Southern Africa captivates everyone who is lucky enough to experience its power and magic. The concept of 'Safari' conjures up images of adventure, dramatic landscapes and exciting wildlife. Our luxury safari lodges are located in the Sabi Sand & Timbavati Game Reserves, which are geographically integrated with the Kruger National Park.

These reserves epitomize Africa's magic. With no fences between the reserves and the Kruger Park, big game abounds, moving freely through this unspoiled part of the ancient African continent. The area is blessed with a great biodiversity of habitat and wildlife giving an excellent chance of close encounters with the 'Big Five' - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard - as well as wild dog and cheetah. With over 300 bird species, the reserve is a birdwatcher's delight.

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There has been no hunting here for over half a century and the animals have become habituated to - and relaxed in the presence of - safari vehicles. The ultimate destination for a luxury safari; visitors can look forward the unique experience of close encounters with animals as they continue unperturbed in their natural daily patterns of hunting, feeding, courting and suckling.

Safaris take place each morning and evening in open Land Rovers which drive through a wide variety of habitats, allowing visitors to view the vast interactions of the wild. After breakfast, guests on guided walking trails can experience the natural environment on foot. The dedicated, highly trained and experienced Rangers lead you to discover miracles of nature you may never have dreamed existed.

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South Africa

At the southernmost tip of the African continent, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) is flanked in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south and east by the Indian Ocean, in the north by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and in the north-east by Mozambique and Swaziland.

Sun, wind, rain, rivers and the opposing influences of two currents, one cold, the other warm, have given rise to a phenomenal spectrum of awe-inspiring landscapes: mountains, plains, plateaux and coast lands, lakes and lagoons, deserts and sun-scorched 'moonscapes'.

Size of South Africa

The RSA covers an area of 1,127,200 sq. km - about one eighth the size of the USA, and nearly five times the size of the United Kingdom.

Climate of South Africa

Western Cape

This area  enjoys a Mediterranean climate (warm dry summers, cool wet winters). Occasional winter snowfalls cover the surrounding mountains. Average maximum summer temperature is 24 C; winter 18 C.

Eastern Cape (Garden Route)

Enjoys elements of the Mediterranean climate of Cape Town as well as that of the summer rainfall regions to the east.

Kwazulu Natal

Enjoys summer rainfall (typically after thunderstorms) and cool dry winters. Snowfalls on the Drakensberg cause brief cold snaps. Average maximum summer temperature in Durban is 25,5 C; winter 22,6 C.

Gauteng, North/West Northern Province and Mpumalanga

Enjoys summer rainfall, typically afternoon thunderstorms of short duration. Mild dry winters are the norm with occasional early morning frost on the Highveld. Average maximum summer temperature in Johannesburg is 24,7 C; winter 18 C. Pretoria summer 27,5 C; winter 21 C. Midsummer temperatures in the Kruger National Park can exceed 35 C.

Seasons of South Africa

• SUMMER - December to March.
• AUTUMN - April to June.
• WINTER - July to September.
• SPRING - September to November.

Eastern and Southern Africa enjoy glorious climates and both can accurately be called year-round destinations. In Kenya and Tanzania, a blissful 70 degrees Fahrenheit greets the day and rarely does the temperature vary throughout the year. It is one of those exceptional areas of the world that enjoys “eternal spring.” Yet, located on the equator, a widespread misconception is that the weather is hot and sultry. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth! The elevated altitudes keep temperatures utterly balmy and comfortable and sometimes it even calls for sweaters and jackets in the early morning and evenings. Southern Africa experiences more noticeable changes in its seasons. April through September is Africa's winter, daytime temperatures are a fresh 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit with little rain. During Africa's summer (October through March), temperatures are warmer with some rain, making the bush lush and green.

Getting there...

Your gateway to enter Southern African countries is Johannesburg South Africa. There are two different airlines we recommend namely South African Airways that departs from Washington, DC and New York and Delta Airways that departs from Atlanta

Your first step! Book your airline ticket as soon as possible with your personal travel agent to avoid disappointment or paying more than you have to! Flights are usually fully booked during high season. If you have any problems, your Cape to Cairo representative is only a phone call away!

Passport Requirements
Passport control has become very strict. Passports MUST be valid for at least six months from your return home date. We recommend a validity of nine months to prevent any problems in this regard. There must be at least two blank VISA pages in the passport (not endorsement pages). Visitors have been denied entry due to not having sufficient Visa pages in their passport.

