Location: South AfricaSouth Africa ProvincesThe provinces of South AfricaSouth Africa consists of 9 provinces. Each province offers a unique aspect to tourists visiting our country. Explore them all.
The province has recently grown a massive tourism industry, with the majority of international tourist arrivals visiting the province, with Cape Town, Garden Route and the Winelands being popular tourist destinations. There were 1,535,903 international arrivals in 2004 with continued growth annually. Domestic tourism is also on the rise, as low-cost air carriers such as Kulula.com and OneTime making travel more affordable to more South Africans.
The Northern Cape is South Africa's largest province and distances between towns are enormous, as it's very sparsely populated. Its size is just shy of the size of the state of Montana, USA (or slightly larger than Germany). The province is dominated by the Karoo Basin and consists mostly of sedimentary rocks and some Dolerite intrusions. The south and south-east of the province is high-lying (1200m-1900m) in the Roggeveld and Nuweveld districts. The west coast is dominated by the Namaqualand region, famous for its spring flowers. This area is hilly to mountainous and consists of Granites and other metamorphic rocks. The central areas are generally flat with interspersed salt pans. Kimberlite intrusions punctuate the Karoo rocks, giving the province its most precious natural resource, Diamonds. The north is primarily Kalahari Desert, characterised by parallel red sand dunes and acacia tree dry savanna.
The landscape is extremely diverse. The western interior is largely arid Karoo, while the east is well-watered and green. The Eastern Cape offers a wide array of attractions, including 800 km of untouched and pristine coastline along with some particularly splendid beaches, and "big-five" viewing in a malaria-free environment.
The Addo Elephant National Park, situated 73 km from Port Elizabeth, was proclaimed in 1931. Its 743 km˛ offers sanctuary to 170 elephants, the last Cape buffalo and 21 black rhino of the very scarce Kenyan sub-species.
The province is the location of South Africa's only ski resort, Tiffindell, which is situated in the Southern Drakensberg on the slopes of the highest mountain peak in the Eastern Cape (3001 m).
The National Arts Festival, held in Grahamstown is Africa's largest and most colourful cultural event, offering a choice of the very best of both indigenous and imported talent. Every year for 11 days the town's population almost doubles, as over 50,000 people flock to the region for a feast of arts, crafts and sheer entertainment.
The Tsitsikamma National Park is an 80 km long coastal strip between Nature's Valley and the mouth of the Storms River. In the park the visitor finds an almost untouched natural landscape. Near the park is the Bloukrans Bridge, which is the world's highest bungee jump.
Jeffreys Bay is an area with some of the country's wildest coastline, which is backed by some of Africa's most spectacular sub-tropical rainforest. Famous for its "supertubes", probably South Africa's longest and most consistently good wave, it's charged with a surf vibe as relaxed as it is friendly, and this tends to soften the effect of the wealthy set who have made this part of the coast their own.
Aliwal North, lying on a splendid agricultural plateau on the southern bank of the Orange River, is one of the country's most popular inland resorts and is famous for its hot springs.
The rugged and unspoilt Wild Coast is a place of spectacular scenery, and a graveyard for many vessels.
This South African province has three different geographic areas: the lowland region along the Indian Ocean coast, plains in the central section, and two mountainous areas, the Drakensberg Mountains in the west and the Lebombo Mountains in the north. The Tugela River flows west to east across the center of the province.
Average temperatures in the province range from 17° to 28° C from October to April and from 11° to 25° C in the colder months. Annual rainfall is about 690 mm, falling throughout the year.
The coastline is dotted with small towns, many of which serve as seasonal recreational hubs. The climate of the coastal areas is humid and subtropical, comparable to southern Florida in the United States (but not quite as hot and rainy in the summer). As one moves further north up the coast towards the border of Mozambique, the climate becomes almost pure tropical. North of Durban is locally referred to as "The North Coast", while south is "The South Coast". The Kwazulu-Natal Tourist board includes towns like Margate, Port Shepstone, Scottburgh and Port Edward in its definition of what constitutes the South Coast, while Ballito, Umhlanga and Salt Rock are quintessentially North Coast resort towns. Superb beaches of world-class quality are to be found along virtually every part of South Africa's eastern seaboard, with some of the least developed gems found in the far southern and far northern ends of the province's extents. The beach at Marina Beach (and its adjoining resort San Lameer) was recognized in 2002 as a Blue Flag beach.
An extraordinary natural phenomenon that is witnessed annually on the KwaZulu-Natal coast during late autumn or early winter is the "sardine run". Also referred to as "the greatest shoal on earth", the sardine run occurs when millions of sardines migrate from their spawning grounds south of the southern tip of Africa northwards along the Eastern Cape coastline towards KwaZulu-Natal following a path close inshore, often resulting in many fish washing up on beaches along the coast. The huge shoal of tiny fish can stretch for many kilometres and is followed and preyed upon by thousands of predators, including gamefish, sharks, dophins and sea birds. Usually the shoals break up and the fish disappear into deeper water around Durban. Many questions surrounding this exceptional event remain unanswered.
The Free State is a province of South Africa. The name is a popular contraction of the previous name the Orange Free State. Its capital is Bloemfontein which is also South Africa's judicial capital. On 9 June 1995 its name was changed from Orange Free State to Free State. The current borders date from 1994 when the Bantustans were abolished and included into the provinces of South Africa.
It is situated on flat boundless plains in the heart of South Africa. The soil is rich and the climate good allowing a thriving agricultural industry. It is known locally as South Africa's bread basket, with more than 30 000 farms that produce over 70% of the country's grain consumption. It also has some of the most productive gold and diamond mines in the world.
