Trip to south africa

If you've never visited the African continent before, a trip to South Africa can be a great way to see the wonders of Africa. There, beautiful landscapes, impressive animals and a most interesting culture await the traveler.

South Africa is a distant country whose stay should be planned in advance with some basic safety tips in mind. Here's everything you need to know for a trip to South Africa.

What is the best time to travel to South Africa?

Any time of the year is suitable to visit the country because being located in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite to those of Europe.

• Spring in South Africa spans the months of September to November and temperatures rise during the day. It is a season that allows us to see landscapes full of flowers like those of the West Coast National Park, about 90 kilometers from Cape Town.
• Summer is hot and humid and thunderstorms can occur. It runs from December to March and it is a good time to continue enjoying nature and the possibilities that the coast offers.
• Autumn takes place from April to May and the days are sunny and the nights warm, which invites you to stroll and do outdoor activities.
• Lastly, the winter in South Africa is dry and not very cold. It is the best time to enjoy the fauna and covers the months of June to September. It is also a good time for outdoor sports and other plans.

What to see in South Africa?

Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and is considered the financial and economic capital of the country, as well as being one of the richest and most multicultural.

The most recent history of South Africa is linked to Apartheid. Many films have been made and many books have been written about it, but there is nothing like a visit to the Apartheid Museum or the Soweto neighborhood (a black majority district where this community was concentrated during the regime and in which Nelson once lived. Mandela and Desmond Tutu) to learn about this chapter in human history first-hand. In fact, you can visit Nelson Mandela's house or the Regina Mundi church, where remains of the independence struggles can still be seen.

Today Soweto is a tourist area full of bars, shops and hotels. However, there are areas that should be visited accompanied by a local or directly avoided.

Other interesting places to visit in Johannesburg are the Nelson Mandela Square (with a statue of more than six meters), the Soccer City stadium (where Spain won the 2010 World Cup) or the Carlton Center Office Tower (the tallest skyscraper in Africa with fifty floors and 223 meters high with the best views of Johannesburg).

Cape

It is reputed to be one of the most vibrant city in South Africa. The miscegenation resulted in a city full of contrasts, located in an astonishing natural environment. In addition, the city falls in love with its pleasant climate all year round, its white sand beaches, its delicious wine culture and its varied cuisine.

Some of the most interesting plans to do during a visit to Cape Town are an excursion to Table Mountain, a flat-topped mountain that is the emblem of the city. In its different viewpoints you can take the best photos of Cape Town, the sunset or the sea during a walk or a picnic.

After a visit to Table Mountain you can go to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Another of the places to visit in this town is the Malay neighborhood of Bo-Kaap, with the facades of its houses painted in bright colors.

Be sure to stroll along bustling Long Street with its beautiful Victorian buildings or along the Victorian Waterfront. Another recommended visit in Cape Town is Robben Island, the island on which Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.

Kruger National Park

This is the most important game reserve in South Africa and the best national park in the country to go on safari and spot the so-called Big Five of wild nature (the lion, the leopard, the black rhinoceros, the elephant and the buffalo).

When it comes to safari, try to keep quiet when animals are present to prevent them from getting scared and running away. Wear comfortable clothes and colors that don't attract attention like brown or green. Protect yourself from the sun, drink water and use insect repellent.

Cape of Good Hope

South of the African continent, at the tip of South Africa, is the Cape of Good Hope, one of the most special places in the world for its unique atmosphere.

Here you can find white sand beaches and even ostriches or penguins. If your trip to South Africa takes place between June and November, it can be an unforgettable experience to visit Hermanus (the city of whales) and Gaansbai (home of the great white shark). From this city there are boats for divers who enjoy the sharks locked in a cage.

Do I need a visa?

You will not need to obtain a visa if the purpose of the trip to South Africa is tourism and you are not going to stay in the country for more than 90 days. However, the traveler must have a valid passport before traveling to South Africa and must meet two requirements: an expiration date of at least 30 days after the date of departure from the country and have two blank pages.

Vaccinations to travel to South Africa

It is not required to present a vaccination certificate to enter the country from Spain, although there are some recommended vaccines such as Hepatitis A and B, tetanus or typhoid fever.