Southern Africa

[[file:Southern Africa banner Reed dance - Reed Dance Festival, Eswatini}}

{{confused|South Africa, a country in southern Africa.|]] Southern Africa is marked by sub-tropical and temperate climate, in contrast to the tropical savannas and jungles of Central Africa.

Countries

[[Image:Southern Africa new map -

regionmapsize=490px|thumb|350px|Southern Africa regions - Color-coded map]]

Botswana Famous for the rich wildlife of the Okavango Delta.

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Lesotho The Kingdom in the Sky.

Malawi The warm heart of Africa, around Lake Malawi.

Mozambique Relax on the stunningly beautiful beaches and reefs or get into the backcountry and do some exploring.

Namibia Namibia produces some of the world's highest quality diamonds.

South Africa One of the richest countries in Africa has its share of wildlife and tourist-friendly sites.

Zambia

Zimbabwe Once known as the breadbasket of Africa, widely known for its famous monuments, tourist attractions and varied scenery.

Cities

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• Cape Town — Legislative capital and vibrant port city in South Africa
• Gaborone — The capital of Botswana
• Harare — The capital of Zimbabwe
• Johannesburg — Largest city in South Africa
• Lusaka — The capital of Zambia
• Maseru — The capital of Lesotho
• Maputo — The capital of Mozambique
• Windhoek — The capital of Namibia
• Lilongwe — The capital of Malawi

South_Africa-Mpumalanga-Rhino01 - Wildlife is abundant in Southern Africa

More Destinations

• Chobe National Park in Botswana — great wildlife viewing
• 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
• Ilha de Mozambique in Mozambique — an island with some of the most notable historical legacy anywhere in Africa
• 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
• 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 is designated as Moremi Game Reserve
• South Luangwa National Park in Zambia — one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world
• Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) | Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe — amazing falls in the west of the nation, also accessible from Zambia

Southern Africa Halal Travel Guide

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 and 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.

Local Language in Southern Africa

English is an official language in all countries in the region except Mozambique, 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, especially in Mozambique where it is the official language.

Bantu languages dominate the area.

The Khoisan languages, including Nama, are spoken by the Khoikhoi and the San peoples, prevalent around the Kalahari.

Travel to Southern Africa

Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis - Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport has Flights from all other continents

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Southern Africa

South Africa's O.R. Tambo International Airport (IATA Code: JNB) in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (IATA Code: CPT) are two of the easiest entry points into the region, with many direct international flight landing from Amsterdam, Bangkok, Lisbon, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Athens, Dubai, Doha, New York, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Buenos Aires, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Sydney, Perth and others.

Connections to the rest of the Southern African 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.

You may also want to have a look at Discount airlines in Africa and Air travel in South Africa.

By sea

Numerous ocean liners stop in multiple ports throughout Southern Africa, and can make a great way to explore the sub-continent. Europe or South America are the most frequent location to find a boat heading to Southern Africa. For the truly adventurous and there are infrequent ships coming up from Antarctica.

Southern Africa is easily reachable by yacht, but be sure your route avoids the pirate-infested waters of North Africa.

By car

Entering Southern Africa by vehicle is an amazing way to see all the region's beauty as well as to get to places off the normal tourist routes. This can be done in a normal vehicle with careful planning but a 4x4 is highly advised and many locations are only accessible with a high wheel base 4x4.

Keep in mind while planning that although Southern Africa is stable not all neighboring countries are. Please research all countries before entering them. Visa requirements and costs vary from nation to nation and are affected by the nation you come from.

Each country also has unique laws requiring what emergency items need to be in the car. It is well worth looking into getting a 'Carnet de Passage' as it can save you small fortune in import taxes for your car.

Unfortunately corruption still infects certain of these countries and you'd be best advised to look into best travelling trainings for each country before you arrive.

How to get around in Southern Africa

Fly to Southern Africa

Southern Africa has limited airline options, and varies from country to country. Most countries have a national airline that will fly at least to Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International) and other neighboring countries. The two largest carriers in the region are South African Airways and British Airways. Smaller airlines include most of the local countries national airlines, but prices can be excessively high.

By car

Zambia traffic - Gravel road in southern Zambia

Cars can be hired in all Southern African countries but South Africa is the cheapest country to hire in. Rates start from $20 a day or $300 a month for a affordable get around vehicle (e.g. old VW Beetle), to $130 per day or $330 per month for an entry level 4x4. Depending on who you hire from there most likely will be a fee to cross borders but this should include a tow fee back to South Africa if you break down in elsewhere in the region. This can easily be arranged on line and there are plenty of forums giving advice on the best options available.

Buying a vehicle is also easiest to do in South Africa as they are most amenable to non-citizens owning vehicles. A second hand entry level vehicle can be purchased for less than $200 (e.g. Classic VW Beetle) to a 4x4 costing less than $5100. If you do purchase a second hand vehicle it's best to personally inspect it, as well as have mechanic inspect it before purchase. Be careful of were you go to buy the vehicle as many areas in South Africa are not tourist safe, so make sure to meet at a mall or some other convenient location.

