The cost of the trip still high can be a hindrance to the choice of this destination, but as the former advocated the official slogan, South Africa is “A world in one country”. Go there you will live an extraordinary adventure from the steppes north of the lunar turquoise shores of the Indian Ocean.

To see / to do:

• The Cape is a spectacular coastal town that you can see the top of Table Mountain overlooking the city. To visit the peninsula, take Chapman’speak Drive.

• Meet the “Big Five” (buffalo, elephants, leopards, lions, rhinoceros) and many other animals in the 22 national parks (the most famous, the Kruger, the more wild as the Kgalagadi, Mapungubwe or the Richtersveld) .

• The mountain barrier, the Drakensberg, contains incredible panoramas of the canyon as the Blyde River walks rich sensations.

• The coast of the Indian Ocean is warmer. Durban, the city of Gandhi, is the most popular resort, but the Wild Coast remains unspoiled by tourism.

• It is now possible to discover areas like Soweto, Johannesburg. Entering a township is to discover all sorts of traditions.

• A dream destination for golfers, welcoming land of rugby, South Africa is also famous for extreme sports you can practice surfing, abseiling, aerial sports, kite-surfing … You can even dive with sharks or bungee jumping from a bridge to the world’s tallest (216 m).

Travel Tips

Health
No vaccinations are required, however those against yellow fever, typhoid fever, diphtheria, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A and B are connseillées.
Prevention against malaria recommended (particularly between October and May in the north and east of the country). It is also one of the most affected countries in the world by the AIDS virus.

Formalities
Passport valid six months after the date of return. Visa issued upon arrival, return ticket due.

Perfect season
In the spring even if the winters are mild and sunny. Beware the high season when prices are highest is nevertheless in December to January.

Practice
Time difference: 1 hour more than in France in winter, even hours in summer.
Calling code: +27
Electricity: 220 – 230 V (adapter required)

Presentation at the airport will help us with billing procedures and will accompany us throughout the journey. When we reach the old historic capital of South Africa we are moving in a good hotel in the city for dinner and rest.

Begin the visit by the Castle of Good Hope, considered a National Monument in the country. Built between 1666 and 1679 on the ruins of a castle older, this building is the oldest European structure in South Africa. Then we see the so-called Gardens of the Company, the eighteenth century, an oasis of peace and tranquility to isolate them from the din of the city. Enjoy the best views going around called the summit of Table Mountain, the mountain a thousand feet in altitude and is characteristic that dominates Cape Town. End of the day bringing us to the picturesque Malay Quarter, where we discover the lifestyle of the Islamic community in the city and Robben Island, where we see the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for twenty years.

Full day trip to the Cape of Good Hope

Breakfast in the hotel and then start a full day excursion to the famous Cape of Good Hope, the rocky promontory that separates the Atlantic Ocean. Although it is not the southernmost tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope has entered the history of the hands of the sailors of sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when it became one of the most important crossing points of trade ’species between ports in Europe and the Atlantic coasts of the Indian Ocean. During the ride the spectacular road trip that leads to foot of head, from where we continue with funicular to the top of the rock. Enjoy views of both ocean and then take the stage until the village of Simons Town and the beach at Boulder Beach, where we see the colony of little penguins head.

Wine Route of Stellenbosch most likely one of the best known of the country. This route includes 106 wineries, of which we discover in order to taste a local wine. Then visit the interesting town of Paarl, one of the oldest in the country. During the visit we appreciate the good condition of many of its historic buildings and see the famous granite outcrops of Paarl Rock that has made the town famous. Lunch at a local restaurant and afternoon between visits will have the opportunity to draw closer to one of the smartest cats in Africa: The cheetah is considered the fastest animal in the world. Return to Cape Town in the evening and go to dinner at a restaurant in the city.

Kruger National Park is the largest park in South Africa with an area of 18,989 km2. On arrival we will board planes waiting to take us to the private reserve of Sabi Sabi, one of the most exclusive in the world. On arrival we moved to Bush Lodge, an oasis of hospitality and service in the middle of the African wild nature.

After installing ourselves and enjoy a light lunch to go out for a first safari to begin to know the spectacular and varied natural environment and rich local wildlife including the Big Five are appointed, the Big Five : lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and black rhinoceros. The term, coined by hunters in the nineteenth century, refers to the five African animals more difficult to hunt on foot, no horse or vehicle support. Today the animals are protected, but the term has become popular to refer to five animals in Africa that all visitors want to see.

Johannesburg and Soweto

When we arrived we will install at the hotel and go to lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we start to know Johannesburg, the largest and most populous city in South Africa, with a metropolitan area of nearly eight million inhabitants. The South Africans are familiar with names informally Jo’burg, Jozi and JHB. It is the capital of the province of Gauteng, the richest country and the most economically prosperous of all sub-Saharan Africa. Given its location in the mountains of the Witwatersrand, rich in minerals, Johannesburg is one of the world’s most important centers of trade in gold and diamonds and its airport is the largest and has more air traffic in Africa. Later she lived fully the tensions between the Boers and the British government, and now more recently, between supporters and opponents of apartheid. Result of this era is the Soweto district, center of the black resistance to apartheid system.

Indeed our first draw for the tour Soweto, a suburban city in the metropolitan area of Johannesburg. Soweto, which stands for South West Township, is one of the towns’ new floors created by apartheid to accommodate the growing black migration from the city of Johannesburg. Soweto achieved world renown during the years of struggle against South African racial system, in becoming the central focus of black resistance. From Soweto are precisely two South African Nobel Prize inextricably linked to the struggle against apartheid, Nelson.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The Zambezi River, in the rush to cascade over a hundred feet tal. The Scottish explorer David Livingstone was the first European to see these waterfalls in 1855 and named in honor of Queen Victoria, although the local people knew as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunder. Its beauty and its uniqueness have been recognized by the UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site. To enjoy the best views will give you a spectacular helicopter flyby of waterfalls.

The time difference to Central European Time (CET) is +1 hour. While the Central European summer time, there is no time difference.

Travel

It has a pleasant sub-tropical to Mediterranean climate. In the East, falling more precipitation than in the northwestern coastal regions. The best season is from September to May for the Cape region, for the Northeast during the winter months from June to August.

Electricity

To use your electrical appliances in the holidays and do not have to deal with missing adapters and other mains give you the necessary information prior to departure and accessories in stores.

Holidays

It is worthwhile to take a brief look at the calendar of national holidays your travel destination. So you are adequately informed and can even celebrate.

Currency

1 Rand = 100 cents

Find out about the current exchange rate with the currency converter.

Health

Traveling to distant countries are connected a strain on the body and health risks. Consult therefore 4-6 weeks before departure your physician and get some advice. It will also tell you which vaccinations are required or other measures.

Security

Read the international reporting of the media and you get such an overview of the current situation in the destination. Not every conflict includes a trip to the country concerned from the outset. In principle, should also be noted: The more local people benefit from tourism, the more she is also interested in the safety of guests.

Customs Regulations

Check with the embassy as a travel destination on import and export regulations for animals, plants and goods.