South Africa is blessed with a wonderful climate. Warm (hot) summers and
mild winters (it rarely drops below freezing).
Mediterranean climate, warm to hot in summer, mild in winter. Winter
rainfall, dry summers. The Garden Route and Eastern Cape average less
rainfall than the Western Cape during winter.
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South African petrol stations (know as garages) accept cash or South African
Garage Cards as payment. Unlike Europe, they do not accept general Credit
Cards overall. However one or two petrol companies are introducing the
concept of accepting specific Credit Cards, but this is not yet sufficiently
widespread to assist international tourists. Please ensure that you have
sufficient cash to fill up at a petrol station when travelling long distances.
The most convenient route between Johannesburg and Cape Town is N1 via
Bloemfontein. An alternative route is the N12 via Kimberley. Branch
off from either route and create your own leisurely journey staying at the
Portfolio properties en route.
Approximate travelling time and distances from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein 4
hours (420 km); from Bloemfontein to Colesberg 2 hours (220 km); from Colesberg
to Beaufort West 3 hours (320 km); from Beaufort West to Cape Town 5 hours (450
km).
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International Dialling
To call South Africa from abroad, add the prefix +27. For example, to
contact the Portfolio office in Johannesburg with the area code and telephone
number (011) 880 3414, the following applies:
Dial +27+(0)11+880 3414 [delete the (0)]
Swaziland Dialling
Dial +268+ telephone number (Swaziland has no area code)
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Provinces
Gauteng
Where gold was first discovered and is still mined today. Visit vibrant Soweto
and enjoy a Shibeen tour. Gauteng is home to the 'Cradle of Mankind', site of
the earliest man.
Gauteng – Johannesburg
The Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg and the satellite suburbs of Sandton,
Randburg and Midrand have proved to be popular areas to stay in
Johannesburg.
Gauteng - Pretoria
Capital of South Africa and home to Sir Herbert Baker’s magnificent Union
Buildings, with most of the embassies tucked away in leafy suburbs. In
October the avenues of purple jacaranda trees in blossom are unforgettable, and
give Pretoria the name ‘Jacaranda City’.
North West Province
Extinct volcanoes and buried treasures such as diamonds and platinum are found
here, home of the Botswana people. Wildlife has been introduced in this
malaria-free province and both Pilansberg and Madikwe Game Reserves offer the
“Big Five”. The famous Anglo-Boer War siege of Mafikeng took
place here, and 1999 marks the centenary of this
event. Hartebeespoort Dam and the Magaliesberg mountains are popular
outdoor leisure areas and many curio and craft sellers offer their wares at
roadside stalls.
Northern Province
Wide open spaces, dramatic mountain ranges and sacred lakes create a diverse
province, which is the home of the Venda, North Sotho and Tsonga peoples.
Here the legendary Prester John and mystical Rain Queen
“Modjadil” have inspired novels. The famous ‘upside
down’ Baobab tree is found to the north, and the northern section of the
world famous Kruger National Park is a major attraction. The
Waterberg, Soutpansberg and Magoebaskloof offer hiking trails, waterfalls and
crystal clear pools. Malaria-free game viewing in the Waterberg.
Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga (the place where the sun rises) used to be known as the Eastern
Transvaal. With its unique wildlife and superb scenery, the world famous
Kruger National Park and private game lodges are major draw cards. The
romance of the early pioneers and the gold rush lives on at Pilgrim’s
Rest; a quaint, historic village with it’s many original
buildings. From Sabie it is an easy drive to the Mac Mac Falls and Blyde
River Canyon. With its sub-tropical climate the area is famous for its
fruit, litchis, mangoes, bananas and others.
Swaziland
The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the smallest in the world, approximately
120km from east to west and 180km north to south. The diverse topography
includes vast mountain ranges and sub-tropical lowveld with fruit, nut and
sugar cane farms in the valleys. King Mswati III is the ruler of the
Swazi people, who are famous for their distinctive red, black and white ethnic
dress. Busy markets in Manzini and Mbabane offer a wide choice of crafts
and curios.
Kwazulu Natal
Rich in tribal history, Kwazulu Natal offers a complete experience from the
‘berg to beaches, bushveld to battlefields’. From the
spectacular Drakensberg to the golden beaches of the warm Indian Ocean: from
the world-famous game reserves of Hluhluwe and Umfolozi where the white rhino
was saved from extinction, to the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s
Drift where the glorious battles of the Zulu Empire were fought. Visit
tribal villages, which offer a glimpse into Zulu culture and traditions.
Free State and Northern Cape
From the scenic Eastern Highlands with its magnificent sandstone cliffs to the
golden maize fields, the Free State is known as ‘big sky
country’. Almost in the heart of South Africa, this is the ideal
stopover between the Cape and Johannesburg or Kwazulu Natal. A number of
homes are on farms where true Free State hospitality is offered to travellers,
and the hosts in the towns also extend a warm welcome. An easy four-hour
drive from Johannesburg is Bloemfontein, birthplace in 1894 of Tolkien, who
wrote ‘The Hobbit’ and 'Lord of the Rings'. Kimberley in the Northern
Cape is where diamonds were first discovered.
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is today one of Africa’s rare and unspoilt gems, offering
great diversity. Discover the superb beaches of its wild coast, the vast
Karoo landscape with unforgettable star-studded night skies, charming, historic
towns, and a warm welcome. Wildlife is being restocked and the Addo
Elephant Park is a popular tourist attraction. Here many farms offer
hospitality to travellers who are seeking a special experience. Qunu
in the Transkei is the birthplace of Nelson Mandela who is affectionately known
as Madiba.
Cape Town and the Peninsula
The fairest Cape in all the world as described by Sir Francis Drake in 1580,
has one of the world’s most beautiful settings, set against the majestic
backdrop of Table Mountain. Known as the Mother City, Cape Town is a
vibrant, colourful city, reflecting the nature and character of its peoples in
the slogan, “One City, Many Cultures”. A truly cosmopolitan
city with bistros, cafes and coffee shops, galleries and bookshops. Visit
the Waterfront, beaches at Clifton and Camps Bay, Constantia and it’s wine
route, false Bay, Simon’s Town and Cape Point.
Cape Winelands
South African wines are growing in popularity. The tradition of the vine
in the Cape goes back to the French Huguenots who brought their wine-making
skills to the Cape in 1688, many of them settling in the tranquil peaceful
valley of Franschoek, ‘The French Corner’. Even Napoleon,
during his exile on St Helena drank the wine from Groot Constantia! Set
amidst magnificent mountains and vineyards are historical towns and villages.
Overberg
Early travellers and explorers who visited the Cape in the 1500’s traded
with the Khoi Khoi people who lived on these shores. In 1798 Lady Ann
Barnard visited this region, and her journal describes how wagons struggled to
ascend Sir Lowry’s Pass. Today, this pleasant journey takes only 2
hours from Cape Town to Swellendam, passing unspoilt villages and towns.
Whale watch at Hermanus and San Sebastian Bay, visit Greyton with its white
washed thatched Cape cottages and explore charming, historic Swellendam.
Garden Route
Not named for its cultivated gardens as many travellers expect, but rather for
the magnificence of its wild, unspoilt coastline and natural
‘gardens’, aptly described by the French explorer, Le Vaillant in the
1780’s. The Khoi San people called it ‘Outentiqua’ meaning
‘a man laden with honey’, a reference to the scent from the wild
flowers. The magnificent forests at Tsitsikamma, the sweeping beaches of St
Francis Bay, beautiful Plettenberg Bay, bustling Knysna and the lovely Lake
District of Wilderness are your Garden Route.
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