Travel guide to South Africa

South Africa, an amazing land that contains a world of beauty, contrasts and colors. The glamorous world of Johannesburg against the beautiful and extraordinary wildlife of Pilanesberg and the colorful neighborhoods of Cape Town against the fun of Sun City have all created a fantastic world. But what information do we need to travel to this unique country? We read in the travel guide to South Africa.

About South Africa

At the beginning of the travel guide to South Africa, we talk about the geography of this country. South Africa is a semi-arid country with low average rainfall (450 mm per year). Most of South Africa’s landscape consists of high and flat areas called plateaus, these lands are covered with rolling grasslands called highveld and wooded plains called bushveld.

In the east, south and west of the plateau lands, there is a mountainous region called the Great Scarp. The eastern range, called the Drakensberg or Dragon Mountain, is full of jagged peaks, some of which are over 11,400 feet (3,475 m) high. Most of South Africa’s water comes from the snow-covered peaks of this small landlocked country.

Government and economy

South Africa has been a democratic republic since holding its first truly free elections on 27 April 1994. Natural resources, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing have made South Africa the largest economy on the continent. But the problems of unemployment, poverty and AIDS bring great challenges to the government.

History of South Africa

In the north of South Africa near Johannesburg, there is a cave called Sterkfontein. Inside these caves, archaeologists have found the oldest human fossils ever discovered. Some of them are more than two million years old. This discovery gave this region the title of “Cradle of Humanity”!

About 24,000 years ago, hunter-gatherer tribes known as the San or Bushmen moved to South Africa. Many San still live like their ancestors around the Kalahari desert in the northwest.

In the 1400s, European ships bound for the Far East stopped off the coast of South Africa for supplies. In 1652, the Dutch established the southern city of Cape Town, and Dutch farmers called Boers began to settle in the area around the city.

Perhaps the most important part of the history of the travel guide to South Africa is here! In 1806, wars in Europe led Britain to take control of the Cape Town colony. In 1910, Britain united four colonies in the region and created South Africa. They enacted laws that separated whites from black South Africans, a practice of segregation known as apartheid, which led to decades of conflict.

In 1963, Nelson Mandela, the president of the African National Anti-Apartheid Congress, was sentenced to life imprisonment for “terrorist” activities. In 1990, after 27 years behind bars, he was released by President FW de Klerk. Mandela was elected as the President of South Africa in 1994 and was in this position until 1999.

South African culture and people

Many different tribes make up South Africa, each with its own language and history. This country has 11 official languages ​​and many unofficial languages. This colorful mix of cultures has given South Africa the nickname “Rainbow Nation”.

South Africans are very fond of music and often use song and dance to express social and political opinions. They are also known around the world for their prowess in sports including rugby, cricket, golf and football. In 2010, South Africa became the first African country to host the World Cup!

South African nature

We dedicate the travel guide to South Africa to the unique nature of this country. South Africa is full of wildlife, from aardvarks to zebras! The country occupies only about one percent of the Earth’s surface, but it is home to approximately 10 percent of the world’s known species of birds, fish, and plants, and about 6 percent of the species of mammals and reptiles.

The seas around South Africa are also full of exceptional wildlife. During the year, about 2000 marine species can be seen in the waters of South Africa. There is also a famous east coast sardine every June that attracts thousands of sharks, dolphins and hungry birds.

South Africa is protected for its wildlife with dozens of land and marine protected areas, including the famous Kruger National Park in the north, as well as nearly 9,000 private reserves across the country.

However, many of South Africa’s animals are affected by poaching and habitat loss, and dozens of species are threatened with extinction, including the black rhinoceros, cheetah, and African wild dog.

How to get a South African visa?

We continue the travel guide to South Africa by talking about the visa of this country. South African visa There are different types, but those who want to travel to this country for fun should get a tourist visa. This type of visa is a normal and one-time entry and is given to those who want to stay in this country for a certain period of time and see the attractions of Africa.

To get a South African tourist visa, you must first prepare the required documents, then go to the embassy’s official website in person or through reputable airline agencies and make an appointment to be fingerprinted. It should be noted that visa procedures are carried out through the embassy’s representative office called VFS, and the time to announce the visa response is 10 to 15 working days after the documents are submitted and fingerprinted.

