Vacation Rentals in South Africa

South Africa occupies the southern tip of Africa, its long coastline stretching more than 2500 km from the desert border with Namibia on the Atlantic coast southwards around the tip of Africa and then north to the border with subtropical Mozambique on the Indian Ocean. Along the coastline are sandy beaches and rocky coves, and the vegetation is shrublike. The mountainous regions which run along the coastline from the Cape of Good Hope to the Limpopo Valley in the northeast of the country are split into the Drakensberg, Nuweveldberg and Stormberg ranges. By far South Africa's biggest neighbor is the ocean - or two oceans, which meet at the southwestern corner. Its territory includes Marion and Prince Edward Islands, nearly 2000 km from Cape Town in the Atlantic Ocean. The legislative capital is Cape Town, the administrative capital is Pretoria, and the biggest city is Johannesburg. A good rail and road system links all major centers.

Summers in South Africa are known to be quite hot, especially in the southern coastal areas, while inland in the higher elevations, temperatures are moderate. Winters are generally mild countrywide, with some snow in the hills and mountains. Like its neighbours, South Africa seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere: Spring is September - October, Summer is November - March, Fall is April - May, and Winter is June - August.

South Africa is an all year destination so when you visit depends on what you intend and prefer to do. The best time for game viewing is in early spring (August to October). The southern right whales can be seen off our coasts from June to the end of October, and the humpback whales from August to December. Summer can be very hot, especially in the lowveld. Higher-altitude areas are pleasantly warm over summer, but the mountains are rain and mist prone. The north eastern regions can be very humid, but swimming on the east coast is a year-round option. Visit the Northern Cape in the Spring - the best time for wildflowers. Winters are mild except in the highest country, where there are frosts and occasional snowfalls. Holiday-makers stream out of the cities from mid December to late January and resorts and national parks are heavily booked during these times. If visiting South Africa at this time it is highly advisable that you book all your travel and South Africa holiday accommodation well in advance, to avoid disappointment.

When visiting South Africa, whether you are young or old, there's an adventure option within your fitness range that will add a lot of fun to your life. There are plenty to choose from and the choice is growing all the time. Intrepid, ultra-fit thrill-seekers opt for hair raising stunts such as bungy jumping, riding the rapids, diving with great white sharks, and leaping from the skies with parachutes strapped to their backs. Hikers follow adventure trails, climbers scale the mountain peaks, and anglers stand thigh-high in streams waiting for trout to snatch the fly.
Popular options for the less energetic include bird-watching, snorkeling and the ever popular hot air ballooning. South Africa's near perfect climate provides ideal conditions for ballooning, and it doesn't require the slightest exertion. All you do is climb aboard a basket, wait for lift off, relax and enjoy fabulous birds-eye views of the countryside. The wind, the pilot and the crew do all the work, and at the end of the flight, a celebratory glass of champagne and scrumptious brunch await you.
White water rafting can be either gentle or terrifying, depending on the river. Some, like the Doring in the Cape, are fast-flowing and steep. Others, including the Orange River, are calm and undemanding. You need to be reasonably fit for the really wild rivers, but most people who can swim can cope with gentle conditions. Thrills and occasional spills, tranquility, bird song, great scenery and good company provide the ideal ingredients for a memorable excursion.
For snorkeling - the easiest (and cheapest) way of exploring the rich marine life of the underwater world - all you need is a pair of fins, a snorkel and a face mask. The rest is up to you. Scuba diving is in a different league altogether, and you should be a fairly good swimmer before thinking of taking the plunge. You'll also need specialized gear and a knowledge of the physical effects and potential dangers of the "foreign" environment. A course takes a minimum of five days and includes theory and practice sessions.
You don't have to be an experienced rider to take part in a horseback safari, and in the saddle you'll probably get closer to game than you would on foot or in a vehicle. Novice riders quickly gain confidence, and those who've tried it say that the combination of riding and game-viewing is irresistible.

South Africans have been referred to as the 'rainbow nation', a title which illuminates the country's cultural diversity. The population of South Africa is one of the most complex and diverse in the world. Of the 45 million South Africans, nearly 31 million are Black, 5 million White, 3 million Colored (a term used peoples of mixed African, Asian and white descent) and 1 million Indian. Handshaking is the usual form of greeting. Normal courtesies should be shown when visiting someone’s home. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Formal social functions often call for a dinner jacket and black tie for men and full-length dresses for women; this will be specified on the invitation. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings and on public transport.

Rainbow Cuisine defines the food style in South Africa. It's a term that reflects the cultural depth, creative spectrum, and spiritual unity of a diverse people. With 40 million inhabitants speaking 11 different languages, the country offers a fascinating potpourri of fresh, delectable, eclectic fare. The food depicts a blend of many cultural societies - European, Asian and African - with a tantalizing table that has evolved over centuries. It showcases the varied, European food traditions of the Italian, Portuguese, Greek, English, French, and Dutch. It presents the fruity sweet, and sweet-sour tastes of the Malay, a people from the East Indies who came to the Cape as slaves by the Dutch colonials. It includes the spicy curries from India and China. And it encompasses the indigenous fare of the African tribes. Alongside, the superb wines complement the special dishes.
The country grows virtually everything it needs. The Western Cape has an abundance of fruits, grains, and grapes. The Eastern Transvaal supplies tea and subtropical fruits - lush mangoes, bananas, and papayas. Natal produces sugarcane and avocado. Excellent lamb comes from the Karoo along with low-cholesterol game meats such as venison, ostrich, and impala, come from wild herds or from farming. Seafood is regional, ultra-fresh, and plentiful - crayfish, prawns, tuna, mussels, oysters, mackerel, and snock are caught in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Rock lobsters populate the bays near Cape Town, although poaching is decreasing the surplus.
Most Western Cape restaurants of note feature French or international dishes prepared from local ingredients. Yet, the diverse, European food traditions have bestowed a vast range of cooking styles and they borrow spices and seasonings from other lands.
Among the Malay, a renowned dish is bobotie, a custard-topped minced meat pie seasoned with onion, curry, and fruit chutney. Other dishes include pickled fish; sosaties, curry-marinated pork or lamb kebabs; and bredie, a meat or fish stew with vegetables and chilies.
The Indians introduced their curries. The Afrikaaners have their succulent potjies, or stews of maize with tomato and onion sauce or rice, and braais of grilled seafood and meat. The Dutch contributed their fried cruller, or koek sister, and milk pies. These classic ethnic dishes are often intertwined in a continental-style menu.
The French Huguenots, who fled from France in the 17th century with grapevines, were key to launching South Africa's wine industry. Now the heart of the vineyards is around Paarl in lush beautiful country. Stellar wines are awaiting discovery at about one-third the prices of comparable California wines. Pinotage is a strictly South African hybrid varietal with a luscious full bouquet. A Hermitage crossed with Pinot Noir, it was developed in the thirties to provide the elegance of Pinot Noir in a vine that can take heat.

Entry permits are issued free on arrival to visitors on holiday from many Commonwealth and most western European countries, as well as Japan and the USA. If you aren't entitled to an entry permit, you'll need to get a visa (also free) before you arrive.