South Africa

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. South Africa has a well-developed bus network and a good road system, so getting around in South Africa is fairly easy. However, the passenger trains in South Africa are relatively slow, so perhaps avoid relying on them as a transport option.

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our long stay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

South Africa sits at the southern end of the continent of Africa and covers 1,220,813 square kilometres. South Africa has more than 290 conservation parks, and is home to nearly 300 mammal species, 860 bird species and 8,000 plant species. Physical features vary across the country, from the deserts in the west, to the highveld in the centre, and the coastal plain of the north east.

Much of the country is semi-arid and dry. While temperatures can drop below freezing in areas of high altitude, most of the country only experiences mild cool temperatures in the winter months. Temperatures can be quite high during the summer, so be sure to prepare accordingly.

South Africa has 10 listed UNESCO World Heritage sites. You can view the official list here: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/za. Some notable sites include:

• Robben Island, the former maximum security prison of political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela
• iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which is made up of around 3,280 square kilometres and home to a diverse array of South African wildlife
• Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains, which comprise 40% of the Baberton Greenstone Belt, one of the world’s oldest geological structures.

South Africa holds numerous colourful festivals and events throughout the year. The Klein Karoo National Arts Festival brings together 100,00 art lovers for a week of dancing, music, cabaret, poetry and films, and features over 200 shows across 8 days. The Cape Town Minstrels Carnival is Cape Town’s showpiece celebration for the New Year, with numerous costumed parades and competitions taking place across the city. The Joy of Jazz festival in Johannesburg is one the biggest jazz festivals in the country, and is not to be missed by any music lovers.

• Long Walk to Freedom, by Nelson Mandela
• A History of South Africa, by Leonard Thompson
• Jock of the Bushveld, by Percy Fitzpatrick
• South Africa, by Derryn Campbell

Meat is an important part of the South African diet, with notable dishes including Boerewors (thick beef sausages), biltong (dried and spiced meat), and potjiekos (a stew made out of meat and mixed vegetables). One of South Africa’s most notable social traditions is to gather round for a braai, or barbecued meat. A communal way of having food, braai simply involves cooking meat on an open grill and sharing food with friends and family. South Africa’s multicultural influences shines through in dishes such as Cape Malay curry, and Bunny chow. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try a malva pudding or a milk tart. Beer is the ocuntry’s unofficial national drink, while many fine wines are produced in the country. For something non-alcoholic, why not try rooibos (redbush tea) or mageu.

In regional rural areas travel remains a positive experience for the tourist.

As of writing, smartraveller.gov.au advises a high degree of caution when travelling to South Africa particularly in the major metros. Crime is a significant problem in Urban South Africa, so pay attention to your personal security at all times.

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The standard voltage in South Africa is 230V, while the standard frequency is 50 Hz. South Africa uses the Type M electric plug, which has 3 pins in a T-shape. Be sure to have the right adapter with you before you travel.