South Africa: Country Profile

On the whole South Africa is a dry country with a mean annual rainfall of 20 inches (502 mms). Rains fall during the summer, except in the western Cape which has a Mediterranean-type climate with dry summers and cold wet winters. Rainfalls are higher in the east (about 40 inches or 1,000mms annually) whilst the west receives a quarter or less of that.

Entry: Visas are not required for nationals of the UK, EC countries and USA. You could be asked to show a return ticket and prove 'sufficient funds' for your holiday.

General: Good airline, road and rail links cover the country and car hire is easy. Health facilities are excellent, but expensive. There is a very wide selection of accommodation available. This ranges from five star hotels, through luxury guest houses, lodges, safari camps, self-catering facilities, bed and breakfast inns to youth and backpacker hostels.

Dining and entertaining facilities are varied and excellent. You can find all types of national cuisine, eastern and western. Traditional South African, Halaal and Kosher food are widely available.

Activities and Special Interests: Adventure addicts will find plenty to do. There are several locations for bungee jumping and paragliding; white water rafting takes place on the Orange river; horse riding and mountain-biking are popular, and there are superb hiking and rambling locations, particularly in the Drakensberg mountains; the sea allows for excellent surfing and rewarding scuba diving, and there are some of Africa's finest golf courses.

Most special interests are catered for: South Africa boasts over 700 species of birds; it has some excellent rock art sites; several steam train operations; superb land-based whale-watching is possible on the Cape Coast; and the wild flowers of the Namaqualand (Western Cape) are extraordinary. Sport is widely played throughout South Africa, and so there is usually something to watch.