Driving your own vehicle or hired vehicle through Southern Africa will require that you have a fully road worthy vehicle and all the legal accessories in your car. These accessories are country dependent and you should check each country you plan to enter before leaving and the items may include red triangles, fire extinguisher, spare wheel, etc. Corruption in Southern Africa is a problem (country dependent), so be cautious about best training for each country and that they have no excuse to fine or in the worst case arrest you. And be warned Africa is bigger than you expect, so expect lots of long drives.

By sea

There are numerous Yachting Companies or Ocean Liners that travel the Southern African Coast line, depending on your budget.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Southern Africa

There was a strong colonial train system, that is now in various conditions dependent on which countries you enter. That said train travel is still and amazing way to travel through Southern Africa and well worth looking into.

By bike

Cheap modes of travel - If you're really, really determined, biking is also an option

Many countries in Southern Africa are amazing to cycle through, but the size of these countries are often comparable to France or Texas. You will have long rides often with few or no towns in a day's cycling, so be prepared to carry all you need. In certain areas it is legally required that you have a follow vehicle with you for emergencies.

It most likely goes without saying that if the area is marked as a wild life preserve, cycling is a bad idea unless clearly indicated otherwise! (You may wind up as dinner...)

By thumb

In many areas this is highly inadvisable and may even be illegal, so check before you hit the road.

That said, if you do hit the road, with nothing but your backpack, you might want to read up on what the local customs are as sticking your thumb out will not get the message out in all countries. Watch the local residents and expect that in some countries, you may still need to pay for the ride.

Travel on a Bus in Southern Africa

This is the preferred way to travel through Southern Africa for people who don't have access to a car. The buses vary in quality which is related to cost, but they will take you anywhere and normally it is easy to cross a border as a bus passenger. But the chance of a break down on a long African bus trip is high, hence you should always have sufficient time for transfers as buses often run late. The South African bus company Intercape operates a network of bus lines in most countries in Southern Africa, all the way up to northern Malawi.

What to see in Southern Africa

Halal Tours and Excursions in Southern Africa

• Garden Route

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.

Best things to do in Southern Africa

Giraffe in motion, part 2 - Giraffe in the Okavango Delta

Safari

One of the most popular holiday activities in Southern Africa is wildlife safaris where travelers try to spot 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 heaven. 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 fruit cocktails. Most farms are open for public tastings. Some of the towns to visit on the Wine Route include Stellenbosch, Franschoek, Paarl and Robertson.

Halal Restaurants in Southern Africa

Water

Maletsunyanefalls - Maletsunyane Falls, Semonkong

Southern Africa's tap water is generally good but the exceptions are Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In the cities or where indicated outside these four countries it is advised for those with weak stomach to at least boil the water. In Lesotho, Zambia and Zimbabwe you should always boil the water or use chlorine pills. It's best to buy bottled water if you are worried about the quality of the tap water and this concerns all the water you use including toothbrushing, ice cubes, cleaning fruit (always rinse fruits before you consume them!) or any other time you consume water.

There are areas with contaminated waters! but this is common near cities and normally signed, but if the local residents don't drink it, you shouldn't.

River water and water in rural communities is often contaminated or will at least give travelers diarrhea. Bring fresh water were feasible and in an emergency at least boil or add chlorine pills to the water. Be careful of were camp sites get their water, as it some time for the local river.

Alcohol

Southern Africa generally has or had a lot of control on its alcohol beverage manufacture, which limited creativity or verity. Most countries have at least one local organic juice or organic juice brand. That said alcohol is readily available, though price can fluctuate greatly depending on were you buying them from.

South Africa has the largest variety as there has been more freedom in the market over the last 15 years, with around a thousand farms, numerous micro-breweries (Colas) and a verity of other drinks been produced. You are most like to find some of the older names of South African Alcohols through out Southern Africa, though certain international Spirits and whiskys are available in areas.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Southern Africa

Southern Africa - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Southern Africa, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Southern Africa. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Southern Africa and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Southern Africa. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Southern Africa. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSouthern Africa: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Southern Africa.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Southern Africa: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Southern Africa, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Southern Africa.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Southern Africa, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Southern Africa, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Southern Africa and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Southern Africa, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Southern Africa, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Southern Africa without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Southern Africa is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Southern Africa.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Southern Africa is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Southern Africa, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Southern Africa Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Southern Africa

eHalal Group Southern Africa is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Southern Africa. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Southern Africa.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Southern Africa ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Southern Africa. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Southern Africa, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Southern Africa are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Alter Bahnhof Swakopmund Hotel - The former train station in Swakopmund is nowadays a luxurious hotel Accommodation in Southern Africa varies to serve all budgets, from those backpacking to 5 star hotels and game resorts. In tourist areas, you will normally find something that meets your needs and budget but it's best to have cash at hand outside of South Africa or do an EFT in advance as few place accept bank cards.

Cost are often affected by time of year, Christmas (Summer) and Easter are two large local holidays that send the local tourist swarming and cause prices to rise. You can often end up paying twice as much at this time of the year in all accommodation types.

