In case you are thinking of coming to South Africa from Dubai there is always a chance that you could be overwhelmed a little and there are some good reasons for that as well. South Africa happens to be quite a big country that has a number of cities which could be potentially interesting to prospective visitors.
There are plenty of things that you need to know in this particular context like the cities that you should definitely visit, the ways you can get there, and the hotels where you can stay, to name a few.
The top cities to visit in South Africa
When you are planning a trip to South Africa you should make it a point to do some extensive researches on its geography. You should also have a clear idea of what every city can offer to you. The best cities to visit over here are Johannesburg, Durban, along with Cape Town.
Johannesburg is an interesting place that you should definitely not miss when you are in South Africa. Johannesburg happens to be the biggest city in the country and is located in the province of Gauteng. The most preferred tourist spots here are the Hector Pieterson Museum, the Apartheid Museum, the Mandela Museum, Nelson Mandela Square and the Johannesburg Art Gallery.
Durban is located on the banks of Indian Ocean and interestingly enough it homes the biggest concentration of Indians you can find outside India. You can see evident signs of Indian influence across the city. The most popular tourist attractions over here are Moses Mabhida Stadium, uShaka Marine World, the Golden Mile and Durban Botanical Gardens.
Cape Town is one city that is famous for its immense and unmatched natural beauty. The most famous tourist attraction of this city is the Table Mountain. Cape Town also happens to be the capital of South Africa.
When is the right time to go?
In case you are planning to come to South Africa you should keep in mind the simple fact that the seasons would be a lot different from what you get in Dubai. The best times to come here are definitely spring as well as autumn. The major reason for such a suggestion is the fact that the temperatures are bearable at this point in time. The weather tends to be a lot more pleasant compared to the summers and the winters.
During the summers in South Africa, the temperatures can be really high and get up to as much as 90 degrees Fahrenheit at places such as Durban. On an average, they vary between 70 to 80 degrees. During the winters it is common to have snowfall and frost.
How to go to South Africa?
Well, if you are looking to save money on your flight between Dubai and South Africa you need to keep checking the internet. However, there are a few low-cost carriers that can help you in this regard with round trips. They are Egyptair and Ethiopian. You may also get cheap last-minute flights to the destinations that we have mentioned above.
In any case, following are the top airlines that you can choose to fly to South Africa:
- Emirates
- British Airways
- South African
- Air China
- Air France
Also, you can find holiday package deals on several travel agency websites operating in Dubai.
Accommodation options
You would be happy to know that the big cities of South Africa – Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban – all have plenty of hotels that you can choose from. All of them have different prices, a fact which means that you are always going to find something or the other in the range. One of the best hotels in Johannesburg is the Protea Fire & Ice Hotel that is located in the Melrose Arch area. It is what one would call a contemporary and trendy hotel. The best hotels in Durban are Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani. The Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge is a good option while you are in Cape Town. If you are looking for a stay nearby the Kruger Park we advice to rent a Kruger Park Accommodation of Homes of Africa.
Things that you should pack
When you are coming to South Africa you should definitely be bringing your passport, shoes, and clothes that are comfortable, washcloths that can be a bit difficult to come by in South Africa, and a fit-it-all adapter for all your electronic devices. It would also be better if you get a first aid kit, over the counter (OTC) cold medicines, DEET insect spray, and medicines to guard against diarrhea. It is not that these are not found here in South Africa, just that you may not find the same brands you use at home in Dubai.
Taking care of your health before the trip
You should visit the official website of the body that handles disease control and prevention in Dubai or you may also talk to your physician at least a couple of months before you hop on to the plane for South Africa.
You should get a recommendation on the vaccines that you need to take for the trip. Normally you would get an authorized such center near your home in Dubai. From here you can take all the health-related precautions that you need to take.