South African holidays and tours can be arranged through a number of excellent websites that allow people to book online from anywhere in the world. In dismal weather in January Europeans can contemplate pictures of warmth, sunny skies and large open spaces, then book a year in advance and return often to mull over future pleasures.
The climatic differences between the northern and southern hemispheres make South Africa an ideal destination for northern hemisphere visitors during the months of November through to April. During these months there is occasional rainfall and an abundance of warm sunny days. South Africa has a moderate climate and during the summer months the vegetation is lush in most parts of the country.
Spring on South African is not a period of sudden robust growth, as it is in Europe. Warmer days encourage plants to shoot, and then they must wait for the rains to fall. Peach trees are everywhere and in spring they put out their pink blossoms as the first flags to signify the end of winter. In preparation for the new season many people burn off rank grass of the previous summer. The countryside lies blackened by fire but when the first rains come the rolling hill turn bright green with new grass.
Spring is at its most dramatic in the west of the country. Flower seeds that have lain dormant burst into blossom with all the urgency of a European Spring, and paint huge swathes of land. Their brilliant lives are short, but many special tours are arranged from Cape Town, northwards through mountains and vineyards until the spring flowers are discovered.
A spine of mountains runs like a backbone from the south to the north of the country. The Drakensberg mountains form a watershed, with some rivers running westwards into the Atlantic ocean and the others dropping down steeply into the Indian ocean. It is good to visit these mountains in the Autumn months, around March or April when the air is cool but not cold. Rock climbing, river fishing, hiking and game viewing can be enjoyed at many sites along this mountain range.
Many people visit South Africa from all over the world. They come from Japan, Europe and increasingly from China and south east Asian countries. In many many cases the attraction is the wide variety of wild animals that roam the plains and hills. The diversity extends beyond fauna, into flora from which a great many of the world’s most famous and colourful plants come.
In the past many people considering South African holidays and tours have been concerned about personal safety in the country. However, as has been demonstrated during many world sporting and cultural events personal safety is quite secure especially if tourists travel in parties and organized tour parties.