SOUTH AFRICA
Welcome
Motto: "ǃke e꞉ ǀxarra ǁke" (ǀXam) "Unity in Diversity"
Anthem: "National anthem of South Africa"
A trip to South Africa is an extraordinary journey. The country has a relief of infinite variety and landscapes of remarkable beauty. The country has a relief of infinite variety and landscapes of remarkable beauty.
Capital: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial) & Cape Town (legislative).
Population: 59,309 million inhabitants.
Gross Domestic Product - GDP (PPP): $813.1 billion.
Official languages: Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, SiSwati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans & English.
Area: 1,221,037 km2.
Water (%): 0,4.
Currency: South African rand (ZAR).
Safety rating: Ranked 127 on the Global Peace Index with a score of 2.39.
Food
South Africa is above all a country of "meats", and the barbecue (braai) is a real obsession. The South African meat is of good quality, if you accept a cooking method where it is often coated with a caramelized sauce. To do without it, you can specify: no basting ("without whitewashing"). After a few days, you will no doubt have toured the steaks, burgers and pizzas. Forget about the fast-food chicken, it is very fatty and often bad (except perhaps Nando's).
South Africans love to snack on biltong, a dried meat in strips: it is most often beef but also sometimes kudu, springbok or ostrich.
Among the typical dishes, we will find bobotie (from Indonesia: minced meat, bread crumbs, milk and curry, baked in the oven), which can turn out to be excellent or very pasty.
In the townships and in the countryside, people often eat pap, a millet or millet porridge which can be the only daily meal, and which comes in pap stew when accompanied by meat in sauce. To blend in with the mass, it is best to eat it with your fingers (with your right hand).
Curiously, South Africans are not too keen on fish and seafood. Even the poor and coastal countryside draw very little from the sea.
For the desserts, the melktert (or milktart) and the malva pudding, with a spongy texture, served with a kind of hot custard.
In terms of time, South Africans eat early (from 6 p.m.). Difficult to be served after 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. outside major cities. As for the prices, know that they never include the service. You must therefore tip the server 10 to 15% of the amount of the note, depending on the degree of satisfaction.
Beer
Many varieties of beers, including good craft beers to discover in each region. The South African Breweries, founded in 1895, have most of the major local brands: Castle Lager (also available in Castle Lite and Castle Milk Stout), Carling Black Label, Hansa Pilsener. Popular also is Windhoek a Namibian beer.
In case it is not strong enough, you can always fall back on the different liquors, such as Black Sambucca, an alcoholic sweetness flavored with licorice, or Amarula, with wild berries, which tastes a bit like Bailey's.
Wines
With around 100,000 ha concentrated in the Western Cape province, South African viticulture is gaining increasing renown. Red wines account for just over 1/4 of production, and export represents more than 30% of the volume produced. However, on the world wine market, South Africa only "weighs" 4%.
South African wine offers a wide range of quality, from easy drinking wine to the most elaborate nectar. The Cape region benefits from a Mediterranean climate and its hills which almost die in the ocean have good exposure.
Before the end of apartheid, the country mainly produced small wines, policy in this area largely favoring large producers who were primarily in quantity, rarely in quality. Note that the apartheid system found its perfect place in the wine sector, where part of the salary was paid to employees in cash, thus favoring cases of alcoholism.
After apartheid, red and white, all equal! The opening of the country after 1994 allowed the winegrowers to quickly update themselves on the most modern technologies, and they knew how to surround themselves with the best professionals. In less than 2 decades, they reduced yields, improved wine-making, changed treatments, and South African wines quickly found themselves on the world market, pushing the country up into the top 10 in world production.
As in other areas, redistribution of land is not easy, especially in the area of wine. It seems simple but the division of tasks is typical: the bosses are white and the workers black. And nothing changes. With only 2% of black South African winegrowers, positive discrimination has not yet reached the Lord's vineyards.
Transportation
South Africa has a very good road infrastructure, which simplifies visiting even the most remote places.
Rental cars
To rent a car, you need a valid national driving license (the international license is not mandatory but presenting one, when you rent the car or during an inspection, is highly appreciated).
