Pristine Beaches of São Tomé and Príncipe islands

One of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth, South Africa, fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', boasts 11 official languages, and its inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover the gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful beaches of Cape Town. Enjoy a local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township, browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban, or sample some of the world's finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotting the Cape Winelands. Some historical attractions to explore include the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, its untamed wilderness is astonishing: wildlife roams freely across massive unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park.

Currency 
Local currency: South African Rand 
Symbol: R 
ISO code: ZAR 
Subunit: Cent (1/100 of a Rand) 
Banknotes: R10, R20, R50, R100, R200 
Coins: 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5 

Banking 
Card Transactions: Widely accepted 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s club: Yes 
 
Banking Hours: Weekdays: 09:00 – 15:30 
Weekend: Saturdays: 08:30 – 11:00 
Public Holidays: Closed 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: South African Airways 
International Airports: O.R. Tambo (Johannesburg), Cape Town International, King Shaka (Durban) 
Domestic Airports: Numerous across the country 

Road: 
Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes, well-maintained in most areas 
Gravel roads: Yes, especially in rural areas 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes, including Uber and Bolt 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: Yes, including luxury options like the Blue Train 
Subway System: Gautrain in Gauteng 

Water: 
Ferries: Limited, mainly in coastal cities 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: Yes, especially from Cape Town and Durban 

Food and water safety:
Can you drink the tap water: Yes, in most urban areas
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes
Ice: Yes
Meat: Yes
Street food: Yes, widely popular and generally safe

Local cuisine:
South African cuisine is diverse and flavourful, featuring dishes like biltong (dried, seasoned meat), bobotie (spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping), and boerewors (farmers' sausage). The culinary scene includes a strong tradition of barbecuing, known locally as "braai."

Drinks:
Notable local drinks include Rooibos tea, craft beers, and South African wines.

Tipping: Customarily 10-15% in restaurants and for services.

Annual rainfall: Varies widely, Cape Town (winter rainfall, 515 mm), Johannesburg (summer rainfall, 713 mm) 
Average temperature: Varies, Cape Town 17°C, Johannesburg 15.5°C 

Summer: 
Average highs: 28°C (Cape Town), 26°C (Johannesburg) 
Average lows: 16°C (Cape Town), 15°C (Johannesburg) 

Winter: 
Average highs: 18°C (Cape Town), 17°C (Johannesburg) 
Average lows: 8°C (Cape Town), 4°C (Johannesburg) 

Best time to visit: 
The best time to visit South Africa is from May to September for wildlife viewing, as animals are more concentrated around water sources. For beach holidays, mid-December to March is ideal, especially in Cape Town. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots:  Yes 
 
General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes, during the rainy seasons 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: In winter, particularly in high-altitude areas 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock: Essential 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Yes, mainly in urban areas 
Accommodation options: Yes, with good connectivity 
Restaurants: Yes, in major cities 
Cafes: Yes, with Wi-Fi available 
Shopping malls: Yes 
Public parks: Yes, in major cities 
Libraries: Yes 

These remote islands lie approximately 200 kilometres off the west coast of Gabon, in the Gulf of Guinea and offer rugged beauty and isolation. The islands form Africa's second smallest nation and are comprised of two exquisite archipelagos surrounding two main islands. In the small island nation of Sao Tome and Príncipe, there is a popular expression ‘leve leve’ which loosely translates to 'take it easy’, which perfectly encapsulates the relaxed laidback atmosphere that permeates this unspoilt little piece of paradise. The extraordinarily diverse local fauna and flora range from the world's smallest ibis to the world’s largest sunbird. The landscape is equally as varied, with mountains blanketed in lush tropical forests and pristine golden-sand beaches which, despite their remarkable beauty, see surprisingly few visitors.

Currency 
Local currency: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra 
Symbol: Db 
ISO code: STN 
Subunit: Cêntimo (1/100 of a Dobra) 
Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 dobros 
Coins: 10, 20, 50 cêntimos; 1, 2 dobros 

Banking 
Card Transactions: Limited acceptance 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: No 
Diner’s club: No 

Banking Hours: Weekdays: 08:00 – 12:00, 14:00 – 16:00 
Public Holidays: Closed 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: STP Airways 
International Airports: São Tomé International Airport 
Domestic Airports: Príncipe Airport 

Road: 
Driving on the: Right 
Tar roads: Yes, primarily in urban areas 
Gravel roads: Yes, common in rural areas 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: No 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Limited 

Rail: 
Railway system: No 
Subway System: No 

Water: 
Ferries: Yes, between São Tomé and Príncipe 
Water taxis: Limited 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes, wash thoroughly 
Ice: No 
Meat: Yes, ensure it is fully cooked 
Street food: Yes, choose well-established vendors 

Local cuisine: 
São Tomé and Príncipe's cuisine features a rich mix of tropical ingredients, prominently using fish, bananas, and coconut. Calulu de peixe (fish stew with vegetables), and arroz doce (sweet rice pudding) are local staples. The influence of Portuguese cuisine is also significant. 

Drinks: 
Sweet palm wine and various local fruit juices are popular. 

Tipping:Generally, not expected but appreciated, especially in tourist areas, around 5-10%. 

Annual rainfall: Up to 3000 mm in the northern mountains 
Average temperature: 26°C 

Summer: 
Average highs: 30°C 
Average lows: 22°C 

Winter: 
Average highs: 28°C 
Average lows: 20°C 

Best time to visit: 
The optimal time to visit São Tomé and Príncipe is during the dry season from June to September. This period offers cooler temperatures and less rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the islands. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes, especially during the rainy season 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Limited 
Accommodation options: Yes, mainly in larger hotels 
Restaurants: Yes, in major areas 
Cafes: Yes, in main towns 
Shopping malls: No 
Public parks: Yes 
Libraries: Yes