Documents required to obtain a South African visa

• All the documents must be translated in English and with the seal of Dar al-Tarjmeh (with the exception of children’s birth certificates).
• The translation of the children’s birth certificate must be done in English with the seal of the translator and the court’s approval.
• The applicant must bring all the documents with him on the fingerprinting day.
• Financial availability and account turnover must be issued 3 days before the interview.
• The employment letter must be issued on the company’s official letterhead and the following must be mentioned in it:
• Name and surname, passport number, date of employment, length of employment, position of the applicant, amount of salary, leave period, employer’s signature
• If the child travels with one of the parents, it is mandatory to bring the written and notarized consent of the father or mother who is not traveling.
• If the applicant has already traveled to South Africa, include a copy of his/her previous visa in the documents.

Essential information you need to know before traveling to South Africa

Flight duration: about 11 hours

Official language: Afrikaans, English

Currency: Rand

Time difference with Iran: -1:30

Country code: +27

Contact number for police, fire and emergency: 112

Read more: Exciting adventure in Pilanesberg, South Africa

The best time to travel to South Africa

The weather in South Africa is one of the important points that you should pay attention to before traveling. Due to the location of this country in the southern hemisphere, its seasons are different from Iran. In this way, autumn season in Iran coincides with spring and winter season coincides with summer in Iran. Therefore, the best time to travel to this country is the end of Shahrivar and Nowruz Eid in Iran, and most of the airline agencies as well South Africa tour are held in this season.

The climate of South African cities is very moderate in these two periods and tourists can enjoy seeing the tourist attractions of Cape Town, Johannesburg and safaris in this country.

Read more: Essential tips you need to know before traveling to South Africa

Travel expenses In the travel guide to South Africa

South Africa tour is one of the luxury tours. But apart from the cost of tickets and hotels, the costs of transportation and food are relatively cheap in this country. Taxis, subways and buses are the public transport in Johannesburg and Cape Town, all of which are very affordable in addition to being completely safe. The restaurants of this country also offer the best and most diverse local and international dishes at the cheapest prices. The cost of a fast food meal is about 50 rand and local and international food is between 100 and 150 rand.

The cost of entertainment also varies depending on your choice, although some of the entrances are part of South Africa tour services. But in general, entertainment expenses can be considered between 100 and 1500 rand.

Cost of accommodation in South Africa travel guide

South African cities offer a variety of hotels and hostels for tourists to stay. A private double room costs between ZAR 390 and ZAR 650 (US$ 21-36). If you want to stay in more affordable hotels in big cities, plan on spending between ZAR 750 and 1200 (US$ 41-65). Note that the cost of staying in Cape Town and Johannesburg and inside any national park will be higher.

Cost of food in South Africa

The cost of food in South African restaurants is very cheap. In the following travel guide to South Africa, we will examine the cost of food in this country. A meal at Nando’s or another fast food chain costs about ZAR 75-50 (US$4-2.70) per person. South Africa is known for its delicious meat dishes. The price of a meat meal for one person is usually between 30-100 ZAR (1.70-6 USD).

Read more: A tour of the animal kingdom of South Africa

Sightseeing cities in South Africa

The attractions of South Africa are so diverse that they satisfy every taste. The glamorous streets of Johannesburg, the city of Cape Town with dreamy beaches and seeing animal life from a close distance can all be included in the entertainment and attractions of Africa tour.

Johannesburg tourist attractions in South Africa travel guide

• Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid Museum graphically depicts the story of apartheid through photographs, structures, newspaper clippings, harrowing personal accounts and films. The sights and sounds of the apartheid era will leave visitors thinking as they pass through the permanent exhibits, taking you on an emotional journey through South African history.

Address: Cnr Northern Parkway & Gold Reef Road, Ormonde, Johannesburg

Gold Reef City, eight kilometers from the city center, harkens back to South Africa’s gold rush days with an array of exciting theme park attractions and historical exhibits. Therefore, we have dedicated this paragraph of the travel guide to South Africa to introducing the Golden Reef. This family-friendly attraction hosts reproductions of buildings and businesses from the era, and you can also visit a disused shaft from the Crone Mines, one of the richest gold mines in the world.

