region5description= One of the richest countries in Africa has its share of wildlife and tourist-friendly sites. |
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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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region6name=[[Swaziland]] |
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region5name=[[Namibia]] |
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region6color=#998143 |
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region5color=#68A8D1 |
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region5items= |
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region5description= Namibia produces some of the world's highest quality diamonds.|
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region6name=[[South Africa]] |
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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=[[Zimbabwe]] |
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region7name=[[Swaziland]] |
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region7color=#79d571 |
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region7color=#EADC5F |
region7items= |
region7items= |
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region7description= Access to Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world.|
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region7description= |
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region8name=[[Zambia]] |
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region8color=#DFCCCC |
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region8items= |
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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 [[Mozambique]], [[Angola]], [[Zambia]] 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]]
* [[Johannesburg]] — Largest city in South Africa
* [[Johannesburg]] — Largest city in South Africa
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* [[Lusaka]] — The capital of [[Zambia]]
* [[Maseru]] — The capital of [[Lesotho]]
* [[Maseru]] — The capital of [[Lesotho]]
* [[Maun]] — Good base for trips to Botswana's Okavango Delta
* [[Maun]] — Good base for trips to Botswana's Okavango Delta
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* [[Mbabane]] — The capital of [[Swaziland]]
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* [[Maputo]] — The capital of [[Mozambique]]
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* [[Pretoria]] — The capital of South Africa
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* [[Windhoek]] — The capital of [[Namibia]]
* [[Windhoek]] — The capital of [[Namibia]]
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[[Image:South_Africa-Mpumalanga-Rhino01.jpg|thumb|350px|Wildlife is abundant in Southern Africa]]
==Other destinations==
==Other destinations==
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* [[Chobe National Park]] in [[Botswana]] — Good wildlife viewing.
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* [[Chobe National Park]] in [[Botswana]] — Great wildlife viewing.
* [[Etosha National Park]] in [[Namibia]] — Another park good for seeing wildlife.
* [[Etosha National Park]] in [[Namibia]] — Another park good for seeing wildlife.
* [[Fish River Canyon Park]] in [[Namibia]] — The second largest canyon in the world after the [[Grand Canyon]] in the [[USA]].
* [[Fish River Canyon Park]] in [[Namibia]] — The second largest canyon in the world after the [[Grand Canyon]] in the [[USA]].
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* [[Ilha de Mozambique]] in [[Mozambique]] — an island with some of the most notable historical heritage anywhere in Africa.
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* [[Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park]] in [[Botswana]] and [[South Africa]] — huge park in the Kalahari region
* [[Kruger National Park]] in [[South Africa]] — One of the best managed wildlife parks in [[Africa]].
* [[Kruger National Park]] in [[South Africa]] — One of the best managed wildlife parks in [[Africa]].
* [[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]].
* [[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]].
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* [[Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) | Victoria Falls]] in [[Zimbabwe]] — A popular tourist destination located in the west the country.
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* [[South Luangwa National Park]] in [[Zambia]] — Called by some as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world
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* [[Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) | Victoria Falls]] in [[Zimbabwe]] — Amazing falls in the west of the country, also accessible from [[Zambia]].
==Understand==
==Understand==
===Landscape===
===Landscape===
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The Drakensberg (''mountains of the dragon'') range stretches some 1000km through [[Southern Africa]], from the [[Eastern Cape]] through [[Lesotho]] (''most of this country is located on a plateau of the mountain range'') , central [[KwaZulu-Natal]] (''where one can find the [[# Royal Natal National Park | 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]].
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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 [[# Royal Natal National Park | 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==
==Talk==
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==Get in==
==Get in==
===By plane===
===By plane===
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[[South Africa]]'s OR Tambo Internatonal Airport in [[Johannesburg]] and [[Cape Town]] International Airport are two of the easiest entry points into the region, with many direct international flight landing there from [[Amsterdam]], [[Bangkok]],[[Lisbon]], [[London]], [[Paris]], [[Frankfurt]], [[Munich]], [[Zurich]], [[Athens]], [[Dubai]], [[Doha]], [[New York (city)|New York]], [[Atlanta]], [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Buenos Aires]], [[Mumbai]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Singapore]], [[Sydney]], [[Perth (Australia)|Perth]] and others.
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[[South Africa]]'s OR Tambo Internatonal Airport in [[Johannesburg]] and [[Cape Town]] International Airport are two of the easiest entry points into the region, with many direct international flight landing there from [[Amsterdam]], [[Bangkok]],[[Lisbon]], [[London]], [[Paris]], [[Frankfurt]], [[Munich]], [[Zurich]], [[Athens]], [[Dubai]], [[Doha]], [[New York City|New York]], [[Atlanta]], [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Buenos Aires]], [[Mumbai]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Singapore]], [[Sydney]], [[Perth (Western Australia)|Perth]] and others.
Connections to the rest of the [[Southern Africa]]n region is easily made from here with flights to [[Blantyre]], [[Cairo]], [[Gaborone]], [[Dar es Salaam]], [[Harare]], [[Lilongwe]], [[Livingstone]], [[Luanda]], [[Lusaka]], [[Kinshasa]], [[Maputo]], [[Manzini]], [[Maun]], [[Mauritius]], [[Nairobi]], [[Victoria Falls]], [[Windhoek]] and more.
Connections to the rest of the [[Southern Africa]]n region is easily made from here with flights to [[Blantyre]], [[Cairo]], [[Gaborone]], [[Dar es Salaam]], [[Harare]], [[Lilongwe]], [[Livingstone]], [[Luanda]], [[Lusaka]], [[Kinshasa]], [[Maputo]], [[Manzini]], [[Maun]], [[Mauritius]], [[Nairobi]], [[Victoria Falls]], [[Windhoek]] and more.
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==Do==
==Do==
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=== Safari ===
=== Safari ===
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==Stay safe==
==Stay safe==
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Southern Africa is a big place spanning multiple countries, urban and rural areas. Like anywhere, safety varies from place to place and time of day. Use common sense and defer to advice from trusted locals wherever you go, before you venture to new areas, engage with strangers or use public transport, and you're extremely likely to have a safe visit.
==Stay healthy==
==Stay healthy==
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===Sunburn===
===Sunburn===
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Many activities in [[Southern Africa]] will be outdoors outdoors, see the [[Sunburn_and_sun_protection|sunburn and sun protection]] travel topic for tips on how to protect yourself.
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Many activities in [[Southern Africa]] will be outdoors, see the [[Sunburn_and_sun_protection|sunburn and sun protection]] travel topic for tips on how to protect yourself.
===HIV and AIDS===
===HIV and AIDS===
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[[Southern Africa]] has a very high HIV infection rate.
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Southern Africa has a very high HIV infection rate.
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For your own safety, '''DO NOT HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX'''.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Southern Africa is a big place spanning multiple countries, urban and rural areas. Like anywhere, safety varies from place to place and time of day. Use common sense and defer to advice from trusted locals wherever you go, before you venture to new areas, engage with strangers or use public transport, and you're extremely likely to have a safe visit.
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.
