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An update from Evaneos
South Africa

South Africa, Geography, Climate and Wildlife

Family of lions

The size of the country is one reason why a trip to South Africa is so appealing - its lush countryside is contrasting and changes from region to region. Neverending coastlines, immense plains, mountain ranges, deep canyons...its geographical diversity has something for all tastes. And its native wildlife is as varied as its landscape. Be it in the depths of the ocean or on dry land a holiday in South Africa will give you the chance to see amazing wildlife in a natural habitat; no zoos or sealife centres needed here!

Geography and climate

At the south of the continent, almost on the edge of the world, South Africa shares its border with numerous countries. Botswana, Lesotho (which is surrounded by the country) Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe are its neighbours. Its coasts meet both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. 1,500km long and 1,000km wide, this vast country is divided into three parts: the Haut Veld, the Bas Veld and the Kalahari Basin. Even if regions such as the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and the North West don't have as much to offer tourists, the entire Cape Province, Durban coast, Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo do - they are stunning areas.

The Drakensberg countryside

From chilly mountains that reach over 3,400m to scorching, white, sandy beaches, South Africa has a varied climate. The Cape has a Mediterranean climate, Durban is temperate subtropical and the stretch between Johannesburg and Mpumalanga is hot and dry. Indeed the country is so large its climate cannot be defined by one category. Remember that, being below the equator, the seasons are reversed compared to the northern European hemisphere. So, in South Africa you have a southern summer during the months of December, January and February.

Local wildlife

Whether it's on dry land or in the ocean, you can't come to South Africa without exploring its diverse wildlife.

Hermanus, for example, is one of the best Southern Right Whale watching spots in the world. What's more you can observe them from the coast. A bit further along, you've got Gansbaai, where you can experience awe mixed with terror as you cage dive with Great Whites.

Finally, South Africa has a large number of game parks. The Kruger National Parkis the best known of them all. Here you'll see cheetahs, hippos, giraffes, zebras, springboks, wildebeest as well as the legendary Big 5 - lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos and elephants.

David Debrincat
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