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SOUTH AFRICA

 

Tour South Africa and enjoy the beauty of this part of the world. Every country worldwide displays some diversity but South Africa, stretching from the elephants in the Kruger Park to the Great White sharks swimming in the waters of the Cape, is the ultimate destination. In 1998 Conservation International declared South Africa one of the 17 mega diverse destinations in the world. South Africa is synonymous with wildlife and nature.

Visiting Southern Africa is a world full of possibilities and the safari tours by Eye See Africa listed here are just a taste of what we can offer. We have first hand experience of all the places featured on our tour packages. Plan an exclusive safari trip to this incredible country on the Southern most tip of Africa or combine South Africa with other countries in the region.

All our safaris and tours are unique and tailor-made. Taking your interests into consideration, we will customize your African trip to the last detail, exclusively for you.

Why South Africa?

  • Visitors often comment on how friendly South Africans are.
  • Boasts some of the greatest game-viewing opportunities with a selection of superb game parks and private reserves.
  • From a budget point of view, very much affordable.
  • Falls in the top ten countries worldwide when one compares the average number of sunny days per annum.
  • With plenty of sunshine, wide open spaces, mountains, sea and rivers, South Africa is a playground for adventure seekers.
  • Has a great infrastructure which allows self-drive holidays.
  • Biodiversity : South Africa has the third highest level of biodiversity in the world. With two oceans, the country’s topography and prevailing winds, South Africa creates an environment that has everything from lush forests to savannah and desert. Kruger National Park supports the greatest variety of wildlife species on the African continent. Only Brazil and Argentina support a greater number.
  • Transfrontier park : South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique are tearing down fences between the countries’ game parks to create a 13,500 square mile game park, which will become the largest conservation area in the world. It will be bigger than Switzerland, Belgium or Taiwan.
  • Wine : South Africa is famous for its wines and has the oldest wine industry outside of Europe and the Mediterranean. The majority of its vineyards are located just outside Cape Town. South Africa’s Cape Winelands have around 560 wineries and 4 400 primary producers. Included in the Cape Winelands region is Route 62, considered the longest wine route in the world.

Some ideas of adventures to South Africa…

All the itineraries on our website is just ideas of what is possible. After consulting with you we will plan your obligation-free itinerary according to your budget and individual needs . Contact us today to start planning your dream adventure to Africa.

THE INDABA – 14 NIGHTS – SOUTH AFRICA, VIC FALLS, KRUGER & CAPE TOWN

 

14 Nights travelling to 4 countries with a great diversity and incredible beauty in Southern Africa. See some of the world’s most impressive species including the big five and get lost in all the beauty of the South African Winelands.

THE MBUNI – 16 NIGHTS – SOUTH AFRICA, VIC FALLS, KRUGER & CAPE TOWN

 

16 Nights travelling to 4 countries with a great diversity and incredible beauty in Southern Africa. This is the ultimate South African trip visiting all the best parts of Southern Africa. See some of the world’s most impressive species including the big five and get lost in all the beauty of the South African Winelands.

SNEAK PEEK – SOUTH AFRICA

FACTS


Area : South Africa is a country on the southernmost tip of the African continent, marked by several distinct ecosystems. Inland safari destination Kruger National Park covers vast shrublands populated by big game; the Western Cape encompasses lush winelands around Stellenbosch and Paarl, wild beaches, craggy cliffs characterize the Cape of Good Hope, forest and lagoons lie along the Garden Route, and the beautiful city of Cape Town nestles beneath flat-topped Table Mountain

Population : 48 million

Capital : Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein

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Language : South Africa has 11 official languages (and plenty more are spoken): Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.

Currency : South African Rand (ZAR)

WEATHER


Climate : South Africa’s summers (November to March) are generally warm with average temperatures around 77 Fahrenheit (25 C). Winters (June to August) can get quite cold, especially at night, with temperatures averaging around 50 Fahrenheit (10 C). In the Western Cape area most of the rainfall comes in the winters whereas in the north (Johannesburg and Kruger Park) and east (Durban) rainfall is heaviest in the summer months, causing some fantastic thunderstorms. Durban has an almost tropical climate and enjoys warm days even in winter.

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Cape Town :  Cape Town is warm and dry during the summer months from November to March. It is often windy in Cape Town during the summer and gusts have been known to pick pedestrians right off their feet (grab a lamppost to be safe!). Winters are chilly and wet and some of the higher peaks in the Western Cape can have light snow. Water temperatures are always quite cold around Cape Town, even in the summer.

Durban : Durban has a more tropical climate than Cape Town and the Indian Ocean is significantly warmer and more pleasant to swim in than on Cape Town’s coastline. Summers can be quite hot and humid although it is easy to travel inland where it is somewhat cooler. Winters are very mild with warm, dry and usually sunny days. Most of the rainfall is during the summer.

