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South Africa (Central)
This quiet heartland is a vast area of dry landscapes and wide open skies. You can take a peaceful road trip through the semi-desert and enjoy incredible nighttime stargazing.
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Summary
Did you know?
Diamond Capital – Kimberley features the "Big Hole," a massive hand-dug crater created by thousands of miners digging for diamonds with pickaxes.
Overview
Months
April, August, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, September
Vacation type
Safari
Expenses
0-50€, <150€, <200€, <100€, Over 200€
Temperature
10-20°C, 20-25°C
Rainfall
0-50mm, 50-100mm
Safety
Medium, Dangerous
Continent
Africa
Currency
South African rand
Languages
Afrikaans, English, Ndebele
Currency Converter
When to visit
The best time to travel to central South Africa is during the transition months of spring (September to October) and autumn (April to May). During these months, the weather is mild, avoiding both the intense summer thunderstorms and the freezing winter frosts.
Summer (November to March) is the rainy season. The Highveld and Drakensberg experience spectacular, intense afternoon thunderstorms almost daily, turning the landscape incredibly green but sometimes causing flash floods in the mountains.
Winter (June to August) is extremely dry and sunny, but temperatures drop below freezing at night, with heavy snow occasionally falling over the high peaks of the Drakensberg and Golden Gate Highlands.
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Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season: September to October (Spring) / April to May (Autumn)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 8 to 10 hours.
Rain Frequency: 4 to 7 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 1 to 2 hours.
Intensity: Light to moderate afternoon showers.
Duration: Quick passing clouds leaving pleasant, warm days and cool evenings.
Off-Peak Season: June to August (Winter) / December to February (Summer)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 9 to 10 hours (Winter) / 6 to 8 hours (Summer).
Rain Frequency: 0 to 2 days per month (Winter) / 12 to 18 days per month (Summer).
Rainy Hours per Day: 0 hours (Winter) / 2 to 4 hours (Summer).
Intensity: Intense lightning and torrential thunderstorms in summer; completely dry and frosty in winter.
Duration: Summer storms build up in the afternoon heat and crash violently before clearing. Winter is continuously dry but bitterly cold at night.
Climate Chart
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Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: September-October / April-May
Budget Vacation ($35-65/day)
Accommodation: $15-25/night (backpacker hostels in Johannesburg, unpowered camping in the Drakensberg).
Food: $10-15/day (local supermarkets, fast food like boerewors rolls, street markets).
Activities: $5-10/day (hiking permits for the Drakensberg, exploring city parks).
Transportation: $5-15/day (Gautrain within Joburg/Pretoria, shared fuel).
Other Costs: $3/day (bottled water).
Mid-Range Vacation ($100-200/day)
Accommodation: $60-120/night (comfortable bed and breakfasts in Clarens, modern city hotels).
Food: $20-40/day (local steakhouses, craft breweries, casual bistros).
Activities: $15-30/day (Apartheid Museum entry, guided walking tours, cable car at Hartbeespoort).
Transportation: $25-45/day (standard rental car, regular Uber rides).
Other Costs: $10/day (coffee, toll fees).
Luxury Vacation ($400-900+/day)
Accommodation: $250-600+/night (5-star boutique hotels in Sandton, luxury mountain resorts in the Drakensberg).
Food: $70-150/day (fine dining tasting menus, premium wine pairings).
Activities: $50-150+/day (hot air ballooning over the Magaliesberg, private guided battlefield tours).
Transportation: $60-120/day (premium SUV rental, private airport transfers).
Other Costs: $30+/day (spa treatments, boutique shopping).
Off-Peak Season: June-August (Winter) / December-February (Summer)
Budget Vacation ($30-55/day)
Accommodation: $12-22/night (discounted hostel beds, off-season campsites).
Food: $10-15/day (local bakeries, warm winter pub meals).
Activities: $5-10/day (indoor galleries, walking trails).
Transportation: $10-15/day (Gautrain, discounted rentals).
Other Costs: $5/day (rain gear or warm beanies).
Mid-Range Vacation ($80-160/day)
Accommodation: $50-95/night (discounted guesthouses with fireplaces).