What to pack when coming to South Africa

Pack what you would normally wear in a warm, temperate climate. In the game parks, at holiday resorts and on tour, casual clothing is advisable. In city hotels and restaurants dress is more formal in the evenings. On tour, wear comfortable clothing for travelling and comfortable shoes for walking. Warm clothing must be packed for the late afternoon and early morning game viewing in the game parks.

Population of South Africa

The population is currently estimated at approximately 42,000,000.

Most caucasians are descended from Dutch, French, British and German immigrants who settled in the country between the 17th and 19th centuries. In more recent times, the country has attracted additional immigrants from these countries, as well as other parts of Europe, China and Africa north of the Limpopo. Unofficial estimates put the number of people of Portuguese extraction (the largest group of recent immigrants) at half a million. It's said that apart from New York, there is no city outside Israel which is quite as Jewish as Johannesburg, where some 60% of the country's 120,000 Jews live.

The Black population is made up of several major ethic groups. The majority are Zulu's, followed by Xhosas, North Sothos, South Sothos, Tswanas, Shangaan-Tsongas and Swazis. All are descendants of tribes who migrated south from central Africa. About 50% of South Africa's Blacks are urbanised.

The majority of Coloureds (people of mixed racial origins) inhabit the eastern Cape. Cape Malays, a subgroup, number about 200,000, and most inhabit the Cape Peninsula, with a heavy concentration in Cape Town's Malay Quarter. The first Asians arrived in 1860 to work on Natal's sugarcane fields, and today over 85% of South Africa's Indians live in Natal. After India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, South Africa's Indian community is the fourth largest in the world. Many are prosperous merchants, traders and professional people.

Languages

English and Afrikaans, only two of 11 official languages, are spoken throughout the country. Official notices and road signs appear in both languages. Each of the Black groups has its own language. Urbanised Blacks are usually competent in English and/or Afrikaans. A number of (mainly older generation) Indians still speak the languages of their forefathers, but the practice is gradually falling away in favour of English. Languages such as French, German ad Italian are spoken by staff members at many upmarket hotels and shops.

Electricity

Most city and town power systems are 220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. The Pretoria power system generates 250 volts and Port Elizabeth 220/250 volts. (Adapters for electric shavers and hair dryers are obtainable locally.)

• Light weight binoculars preferably 7x35 or 8x40
• Camera
• Day Bag – small to medium soft bag for carrying camera, film and personal items
• Good flashlight
• Good pair of sunglasses
• Miscellaneous – personal toilet kit, insect repellent, good quality sunscreen, lip balm, reading material,  personal medication.
• 4 Shirts, 2 long and 2 short sleeved
• 2 Long trousers
• 2 Walking shorts
• 1 Lightweight hunting jacket
• 1 Light to medium down jacket
• 1 Lightweight raincoat
• 4 Sets of underwear
• 1 Wool sweater
• 1 “Boonie” hat or wide brim field hat
• 6 Pairs medium weight socks
• 2 Pairs walking shoes
• 1 Pair of gloves

It is unnecessary to pack excessive clothing because laundry services are usually provided. Three changes of clothing are adequate as laundry is done regularly.
Outer clothes should be dark green or dark khaki in color.

Malaria and bilharzia precautions while in South Africa

Visitors to Mpumalanga (Kruger Park area) and northern Kwa-Zulu Natal should take anti-malaria tablets before, during and after their stay. The tablets are obtainable without prescription from local pharmacies. It is inadvisable to swim in rivers; and lakes in the eastern and northern regions of the country, as the bilharzia parasite may be present in the water.

South African Monetary System

The South African currency unit is the Rand, denoted by the symbol R. R1 = 100 cent.

VAT (Value added tax)

• VAT, currently at 14%, is included in the marked/quoted price of most goods and services. Foreign tourists may claim refunds of VAT paid on goods which they take out of South Africa. Information leaflets on the procedure to follow to claim VAT refund, are available from Vat Refund Administration offices at the borders and airports.
• Travelers Cheques and foreign currency notes of all major currencies can be obtained at commercial banks, airports and major hotels.
• Most credit cards are accepted by all retail outlets.

Currency

The currency is the South African Rand and the international symbol is R. One rand equals 100 cents. Rands are accepted country wide as well as US Dollars in certain situations.