Destinations
Botswana, a jewel of Africa. A place where animals roam wild and tracks are waiting to be explored. It has an eco-tourism policy of high cost but low volume, Allows visitors to experience Africa at its most natural.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Chobe National Park, home to the largest concentration of African elephants | Mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) | The Central Kalahari Game Reserve, vast open plains, saltpans and ancient riverbeds | The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | The Makgadikgadi Pans | The Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world.
ACCESS
Most nationalities do not require a visa and will get a 30-day permit on arrival.
By Air: Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE), ± 11 km from Gaborone.
Other Airports: Maun Airport (MUB) & Kasane Airport (BBK).
By Road: There are 26 border crossings into Botswana, via South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe & Zambia.
LANGUAGE & CURRENCY
Language: English and Tswana are the official languages.
Currency: The Botswana Pula (BWP) is made up of 100 Thebe. Most hotels, restaurants, retail outlets & ATMs accept foreign cards. Remote areas may only accept cash.
CLIMATE
Botswana has a subtropical desert climate. Hot, rainy summers (November – March) and sunny, cool winters (May – August). Nights & evenings can drop below 0⁰.
Travel Tip: Wildlife viewing in The Okavango Delta, Moremi and Chobe, is best from May to September, during the dry season
ACCESS
Most nationalities do not require a visa and will get a 30-day permit on arrival.
By Air: Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), ± 40km from Windhoek.
Other Airports: Eros Windhoek (ERS), Walvis Bay (WVB) & Lüderitz (LUD)
By Sea: Walvis Bay Port & Lüderitz Port
By Road: 17 border crossings, via SA, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia & Angola.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Damaraland | Desert adapted wildlife | Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s largest parks | Fish River Canyon | “Kokerboom” in the Quiver Tree Forest | Red Namib Desert | Sossusvlei & Deadvlei | Swakopmund & Walvis Bay | The Kalahari Desert | The Petrified Forest | Wealth of Cultures | Windhoek CBD | Zambezi Region
LANGUAGE & CURRENCY
Language: English is the official language. German and Afrikaans are also widely spoken.
Currency: The Namibian Dollar (NAD) is equivalent to the South African Rand (ZAR). International cards are widely accepted.
CLIMATE
The climate varies from arid and semi-arid to subtropical. Summer (November – April) is hot and sunny. Winter (May – October) is generally dry with mild days.
Travel Tip: Wildlife viewing in all parks, especially Etosha, is best from June to October, during the dry season
POINTS OF INTEREST
Bungee jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge | Houseboat on the Kariba | Hwange National Park | Mana Pools National Park | Matobo hills granite formations | Several Reserves teeming with Big 5 & wildlife | The Great Zimbabwe Ruins | Victoria Falls: ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ (the Smoke that Thunders) | Water activities.
ACCESS
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Zimbabwe.
By Air: Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), ± 19 km from the Falls.
Other Airports: Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE)
By Road: There are 10 border crossings into Zimbabwe, via Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana & Zambia.
LANGUAGE & CURRENCY
Language: English is the official language. Shona and Ndebele. are the most commonly spoken African language.
Currency: The US dollar is the official currency of Zimbabwe. Most hotels, shops & restaurants accept Mastercard and Visa.
CLIMATE
Zimbabwe has a moderate climate with summer rain from November – May. Winter days (May – August) are clear and warm, with chilly evenings.
Travel Tip: September to October is the top time for wildlife viewing, and the Falls are at their strongest and most beautiful in April
WESTERN CAPE
Home of the ‘Mother City’ and Table Mountain, the Western Cape is unmatched in natural beauty. It is a gastronomic melting pot, offering enough culinary and liquid delights to satisfy any taste!
Highlights include: Cape Agulhas | Cape Town CBD | Penguins | Quaint fishing villages | Robben Island | Table Mountain | The Garden Route | The Winelands | Whale watching | White, sandy beaches
Climate: Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers (November – March) and cool, wet winters (May – July).
GAUTENG
Gauteng is the smallest province of South Africa, and the heart of its economy. It is a vibrant mix of cultures and colours with first and third world traditions
Highlights include: Big business district | Excellent nightlife | Gold Reef City | Johannesburg (‘Jozi’) CBD | Shopping | Soweto | The Cradle of Humankind | Union Buildings | World class golf courses
Climate: Hot, wet summers (December – February) and crisp, clear winters (June -August). Beautiful summer thundershowers are often harsh, but brief and followed by warm sunshine
KWAZULU NATAL
Holidaymakers adore the beaches of KZN for the white sand and warm Indian Ocean. The various geographical regions offer visitors a world of diversity in one province.
