The country is famous for its Table Mountain, Kruger National Park, Cape Town, among other interest things. Tremendously rich in minerals and mines, South Africa is considered a leader in the world with almost 90 percent of all the platinum metals on planet earth and about 41 percent of all the gold in the world.

Contrary to the beliefs of some outsiders, South Africa is not devastatingly poor with an unstable government. Although some rural parts of South Africa remain among the poorest and the least developed parts of the world and poverty in certain areas is common. The government is stable, although corruption has become prevalent in certain areas.

A trip to Africa offers the classic African scenery and creatures, along with some of the world`s most luxurious private game reserves and lodges. Wildlife lovers come here from all corners of the earth in search of the `Big Five` – lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino, and elephant.

Dragon-backed mountain ranges, Coral reefs, shark dives, white-water rafting, and stunning golden-sand beaches are just some of South Africa`s many attractions. Traveling around this vast country and exploring the lively cities, visitors can discover the nation`s tumultuous history: in Cape Town, one of the world`s most beautiful cities; in Johannesburg, the city of gold offers an energetic cosmopolitan vibe; The `Friendly City` of Port Elizabeth sits along the picturesque coastline on Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape of South Africa; the subtropical lush Hazyview is a great base to explore safari expeditions and the gateway to the magnificent Kruger National Park; and the charming town of Franschhoek is known as the `Valley of Vines` layered with acres of centuries-old vineyards.

We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.

South Africa`s excellent infrastructure and popularity as a travel destination make it easy to navigate. The country`s most iconic spots — Kruger National Park and the city of Cape Town — are more than 1,100 miles apart, so if your visit includes these two destinations, you should expect to make at least one long-distance trip (a 2.5-hour flight or 20-hour drive). Flights, trains and buses are all viable options, with varying price points and travel times.By Plane: With 15 regional airports around South Africa, internal flights is a great option, though prices can run high. Most in-country routes are operated by SAA or its affiliates. If you book in advance, you can often times find deals, particularly from Joburg to Cape Town.By Car: The roads in South Africa are clearly marked and well-maintained, which allows to be relatively easy. Renting a car is a great way to get around, giving you the greatest flexibility, including the ability to visit wildlife reserves and national parks without joining a tour.Driving is on the right side of the road, making it somewhat challenging for American drivers. Local drivers can also be very aggressive, so stay alert. For example, if you see a car from the opposite direction overtaking another vehicle, you are expected to go into the shoulder lane to allow them to pass. The driver will flash a quick `thank you` with his or her high beams. On highways, be wary of pedestrians walking on the road, and in rural areas watch for animals.Most major rental companies (including Hertz, Europcar and Budget) are found in South Africa. They`ll often let you pick up and drop off at different locations, even in different countries, for an extra cost. Most rental cars have manual transmission. If you can only drive automatic, you`ll likely pay more for the privilege. Regardless of your plans, booking in advance will almost always give you better rates and more options.By Train: Often the slowest transportation option, trains in South Africa are less expensive than flights and offer more comfort than buses. For those who have the time, they`re also a wonderful way to experience the country`s vast openness.Shosholoza Meyl Railways provides service between the country`s major cities. In tourist class, sleeper accommodations are for two to four people with bathrooms and showers shared by each car.By Bus: All but the most rural parts of the country can be reached by bus using one of the three main companies: Intercape, Greyhound and Translux. Buses in South Africa are affordable and safe, and they usually have air conditioning and an onboard toilet. Note that Intercape “promotes the Christian faith” on its buses, which may involve a prayer at the start of the journey, as well as Christian music and religious movies.Tickets can be bought directly through each company or from the national booking agency Computicket.

The official units of currency in South Africa are the Rand (R or ZAR), one Rand is made up of 100 cents. US dollars are not accepted; make sure to exchange your dollars for Rand before or upon entering South Africa.

South Africa charges a VAT (value added tax) of 14% on goods and services. Vistors can reclaim VAT on their purchases of more than R250, this process is handled at the VAT refund offices at the Cape Town International Airport. You will need your original tax invoice/receipt and your passport. Visit www.taxrefunds.co.za for more information.

The official languages spoken in South Africa are English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa. English is widely spoken in most of the service industries including hotels, restaurants, shops, and transportation. We recommend you get a good English – South African guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me and numbers 1 – 10.

South Africa’s vast size and Southern Hemisphere location mean summers align with our winters, and vice versa. Highlights include wildlife viewing in parks like Kruger from May to September, prime whale watching from July to November, birdwatching in November to February, and a vibrant bloom of flowers in August. Temperatures range from 80-90°F in Cape Town during summer, 69-77°F in winter, while Botswana has highs of 91°F in January and lows of 38°F in June. Victoria Falls experiences around 90°F in October and November and 60°F in June and July.

Tipping in South Africa is a common practice; the country runs on tourism with many workers in the service and hospitality industry. Most of the time employees do not earn a large salary and most of them rely heavily on tips in order to support their families. Tipping in South Africa, even if it is only a small amount shows your appreciation for the service received. Tipping is determined by the type of experience and service you received and the amount is up to your discretion.

The following guide gives you an idea of general amounts tipped in certain industries, you can always tip higher if you receive outstanding or lower if your expectations were not met.

Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use South African Rand?

The official units of currency in South Africa are the Rand (R or ZAR), one Rand is made up of 100 cents. US dollars are not accepted; make sure to exchange your dollars for Rand before or upon entering South Africa. ATMs can be found all over the city and most banks are open from 9 am until 3:30 pm during the week and from 9 am to 11 am on Saturdays.

Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?

Restaurant employees earn the minimum wage in South Africa, which does not add up to much; therefore they rely on their tips to make a living. Leaving a tip of 10 – 20% of your total bill is pretty standard in the restaurant industry. Be sure to check your bill as there may already be a service charge of up to 10% already included, this occurs automatically with parties of six or more. It is not necessary to tip anything above the service charge included.

Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?

Hotel Staff in South Africa usually receives part of a total tip which is distributed among staff members, when the hotel automatically adds the standard 10% on top of your total bill. If you wish to tip a specific staff member you should give this amount to the staff member personally or leave it in a marked envelope.

Generally, in hotels, the porters will receive R20 – R100 per bag. Housekeeping R20 – R50 per day.

Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?

A standard taxi driver in South Africa will appreciate any gratuity that you leave after your journey. You can round up to the nearest R10 – R20 or 10% of the total fare. Minivan taxis in South Africa do not receive tips.

Tour Guides: Is a tip required?

There are plenty of tour operators in South Africa and it is good etiquette to tip these individuals. Leaving a tip for the tour guide as well as a driver at the end of your tour is recommended, anything from R100 – R200 per person per day is a good example to follow and 10% of the total cost of the tour to the driver.

Miscellaneous:

Is there anyone I should tip that I would not normally?

Petrol attendants: In South Africa petrol/gas stations have attendants that fill up your tank, clean your windscreen, check your fluids and take your payment. Tipping these attendants is up to you, but generally, people leave R2 – R5 for their friendly and helpful services.

Car guards: Expect to find car guards anywhere you park in South Africa. These guards will assist you in parking and watch over your car in exchange for a tip, use your discretion when dealing with car guards as they are required to wear a reflective bright colored vest indicating they are employed by the city (many are not). You can leave anywhere from R2 – R5 for valid attendants.

Spas: Tipping at a spa in South Africa is not common practice, but you can always use your discretion and if tipping is allowed you can leave anywhere from 10 – 15% of your total bill.

Final Thoughts:

Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. This is also true for hotel staff, however, if you should encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager.

When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.