"South Africa" South Africa by Kurtdhis

South Africa Travel Guide: 11,841 reviews and 27,852 photos

South Africa lies at the southernmost part of the African continent. It is bordered to the north by Botswana and Zimbabwe, to the northeast by Mozambique and Swaziland and to the northwest by Namibia. On the east coastline lies the Indian Ocean, the Southern coastline the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, and Atlantic Ocean on the western side. South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho.

Most of South Africa has elevations of over 914m (3,000 ft) and at least 40% of the surface is at an elevation of over 1,220m (4,000 ft). Parts of Johannesburg are 1,829m (6,000 ft) above sea level. Resembling an inverted saucer, the land rises steadily from west to east to the Drakensberg Mountains, the tallest of which is Mont-aux-Sources at 3,300m (10,823 ft).

The coastal belt in the west and south varies from 3 to 30 miles in width, is between 152m (500ft) to 182m (600ft) above sea level, and is very fertile, producing citrus fruits and grapes, particularly in the Western Cape. North of the coastal belt stretch, the Little and the Great Karoo, which are bounded by mountains, lie higher than the coastal belt, and are semi-arid to arid, merging into sandy wastes that ultimately join the Kalahari Desert.

The high grass prairie, or veld, of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal is famous for its mineral deposits,. From Drakensberg, the land falls towards the Indian Ocean in the rolling hills and valleys of Natal, which are covered with rich vegetation and, near the coast, subtropical plants, including sugarcane.

Last visit to South Africa: Sep 2002
Intro Updated Jul 7, 2004
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Reviews (32)

Southern Sun Hotels Hotels (1)

A collection of the finest luxury hotels and resorts in the southern hemisphere and rivaling the best in the world,... more travel advice

Sable Antelope Off The Beaten Path (19)

Lots of hair from neck to shoulder black-reddish brown - sickle-shaped ringed horns. Fairly rare. more travel advice

Leopard Off The Beaten Path (19)

Takes kill up the trees. Very short 3-month gestation period. Solitary and difficult to see. more travel advice

Giraffe Off The Beaten Path (19)

Tallest animal, up to 5.5m high - weighs up to 1200kg - in Roman times called spotted camel - runs up to 50 km/hr very... more travel advice

Local Customs (1)
BOBOTIE
Favorites (4)
See All The Protea
Warnings and Dangers (2)
See All Health risks

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (12)

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Martman Apr 25, 2006 at 11:11 AM

I travelled on the Maluti in 1979! My first time on a 747 was a 747SP!
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canuck68 Jul 5, 2005 at 6:53 PM

Your pages brought back some great memories.
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LadyJayne May 13, 2005 at 12:59 AM

Fabulous animal pictures. I would live to do a safari one day, it must be so nice.
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Italiana07 Aug 9, 2004 at 1:19 AM

Hello...great job! Lot's of info and beautiful photos!!!In my dream..I will visit this place one day:-) Renata
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Braveheart.southafrr Jan 5, 2004 at 10:40 AM

Great photo`s Graham great tribute to Kyalami...........lol Ken
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Umea6 Dec 16, 2003 at 10:57 AM

Great wildlife photos. Happy Holidays!
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Mirtsa Oct 16, 2003 at 8:07 AM

Hi! Wonderful SA page!! Please add duiker and impala also. thank you for the mammals photos. I saw all of them but have no idea who is who. You made it clear. Thanks!
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Sweetberry1 Oct 14, 2003 at 11:26 PM

Wonderful SA page.. Very informative and good tips.. I enjoyed, Thanks.. ;-)
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ronaldpk Oct 13, 2003 at 11:58 PM

Excellent and accurate info! Especially on Mama Africa - I will never forget the Marimba music and the crocodile kebabs! It reassures me that I will be back in SA one day!
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deecat Oct 10, 2003 at 6:01 PM

Pee-wee told me your site was good for SA..my daughter is thinking of going. Used many of yours for her travel guide. Thanks.