Address: Shaft 14, Northern Parkway, Johannesburg

• Victorian Museum

Anyone interested in living in the Victorian era will love this ‘living museum’ and provincial heritage site. The museum’s current owner, Catherine Love, who has lived here since 1967, is dressed in Victorian garb, welcoming visitors and taking them on a tour of the rooms of this beautiful middle-class Victorian house designed by one of South Africa’s most famous architects. It is designed to win.

Address: 72 Richmond Ave, Auckland Park, Johannesburg

The vibrant Maboneng area is a wonderful example of a successful mixed-use urban regeneration project. Once a rather run-down neighborhood, Maboneng, meaning ‘place of light’, is now full of life. In this area, restaurants, cafes, art galleries, shops, hotels, and entertainment venues are cleverly mixed with residential buildings.

Cape Town tourist attractions

Cape Town, which is located between the mountains and the sea, proudly displays its natural beauty to tourists. The symbolic Table Mountain is one of the most famous attractions of the city, the botanical gardens can be seen from its slopes, and its long and beautiful beaches are among the best beaches in South Africa.

Seeing penguins in any environment will be exciting, but seeing them in their natural environment where they are circling has a special thrill for wildlife lovers.

About an hour’s drive from Cape Town is Boulders Bay in Simon’s Town, a colony of over 2,000 endangered African penguins. This beautiful beach with white sand belongs to the marine protected area of ​​Table Mountain National Park and attracts many tourists every year.

• Cape Point area

Cape Point is located about 60 km from Cape Town, at the southernmost tip of the Table Mountains National Park and is part of the Cape Floral area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the richest plant areas in the world. Therefore, we have included it in the list of attractions in the travel guide to South Africa. To get to this beautiful area, you’ll pass the Muizenberg surf trails, the pretty seaside town of Kalk Bay, as well as the great penguin beaches at Simon’s Town.

• Muinsberg beach

Muizenberg, famous for its brightly colored beach huts and great surfing, is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Cape Town. This beach is located on the False Bay side, so the water here is slightly warmer than Camps Bay Beach. This beach has a blue flag and is considered one of the best places for beginner surfers to practice.

In the Cape Malay neighborhood (commonly referred to as Bo-Kaap), quiet streets lined with colorful houses welcome visitors.

Located in the heart of the city at the foot of Signal Hill, this vibrant area is the gathering place for Cape Town’s Muslims. The inhabitants of the area consist of those descended from the “Cape Malays”, slaves brought here by Dutch settlers from Indonesia, Malaysia and other slaves. After apartheid, the houses of these slaves became today’s colors on the occasion of victory.

Table Mountain with a height of 1087 meters is one of South Africa’s attractions, whose pictures remind us that nature is the queen in this stunning coastal city! This mountain forms the northern end of the Cape Peninsula and is located in the Table Mountain National Park.

As one of the main attractions of South Africa travel guide, Table Mountain has an astonishing variety of plants and more than 1,470 species of flowers, as well as animals such as the cute enamel flower (Stone Hyrax), caracal and baboon. Devil’s Peak is on the east side of the mountain and Sar Shir is on the west side.

About six kilometers away from the city center, the beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton attract tourists in favor of water sports. At Clifton, sparkling beaches are juxtaposed with smooth granite boulders, creating a dreamy picture.

The first beach on this beach is a favorite place for volleyball and offers good surfing when the conditions are right. Just south of Clifton, Camp Bay Mad has another stunning beach, surrounded by a dozen majestic monuments and the distinctive Lion’s Head.

Sun City tourist attractions

From family fun to adrenaline adventures! Sun City has everything to enjoy. In the following travel guide to South Africa, we will get to know the tourist attractions of this region:

• The Lost Labyrinth

Lost City Labyrinth will be very attractive for those who are looking for a different fun and mystery in Sun City. Also known as the largest labyrinth in the Southern Hemisphere, this attraction offers a unique and captivating adventure. Labyrinths made of artificial stone and wood to resemble exploring ancient sites.

• Pilanesberg National Park

Pilansberg National Park is one of the most famous tourist attractions of Sun City, which is located in a silent volcanic crater and offers a completely different safari experience. The park is home to Africa’s famous Big 5, including elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and Cape buffalo.

Whether you are looking for a boat ride on the river or you want to experience going down long slides and diving into the water, you must go to Amwaj Valley. Additionally, the park’s lifeguard-supervised children’s area ensures that even the little ones have their share of fun and safety at Wave Valley.

