See what the experts are saying about South Africa. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Calendar of events
A comprehensive list of events with dates for the current year can be found on www.southafrica.net; alternatively, check with the regional tourism branch. January Cape Minstrels Carnival, Cape Town. Festive Cape Malay or "coloured" grou... Continue reading »
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Getting there
By Plane To South Africa -- You will fly directly to Johannesburg or Cape Town, the major airport hubs in South Africa. From both of these airports, you can fly into airports adjoining the Kruger National Park and surrounding private game... Continue reading »
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Getting around
With a well-maintained and well-organized road system, a good range of car-rental companies, and the best internal flight network on the continent, a combination of flight and road travel is the way to go in South Africa. If you have time on... Continue reading »
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Money
Currency It's always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms on a vacation: a mix of cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks. You should also exchange enough petty cash to cover airport incidentals, tipping, and transportation to... Continue reading »
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Entry requirements
Passports Allow plenty of time before your trip to apply for a passport. Websites listed provide downloadable passport applications and list the current fees for processing passport applications. For an up-to-date, country-by-country listi... Continue reading »
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Regions in brief
South Africa South Africa once consisted of four large provinces with borders created during the country's colonial past. These were where, by law, the white population resided. The black "tribes" were crammed into a number of shamefully s... Continue reading »
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Tips on accommodations
The choice of accommodations can make or break a holiday, and with South Africa's enduring popularity, this is one area worth tying up before you leave. The selection on this website covers a wide variety of budgets, but all share the common... Continue reading »
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Sustainable travel & ecotourism
You can find eco-friendly travel tips, statistics, and touring companies and associations -- listed by destination under "Travel Choice" -- at the TIES website, www.ecotourism.org. Ecotravel.com is part online magazine and part eco-directory... Continue reading »
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Health & safety
Staying Healthy General Availability of Healthcare -- Visiting southern Africa should pose no serious threat to your health: Hospitals are efficient (though in an emergency you'd be better off going to a private hospital -- facilities are... Continue reading »
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Insurance
The cost of travel insurance varies widely, depending on the cost and length of your trip, your age and health, and the type of trip you're taking, but expect to pay between 5% and 8% of the vacation itself. You can get estimates from various... Continue reading »
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Tips for families
South Africa is regarded as the most child-friendly country in Africa, with plenty of family accommodations options, well-stocked shops, sunshine, safe beaches, high hygiene standards, animals, and babysitters and burgers on tap. Hotels usual... Continue reading »
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Tips for gay and lesbian travelers
South Africa's constitution outlaws any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, making it one of the most progressive in the world. Big cities are gay friendly, with Cape Town often called "the gay capital of Africa." More informat... Continue reading »
South Africa Travel Experiences
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Howzit
We arrived in South Africa!!No cyclones thank goodness but we did hit a bad storm. We missed the last leg of our trip to Durban.&nb... Continue reading »