Food: $15-30/day (indoor cafes, hearty local restaurants).
Activities: $15-30/day (indoor museum visits, indoor climbing).
Transportation: $20-40/day (rental car).
Other Costs: $8/day (warm layers).
Luxury Vacation ($300-700+/day)
Accommodation: $200-450+/night (luxury mountain resorts at low-season rates).
Food: $60-120/day (exclusive indoor dining experiences).
Activities: $50-120/day (spa days, private museum tours).
Transportation: $50-100/day (private transfers).
Other Costs: $20/day (artisanal crafts).
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You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Johannesburg
- The economic powerhouse of Africa, known as the "City of Gold." It is a massive, fast-paced metropolis famous for urban regeneration districts like Maboneng and deep, complex history.
2. Pretoria
- The administrative capital of South Africa, famous for its historic union buildings, massive monuments, and streets lined with blooming purple Jacaranda trees in spring.
3. Bloemfontein
- The judicial capital of the country and the heart of the Free State, known as the "City of Roses" due to its abundance of flowers and relaxed, historic atmosphere.
4. Clarens
- A charming, artistic village nestled in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, heavily packed with art galleries, craft breweries, and sandstone architecture.
5. Dundee
- A quiet town in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands that serves as the central hub for exploring the historic, bloody battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer wars.
Johannesburg
Did you know?
Meteorite Scar – Vredefort Dome is the site of the largest and oldest known meteorite impact crater on Earth, spanning over 180 miles wide.
Islands
There are no good islands to visit in this inland highveld and mountain region.
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Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Pretoria
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Golden Gate Highlands National Park
- Renowned for its spectacular, towering sandstone cliffs that glow bright orange and gold in the setting sun, surrounded by rolling highland grasslands.
2. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
- A massive, UNESCO-listed mountain range featuring towering basalt peaks, deep river valleys, cascading waterfalls, and the massive rock amphitheater.
3. Magaliesberg
- One of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, located just outside Pretoria and Johannesburg, featuring deep wooded kloofs (ravines) and popular hiking trails.
4. Vredefort Dome
- The oldest and largest verified meteorite impact crater on Earth, located in the Free State, spanning hundreds of kilometers and featuring unique geological ridges.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. Apartheid Museum
- A profoundly moving and comprehensive museum in Johannesburg that documents the rise and fall of South Africa's oppressive segregation system.
2. Constitution Hill
- A former prison complex in Johannesburg where both Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were held, now transformed into the home of the country's Constitutional Court.
3. Cradle of Humankind
- A UNESCO World Heritage site outside Johannesburg containing a massive complex of limestone caves where some of the oldest hominid fossils in the world were discovered.
4. Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift
- Historic battlefields in KwaZulu-Natal where the British Army and Zulu Kingdom clashed violently in 1879, best experienced with a local historian guide.
Unique Experiences
1. Exploring Soweto on a Bicycle
- Taking a guided cycling tour through South Africa's most famous township, visiting Vilakazi Street (where two Nobel Peace Prize winners lived) and eating local street food.
2. Hiking the Drakensberg Amphitheatre
- Trekking up the sheer basalt cliffs via chain ladders to stand on top of the Tugela Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world.
3. Hot Air Ballooning over the Highveld
- Drifting silently over the ancient Magaliesberg mountains and the Cradle of Humankind at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast.
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The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Golden Gate Highlands
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve
Location: Kalahari Desert, Northern Cape (Central/Interior South Africa)
South Africa's largest private game reserve, offering ultra-luxury thatched suites amid red sand dunes, exceptional conservation programs, and sightings of unique desert-adapted wildlife like meerkats and pangolins.
Restaurants / Bars
Klein JAN
Location: Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Northern Cape, South Africa
A groundbreaking, subterranean fine-dining destination created by Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, celebrating the rich culinary heritage of the Kalahari through hyper-local ingredients.
Tours to do
1. The Drakensberg and Battlefields Route
- Departing Johannesburg, driving south into the Free State to visit Clarens and Golden Gate, then descending the escarpment to hike the Drakensberg and tour the Zulu battlefields.
