CLIMATE In general, South Africa is sunny all year round. Mediterranean climate prevails along the Cape Coast with winter rainfall. The KwaZulu-Natal coast, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Province are subtropical. Elsewhere temperatures are moderate in the high interior plateau with summer rainfalls, often in the form of late afternoon thunderstorms. Summer rains fall between November and March with a peak summer rainfall in December and January. Winter is May through to August.
HOW TO GET THERE South Africa can easily be accessed by air, with many airlines flying directly into Johannesburg and Cape Town. Access from Europe and the UK is particularly easy, being an 11 hour flight within the same (or similar) time zone.
Johannesburg also acts as a regional hub, with flights to all countries and major destinations in Southern Africa. Victoria Falls, Namibia and Mozambique are all an hour away, with regular connections.
WHAT TO EXPECT South Africa occupies the southern tip of Africa, bordered in the North by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mocambique. South Africa's landmass exceeds that of France, Germany and Spain combined and offers a diversity of cultures, history, heritage, natural beauty and wildlife to match it's size.
In the cities of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, you will find first world infrastructure, culture and cuisine. Outside of these centres, the infrastructure remains excellent, but you will start to experience the more traditional African way of life. This, mixed with 5 World Heritage sites, some of the most famous Game Reserves in the world, unspoilt beaches makes for a holiday second to none. South Africa also acts as the hub for travel into much of Southern and East Africa.
A visitor to South Africa has a wide choice of ways to see the country. The more adventurous or repeat visitor may wish to tailor-make his holiday, hiring a car and choosing accommodation along the chosen route. Others may wish to "stay put" in Cape Town, Durban or any of the other holiday centres, while others may wish to go on a fully escorted (guided) tour, which is guaranteed to give the best introduction to the country and its people. Thompsons offer all of these options.
Most visitors to South Africa start their holiday in Johannesburg, although Cape Town with its international flight connections is a good alternative.
A virtual tour of South Africa is probably one of the better ways of describing this country so here goes : Start your virtual tour from Johannesburg by flying into the modern Johannesburg International Airport. From there, overnight in Sandton, at one of the many excellent hotels in this shopping mecca.
From Sandton, a day tour of Johannesburg is an option, or possibly take a day trip (or longer) to Sun City. The alternative is to continue the tour by travelling to Pretoria, the South African Capital.
From there, head East, to what was formerly known as the Eastern Transvaal, and now known as Mpumalanga. This is where the beauty and history of the country really starts to manifest itself. Towns like Pilgrims Rest (how about staying at the Royal Hotel ?), a famous 19th century gold rush town present the historical part, while the Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes, and other features on the "Panorama Route" make for wonderful days of travel.
We then enter the "lowveld", and enter into "Big 5" country. The Kruger National Park dominates this area - an area larger than many European Countries, and one of Africa's most famous game parks is hard to ignore ! Accommodation options abound in this area - possibly a Kruger Rest Camp like Pretoriuskop for the more budget conscious, or for those who prefer something more luxurious, a couple of nights in the famous Sabi Sands Private Reserve (Who hasn't heard of Singita ?).
From Mpumalanga, travel South, through Swaziland, into Zululand in the North of the province of KwaZulu Natal. This province can really claim to have it all. Your tour can take in two world heritage sites at St Lucia or the Drakensberg, or one of the most famous game parks in the world, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi, or could simple mean a beach break at one of the provinces wonderful beaches. Durban is the warm capital of the province and the centre of the South African domestic travel market - that should tell you something !
One further aspect of KwaZulu Natal that makes for a fascinating travel experience is the cultural and historic aspect. The province that bred Shaka, one of the many famous Zulu kings, and in which dramatic battles such as Isandlwana, Rorkes Drift and Spioenkop were fought is also the home to a diverse number of cultures.
From Durban, carry on South past the green sugarcane fields of Southern KwaZulu Natal, and into the Transkei were Nelson Mandela was born and grew up. This area is rural and mostly untapped by tourists, a state which won't last long as you will observe if you get to spend any time there. Then on to the Eastern Cape, and the Garden Route. This 200km stretch of coastline is as beautiful an area as you will find anywhere, and is worth spending a good bit of time exploring. Towns like Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Wilderness are good bases to start from.
Finally, we come to the end our tour in Cape Town, which needs no introduction. However, more realistically we could say our tour of South Africa has barely touched the surface of the "world in one country" and really get on the road.......
