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Travel to South Africa
South Africa is well endowed with a wide variety of experiences to explore. From watching the big five in one of the world’s biggest national parks to enjoying a relaxing time at our blue flag beaches to surfing at some of the world’s best super tubes. You can choose to sift through our unmatched cultural and wine routes or you can opt to learn a lot through our world heritage sites. You can watch whales doing acrobatics at the world’s whale watching capital or come up close and personal with the great whites or simply take part in any of the endless adrenalin pumping adventure sports that we offer in the air, sea or on land. All this while staying in some of the world class hotels or simply living in our equally comfortable award winning alternative accommodation.
Capital: Pretoria
Location: South Africa is located at the southern tip of the African continent. It borders the countries of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Lesotho is an independent enclave entirely surrounded by South African territory.
Climate: South Africa has a great variety of climate zones, from the extreme desert of the southern Namib in the farthest northwest to the lush subtropical climate in the east along the border with Mozambique and the Indian ocean. From the east, the land quickly rises over a mountainous escarpment towards the interior plateau known as the Highveld. Even though South Africa is classified as semi-arid, there is considerable variation in climate as well as topography.
Terrain: South Africa's terrain consists of a vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and a narrow coastal plain. Its lowest point is the Atlantic Ocean at 0 m, the highest point is Njesuthi at 3,408 m.
Language: Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Swati, Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda
Currency: South African rand (ZAR)
Time zone: GMT +2
Internet TLD: .za
Calling code: +27
Tourist facilities match world standards. Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels to modest inns and bed and breakfast housing. Hikers and campers will find many affordable destinations all over South Africa. All cities and towns have information centres where tourists and newcomers can obtain maps, as well as information about local places of interest.
Major South African centres are linked by reliable air, rail and road transport services. Public transport services within towns and cities are irregular though. Taxis are extremely expensive and most South Africans therefore have to depend on their own means of transport.
South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road. Generally the speed limits range from 60km/h in residential areas to a maximum of 120km/h on national highways. Pay attention to the signs in this regard.
Rental vehicles are available in all major South African centres.
More facts about South Africa:
South Africa, country profile
Local Travel News:
Four Express by Holiday Inn Hotels set for South Africa 
Four Express by Holiday Inn Hotels set for South Africa.
South African golf course wins FairTrade award
Tourists looking to combine an ethical break with getting to grips with their golf swing could be advised to take a trip to South Africa after a resort in the country won a FairTrade in tourism award.
'South African golf course wins critical acclaim'
Golfers looking to tee off in a sunnier climate than the wind and rain British courses currently have to offer could be well advised to consider a trip to South Africa.
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 Scuba diving in South Africa |
