Africa
Highlights - Essential Info - Itineraries - History
Visa Requirements - Holders of UK passports do not require a visa for entry into South Africa for stays up to 3 months although you should have a full passport with at least six months validity from the date of your return to the UK.
Non-British passport holders should check their visa requirements with their local Embassy or High Commission. Please also be aware that you need to have at least two blank pages next to each other in your passport.
Health Requirements - A Yellow Fever Certificate is required to enter South Africa if you enter from or via an infected country (now including Zambia). There are no other mandatory vaccinations required although Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, Meningitis and Hepatitis A are sometimes recommended. Malaria does exist in various parts of South Africa and it is therefore essential that you seek qualified medical advice on its prevention.
We strongly recommend that you contact your doctor or the MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad) Travellers Health Line on 0870 606 2782 for all professional medical advice.
Time - GMT + 2 hours (+ 1 hour during British Summer Time)
Money - The currency is the South African Rand. Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at most commercial banks, hotels and lodges. The use and acceptance of credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard is widespread, but an alternative payment source such as cash or Travellers Cheques is sensible, especially when in remote areas.
Flights
|
Airline |
Route |
Frequency |
Via |
|
British Airways |
Heathrow/Cape Town |
Daily |
Direct |
|
|
Heathrow/Johannesburg |
Daily |
Direct |
|
SAA |
Heathrow/Cape Town |
Daily |
Direct |
|
|
Heathrow/Johannesburg |
Daily |
Direct |
|
Virgin |
Heathrow/Cape Town |
Wed/Fri/Sun |
Direct |
|
|
Heathrow/Johannesburg |
Daily |
Direct |
Climate - a rough guide
South Africa is an area so vast that it covers several climatic zones, but it is generally governed by two distinct weather systems that divide the north of the country from the south. The seasons are the exact opposite from those in the UK with Christmas falling in the middle of the summer months as described below:
THE SOUTH The Western Cape has a typically Mediterranean climate with dry, hot and sunny summers lasting from October through to March and daytime temperatures averaging 79F. The autumn months of April and May are still warm, but as winter sets in so the temperature drops and rainfall increases, in particular during June, July and August. The Garden Route along the south and east coasts enjoys a temperate climate and as you head further north, so it becomes hotter and more sub-tropical with Durban enjoying sunshine throughout the year, although there can be rainfall and high humidity, particularly in the summer months.
THE NORTH In contrast to the south, the north enjoys its best weather in the winter months from May to October with clear, warm days although it can be chilly in the evenings and at night. Daytime temperatures average around 70F and drop to a little above freezing at night in some places. As spring approaches temperatures rise significantly, bringing rain and potentially heavy thunderstorms. Throughout the summer from late October until March there is the chance of rainfall although it is usually for short periods before the sun reappears.
When to go
The best time to visit the Cape region is in the spring and summer from September until April. Daytime temperatures average 79F and there is usually little or no rain.
The best time for seeing the Southern Right whales and also the wild flowers in bloom is in the spring between August and October.
The northern game reserves are best in the dry winter months from May through to October when the bush thins out and the wild animals are forced to seek water from the few remaining waterholes, which can result in some excellent game viewing.
South Africa is a wonderful destination throughout the year, but if you plan to visit both the northern and southern regions and wish to try and find the kindest weather in both, then it is generally advisable to travel in either April/May or September/October.
|
Cape Town |
||||||||||||
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Temp (F) |
79/ |
80/ |
78/ |
73/ |
68/ |
65/ |
63/ |
64/ |
66/ |
71/ |
74/ |
77/ |
|
Rain (in) |
0.8 |
0.8 |
0.7 |
1.7 |
2.5 |
3.7 |
2.7 |
3.4 |
1.6 |
1.6 |
0.6 |
0.5 |
|
Johannesburg |
||||||||||||
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Temp (F) |
78/ |
78/ |
75/ |
69/ |
67/ |
61/ |
63/ |
66/ |
75/ |
76/ |
76/ |
78/ |
|
Rain (in) |
4.4 |
4.0 |
2.9 |
2.3 |
0.9 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
0.3 |
0.8 |
3.0 |
4.4 |
4.5 |
Temp (Fahrenheit) = Average Maximum Temperatures (day/night)
Rain (inches) = Average Monthly Rainfall