Direct buses
Large companies have in common: comfort, security and punctuality. The local travel agencies will be able to tell you the most reputable companies.
Train
The national company is called Shosholoza Meyl . It is a fairly long means of transport, but it is punctual and ideal for enjoying the landscapes.
Small overview of the different kinds of trains:
- Shosholoza Meyl: for "long distance" trains. The Johannesburg-Cape Town, Johannesburg-East London, Cape Town-Durban and Johannesburg-Port Elizabeth lines offer a “tourist” class (tourism class, with berths), in addition to the economy class ( economy class , seats only).
Count, for example, around R 690 (around € 42) for a tourist class Jo'burg-Cape Town ticket. Count 27 hours of travel all the same! For the other lines, there is only the economy class, about 2 times cheaper than the other.
You can have your meals there, either in the restaurant car, or while waiting for the trolley to pass ...
- The Premier Classe Train: between Johannesburg and Cape Town, twice a week, as well as between Johannesburg and Durban, only one to three times a week. Compartment with two berths, lounge on board, all meals are included, but it is significantly more expensive than the Shosholoza Meyl.
From 1,230 R for Durban and 3,120 R per person for Cape Town.
-
The Premier Classe Train: between Johannesburg and Cape Town, twice a week. Compartment with 2 berths, lounge on board, all meals are included, but it is significantly more expensive than the Shosholoza Meyl.
-
Blue train: from Pretoria to Cape Town as well as from Pretoria to Hoedspruit, a very luxury line relaunched in 1997. A few trips per month, limited capacity. Rather to take a land cruise than to link these two cities, given the cost of the trip ...
Also a private company:
-
Metrorail: commuter trains. Change of standing They have 2 classes: the 1st and the 3rd. It's strange, but it is so. You can choose to squeeze on the hard wooden benches of the 3rd or treat yourself to the "luxury" of just a little more padding in the 1st. Not very safe during the day, dangerous at night. In short, I do not recommend.
Plane
South African Airways, SA Airlink and SA Express connect all major cities and some less important cities. British Airways, in partnership with Comair, provides regular flights between major cities such as the low-cost airlines Kulula Airlines and Mango.
-
Kulula Airlines: flights among the cheapest on the market for Jo'burg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elisabeth, East London and George (Western Cape).
-
Mango: another low-cost airline serving Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein.
Baz Bus
A great idea borrowed from the Australians. You pay for your ticket from Cape Town to Durban, for example. On the way, the bus makes several stops: you can get on and off where you want for unlimited stays.
Baz Bus is the company that initiated this mode of transport in South Africa.
This private minibus service has a lot of advantages: security, regularity, reliability and friendliness (we travel between backpackers).
In the city
- Rikki's taxi: like a normal taxi, these vehicles pick you up where you meet them. The price of the races is fixed and is understood per person. The driver picks up customers on the way before reaching your destination. It is slower than taxis but more user-friendly.
- Taxis: there are many taxi companies in all cities. Ask your hosts to recommend one. Price per kilometer. The taximen put the meter without problem.
- Minibuses: do you know the principle of the taxi-brousse? It's the same. You crowd as many people as possible in a minibus that only starts once full. It is very cheap indeed, but I do not recommend them, for simple security reasons (risk of snatching). For the bravest, know that they do not display line number or destination. The destinations are indicated by a sign of the hand: for example, to go to the center of a big city, the raised index will be enough.
- City buses: they are relatively safe. To be avoided, however, after dark. Inexpensive and almost flawless operation.
Best things to do
Visit the huge township of Soweto, and discover one of the historic sites of the struggle against apartheid. Explore the Pilanesberg National Park. Stay in Kruger Park. Land on a rock, facing the grandiose immensity offered by the view of the Three Rondavels. Watch the rhinos in Hluhluwelmfolozi National Park. Stroll by boat on the Saint Lucia estuary, to watch hippos and crocodiles splash around. Hike on the Drakensberg trails, at the foot of Lesotho. Taste the very relaxed atmosphere of Cape Town. Explore the wine region…
Located at the southern tip of the African continent, South Africa, nicknamed "the rainbow nation" is undoubtedly a destination conducive to discovery throughout the year. It is a country full of natural wonders and parks and reserves with abundant wildlife. A country where the feeling of living a dream of freedom takes on its full meaning, at the heart of various varied regions and landscapes that are both fascinating and grand.
