South African FAQs
How big is South Africa?
About twice as big as the state of Texas and as large as Germany, France and Italy together, South Africa is a large country.
Richard and friends.
What is the geography and topography of South Africa?
Broadly speaking, the country consists of two main regions, a huge inland plateau fringed by a narrow coastal plain on three sides. Separating the two is an escarpment of mountains and hills, dominated by the Drakensberg range. Other spectacular mountain ranges grace the southern and western Cape.
There are no commercially navigable rivers and many others in the drier regions flow only in the rainy season. The main harbors are at Durban (busiest harbor in all of Africa), Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Richard’s Bay and Soldanha Bay.
What type of weather can I expect in South Africa?
Thanks to a wide expanse of ocean around it, South Africa boasts a temperate climate which resembles that of the Mediterranean. Like most coastal countries, the weather becomes more distinct as you venture further inland. Weather patterns and rainfall can vary greatly dependent upon region. The Western Cape (Cape Town area) enjoys a Mediterranean style winter with intermittent rains brought in by north-westerly winds. Other coastal areas enjoy year round rainfall, but 80% of the country’s rain falls in the summer months between October to March.
Inland, summers are warm to hot and winters are dry and sunny, with occasional frost in the morning and cold spells. Snow falls only in the high mountains.
I have traveled throughout the country in all seasons and can reassure you that the weather is far better than what we have in the United States. The Western Cape has a climate like that of Southern California—lots of sunshine, little humidity in the summer and mild winters never getting to a freezing point. About the same weather can be found along the Garden Route as you head up the Indian Ocean towards Durban, with a bit more rain in the summer.
South Africans think Durban is humid in the summer. I tell them to come to Atlanta in the summer. If you can take a summer in the south in the United States, South Africa will be no problem. While you can feel the sun more, the lesser humidity more than compensates. Once evening comes, heat rapidly dissipates the surface and the nights get refreshingly cool. In summary, a South African summer day will be spent in shorts and little sweating and evenings will be enjoyed with the same pair of shorts and perhaps a long sleeve shirt along the coastal areas.
The fall, winter and spring are mild, as well. I have spent many a winter day in South Africa in my shorts and flip-flops. I am reluctant to have my comments misconstrued as winter days can also bring a cold, windy, rainy day, but South African days average from 7.5 to 9.5 hours of sun versus a 6.9 average for New York.
Southern Sky Adventurers Group
Is South Africa dangerous?
I put the risks of travel to South Africa in three categories: disease, animals and crime.
One major benefit of travel to South Africa is the great disparity between major disease risks of it and all other Sub-Saharan African countries. When traveling to South Africa, the only precautionary medications to take are for malaria; and that, only if traveling to the northern part of the country (Kruger Park, etc). Traveling to all other African Sub-Saharan countries will require inoculations against diseases that have been eradicated from the United States for many years. A few of the diseases you can contract in those countries outside South Africa include Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and B, Diphtheria, Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid Fever, Influenza, Cholera, Encephalitis and Meningitis. I would be lying if I did not admit that part of my attraction for travel to South Africa is the lack of dangerous disease. It is a tribute to the descendents of the original European settlers in South Africa that many of these deadly diseases have been eradicated. I have a personal friend who is a family practitioner in Cape Town and there is no trouble finding highly qualified doctors along our travel route.
While South Africa is home to many dangerous animals there is no need to worry excessively about any risks associated with viewing these animals. Almost all of our wild game viewing will be done on a professional safari with experienced game rangers, in the case of land animals. All of our fish and mammal sightings, even the white shark cage diving, are done from boats captained by experienced professionals. All risks are greatly mitigated by closely following the direction of our professional guides. Wild animals throughout the world do not desire to be near civilization and the same can be said of the wildlife in South Africa. There are no lions walking down the streets of Cape Town at night! However, I will also point out that there is an element of danger in looking at these untamed animals and there are no trial lawyers in South Africa waiting to take your case. Following the simple directions offered will ensure a safe and incredible animal viewing experience.