Back Packers (Hostels)

In South Africa, Back Packers (known as hostels in other parts of the world) are common in most tourist areas or medium to large cities. In the rest of Southern Africa the trend of Back Packers is slowly growing and most countries now have at least a few, especially near tourist locations, e.g. Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba or the Mozambique Coast.

Normally accommodation varies from large rooms with up to 20 beds, to smaller rooms with up to 6 beds. The number of beds in the dorm affect the cost but cost is normally around $10 per day, excluding food, per person.

Private rooms are normally available, but cost increase depending if you have a private or shared bathroom, or double bed. Normally between $35 and $70, location dependent.

Most Back Packers will also have camping facilities, with a shared amenities. Prices are around $5 per person per day.

Most Back Packers have a small restaurant inside, but often only serve a small variety of dishes (Though there is normally 2 or 3 Vegetarian options), and only breakfast and dinner are served. There should also be a basically equipped communal kitchen for those that prefer to prepare their own (definitely not halal and you might want to wash any equipment before using it).

A bar, communal relaxation area, swimmingpool and even a TV are common in most back packers, but expect to find treasures like cliff top baths and tree house for the adventurous.

Backpackers tend to function as informal tourist information centers and will often help you make bookings or find out what is available with in the local area.

Though not conclusive coast to coast is a free guide that you will find in most Back Packers throughout Southern Africa.

Bed and Breakfast

Throughout Southern Africa, in places frequented by tourists you will find a Bed and Breakfast. Mostly these are located in large cities or towns with popular tourist attractions, though in South Africa you will find one in just about every small town no matter how far off the beaten track you are.

The quality of Bed and Breakfasts vary greatly, some are no more than an old bedroom that's now open for stay, while others are professionally run and will rival superior Muslim friendly accommodations.

Depending on were you chose to stay, most will offer only breakfast or tea and coffee; while a few will do dinners as well. Though if you plan in advance you can often make arrangements for extra meals.

In many ways you are staying in someone's home, so only enter the areas that the owner shows or invites you and feel free to make use of amenities where indicated. However, unlike a hotel and the staff are not always available 24/7, so don't be surprised or offended that you will be let in by someone in a bathrobe if you arrive late.

Hotels and Lodges

Cities in Southern Africa are filled with lodges and hotels to fit your budget and better rates are offered for longer stays. You will find most of the large international chains in most of the Southern African countries (except in Zimbabwe which no longer allows internationally run business). On the rare occasion you will find a hotel claiming to be 4 or 5 star that is not (or more likely no longer is). Doing a little research online about other people's experiences or following a travel guide can get you a long way to finding the perfect spot to stay.

Game Reserves

Marloth Park from the Kruger - Accommodation in Kruger National Park

Southern Africa is full with public or government run game reserves. Reserves such as Kruger National Park are easily accessible by any vehicle but many can only be visited by high based 4x4's. Some are associated with tour operators that will get you there.

Accommodation varies from camping to five star lodges, but you will need to check what's available and where it's best to stay in which season as some areas of the reserves are not accessible during the rain season.

House Boats

If you looking for the house boat experience Lake Malawi or Lake Kariba are you best options, though certainly not the only ones. As with selecting anywhere to stay do your research in advance as some of the best option at 30km of dirt road and a long drive from anywhere but the beauty of the lakes will make the journey worth it.

Hunting Lodges

Though most animals can be hunted at some private game lodges, please take into consideration the animals you are hunting. Please consider carefully if the animal you are hunting is endangered or high risk of becoming endangered. Do not go hunting without a professional and certified guide or a spotter, hunters have been attacked by animals they did not see while focused on their quarry. Hunting is an art you will not master in a two African safaris, if you're not exceptionally competent with a gun, master it before you leave your home country, for sake of the animal and those you hunt with.

Stay away from grey trainings such as canned lion hunting - when people realize you shot a drugged animal after wounding it three times, you just going to embarrass yourself.

There are numerous hunting lodges within easy access of international travel and are normally located close to tourist areas. The quality of accommodation varies and cost is affected by what you hunt.

Stay Safe

The people of Southern Africa tend to be friendly and helpful, but unemployment is high and thus a lot of opportunistic theft happens. Violent crime is common in certain cities or regions, please check each country before going.

Some basic safety tips include:

• Do not leave items visible in cars.
• Park in secure areas, parking lots with security or visible guards.
• Avoid leaving possessions unattended.

Medical Issues in Southern Africa

Water

Depending on the nation you are visiting, tap water might not always be safe to drink. Consult the page for the relevant country and check with local residents when in doubt.

Sunburn

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

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.

Yellow Fever

In training, yellow fever is not a problem in Zambia anymore, except perhaps in the extreme west along the Congolese borders. However, many countries will insist on a yellow fever vaccination certificate if they find out you've been to Zambia, so it's best to get a jab at least 10-14 days before arriving.

Other

Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Diphtheria are advised for most of Southern African countries.

Other less common vaccinations maybe advised for certain countries, depending on region and duration of stay. Please consult a travel doctor before leaving.

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Southern Africa

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