along the Indian Ocean. You’ll encounter Tsitsikamma National Park, Otter Trail, the Cango Caves, and Plettenberg Bay as you make your way through the Garden Route. The world’s highest commercial bungee jump is located here off Bloukrans Bridge.

Visit the Kruger National Park. There are smaller wildlife parks including Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and the Addo Elephant Park. Durban is an interesting city – check out the Indian market or hit one of the beaches. For hikers, the Drakensberg mountain range is a good place to stop.

The Big Hole – located in Kimberley this hole was created in the search for diamonds in the 19th and early 20th century. De Beers is headquartered here and near the big hole is the Diamond Museum.

Money – Tipping – Taxes

The South African Rand is used here. You can usually get the best exchange rates using your ATM card at a bank ATM machine. Credit Cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted in many places – however they are not accepted for petrol. Make sure you have cash on you when going to a petrol station. Only use bank ATM’s or ATM’s in large malls to avoid potential scams.

It is customary to leave a 10 to 15% tip here when dining, as restaurants do not include a service charge.

Like many other nations, South Africa has a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 14%. Fortunately you can get this refunded at your point of departure if the value of your purchases exceeds R250.00. Keep your receipts and present them at your point of departure.

Getting to South Africa

Johannesburg International Airport (JNB) is the major airport here and you can get here non-stop from North America, Asia, South America, Europe, and Australia.

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is another point of entry, second to Johannesburg.

From Johannesburg and Cape Town there are good domestic air links across the country as well as to other popular destinations in the region.