Area : 1219912 sq km
Population : approx 47 million people
Capital city : Pretoria
Time : GMT + 2
Currency : Rand
Electricity : 220/230V
For many people the overriding images of South Africa are Table Mountain rising high above Cape Town and the magnificent animals for which the African continent is so renowned. Combine this with a tremendous display of birdlife, and the idea of a trip to this fabulous country becomes irresistible.
Visit the south west of South Africa, starting in Cape Town. You can look for some of the beautifully coloured sunbirds as well as the strangely named and even more exotic Sugarbird, plus many more species found in the Cape. Visit the world famous Kirstenbosch Gardens, taking the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain
The clear blue oceans are temporary home to Humpbacked Whales that bring their young into these shallow warm waters during the summer months. Take the opportunity to watch these magnificent beasts and maybe some other species of cetaceans around the coast and also take a pelagic trip to look for the albatross, petrels and other seabirds that will be soon flying back to their breeding grounds away to the south.
If your heading east, visit the three national parks. Tanqua Karoo is a relatively new conservation area. There is also Grootvadersbosch where the emphasis will be on forest birding, this being the most noteworth indigenous forest in the Southern Cape. De Hoop Nature Reserve is situated in the surrounding farmland and offers myriad larks and shrikes as well s the enigmatic Secretarybird and graceful Blue Crane. At the world-famous Kruger National Park you can try find the "the big five" – Lion, Water Buffalo, Leopard, Elephant and Rhino - as well as enjoying the birdlife in the park and the whole unforgettable
The magnificent scenery and unique, highly colourful flora of these parts of South Africa, combined with some spectacular bird and animal life, will make this a holiday to remember: and that is without mentioning the shopping, the ‘summer’ sunshine, the food and, of course, the wine.
Map of South Africa
