SOUTH AFRICA HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy 360° views of Cape Town with a cable car ride up
- Table Mountain.
- Sample award winning wines in the glorious Cape Winelands.
- Visit the Tsitsikamma Forest and South Africa’s biggest tree.
- Journey via ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, situated at the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon.
- Explore the mighty Drakensberg Mountain Range.
- Visit the Great St Lucia Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site.
- ‘Big Five’ game viewing in the Kruger National Park.
- View the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window.
- Explore the many wonderful shopping malls in the vibrant city of Johannesburg.
- Visit Soweto on a guided tour for an insight into this thriving township.
QUALITY, RANGE AND CARE . . .
Within this website we have included a substantial range of holiday packages to suit almost every taste. Whether luxury and personal service are key ingredients in your holiday, or back to basic camping safaris are your thing, organised group tours or go-it-alone self drives, battlefields or the ‘Big Five’, we’ve got the package to suit you. We have selected our hotel accommodation with care ensuring our packages offer you value-for-money within their respective categories.
SPOILT FOR CHOICE…
Our holiday suggestions showcase the absolute highlights of South Africa… but don’t just limit your selection to South Africa alone. As easy as it is to combine areas within South Africa, so too is it just as easy to combine countries in Africa. With plentiful and regular flights between all African countries, you are a mere few hours away from most major destinations. Certain areas may be more ‘inaccessible’, however in these instances the journey is half the thrill and the remoteness of the destination its charm.
ALWAYS CLOSE AT HAND…
With Thompsons offices located throughout South Africa and most of her neighbours; Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique and Mauritius, you can take heart that we are always close at hand to care for you whilst on holiday. In each country you will receive a warm welcome. With our staff and vehicles in all of these countries you are also assured of a quality product in every destination.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE…
You will find packages within our holiday categories that best describe what is on offer – City Stopovers in South Africa’s major centres, Coast and Country and Safari Getaways which take in gorgeous coastal and sleepy country villages, the most sought after private reserves as well as South Africa’s National Parks. In each of these packages we can either transfer you to your destination, escort you, or you can choose to go-it-alone on a self-drive basis, in which case we assist with vehicle hire and plenty of advice and off you go!
FLEXIBILITY…
And whilst our packages have a set duration, we’re highly flexible and you are welcome to extend your stay anywhere in Africa. You can also combine the areas that are of interest to you most by mixing and matching our packages to suit you best. Most of our packages depart daily, so you’re spoilt for choice!
ACCOMMODATION GRADES
- Standard: Accommodation is of a good quality with limited services.
- Deluxe: Accommodation, service and facilities are excellent.
- Superior Deluxe: Accommodation, service and facilities are outstanding.
- Boutique: A collection of B&B’s and Guest Houses offering exclusive accommodation and excellent service.
LOCATION
The Republic of South Africa lies at the southern tip of the African Continent, flanked by the Indian Ocean on the east coast and the Atlantic on the west, and bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland.
PROVINCES
South Africa is divided into nine provinces, Gauteng (Johannesburg), KwaZulu-Natal (Durban), Western Cape (Cape Town), Eastern Cape (Port Elizabeth), Northern Cape (Kimberley), the Free State (Bloemfontein), Mpumalanga (Kruger National Park), Limpopo Province (Polokwane) and North West Province (Sun City).
LANGUAGES
Eleven languages have official status. English, the language of administration, is widely spoken. Others are Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana and Venda. Most of the hospitality industry is versed in at least one other foreign language.
TIME ZONE -
Throughout the year, South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean (Universal Standard) Time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and seven hours ahead of USA’s Eastern Standard Winter Time. No daylight savings.
CLIMATE & SEASON
South Africa is generally sunny all year round. The Cape Coast has a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall. The KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga & Limpopo Provinces are sub-tropical. Elsewhere temperatures are moderate in the high interior plateau with summer rainfalls. Summer rains fall between November & March with a peak in December & January. Winter is May through to August.
CLOTHING
Usually informal, casual dress is sufficient, with smart casual wear for occasions where jacket and tie are required at restaurants, nightclubs or concerts. In summer light-weight clothing is sufficient, but even hot areas such as the Lowveld where game parks are situated, may experience chilly nights in summer and require at least a sweater or jacket. Most of the country, except the Western Cape, has summer rain. A compact umbrella or raincoat is useful. During the winter months warm clothing is needed, as temperatures can decrease dramatically.
SUN PROTECTION
Sunscreen lotions and sun hats are recommended at all times when participating in outdoor activities.
CURRENCY
The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR), divided into 100 cents. Bank notes are in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200. Coins are in values of 5c, 10c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5.
CREDIT CARDS
All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club) are accepted. Cash can be withdrawn at ATM’s which operate 24 hours a day in most cities.
WATER
South Africa is one of the few countries in the world where the tap water is extremely palatable and safe to drink.
MALARIA
Please consult your local GP prior to your arrival in South Africa with regards to Malaria Prophylactics. Malaria is endemic in the Lowveld (parts of the Limpopo Province and Mpumalanga) and northern KwaZulu-Natal. The risk is lower in winter, but precautions should be taken against being bitten by mosquitoes - use insect repellent, wear long-sleeve shirts and trousers at night and sleep under a mosquito net.
DRIVING
Any valid driver’s license is accepted in South Africa provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is in English. If your license does not comply, you should obtain an International Driving Permit before arrival into South Africa. Driving is on the left-hand side, speed limit is in kilometres, wearing seat belts is compulsory. Some South African highways and roads charge a toll fee. In the main centres many filling stations are open 24 hours a day - otherwise they are generally open from 07h00 to 19h00.
SAFETY TIPS
South Africa is basically a safe place for international tourists. Be observant - do not flaunt an expensive camera, jewellery or large amounts of cash. Deposit valuables in the hotel’s safe and do not leave your baggage or hotel guest keys unattended. Don’t stroll the streets after dark, use main entrances, lock your car doors, and keep the windows closed. Keep personal items and luggage in the trunk, plan your route in advance and use maps. Park in well-lit areas, and do not pick up strangers. There are criminals in South Africa (just like everywhere else) so take basic common sense precautions.
WILD ANIMALS
Look from a distance, respect their space, don’t feed them and you will be fine. Don’t walk in areas where there is big game, unless accompanied by a ranger.
TELEPHONES
The International code for South Africa is 27, preceded by the international prefix. When dialling from outside South Africa, omit the 0 at the beginning of the area code, but use it when dialling within the country. When in South Africa, you may need the following numbers: local directory enquiries dial 1023; international enquiries 0903 and emergency 10111.
ELECTRICITY
The electrical current in South Africa is 220 - 230 volts, AC (except Pretoria which is 250 volts AC and Port Elizabeth 200 - 250 volts), supplied through round three pin 15 amp plugs.
TIPPING
Tipping is not compulsory in South Africa but is appreciated. In restaurants it is usual to tip food and drink waiters 10 -15% of the bill for good service. Tipping on game drives is optional - a guideline is R50 per person per game drive.
VALUE ADDED TAX
A 14% value-added tax is added to the price of most items and services. You can claim VAT back on goods priced higher than R250 at the airport on departure. The original tax invoice, and VAT refund control sheet, your passport and goods are required for refund.
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