Modern architecture, delicious wine, diverse nature, luxurious hotels and wonderful safaris are the features that perfectly define South Africa. There is a mixture of Black Africa with a touch of European and Asian influences. No other country in Africa has such a diverse combination of primeval nature or highly developed infrastructure as in the south.

Climate in South Africa

Due to the large area, there are clearly two climatic zones. In the south, it is subtropical humid with a dry season from October to March and a wet season from April to September, when moderate to not very heavy rainfall may occur. The western areas of the country, where the Kruger National Park is located, have a dry tropical climate, which means that a luxury safari trip will be a success all year round.

When to fly to South Africa?

There's no bad time to take a trip to South Africa. Any time is a good time to travel due to the mild weather conditions in this country. This is due to two distinct climatic zones characterized by constant temperature and little rainfall. We can fly to Cape Town almost every month, only from June to August we can expect slightly more rainfall, but on the other hand, it is an ideal time to discover wonderful nature and track down Africa's Big Five in national parks.

What is worth seeing during a trip to South Africa?

It is undoubtedly worth starting your journey from one of the most modern cities Capetown. It is considered to be the most beautiful and diverse metropolis. The expressive colors of the facades of tenement houses on Bo-Kaap, the bustling Victoria and Alfred Embankment with the most luxurious hotels: The Silo, One & Only Cape Town or Cape Grace with a wonderful view of Table Mountain.

Cape ending national park Cape of Good Hope it is known for its tiny and charming bays with sandy beaches where thousands of penguins lounge. Boulders beach is particularly recommended, as it is frequently inhabited by these flightless birds. First of all, it is also worth mentioning the picturesque Chapmans Peak mountain road, which delights with landscapes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. At the very tip of the peninsula, called Cape Point, there is an old lighthouse that once showed sailors the way to land.

Stellenbosch and in Franchhoek, which are charming and picturesque towns near Cape Town. This is where some of the most famous vineyards and exclusive hotels are located, where we can taste selected wines and taste delicious dishes from the best culinary virtuosos. In Mont Rochelle, which belongs to Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Limited Edition, and in The Residence hotel you will find sublime luxury, a wonderful atmosphere and wonderful views of the mountains

There are few places in the world where we can observe whales. Surroundings Hermanus – a town about 1,5 hours away from Kaszpad is the best place in the world to see right whales, orcas, and eight species of baleen whales. Between June and November you can see them coming up for air. There will also be top-class hotels here, too CARTER® especially recommends the Birkenhead House hotel, which is part of The Royal Portfolio group, as well as The Silo and the Residence.

Famous national parks and private reserves guarantee exciting confrontations with fauna and flora. Anyone who is thinking about an African safari dreams of seeing Africa's Big Five, i.e. an elephant, a lion, a rhinoceros, a buffalo and a leopard, during their first trip.

The most famous and largest park is undoubtedly Kruger National Park located right next to the country's eastern border, bordering with Mozambique. It is distinguished by the richness of large animal species - approximately 1500 lions, 900 leopards, approximately 13 elephants, 000 white rhinos and, to a small extent, black rhinos, of which only 1500 were counted. Due to the deep protection of animals, this number is constantly growing, which also contributes to saving the small population of wild boars and sabre-horned antelope, which can still be seen here.

The huge wealth of animals also brings about quite increased tourism. However, the office CARTER® knows perfectly well where to go on safari in the company of crowds, but only of wild animals. These are private reserves, among others. Sabi Sabi Game Reserve where, in addition to beautiful nature and abundant game, there are discreetly located luxury lodges that offer African safaris at the highest level, including: Singita Boulders, Singita Ebony, Londolozi, Ulusaba owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Limited Edition.

Off the beaten track

In the northern areas of South Africa there are also national parks and private reserves bordering with Botswana. They are characterized by the absence of the so-called malaria Malaria Free Zone, and this makes the safari also safe. You do not have to worry about additional vaccines or taking antimalarial drugs that strongly interfere with the body. Marakele National Park and the private nature reserves of Makalali and Madikwe offer biodiversity, wonderful landscapes and, above all, an abundance of animals, due to the numerous representatives of the Big Five. These are also perfect areas for ornithology enthusiasts and luxury safaris.

Exclusive travels

This paragraph must include information about: Rovos Rail – the most luxurious train traveling through the Dark Continent. The pride of Africa, as it is also called, invites you for both 2-day and 2-week trips from Cape Town to Dar-es Salaam in Tanzania passing Zimbabwe, Zambia along with Victoria Falls to Tanzania.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

How to get from Poland to South Africa?

Despite the long journey, the network of connections is exceptionally rich. European airlines such as: Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Qatar Airways, British Airways and, of course, the well-known Emirates airline, which in 2020 signed with the Airlink airline, and this will mean that there will be an increasing number of destinations to which we can freely reach. So why not take advantage of it? Johannesburg and Cape Town are the two main cities we can ask our advisor about CARTER® organizing your trip.

Currency

The currency in South Africa is the Rand (ZAR), which is divided into 100 cents. 100 ZAR = 6,20 USD. In most hotels and cities you can pay by card, but it is worth bringing cash.

Electricity

The standard electrical voltage in South Africa is 220/230 V. Only three-pin sockets are used (such as British ones), so it is worth purchasing the so-called adapter.

Travel documents and passport requirements for traveling to South Africa

Polish citizens are required to have a passport valid at least 6 months from the date of return. There are no visas for Poles when traveling for up to 30 days. It is worth knowing that when traveling with children, it is necessary to present the original birth certificate or a notarially certified one (in English). If a child is traveling with one of the parents or grandparents, then you will also need notarial consent (in English) from the parents for their child's travel.

Health and vaccinations before traveling to South Africa

There are no mandatory vaccinations when traveling to South Africa, however, for your own protection and taking into account your next travel plans to the Dark Continent, it is worth using them as part of prevention:

– yellow fever – recommended, but not obligatory (only when traveling from high-risk countries, having this vaccine is mandatory);

– tetanus, typhoid fever, cholera, hepatitis A and B – the vaccine will protect against infections from contact with the ground, contaminated water or food;

– you should take your personal medications with you if you take them on a regular basis

– it is also worth taking mosquito repellents with you