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Destinations
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Introduction
South Africa is full of appeal to those who enjoy dramatic scenery, sweeping coastal vistas, outstanding wildlife encounters and first class hospitality. From Cape Town’s sunny disposition and the south coast towns of the Garden Route, to the unbeatable safaris of the Kruger and Eastern Cape, this land has a lot to offer.
At a glance
Emirates gateways:
Cape Town International Airport
Johannesburg/O.R. Tambo International Airport
Durban International Airport
Distance from airport to city:
Cape Town: 22 kilometres
Johannesburg: 21 kilometres
Durban: 35 kilometres
Time zone: GMT +2 hours
Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
Languages: There are 11 official languages, including English, Afrikaans, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, and isiZulu.
Although only 10% of the population has English as its mother tongue; English is the language most
widely understood and is the second language of the majority of South Africans.
When to visit
Most of the country can expect some summer rainfall from December to February, except for Cape Town and the Garden Route’s southern coastal towns, where a Mediterranean-type climate of cool, wet winters and sunny, dry, windy summers are typical. The best times to go on safari are in winter from June to August, and early spring when the grass is still short and water sources are concentrated, making animal spotting easier.
Experiences
Cape Town enjoys a remarkable oceanside location in the shadow of Table Mountain, which can be reached via hike or via cable car for outstanding views of the city, the peninsula, and Robben Island. The so-called ‘Garden Route’ snakes its way some 200 kilometres through a panoramic landscape of beautiful beaches, picturesque towns, tranquil farms and tracts of indigenous coastal forest all the way from Heidelberg to Tsitsikamma. Explore Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, enjoy lunch and a local tipple, admire contemporary South African art collections and browse in interesting curio shops. Its accessible parks and reserves make South Africa one of the best places to experience a safari. Kruger National Park is known the world over, and promises a spectacular wildlife adventure. From late August to November, southern right whales are easily spotted from shore at various locations along the south coast such as Hermanus as they frolic in waters close by. Plettenberg Bay also has claims to be the ‘whale capital’ of the world, with regular visits from Bryde’s whales, humpbacks, orcas and a range of dolphins.
Areas of South Africa
Eastern Cape and Greater Kruger Safaris: A safari is a soul-stirring experience and no visit to South Africa is complete without a stay in a private game reserve in the Kruger or Eastern Cape regions. The Kruger National Park with the adjacent game reserves is the flagship of the South African National Parks while the Eastern Cape offers a wealth of animal species including the Big Five. To get the most out of your safari experience, we recommend you spend at least two nights in a safari camp and enjoy morning and evening game drives. From Johannesburg, Kruger National Park is an easy flight away to a local airstrip while the Eastern Cape Reserves are reached via Port Elizabeth.
Johannesburg: Johannesburg, more commonly known as Jo’burg, has rapidly changed from a small mining town astride the world’s richest gold reef to the vibrant heart of the country. Explore the cultural district of Newtown, with its lively restaurants, museums and jazz clubs. From the massive Rosebank Mall and dazzling Diamond Walk at Sandton City to Melville’s shipping container styled shopping centre, 27 Boxes, there is a mall for everyone in Johannesburg.
Cape Town: Situated amidst some of the world’s most panoramic coastal scenery and surrounded by fertile farmlands and grape orchards, Cape Town’s location is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world. Dominated by Table Mountain, the ‘Mother City’ has a lot of diversity to offer its visitors from majestic landscapes to a rich history and abundant wildlife. Close at hand is the vibrant Victoria & Alfred waterfront, the lively happening centre of the city, with its boutiques and countless great restaurants.
Reasons to be there with Emirates Holidays
1
First-hand knowledge
Our dedicated travel experts visit each of our destinations extensively,
building a wealth of specialist knowledge and advice. You’ll receive
your own personal travel consultant who’ll handcraft your itinerary that
caters for all of your holiday needs.
2
Best value
Thanks to the long-standing relationships we have built with our
suppliers, we are delighted to offer you exclusive benefits and
competitive pricing. From savings on your stay, to complimentary
room and meal upgrades...
3
Award-winning Emirates
All of our holidays include flights with renowned Emirates. With one of
the youngest fleets in the world, you’ll experience world-class service,
award-winning inflight entertainment and seamless connections to
wonderful holiday destinations.
4
Peace of mind
You can rely on our team of destination specialists to be your guide through the whole Emirates Holidays experience, all the way from first concept to the ultra-fine details of your stay. We remain on hand to
ensure you can sink serenely into...
5
Loyalty rewarded
Earn bonus Emirates Skywards Miles when you book a holiday with
us in addition to the points earned from your Emirates flights. This
means you can enjoy more miles, more upgrades and even more
value for your holiday booking.