South Africa has many facets and each region of the country is different, providing travelers with a wide range of activities and experiences. The country gives travelers the opportunity to have cultural experiences with its unique melting pot and poignant history in the heart of the big cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town. It is also possible to have gastronomic experiences while tasting a good South African vintage in the Cape vineyard region or even realize one of your childhood dreams by discovering incredible wild fauna in reserves such as Hluhluwe-Umfolozi and national parks like the legendary Kruger Park.
A trip to South Africa also rhymes with nature and its breathtaking natural sites that you could discover during a hike, either in the Cederberg mountains or on the side of Drakensberg.
Best time to visit
South Africa is marked by its two seasons: its hot and humid summer (November to March) and its dry and cooler winter (April to October). However, the Western Cape region experiences rainfall during the winter from June to August. From April to October, it is the safari season. From November to March, the beaches are idyllic in the Western Cape. If you go there from June to September, you will also have all your chances to come across whales. There is also the Kwazulu-Natal coast, suitable for swimming all year round! In short, a trip to South Africa can be done all year round.
South Africa in winter (November to March)
If you go to South Africa to taste the seaside pleasures, the calendar is the opposite of that of the national parks in the main seaside region, the Western Cape. Avoid the South African winter (April to October) during which the temperatures are too cool for swimming. On the other hand, from November to March, the Cape coast is a paradise. Beware, however of the crowds in December: these are the major local holidays, and there are obviously the end of year celebrations.
Safari in South Africa (April to October)
A visit to the major South African national parks, such as Kruger or Madikwe, is planned all year round. But if you do it in the dry season, between April and October, you will be able to observe much better the large African animals - the big five - because the less abundant vegetation gives much more visibility. Outside of school holidays in South Africa, the parks are also less crowded, so you have everything to gain. During the rainy season, the rain itself is not really an annoyance, as it rather falls in the form of transient showers. However, December, January and February are very hot; in December, there are the long school holidays and the tourist places suddenly become overcrowded.
Quick tips
Money
Take advantage of the safes that hotels often provide to deposit papers and tickets. Otherwise, a pocket hidden under the clothes is a much better idea than a shoulder bag or a banana that make pickpockets happy. Keep large bills in the wallet, and in your pocket the few denominations you will need for the day. When on the road, it is better to take only a small sum in small denominations.
Payment card
If your card remains blocked, do not type your code and do not let anyone help you. Avoid withdrawing money at night from a machine, do it during the day and from a machine attached to a bank (easier to recover your card in case of blocking thereof). In the big cities, in the evening, prefer distributors located inside shopping centers, grocery stores or service stations, equipped with surveillance cameras, or are monitored by security guards.
Valuables
Keep in mind that most thefts are committed out of necessity. Do not tempt potential interested parties by exhibiting your jewels. No jewelry, no stolen jewelry! For cameras, put them in an unpretentious backpack rather than in a bag specially designed for this purpose.
By car
In town, lock the doors from the inside and turn up the windows in red light districts. Avoid driving in Johannesburg at night (risk of carjacking ). Ask your hosts about high-risk roads and neighborhoods. Stay on the main axes and refuse the shortcuts that your GPS can offer.
Do not leave anything in the car, nor in the trunk, nor in the glove compartment. Leave the latter open so that its contents are visible from the outside. This will prevent you from finding your broken windows. Absolutely take out car theft and accident insurance before leaving.
Robberies
As a general rule, no solo walks at night. Parks, stations, beaches and deserted places should be avoided as soon as it gets dark. In Johannesburg, you have to be even more careful than in other cities, especially in the center. Take the taxi to get around on your night trips. In front of a weapon, do not play the hero: offer no resistance and empty your pockets.
Stay calm in all circumstances, and everything will be fine. Despite the basic cautionary advice above, South Africa is by no means a Wild West.
Sharks
The South African coasts are known to be infested with sharks, although the authorities have provided safety nets and have the shores of certain beaches monitored. Always educate yourself before you go swimming.