Best Time: April to May, or September to October.
Average Cost: $500 – $900 per person
2. The Cradle and Capital Circuit
- A short urban and historical loop exploring the museums of Johannesburg, descending into the fossil caves of the Cradle of Humankind, and ending in the Jacaranda-lined streets of Pretoria.
Best Time: September to November.
Average Cost: $300 – $600 per person
Drakensberg
How to get around
1. Car Rental
- Essential for exploring the Free State, Drakensberg, and battlefields. The main N1 and N3 highways are excellent multi-lane toll roads.
2. The Gautrain
- A world-class, high-speed commuter train connecting O.R. Tambo International Airport safely and quickly directly into the hubs of Sandton, Johannesburg, and Pretoria.
3. Ride-Hailing
- Uber is the primary, safest, and most reliable way to navigate around Johannesburg and Pretoria for tourists, completely replacing traditional metered taxis.
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You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Fossil Cradle – The Sterkfontein Caves hide ancient hominid fossils that earned the surrounding dry valleys the nickname "Cradle of Humankind."
What to eat
1. Shisa Nyama
- Meaning "burn the meat" in Zulu, this is a vibrant communal barbecue experience originating in the townships. Patrons buy raw meat at a butcher and cook it over open fires while listening to local music.
2. Vetkoek
- A traditional deep-fried dough bread. It is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and typically sliced open and heavily stuffed with savory curried mince or sweet syrup and cheese.
3. Melktert (Milk Tart)
- A classic South African dessert consisting of a sweet pastry crust containing a creamy, delicate custard filling made from milk, flour, sugar, and eggs, heavily dusted with cinnamon.
4. Chakalaka and Pap
- A staple side dish at any braai. Pap is a stiff, white maize meal porridge. It is topped with chakalaka, a spicy, tangy, and chunky vegetable relish made with tomatoes, beans, onions, and carrots.
Shisa Nyama
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airport: O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Flight Prices and Seasons:
From Europe
- Average Round-Trip Cost: €500 to €900.
- Cheapest Months: April to October.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months (June to August).
From North America
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $800 to $1,500.
- Cheapest Months: April to October.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months (June to August).
From Asia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $500 to $1,000.
- Cheapest Months: April to October.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months (June to August).
From Australia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $400 to $800.
- Cheapest Months: April to October.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months (June to August).
From Africa
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $200 to $600.
- Cheapest Months: April to October.
- Peak Prices: December holidays and summer months (June to August).
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You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business.
2. Visa-Free Entry
- Travelers from many countries can enter visa-free for short stays, typically up to 90 days.
3. Visa Application
- Citizens from countries that require a visa must apply for a South African visa at a South African embassy or consulate before traveling.
4. Types of Visa
- Common visa types include a Visitor Visa: Valid for tourism or business for stays of up to 90 days.
5. Processing Time
- Visa processing generally takes 10 to 15 business days, so it's advisable to apply well in advance.
6. Duration of Stay
- Visa-free visitors can stay for up to 90 days; visa holders should refer to their specific visa for duration.
7. Health Requirements
- A yellow fever vaccination is required if traveling from an endemic area.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). Credit cards are widely accepted.
2. Tap Water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink in urban areas.
3. Electricity
- The voltage is 230V, and plug types C and M are used.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- Tipping is customary, usually around 10-15%.
5. SIM Cards
- Local SIM cards are available from providers like Vodacom and MTN.
6. Driving Side
- In South Africa, people drive on the left side of the road.
Souveniers
1. African Beaded Jewelry
- South Africa’s intricate beaded jewelry, often made in traditional patterns and bright colors, reflects the country’s rich culture and makes for a stunning souvenir.
2. Wine
- South Africa is one of the world’s top wine producers, particularly known for its Pinotage. A bottle of South African wine is a lovely gift for wine enthusiasts.
3. Hand-carved Wooden Animals
- South African crafts often include beautiful wooden carvings of animals, especially elephants, lions, and rhinos, showcasing the region's wildlife.
Beaded Jewelry
Location
Reviews
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