Pretoria city in South Africa travel guide

About 55 kilometers from Johannesburg, Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa and is worth a visit due to its impressive collection of historical buildings and museums. Pretoria, which is decorated with the purple colors of Jacaranda in spring, is known as a city of beautiful parks and gardens.

Highlights of a visit to Pretoria include the Pretoria National Botanic Gardens, the Voortrekker Monument, Freedom Park, the Grand Zoo, and an array of tranquil nature reserves within the city limits and diverse wildlife and abundant bird life!

Foods you should try on your trip

Forget worrying about food on a South African tour altogether. This country is famous for having very delicious food and of course everyone likes it. South Africa has been a colony of different countries for many years, so the food of this country has been strongly influenced by the food of France, England and the Netherlands. So whatever your taste or diet, you will definitely find your favorite food. Be sure to try these foods on your trip to South Africa:

• Bocoms seafood
• food and cook
• Boboti meat feed
• Potjikos stew
• Durban chicken feed
• Very delicious Boeros sausage

South African restaurants

The best food is served in South African restaurants from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, Durban to Johannesburg and beyond. Therefore, we have dedicated this part of the travel guide to South Africa to the introduction of restaurants in this country.

Cape Town restaurants often receive awards for good drinks and great atmosphere, the city’s restaurant menus are truly innovative. From the spicy Cape Malay curry at Bo Cup to the delicate Asian dishes with saffron and turmeric, the rainbow of dishes in Cape Town restaurants make up.

When you’re in Johannesburg and Pretoria, do as the locals do and try the traditional Boerwers with tomato and pop relish, rich lamb potjie with soft potatoes and gravy, and trotters steamed all day in a pot of water, herbs and spices. You can eat! You can also finish off your meal with sweet coke sisters dripping in syrup.

• Fyn Restaurant in Cape Town
• La Colombe restaurant in Cape Town
• Wolfgat Paternoster restaurant in Cape Town
• Artistry restaurant in Johannesburg
• Butcher Boys Florida Road restaurant in Durban
• The Grillhouse Restaurant in Johannesburg
• Mythos Restaurant in Johannesburg
• Est Est Alea Restaurant in Johannesburg
• Marble Restaurant (Marble Restaurant in Johannesburg
• Clico Restaurant in Johannesburg
• Restaurant Bespokery in Johannesburg

Related content

10 foods you must try on your trip to South Africa

South African shopping malls

Shopping malls and markets in South Africa go beyond a place to shop and offer a full range of entertainment with a variety of entertainment and food courts. In the following guide to travel to South Africa, we have compiled a list of the best shopping centers in this country:

Canal Walk Cape Town MallCanal Walk Shopping Centre)

One of Africa’s largest malls and the largest mall in Cape Town, Canal Walk is home to over 400 stores offering a diverse mix of international and local brands. This shopping center offers a wide range of goods and brands to tourists.

• Working hours: from Monday to Sunday 09:00 AM to 09:00 PM
• Address: Century Blvd, Century City, Cape Town, 7446

Victoria Wharf shopping center Cape TownVictoria Wharf Shopping Centre)

Located in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, this beautiful mall offers the ideal shopping experience with views of the beach. A variety of famous international brands have branches in Victoria Wolf.

• Working hours: from Monday to Sunday 09:00 AM to 09:00 PM
• Address: 19 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001

Cape Quarter Shopping Center, Cape TownCape Quarter Lifestyle Village)

Cape Quarter Mall with its unique architecture offers a distinct atmosphere of trendy boutiques, galleries and restaurants. This complex has become famous more than anything else because of its attractive food courts and the presence of international brands.

• Working hours: from Monday to Saturday 09:00 am to 06:00 pm and Sundays from 10:00 am to 02:00 pm
• Address: 27 Somerset Rd, Green Point, Cape Town, 8005

Sandton City Mall, Johannesburg (Sandton City)

Sandton shopping center has more than 300 stores of international and local brands. This shopping center is located near Nelson Mandela Square and has all kinds of goods for sale.

