South Africa: Overview
The rebirthding Republic of South Africa is located south of the African continent, surrounded to the north and east by Zimbabwe, Namibia, Bostuana, Monzambique and Suaziland. Inside South Africa is Kingdom of Lesotho. This three-capital-country: legislative Cape City, judicial Bloemfontein and administrative Pretoria; is a good strating piont for a visit to Africa; especially if you want to get in touch with the conflictive social reality.
Climate
South African summer can be really hot, especially in Lowveld region, while in the highlands is more pleasant. The mountains area is characterized by fog and rain. Northeast of the country is usually very wet. The coastline is ideal for swimming and enjoying the sun and beautiful beaches. During spring Western Cape and Cape City are in all their glory, full of lovely wild flowers. Winters are often soft, although in higher regions you may find snow or frost.
The high tourist seasons are December-January and April, July and September. If you are planning on visiting the country on one those months, you will have to make reservations in advance and be prepared to spend much more money than during the rest of the year.
Important information
Entry requirements vary according to the visitor's origin. Travelers coming from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, USA, Paraguay, the EU, Uruguay and Venezuela do not need a visa; they can stay in the country for up to 90 days by having only an effective passport. Nationals from Bolivia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru cannot stay for more than 30 days without a visa.
The official currency is the Rand (CZAR). Money conversions can be made in banks, bureaux de change, and large hotels. ATMs are plentiful (although they have a daily withdraw limit) and the main credit cards are accepted everywhere, except in gas stations. Visitors should be careful when operating with cash dispensers, since they are frequented by swindlers. Traveler's checks and some foreign currencies are accepted in hotels and large shops, although there is a commission rate; if you wish to avoid this commission, you should cash them in banks.
Waitering is a mean of life, so people working in that area relay on tips for a living. Most restaurants add a 10% to the bill; if thar percentage is not included, tipping is costumary. Taxi drivers, doormen, caddies, gas station employees and valets (often immigrant workers) expect tips.
Concerning health, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to those comming from an infected area. Besides this, there is a malaria risk in Mpumalanga, the lowest areas of Nothern Province and the northeast of Native KwaZulu. HIV / AIDS is very extended in South Africa so it is necessary to take some cautions. Tap water is safe in big cities, but outside of them it is safer to drink only bottled or treated water, since cholera outbreaks have been reported in several rural areas. There have also been some drug resistant tuberculosis cases. Medical facilities are good, but private hospitals expect cash and public ones are not good. Full travel and medical insurance is essential.
Anyone viviting South Africa should keep in mind that safety is a problem; crime rates are high. Travelers should be very careful and take cautions. You should not wander alone at night, especially in beaches or isolated areas; lock your car, even when driving. In Johannesburg it is best to avoid Berea and Hillbrow. Some excursionists have reported incidents in Lions Head and Mount Table (Cape City), so do not go there by yourself or in small groups. Be extra careful when opperating with ATMs and do not show valuables (cell phones, money, jewels, etc).
Where to go
Cape City, where Europe and Africa meet, is one of the oldest and most attractive regions in the country. Some of the places worthwhile visiting are located in the central area of City Bowl. You can go to the South African Museum, which has an interesting dinosaur diorama collection, some animals and native civilizations’ objects. You can also visit Castle of Good Hope, built between 1666 and 1679 and one of the oldest buildings south of the continent; the District Six Museum, Victoria and Alfred Waterfont north of the central area and tourism- oriented. Another great thing to do is ascend to Mount Table by cable car and enjoy breathtaking views from the top. On the hillside of this mount you can visit Kirtenbosch Botanical Garden.
Johannesburg, known as Jo'burg, eGoli, Jozi or the city of Gold, is the biggest city in the country and it is characterized by the contrast between the withe and coloured population. Here you can visit Township, where black people live, but always guided by a reliable black guide. Once Hillbrow, was an important South African destination; however nowadays it is a very dangerous place; anyone wanting to visit it must take extra cautions and be gone by nightfall.
Darkensberg, located in the frontier with Lesotho, is a basalt massif where the prints of hundred years of history were left in the San paintings. Here you can visit attractive national parks, as the Royal Natal National Park. South of that park you see the five Tugela Waterfalls of the Amphitheater cliff. There are also wonderful paths to enjoy the local flora and practice mountaineering.
In the northeastern Kwa Zulu / Natal is the subtropical city of Durban, famous for its nightlife and beautiful beaches, ideal for surfing. Besides the beaches and night clubs, you can go the City council and visit its art gallery, which holds collections of contemporary South African artists, and its Museum of Natural Science. The Local History Museum, houses a collection of colonial objects and the Center of African Art has many and interesting rural artists' pieces. West of the center is the crazy Indian neighborhood which points of interest are the Market of Victoria Street, the Alayam Hindu Temple and Mosque Juma.
Port Elizabeth, founded by Englishmen at the beginning of the 19th century, is an industrial city, central of the eastern Cape area and also known as ‘settlers’ city’ or the ‘friendly city’. Although it is a workers’ town with a high poverty rate, it has many visitors, since it is near the coastal attractions and the historical inland. Some of the main attractions of Port Elizabeth are Bayworld, a beach resort which has an oceanarium, a snake park and a museum; Market Square is a perfect place for seeing the architectural history of the city; Donkin Reserves, a stone pyramid-like-monument next to a lighthouse; and St. George Park, a recreational center.
Festivals
The official parties celebrations returned with the elections of 1994. Among them the Day of the Promise, which commemorates the Zulu massacre, the Day of Human rights, when Sharpeville massacre took place, and Youth's Day stand out.
The best festivals to take part are the National Arts Festival, where opera, theater, arts and avant-garde shows are performed by students speaking South African languages. The Jacaranda Festival takes place the third week of October in a flower-full-Pretoria. There also you can go to Pretoria Show on the third week of August. You can also enjoy the alternative Arts Live Festival in Johannesburg during September and October. The international rugby and cricket competitions are considered major events.
