Related South Africa Favorites Tips

Favorite thing: When you are first planning a trip, it can be hard to get good maps that are detailed enough to give you good information, but not so high resolution that the detail is obscured. Maps in guide books are usually too small, or if they are large enough to read, they are so localised that it can be hard to work out how the different regions covered fit together. And particularly if you're not going to a mainstream destination, it can be hard to buy maps of far off countries in your home town.

I recently stumbled across the maps page on the sa-venues.com website whilst doing some research for a trip that we hope to do later in the year, and was pleasantly impressed.

The website provides a whole variety of maps, from straight road maps to those which display topography and others which are thematic (for example, tourist attractions, malarial zones game game reserves). As well as the national maps, there are more detailed maps for each of the nine provinces, again providing a variety of different detail depending on their intended use. Even more usefully, they also include road maps of the larger towns in each region, which is the sort of information that comes in really handy when you are trying to work out which areas to stay in.

Follow this link: http://www.sa-venues.com/maps/default.htm

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Favorite thing: My favorite thing about South Africa are its people, the most kind people you could ever meet.
The country is really special for its wild life and beaches. Its probably the best value destination in the world.
The best city is Cape Town with its relaxed vibe.

Fondest memory: The people are very freindly and its a great destination if you like motorcycle adventures

Favorite thing: COUNTRY INFORMATION:
Visa: No visa for stay up to 90 days. No money to pay.
Mobil phone: Very good roaming.
ATM: Yes, all over the country. It works very good and gives normal rate.
Recommended language: English.
Infrastructure: Very good.
Friendliness by the people: Still suspiciousness/racism between black & white people. Very proud to be the host of Football World Cup in 2010.
Attention by Police/military: No bad experience.
Crime: Very high.
Rainy period: Central parts: November, December, January and February.
Price level: Cheaper than Europe. Safari and tourist activities are cheaper, but else a bit more expensive than other African countries.
Airport departure tax: Nothing from JNB.

Favorite thing: I cannot explain or describe South Africa in general. It is probably one of the most amazing countries I have visited and no matter how long my visit could be you will always leave with the feeling that these is still so much more to see. I surely wish to go and visit again and if I could have a job there I would have pack my stuff and be there in matter of few days :)))

Favorite thing: We went to SA mid august til mid september; low season as it is winter. Ok it is often a bit on the chilly side (especially when you go out for morning and evening game drives) but apat from that it's great! As hotels were often almost empty apart from us, we sometimes got upgraded (without even asking) and got all the attention from our hosts (be it in restaurants or hotels). In Franschhoek we even got into Reubens without reservation, had excellent food and waiters were great (this doesn't seem to be the case in high season). On the game drives in the parks the range rovers are half full, sometimes you are the only person on it! Another advantage is that the vegetation is dry during winter, so it's easier to spot the animals). So if you don't mind not being able to go for a swim in the hotel swimming pool (they are not heated so ...) this time of year has a lot of advantages!

Favorite thing: I think you sell Jo'burg short. For those of us who aren't South African, it is a very interesting city and very different (for me at least) from anything I had ever experienced before. The busyness, the cosmopolitan atmosphere, and just the street scenes were something I would not have missed and will be seeing again in December. Yes, it can be dangerous but it's important to know where is is unsafe to go and what is unsafe to do.

There is much to do. The Rhino and Lion park is a great place to view animals. Pilanesburg is close. The shopping centers are modern and have a wonderful variety of stores.

Fondest memory: My fondest memory of South Africa is the people. Thanks to my friends who live there, I had the opportunity to meet a variety of interesting people... from the children in the townships, to the folks who operate the soup kitchens who are so poor themselves, to the seniors who live in a wonderful retirement village. It was so different for me to be the one who nobody could understand that well. I would often say something and be met with puzzled looks. I kept forgetting that I was the one with the accent.

A wonderful memory is the uniqueness of the country with it's many sharp contrasts. There is much to learn there.

The scenery and the animals are also a wonder.

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Favorite thing: I don't know what you are used to eating but I found with the exception of a few special dishes that the food was the same as in Canada. However, they have magnificent fruits and vegetables which are fresh and twice as good as here in Canada. They also eat a lot of yogurt...at least my friends did.

Also, the braai (bbq) is very popular in South Africa.

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Favorite thing: Do both! We took our rental car and drove ourselves through Kruger NP. As we did this during winter, vegetation was not very dense so animals were easy to spot. However sitting in a car does limit your sight. And the person driving sometimes misses out. But I found it to be a fun experience doing the actual spotting yourself.
We also visited 2 private reserves where we went on the drives organized by the lodges. As their vehicles are without a top and you are positioned higher than any normal car or jeep, views are much better. Also seen the fact we were in low season we were with a limited number of people in the vehicle (we even had a private tour one time! ). These guides sometimes offer the opportunity to walk.
Overall you see more on the guided tours but it is also fun to drive around by yourself.
On one occasion an elephant came up to the vehicle and started scratching his head at the back of the car (if I would have driven myself I would have driven away from the elephant, but as these guides know the animals in the private parks, they know how close they can allow the animals to approach )