South and Southern African Tours and Safaris

Southern Africa
South Africa is a large, scenically splendid and humanly diverse country and home to approximately 40 million people. It's size (1,219,090 km²) makes it bigger than Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and Holland put together, or Texas and California combined.

Washed by the cold Benguela current on the west coast and the warm Mozambique-Agulhas current on the east, the country has a long coastline of 2,954 kilometres, a temperate climate and a topography ranging from highveld grasslands to bleak semi-desert to subtropical swamps. Within these contrasting zones, some of the world's most diverse animal and plant kingdoms are found. South Africa is the only country in the world with an entire floral kingdom, the Cape 'fynbos', within it's boundaries. It is flanked by the Indian Ocean on the east and the Atlantic on the west. It is bordered by Namibia to the north-west, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north and by Mozambique to the north-east, while the tiny land-locked states of Swaziland and Lesotho, although fully independent countries, lie within the geographical area of South Africa.

Car rental:
Rentals are available throughout the country. South Africa drives on the left and has an excellent network of roads, linking the largest metropolitan areas to the remotest villages. Speed limits: Urban areas 60 km/h, rural areas 100 km/h, freeways 120 km/h. An International Driving Permit is recommended (valid driver's licenses are accepted, provided they have a clear photograph and English print).

Currency:
Rand (R) = 100 cents. Denominations: coins - 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5; notes - R10, R20, R50, R100, R200

Drinking water:
Tap water is 100% purified and safe to drink in major cities, towns and game reserves.

Electricity:
220/230 volts AC

Entry requirements:
Passport holders of more than 80 countries, including the USA, Canada, Japan and the EU can visit without visas. Contact your nearest SA Tourism office or South African Consulate.

Immunization:
Visitors arriving from a yellow fever zone require a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate. Infants under the age of one are exempt. Cholera and smallpox immunization is not required. Visitors to malaria areas, i.e. the Lowveld, must obtain the prophylactic medicine to be taken before, during and after their trip, available from their doctor or pharmacist.

Medical services:
South Africa has excellent medical facilities, with doctors listed under "Medical Practitioners" in the local telephone directories. Insurance covering travel, accidents, illness and hospitalization is advised for the duration of your stay.

Transport:
International and domestic airlines operate between the main cities, with charter services available. Coach tours operate daily nation-wide with Greyhound Citiliner, Translux Express and Intercape among the largest. Intercity train services are good with regular bus services available. Local taxis don't cruise! Call the taxi companies or find them at a centrally located taxi rank (usually at city centers and major airports). Make sure the meter starts from zero.

Climate:
Seasons are opposite to those in the Northern hemisphere. The average daytime temperatures in degrees Celsius are:

Tourist Centre	Summer	Winter
Bloemfontein	29.0°C	18.5°C
Cape Town	24.0°C	22.6°C
Durban	25.5°C	22.6°C
Johannesburg	24.7°C	18.0°C
Kimberley	32.0°C	20.0°C
Nelspruit	28.5°C	23.0°C
Pretoria	27.5°C	21.0°C

Only the Western Cape has winter rainfall, the rest of the country has summer rains.

WHAT TO BRING:
Clothing and accessories:
Dress code is casual and lightweight, though a sweater may be needed during the evenings.
Summer (September to April) is hot to very hot with temperatures ranging between 20 – 40°C with occasional rainfalls, protection from the sun is vital. Winter (May to August) is mild to warm and pleasant with temperatures ranging between 5 - 30°C. However during winter and early mornings temperatures can be cold and warm clothing is essential. A camera and binoculars will add pleasure to your stay.

DO NOT FORGET:

Comfortable shoes
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Sunblock (Very important!)
Cameras and binoculars
Anti-malarial precautions (please consult your doctor / pharmacist)
Insect-repellant
Light, neutral coloured clothing
Swimming costume

The owners and directors of Southern Eagle Tours are South Africans of many generations standing, who have all travelled widely throughout the world and have an excellent understanding of the needs and requirements of visitors to our subcontinent.

At Southern Eagle Tours, YOU are special. YOU are considered a valued friend and guest, not just another tourist. YOU receive our knowledge and understanding of our subcontinent and we design all our itineraries with YOU, our guest, in mind.

"To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries."
~ Aldous Huxley ~