5 reasons why any time is a good time to visit South Africa

Wolfberg Arch - Cederberg, South Africa

If you’re planning a holiday to South Africa, a wonderful mix of culture and adventure awaits.  From relaxing beaches to wild and wacky tours, there’s always something to do here, no matter the time of year.

1. You can spend a day out of the ordinary and swim with wild penguins at Boulders beach
2. Go whale watching in the Cape Peninsula Enjoy the majesty of the largest mammals on earth when you go whale watching in the Cape Peninsula
3. Take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain to see heart-stopping views of Cape Town and discover flora not found anywhere else on earth
4. Get up close and personal with wild animals at Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve safari
5. Enter an unusual game of Ostrich racing in Karoo and go head to head with some of the locals

The possibilities abound, as do the plethora of wildlife available that can be seen only in Africa. The prime tourist season runs from November to March as tourists from the northern hemisphere flock here to enjoy the warmer climate. Be sure to book your tickets to South Africa well in advance if you plan on coming at this time.

Etihad Airways and South African Airways announced a major expansion of their strategic partnership, at the end of last year, making flights from Abu Dhabi to South Africa (and vice versa) all the more accessible.

As part of the extended cooperation, South African Airways will launch a daily service between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi on 29 March 2015, which will complement Etihad Airways’ existing flights between the two cities to offer a combined double-daily frequency on the route.

As a result, business and leisure travellers will benefit from the convenience of multiple options between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi within the same day. More than 1,000 connections will also be offered each week over Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi hub to key markets including the GCC region, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, and North and South East Asia.

The airlines have also significantly developed their codeshare agreement to include a total of 49 routes, more than double the previous number. Subject to regulatory approval, Etihad Airways will place its ‘EY’ code on South African Airways’ new Johannesburg-Abu Dhabi flights, in addition to 16 of the airline’s other services from Johannesburg to key destinations across the African continent. In return, South African Airways will place its ‘SA’ code on 32 Etihad Airways routes beyond Abu Dhabi to a range of destinations worldwide.

Etihad Airways and South African Airways’ Johannesburg – Abu Dhabi schedule

Effective 29 March 2015:

Note: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.

• SAA to operate daily flight between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi from 29 March 2015