South Africa is a vast, diverse, and breathtakingly beautiful country. From the Western Cape’s gorgeous Garden Route cities to northern KwaZulu-Natal’s subtropical coast, the enormous Karoo semi-desert runs across the centre, while Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s top safari destinations, stretches along the northeast border.
There are around 290 conservation parks in the country. Nearly 300 mammal species, 860 bird species, and 8000 plant species call it home. The yearly sardine run is the world’s largest migration and can be seen from space.
With so much to do and see, South Africa should definitely be on your travel list and in this blog, we share a short guide on what you can expect when travelling to South Africa!
Quick Facts
- Population:
56 million people
- Language:
South Africa has 11 official languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Ndebele, Sotho, Setswana, Swati, Venda and Tsonga
- Currency:
Rands
Climate
The warm temperate climate is due to the country’s subtropical location. With an average annual rainfall of 464 mm, South Africa is a relatively dry country. While the Western Cape receives the majority of its rainfall in the winter, the remainder of the country has more rain in the summer.
Cuisine
Because of the diversity of cuisines and iconic dishes available in South Africa, this topic deserves its own blog. The vast variety of culinary traditions embodied by the numerous communities that inhabit the country is reflected in the cuisine. To learn more about some foods to try out when visiting South Africa, have a look at this article by Eat Out. https://www.eatout.co.za/article/21-iconic-south-african-foods-ultimate-guide-visitors/
Best Time to Visit
South Africa is an all-year-round holiday destination, owing it to the lovely weather however, between the months of May to August South Africans experience winter, while the months of September to April are definitely much warmer and make for a great time to visit. November to March is known as the peak months where you will find many locals and tourists winding down on the beach, however, the rest of the months are off-peak and perhaps optimal for touring as places won’t be as busy.
Transport
Travelling around South Africa is mostly straightforward and while we don’t suggest taking public transport as you would in European countries, the Gautrain in Johannesburg and MyCiTi Busses in Cape Town are a quick and affordable way to get around those cities. Taking local flights within each province are also a great way to get to your next destination but hiring a car is perhaps the most safest, convenient, and easiest way to get around the country, especially if you enjoy road tripping.
If you are planning a trip to South Africa, we hope this blog helps you understand the country a little bit, and don’t forget to grab your b4i travel sim card, to stay connected and talk like a local while you are on holiday.