The North West Province of South Africa is bounded on the north by Botswana, on the south by the provinces of Free State and the Northern Cape, and on the northeast and east by the Limpopo Province and Gauteng. Covering 118,797 sq km (45,869 sq miles), the North West Province was created in 1994 by the merger of Bophuthatswana, one of the former bantustans (or black homelands), and the western part of Transvaal, one of the four former South African provinces.
Much of the province consists of flat areas of scattered trees and grassland. The Magaliesberg mountain range in the northeast extends about 130 km (about 80 miles) from Pretoria to Rustenburg. The Vaal River flows along the southern border of the province. Temperatures range from 17° to 31° C (62° to 88° F) in the summer and from 3° to 21° C (37° to 70° F) in the winter. Annual rainfall totals about 360 mm (about 14 in), with almost all of it falling during the summer months, between October and April.
, or more accurately rugby union, is a popular sport in South Africa, and in Gauteng in particular. Two rugby teams from Gauteng participate in the Southern Hemisphere Super 14 championship: the Pretoria-based Bulls, and the Johannesburg-based Lions (previously the Cats). Three Gauteng-based teams play in the country's domestic competition, the Currie Cup: the Blue Bulls from Pretoria, the Golden Lions from Johannesburg and the Falcons from the East Rand.
Walking and Hiking are also popular in Gauteng. But high crime rates and urban neglect have made it difficult and often dangerous to walk in the parks and greenbelts. For more info on walking in Gauteng, have a look at Gauteng Dogwalks homepage - it has photos, maps and more info on getting people safely back into the province's parks.
There are some interesting tourist attractions too: the Sterkfontein caves, and the Wonder Cave Kromdraai are in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
Football is also popular in South Africa. Several teams from Gauteng play in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), including Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Mpumalanga is also a popular tourism destination. Kruger National Park, established in 1898 for the protection of Lowveld wildlife, covering 20,000 square kilometres (7,800 square miles), is a popular destination. The ancient Sudwala Caves are also a major tourist attraction.
Limpopo Province shares international borders with three countries: Botswana to the west and north-west, Zimbabwe to the north, and Mozambique to the east. The province is the link between South Africa and countries further afield in sub-Saharan Africa. On its southern flank, the province shares borders with Gauteng, with its Johannesburg-Pretoria axis, the most industrious metropole on the continent. Thus the province is placed at the centre of regional, national, and international developing markets.
The province has excellent road, rail, and air links. The N1 route from Johannesburg, which extends the length of the province, is the busiest overland route in Africa in terms of cross-border trade in raw materials and beneficiated goods. The port of Durban, Africa’s busiest, is served directly by the province, as are the ports of Richard's Bay and Maputo. The Gateway International Airport is situated in Polokwane, the capital of the province.Accommodation in and around South Africa La Boheme B&B accommodation in South Africa
You will never forget your first sight of this beautiful bay. With a backdrop of majestic mountains stretching from horizon to horizon, the town lies to one side under a sunny sky, and amongst a collage of green forests and fynbos that are separated ... More
 Sunshowers Plett accommodation in South Africa
Sunshowers Plett consist of six spacious bedrooms, modern and stylish decorated.Room 5 and 6 has sea views to die for!!All rooms are equipped with DSTV, Aircon, wireless internet, safes, fridges, kettles, complimentary coffee, tea and homemade biscui... More
 Fynbos Ridge Country House & Cottages accommodation in South Africa
Fynbos Ridge is set amongst fragrant Fynbos. There are spectacular mountain views and the property abounds with abundant birdlife. The secluded pool is ideal to relax and unwind, or one can enjoy the many activities in the vicinity – forest or ... More
 Periwinkle Guest Lodge accommodation in South Africa
Periwinkle Guest Lodge is a beach front lodge with all 7 en-suite bedrooms enjoying a sea view. All rooms have private balconies and rooms are large and airy. Personalised service is our trade mark and is the discerning travellers home away form home... More
 Little Sanctuary B&B accommodation in South Africa
The Little Sanctuary is situated in one of the Plettenberg Bays premier positions just a two minute stroll down to the golden sands of the famous lookout beach. Your immaculate en-suite double bedroom has been architect designed to provide you privac... More
 House Bavaria accommodation in South Africa
Self Catering unit available in Plettenberg Bay Sleeps 2 Bathroom with shower, basin, toilet Kitchen with fridge, microwave, 2 plate stove Outdoor braai area and large garden TV All linen, cutlery and crockery included Off street park... More
 Slowdown Gardens accommodation in South Africa
Situated 8km from Plettenberg Bay, this 50 year-old Fynbos Retreat offers deluxe housing or rustic cottages. Full kitchens, washing machines, etc. Large lawns, braai and birds galore. Breathtaking views of the mountains and ocean from the pool. Easy ... More
 Halcyon House accommodation in South Africa
SERENE. GRACIOUS. RELAXED ? That?s Halcyon. 4 Star (AA Superior) guesthouse accommodation situated within 3 minutes walking distance of magnificent Robberg beach ? a 4km stretch of white sand and surf. Halcyon offers en-suite bedrooms with sea-views,... More
 The Fernery Lodge accommodation in South Africa
Situated only 160 Km from Port Elizabeth, at the Eastern gateway to the Garden Route of South Africa, this piece of paradise awaits your discovery. Enjoy languishing alongside the pool and jacuzzi, take a picnic on a forest amble, or drive out and vi... More
 Gulls View accommodation in South Africa
On the famous Garden Route in the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay you will find this luxury self-catering accommodation to be the perfect home for a holiday of a lifetime. Gulls View has inspiring views and is the ideal base from where you can explor... More
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