• Working hours: from Monday to Thursday 09:00 am to 07:00 pm and from Friday to Sunday 09:00 am to 06:00 pm
• Address: 83 Rivonia Rd, Sandhurst, Sandton, 2196, South Africa

Eastgate Mall, JohannesburgEastgate Shopping Centre)

Located in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, Eastgate Mall offers the ideal shopping experience. This mall is famous for its presence of international brands, electronic and home appliance stores, as well as a variety of food courts and entertainment options.

• Working hours: from Monday to Sunday 09:00 AM to 07:00 PM
• Address: 43 Bradford Rd, Bedfordview, Germiston, 2008, South Africa

Mainline Park Pretoria Shopping Center (Menlyn Park Shopping Centre)

Menlyn Park, one of the largest shopping centers in Pretoria, has more than 500 stores. You will find everything from expensive brands to the latest gadgets in this collection, in addition to various restaurants and an IMAX movie theater, Menline Park shopping center has other facilities.

Read more: Introducing the best shopping malls in South Africa + photos

Accommodation and hotels in the travel guide to South Africa

With thousands of tourists throughout the year, South Africa has many accommodations and hotels. In the following travel guide to South Africa, we will get to know the best hotels in this country:

5-star Westin Cape Town HotelThe Westin Cape Town)

• 2 swimming pools
• Airport shuttle
• Non smoking rooms
• Spa and spa center
• Room service
• Fitness center
• Equipment for disabled people
• Tea/coffee making facilities in all residences
• Breakfast is very good

Address: Lower Long Street, Cape Town CBD, 8000 Le Cap, Afrique du Sud

5-star Sandtown Hotel, JohannesburgSandton Sun and Towers)

• outdoor pool
• Airport shuttle
• Non-smoking rooms
• Spa and spa center
• Room service
• Fitness center
• Equipment for disabled people
• Tea/coffee making facilities in all residences
• Breakfast is very good

Address: Corner Fifth and Alice Streets, Sandton, Sandton, 2146 Johannesbourg, Afrique du Sud

5-star Intercontinental Johannesburg Hotel (InterContinental Johannesburg)

• Indoor pool
• Non-smoking rooms
• Spa and spa center
• Room service
• Fitness center
• Equipment for disabled people
• parking lot
• Tea/coffee making facilities in all residences
• Excellent breakfast

Address: 68.7 meters from International Arrivals Hall, OR Tambo Airport, 1627 Kempton Park, Afrique du Sud

5-star Tibil Bay Cape Town HotelThe Table Bay Hotel)

• outdoor pool
• Airport shuttle
• Non-smoking rooms
• Spa and spa center
• Room service
• Fitness center
• Equipment for disabled people
• Tea/coffee making facilities in all residences
• Very good breakfast

Address: Quay 6, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, 8002 Le Cap, Afrique du Sud

De Palace Sun City HotelThe Palace of the Lost City at Sun City Resort)

• parking lot
• Free high-speed internet (Wi-Fi)
• Fitness center with gym
• swimming pool
• bar/lounge
• casino
• golf course
• Child care center

Address: Kingfisher Rd Sun City Resort, Sun City, Moses Kotane Local Municipality 0316 South Africa

South African souvenirs

South Africa’s charms are not only limited to jungle safaris and Cape Town and Johannesburg, but the handicrafts of this country are so diverse and colorful that they have been able to attract the attention of South African tourists. Since buying souvenirs is an integral part of every trip and, most importantly, has a long-standing link with tourism culture, you can take home a variety of handicrafts, special tea, and even African ostrich eggs as souvenirs from the land of gold and nature. In the article South African souvenirs We get to know more about the local products of this country.

• gold coin
• diamond
• Beadwork
• Zulu Shield
• Vuvuzela Trumpet
• African mask
• Ceramic dishes
• Leather goods
• Red rooibos tea

A few important points In the travel guide to South Africa

• To get a South African visa, fingerprinting is done and all applicants must be present at the embassy representative office (VFS) on the appointed day and time.
• It takes 10 to 15 working days to receive a South African visa.
• All documents must be translated into English.
• Tap water in South Africa is not potable. You can buy drinking water from stores.
• The driving direction in this country is from the left.
• In wildlife safaris, listen to the instructions of the tour guide and keep the necessary distance from the wild animals.

final word

South Africa is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Venk Star’s South Africa tours are organized as a VIP with a complete and detailed itinerary. You can contact our colleagues in the foreign tours unit to find out about the date of holding and booking the tour of South Africa.