Crime has been reported to be a problem in South Africa by the western press over the past years. I will not pretend that crime does not exist, as it does, and in many cases, it is a problem. Urban crime has become more of a problem since democracy came in 1994 as the larger urban areas saw black South Africans move into the cities looking for work. However, just as major American cities have more of a crime problem than the more rural areas, the same can be said of South Africa. I have been to South Africa numerous times and never had an incident of crime. You will be guided to ensure against entering any areas which might be more crime ridden. In summary, if you have been to a large city in the United States, you can expect a similar setting in South Africa and in turn, as we move through the countryside, the incidence of crime drops. I feel as safe in South Africa as I do in Atlanta.
Should I buy travel and/or health insurance for overseas travel?
Absolutely, you should buy both travel and health insurance. In fact, I require that you buy health insurance before departing on one of my trips. I can advise you as to where to purchase both. The travel insurance will protect you financially against any unplanned emergencies that might change your plans prior to or during your travel. Health insurance will ensure that you get the best medical care possible while in South Africa, regardless of cost. Make sure you ask for a policy that will cover transportation back to your home. We will discuss these points in detail prior to booking your trip.
Do I need a visa to travel to South Africa?
No, you will only need a valid US passport.
What type of food is served in South Africa?
With its vast coastline and plentiful plains game, you can expect to enjoy exceptional seafood and red meat. I have found the fish to be quite good and you can expect to see many of your favorites such as tuna and dolphin. In addition South Africa’s waters will bring in fresh daily catches of fish native to the southern hemisphere and cold water such as snoek, hake (rhymes with rake), and yellowtail. Abundant numbers of fresh crayfish (like lobster, but with no pincher claws) can be enjoyed in season. I have found South Africa prawns (shrimp), while large, do not have the same flavor as our shrimp. Crabs are not found on the menu.
Red meat lovers can indulge themselves on numerous cuts of wild game animals, as well as grain fed beef cattle. I enjoyed the grain fed beef and its distinctive taste can be appreciated in a variety of South African sauces which accompany any menu choice. Regular menu choices will include wild game such as kudu, impala, ostrich and buffalo.
South Africa’s temperate climate affords it the luxury of growing fresh fruit and vegetables year round. Where in the United States we are accustomed to a choice of orange juice and …..orange juice, you can spend your entire vacation sampling the fresh nectars in South Africa. I have friends in Cape Town who have orange trees and lemon trees in their backyards.
Restaurants of all choices are available with an opportunity to sample excellent Indian curry dishes. Indians were brought into the country 150 years ago to help with the construction process in developing the Natal area (Durban). Most traditional menus offer a few curry dishes and Indian restaurants are plentiful throughout the country.
Dogs.
What is the currency of South Africa? How and where can I exchange my dollars?
The currency of South Africa is the Rand. Unlike other African nations, US dollars are not accepted and you will need to exchange your money when arriving into the country. I would strongly recommend you bring American Express Travelers Checks for safety and for obtaining the best exchange rate. I know of many American Express offices where we can exchange our travelers checks once we arrive into the country. American Express charges no commission at their offices. You do not need to have any Rands when arriving into South Africa. If traveling with me, I will take you to the American Express office. If traveling separately, the airports in Johannesburg and Cape Town are ready to offer you competitive rates. However, I would exchange a minimal amount of money at the airport and exchange the remainder along the way at American Express offices.
What clothes are necessities?
I would urge you to travel light when coming to South Africa as most any clothing you may need can be bought cheaper in South Africa than in the United States.
Should you be traveling in the winter and going to the Kruger Park area for game viewing, you can expect temperatures in the low 50’s at dawn for the morning game drive. It is nice to have a wool sweater to wear at the beginning of the drive, but as you will find, once the sun gets above the horizon, you will be inclined to shed layers. Bring a pair of polypropelene long underwear if you might get colder on an open-air game ride in the morning. There is no need for heavy winter coats and sweaters. Should you be visiting the game parks in the fall and spring, there will be no need for the above mentioned clothing.
Bringing along a sport jacket or pressed clothes will be dictated by the itinerary you choose. Many venues and restaurants will warrant dressing as you might in the United States for an evening on the town. However, the basics of a rain resistant light jacket, durable, washable khakis, a hat to shade the sun, shorts, hiking shoes, 2-3 short sleeve shirts, and perhaps a light sweater should cover the necessities. We will continually have access to clothes being washed.