Jonathan Butler Safari About South Africa

About Jonathan's South Africa

QUICK FACTS

Full name: Republic of South Africa
Population: 50.5 million (UN, 2010)
Capitals: Pretoria (executive capital); Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital)
Largest city: Johannesburg
Area: 1.22 million sq km (470,693 sq miles)
Major languages: 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, Setswana, Xhosa and Zulu
Major religion: Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs
Life expectancy: 52 years (men), 54 years (women)
Monetary unit: 1 Rand = 100 cents
Main exports: Gold, diamonds, metals and minerals, cars, machinery
International dialling code: +27

Geography

South Africa at the southern tip of Africa bordered by the Atlantic Ocean of the West and Indian Ocean on the east. read more...

Society

Diverse cultural back- grounds and origins, speaking eleven official languages, all coexist in South Africa. read more...

History

European settlement in South Africa started in Cape Town, which is why it is still called the Mother City to this day. read more...

Every country in the world displays some diversity, but South Africa, stretching from the hippos in the Limpopo River to the penguins waddling on the Cape, takes some beating. It befits its position at the southern end of the world’s most epic continent, with more types of terrain than photographers can shake their zoom lens at. There’s the iconic Table Mountain and Cape Point, Private Lodge and National Park’s wildlife-stalked savannah. The epicurean delights abound with sizzling Cape Malay dishes, or a braai (barbecue) in the wilderness – accompanied by a bottle of a fine wine produced by the oldest wine industry outside Europe.

Of course, it's impossible for travelers to South Africa to remain oblivious to the fact that, despite the rise of the middle-class black population, racial inequality persists here. Black and colored townships face problems such as a horrific HIV/AIDS rate and xenophobic tensions caused by economic refugees from nearby countries.

Nonetheless, South Africans are some of the most upbeat, welcoming and humorous folk you’ll encounter anywhere, from farmers in the rural north who tell you to drive safely on those dirt roads, to township Khayelitsha kids who wish you molo (‘good morning’ in Xhosa). Another point of unity in the diverse country is that, in malls and minibus taxis, bush pubs and shebeens, two popular topics of conversation are still the 2010 FIFA World Cup and recent political upheavals. As it turned out hosting football's mightiest tournament was as great a moment for South Africa as were its Rugby World Cup triumphs in 1995 and 2007.

Travel Alert: As with any large city or country anywhere in the world one has to be vigilant when traveling. No less in South Africa. Health & safety section for details.

United States Consular Information and Advisory for Travelers to South Africa.

Weather

Late October to early November will see us there at the start of the South African summer.

Over much of South Africa, we should enjoy sunny weather – often with afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly.

The Western Cape, with its Mediterranean climate will be the exception where it rains mostly during winter.

Cape Town Temp Range
Hi 73F Low 60F

On Safari Temp Range
Hi 84F Low 66F

Southern Africa remains Ebola-Free

As Ebola continues to dominate headlines around the world, all stakeholders within the travel industry are dealing with the concerns of the traveling public.

Understandably, there is an on-going call for information that might assist people in making informed decisions when traveling and as per the latest press statements issued by the South African department of Health as well as other supporting stakeholders, South Africa is business as usual.

There remain no suspected or confirmed cases of the Ebola virus disease in South Africa or any of its neighboring countries, and the country is fully prepared for any outbreak, should it occur.

According to the Head of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), Lucille Blumberg, South Africa has no Ebola in the country, "The chances of an outbreak [in South Africa] are very small. The virus is not easily transmitted and those traveling to affected areas would not necessarily contract the virus. You need direct contact with an individual infected. You cannot get it from the air," says Blumberg.

The Ebola infection has been recorded in the West African countries of Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria, as well as in Spain and the United States. There have been no reported deaths in Senegal or Spain.

The disease remains largely confined to the small West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, with Liberia the hardest hit. Globally, according to the World Health Organization, there were 9 216 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain and the United States up to the end of 14 October.

South Africa is prepared

South Africa have recently imposed a total travel ban for all non-citizens traveling to the country from the worst-hit West African nations to limit the spread of Ebola, unless the travel is considered absolutely essential. This ban continues to be strictly enforced.
The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed that it continues to work closely with the Department of Health and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) in monitoring health risks posed by the outbreak of Ebola. The safety of passengers, and the country in this instance, remains a priority for ACSA.

The company’s international airports are working with health officials to make sure that the correct measures are taken to effectively protect South African airports and airport users.

The Department of Health has qualified and trained resources who operate from the airports, and are responsible for screening processes for Ebola and other communicable diseases. The Health Department announced in October their plans for dealing with the disease, should it ever land in South Africa. “We have identified 11 hospitals around the country to deal with patients who could be affected by Ebola,” Department spokesperson Joe Maila announced. The hospitals are all equipped with the necessary isolation facilities and protective clothing.