region3description= Relax on the stunningly beautiful beaches and reefs or get into the backcountry and do some exploring|
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region3description=The warm heart of Africa, around Lake Nyassa |
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region4name=[[Namibia]] |
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region4name=[[Mozambique]] |
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region4color=#68A8D1 |
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region4color=#a09cad |
region4items= |
region4items= |
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region4description= Namibia produces some of the world's highest quality diamonds.|
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region4description= Relax on the stunningly beautiful beaches and reefs or get into the backcountry and do some exploring|
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region5name=[[South Africa]] |
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region5name=[[Namibia]] |
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region5color=#71b37b |
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region5color=#68A8D1 |
region5items= |
region5items= |
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region5description=One of the richest countries in Africa has its share of wildlife and tourist-friendly sites. |
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region5description= Namibia produces some of the world's highest quality diamonds.|
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region6name=[[Swaziland]] |
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region6name=[[South Africa]] |
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region6color=#EADC5F |
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region6color=#71b37b |
region6items= |
region6items= |
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region6description= |
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region6description=One of the richest countries in Africa has its share of wildlife and tourist-friendly sites. |
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region7name=[[Zambia]] |
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region7name=[[Swaziland]] |
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region7color=#DFCCCC |
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region7color=#EADC5F |
region7items= |
region7items= |
region7description= |
region7description= |
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region8name=[[Zimbabwe]] |
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region8name=[[Zambia]] |
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region8color=#c69b5f |
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region8color=#DFCCCC |
region8items= |
region8items= |
region8description= |
region8description= |
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region9name=[[Zimbabwe]] |
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region9color=#c69b5f |
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region9items= |
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region9description=Once known as the breadbasket of Africa, widely known for its famous landmarks, tourist attractions and varied scenery. |
}}
}}
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A number of other countries are sometimes considered part of [[Southern Africa]] due to their accessibility from the countries listed above, such as [[Angola]], [[Malawi]] and some [[Islands of the Indian Ocean]] such as the [[Seychelles]] and [[Mauritius]]. In some instances all of the countries south of the equator are viewed as Southern Africa. For the purpose of this guide, these countries are described in other regions.
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A number of other countries are sometimes considered part of [[Southern Africa]] due to their accessibility from the countries listed above, such as [[Angola]] and some [[Islands of the Indian Ocean]] such as the [[Seychelles]] and [[Mauritius]]. In some instances all of the countries south of the equator are viewed as Southern Africa. For the purpose of this guide, these countries are described in other regions.
==Cities==
==Cities==
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* [[Cape Town]] — Administrative capital and vibrant port city in [[South Africa]]
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* [[Cape Town]] — Legislative capital and vibrant port city in [[South Africa]]
* [[Gaborone]] — The capital of [[Botswana]]
* [[Gaborone]] — The capital of [[Botswana]]
* [[Harare]] — The capital of [[Zimbabwe]]
* [[Harare]] — The capital of [[Zimbabwe]]
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==Get out==
==Get out==
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{{Continentalsectionguide}}
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{{outline}}
{{related|African_National_Parks}}
{{related|African_National_Parks}}
{{related|African_flora_and_fauna}}
{{related|African_flora_and_fauna}}
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{{IsPartOf|Africa}}
{{IsPartOf|Africa}}
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{{continentalsectionguide}}
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{{outline}}
[[WikiPedia:Southern Africa]]
[[WikiPedia:Southern Africa]]
[[Dmoz:Africa/Regions/Southern Africa/]]
[[Dmoz:Africa/Regions/Southern Africa/]]
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[[wts:Category:Southern Africa]]
[[de:Südliches Afrika]]
[[de:Südliches Afrika]]
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[[ru:Южная Африка]]
[[ru:Южная Африка]]
[[sv:Södra Afrika]]
[[sv:Södra Afrika]]
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[[wts:Category:Southern Africa]]
Revision as of 00:40, 7 May 2012
Southern Africa is a region that includes several non-tropical countries in Africa.
Zimbabwe Once known as the breadbasket of Africa, widely known for its famous landmarks, tourist attractions and varied scenery.
A number of other countries are sometimes considered part of Southern Africa due to their accessibility from the countries listed above, such as Angola and some Islands of the Indian Ocean such as the Seychelles and Mauritius. In some instances all of the countries south of the equator are viewed as Southern Africa. For the purpose of this guide, these countries are described in other regions.
Okavango Delta in Botswana — A unique geological formation where a delta is formed by the Okavango River flowing into the Kalahari desert instead of the ocean. Part of the Delta is designated as Moremi National Park.
The Drakensberg (mountains of the dragon) range stretches some 1000km through Southern Africa, from the Eastern Cape through Lesotho (most of this country is on a plateau of the mountain range) , central KwaZulu-Natal (where one can find the Tugela Falls, the second highest waterfall in the world), divides Mpumalanga in half creating the Escarpment and the Blyde River Canyon (the third largest canyon in the world) from where it reaches up into the southern parts of Limpopo.
Talk
English is an official language in all countries in the region, and most urban dwellers speak it fairly well. Afrikaans is widely spoken in South Africa and Namibia, and German is also spoken by some in Namibia. You may encounter Portuguese in the region as well.
Trip starts in Zambia, near world-famous Victoria Falls and provides a glimpse into the best of Botswana with plenty of options for game drives before heading down through the wild Limpopo province of South Africa.
Livingstone, Botswana, Waterberg National Park, Johannesburg.
Do
Safari
One of the most popular holiday activities in Southern Africa is wildlife safaris in search of spotting the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino). There are game reserves within South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe. They all have lodges ranging from basic camping to five-star luxury.
Beaches
South Africa has beautiful beaches stretching all the way from Cape Town around the coast up to Durban, which is a surfing mecca. Further north Mozambique - known for its excellent diving and warm, clear waters - takes over.
Adventure activities
Southern Africa is an adventure haven. The region has some of the highest bungee jumping spots in the world; fantastic hiking and biking trails, great rivers for white-water river rafting and canoeing and excellent surf for surfing and kite-boarding.
Wine
The area at the tip of Southern Africa around Cape Town is known as the Wine Route and produces award-winning wines. Most wine farms are open for public tastings. Some of the towns to visit on the Wine Route include Stellenbosch, Franschoek, Paarl and Robertson.
Eat
Drink
Stay safe
Stay healthy
Water
Depending on the country you are visiting, tap water might not always be safe to drink. Consult the page for the relevant country and check with locals when in doubt.
Sunburn
Many activities in Southern Africa will be outdoors, see the sunburn and sun protection travel topic for tips on how to protect yourself.
HIV and AIDS
Southern Africa has a very high HIV infection rate.
Malaria
There might be a risk of contracting Malaria in many areas in the region.
See the Malaria and Mosquitoes travel topics for more information.
