Where to Go - South Africa

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South Africa

Population : 44.3 million
Literacy rate : 86.4%
Life expectancy at birth : 43.27 years
Infant mortality rate : 61.81 deaths / 1000 births
Population growth rate : -0.31%
GDP growth rate : 3.5%
GDP per capita : $11,100
Inflation : 4.5%
Climate : Mostly semiarid, subtropical along east coast
Time : Johannesburg: GMT + 2 Hrs

Websites :

Info on the country’s wide range of national parks can be found at http://www.sanparks.org/. Ideas for backpacking around the country, as well as useful tips and suggestions can be seen at www.backpackingsouthafrica.com.

Country Guide

As can be expected of a country with over 3000km of coastline, South Africa is home to a some of the best beaches and resorts in the world, many internationally recognised with ‘Blue Flag’ status for environmentally clean waters. A wealth of activities are dotted across resorts in coastal towns such as Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, including watersports, penguin safaris and electrifying night living. Hermanus, on Walker Bay, Cape South, is an excellent place to go whale watching, with many species getting to within mere metres of the coastline in some cases.

The country’s large number of national parks are some of the most naturally diverse and varied in the world, and range from forest reserves in coastal areas to drier desert locations. Worth a visit is Kruger National Park, known throughout the world for its lush and numerous wildlife. Reaching 350km across South Africa’s eastern border with Mozambique, the park provides the opportunity to experience 150 different animal species right up close, as well as visit ancient archeological sites from the iron-age.

Activities in South Africa are numerous, and differ greatly across the nine regions of the country. Various outdoor adventure pursuits are on offer including abseiling down spectacular Table Mountain, mountain biking, fishing and hangliding. Highlights must include tours of Table Mountain, while excellent nightlife can be found in the modern and cosmopolitan cities, including casino complexes in Johannesburg and the trendy coastal bars of Cape Town.

Sports such as surfing are well served at beaches across the country, and in particular Jeffreys Bay – said to offer the longest and best waves in Africa! Though it may seem unlikely, a visit to Tiffendall ski resort, surprisingly the only one in the country, offers excellent ski and snowboard activities.

Vaccinations

Malaria. As with all Sub-Sahara countries, be mindful of HIV/AIDS.

Entry Requirements

A visa is not required for British citizens for up to a 90-day stay in the country.

Gap Year Programmes

Click here to find gap year programmes and placements in South Africa

Click here to find cross country overland adventure tours departing from Cape Town & Johannesburg

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