Highlights include: Battlefields & Isandlwana |Beautiful beaches | Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park | iSimangaliso Wetland Park | Midlands Meander | Phinda Private Game Reserve | Sani Pass | uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park | uShaka Marine World
Climate: Long, hot, humid, wet summers (September – April) and very mild winters, seldom dropping below 17⁰C.
MPUMALANGA
This is big game country! Dozens of sanctuaries are home to a huge variety of animals and birds. Eager fly fishermen flock to streams that were once panned for gold.
Highlights include: Big 5 | Blyde River Canyon | Charming mining towns | Exceptional bird life | God’s Window | Highlands Meander | Kruger National Park | Scenic hiking trails | The Panorama Route
Climate: The Highveld (Western region) has extreme seasonal temperature differences. The Lowveld (Eastern region incl. Kruger National Park) has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures and high summer rainfall.
LIMPOPO
This is the northernmost province, lying within the great curve of the Limpopo River. To the east lies the magnificent Kruger National Park, teeming with wildlife.
Highlights include: Ancient forests | Big 5 | Echo Caves | Entabeni Game Reserve | Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre | Hot mineral springs | Kruger National Park | Ruins and relics | Untamed Africa
Climate: Hot summer months (October – March) where short thunderstorms in the evenings are common. Winters are sunny with chilly mornings and evenings.
EASTERN CAPE
Seaside escapes, forest trails, Karoo adventures and Big 5 safaris… The Eastern Cape offers it all!
Highlights include: Addo Elephant National Park | Birds of Eden | Bloukrans Bridge | Garden Route National Park | Otter Trail | Port Elizabeth ‘The Friendly City’ | Storms River Mouth | Tsitsikamma National Park | Water sports (in, on & under the sea)
Climate: Eastern Cape climate is varied, but generally the winter months fall between April and August. Inland, semi-arid conditions characterise regions such as the Karoo. Temperatures get cooler as you approach the coast.
NORTH WEST
The ‘Platinum Province’ is best known for the wealth of minerals underground and the Pilanesberg National Park, a Big 5 reserve picturesquely set within the crater of an extinct volcano.
Highlights include: Big 5 | Golf courses| Hartbeespoort Dam | Lesedi Cultural Village | Madikwe Game Reserve | Magaliesberg Mountain range | Pilanesberg Game Reserve | Sun City | Untamed bushveld | Valley of Waves
Climate: Almost year-round sunshine, with brief but refreshing thundershowers cooling the summer afternoons (August-March). Winter (May-July) is dry and sunny, with chilly nights.
NORTHERN CAPE
Home to the nomadic San (Bushmen) of the Kalahari, the Northern Cape is a wonderful contrast of vast, blazing landscapes and carpets of bright wild flowers.
Highlights include: Battlefields | Brilliant starry nights | Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | Kimberley ‘The Diamond Capital of the World’ | Namaqualand wild flowers | Orange River (water based activities) | SALT ‘Africa’s Giant Eye on the Universe’ | Spectacular Augrabies Falls | The Kalahari | The Great Karoo
Climate: Winter days are warm, but the nights can fall below 0⁰C. Summer days can reach 40⁰C! Spring (July-October) is the perfect time to visit to see the explosive displays of wild flowers.
FREE STATE
The Free State lies in the middle of South Africa between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the South. This is a year-round destination due to its nearly 340 days of sunshine and numerous outdoor activities.
Highlights include: Excellent fishing | Gariep Dam Nature Reserve (water activities) | Golden Gate National Park | Highlands Treasure Route | Maluti Mountains | Rock art and fossil rich | The Thabo Mofutsanyana Region | Vaal River (Lined with Willow trees)
Climate: This high-lying inland area offers a lot of sunshine with summer rainfall and frosty winters
POINTS OF INTEREST
Batoka Gorge | Cocktail cruise on the Zambezi River | Devils Pool, the ultimate infinity pool | Livingstone, the ‘Adventure Centre’ | Lower Zambezi National Park | Victoria Falls: ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ (the Smoke that Thunders) | Water activities include fishing, canoeing & sunset cruises.
ACCESS
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Zambia.
By Air: Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), ± 14 km from Lusaka.
Other Airports: Livingstone Airport (LVI)
By Road: There are 8 border crossings into Zambia, via Botswana, DR Congo, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania & Zimbabwe.
LANGUAGE & CURRENCY
Language: English is the official language. Bemba is the most commonly spoken African language.
Currency: Zambian Kwacha (ZMK). USD and major currencies are widely accepted (it’s advised to have some local currency)
CLIMATE
Zambia experiences three main seasons: Cool & dry from May – August, hot & dry from September – November, and warm & wet from December – April.
Travel Tip: Wildlife viewing and photography is best from May to October, during the dry season, as the animals congregate around rivers and waterholes