Johannesburg : Johannesburg gets warm during the summer (average around 25 C) and most of the rainfall comes during this time. Due to the summer heat, the thunder storms can be quite spectacular. Winters in Johannesburg are moderate, with dry sunny days and chilly nights.

When to Go : The best time to go on safari in the Kruger National Park area is during the dry season, from May to November. As this is winter, the temperatures can get a little chilly, yet you will not burn in the sun on your morning drives. Most importantly, the wildlife congregates around waterholes and the grass is shorter. These are all factors that make it easier to spot wildlife. The dry season also means fewer mosquitoes, and therefore less chance of catching malaria. If you like to see little ones, many young are born around November to December when the bush is lush and there’s plenty to eat.

Best time for Cape Town : There’s so much going on in Cape Town that it really is a year-round destination. But the dry summer season (November – March) is the most pleasant time to browse the markets, hike up Table Mountain and enjoy the beach. It can get crowded with local tourists, especially around the Winelands during this peak summer season, so if you would like to avoid the crowds aim for September to November and March to April. It is still dry and not too chilly and windy.

South Africa is a salad bowl of climate areas, from tropical to near desert – ask our team for more info!

HOW TO GET THERE


South Africa’s International Airports : Most international flights arrive at Cape Town International Airport – CPT – (20 minutes from Cape Town city centre), Tambo International Airport – JNB – (30 minutes from Johannesburg city centre) or King Shaka International Airport – DUR – (30 minutes from Durban city centre)

Getting to South Africa : Over 70 international airlines now fly into South Africa. Award-winning South African Airways, the national carrier, flies to destinations all over the world and is connected to major international air routes.
It’s a long haul from Europe (10 to 12 hours), Asia (12 to 17 hours) and the United States (up to 15 hours or even more). Most flights go directly to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, but direct flights into Cape Town International Airport are increasing.

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Durban’s King Shaka International Airport is South Africa’s third major international airport, located about 35km north of Durban.
Principal domestic airports include Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein, as well as airports in East London, George, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth and Upington.
There are also scheduled flights between Johannesburg and the privately owned Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport outside Mbombela (Nelspruit), which serves the Kruger National Park and Mpumalanga. Visitors to the Kruger can also fly to Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa.
Several upmarket game lodges operate their own airstrips and charter direct flights from OR Tambo and other airports. Individual lodges will provide details of flights.
Whether heading off on safari, on a guided tour, or on your own, you might wish to break your journey in Johannesburg or Cape Town to catch your breath, do some sightseeing and adjust to the new time zone before heading for your next destination.

POINTS OF INTEREST


Cape Town : Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula up to Cape Point, are famous for scenic beauty, celebrity beaches, the magnificent Table Mountain, whale-watching, world-class shopping, nightlife, food & wine and a laid-back atmosphere.

The Winelands : Discover the joys of SA’s award-winning wines and cuisine along any of the beautiful Cape wine routes, taking you through green valleys and historic towns. Not only does the Cape Winelands offer magnificent landscapes and attractions but it also offers the most luxurious accommodation.

Garden Route : Known as South Africa’s Eden, the famous Garden Route traverses an area rich in natural beauty and charm, attracting adventure-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Kruger National Park : This world-renowned park of nearly 2 million hectares features 16 ecosystems. Spot the Big Five on a 4×4 game drive or walking safari.

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Durban : For those with fun and sun on their minds, SA’s sunshine city has something for the whole family – golden beaches, surfing and a marine park.

Blyde River Canyon Nature Rerserve : Most famous for God’s Window, the panoramic splendour of the Blyde River Canyon makes it ideal for scenic drives and hiking trails. Visitors have the opportunity to encounter all five of the Big Five here, as well as hippos and crocodiles near the wetlands of Swadini Dam.

Wild Coast : Rugged and untamed, the Wild Coast offers deserted beaches, dolphins, horseback and hiking trails, cozy hotels, golf, gambling, mystical history, Xhosa heritage and the Hole-in-the-Wall.

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve : The only park under a formal conservation effort in KwaZulu Natal where you can see the Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo and rhinoceros – the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve offers visitors wildlife viewing opportunities second to none. Wildlife enthusiasts may enjoy the vast expanses of indigenous plants and animals during guided walks, self-guided drives, or opt for a thrilling viewing experience by boat along the Hluhluwe dam.

Drakensberg Mountain Range : The name is derived from the dutch and means “dragons mountain”. The Amphitheatre is one of the geographical features of the Northern Drakensberg, and is widely regarded as one of the most impressive cliff faces on earth. Cloaked in emerald green in summer or golden and snow-capped in winter, this dramatic mountain range is an awesome scenic destination with beautiful rock art, great places to stay, fly fishing, golfing and family activities.

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