Countries

From the North Cape to the Cape of Good Hope

South Africa and Norway – how do these two countries fit together? It’s an entirely legitimate question that has no general answer. Why does Leotrav start out with this combination of countries anyway?

They are the countries for which our hearts beat the most.

Since we don’t want to advise you to do anything we are not completely enthusiastic about, we have collected all information on our favourite countries here. They are two countries that could not be any more different at first glance, and that are nevertheless entirely alike in one respect: Once you’ve been there, you’ll want to return time and time again.

All you need to know: South Africa

It has been said that once you feel the love for this country, you will keep coming back to it. South Africa has well deserved its moniker of “Rainbow Nation”. This country is just that hard to beat where facets are concerned. Its impressive nature and breathtaking wildlife are not the only things that make the southern tip of Africa so very special.

First and foremost, it is also the people who will greet you with a warm-heartedness that is second to none. Whether in Cape Town or Johannesburg, whether on a wine estate in Franschhoek or in the middle of Kruger National Park: once you have gotten the feeling of South Africa, you will never let go of it again.

Like most parts of the world, the country currently has restricted entry and imposed travel regulations. They are subject to constant change. Learn about the current status on the website of the South African government before entering the country.

German citizens may enter the country with the following documents:

• Passport: Yes
• Temporary passport: Yes
• ID card: No
• Temporary ID Card: No
• Child Passport: Yes, unless extended or updated

Your travel documents must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the date of departure and have at least two free pages for visa stamps.
You must have enough pages for stamps left if you want to travel further to any adjacent countries and then return to South Africa.
 
You do not need a visa upon entry. However, you need to apply for an extension if you plan to stay in South Africa for more than 90 days. Be careful not to exceed these 90 days as you will otherwise be declared persona non grata.
 
You may import any amount of foreign currency but must declare it from the equivalent of USD 10,000 upwards. You may import the national currency up to the amount of ZAR 25,000. Higher amounts must be declared. Exporting Rand is limited to ZAR 5,000; foreign currencies may be exported up to the amount declared upon entry.
 
Used personal items may be imported duty free.
 
Please write to us or call us if you have any other general questions about entry and travel in South Africa.
While South Africa is worth a trip year-round, some months are more suitable for specific activities than others. The South African seasons generally are the precise opposite to the German ones. German summer equals winter in South Africa and vice versa.

South African spring (September & October) is very sunny and accordingly warm already. Spring also is a good time to go on safari: animals are active and easier to spot. Whales also migrate along the coast during these months, increasing chances that you may experience these impressive animals up close immensely.

November marks the start of South-African summer, when the weather turns warm and rains make nature resplendent in a lush green. Chances of seeing baby animals on safari are particularly high now.

Autumn s slowly moving in from March onwards. Temperatures will drop slightly, especially at night, while the days remain warm and sunny and visitor numbers decline.

South African winter has pleasant daytime temperatures alternating with at times very cool nights from June to August. Little to no rain causes nature to lose its lush green and turn barren as compared to summer. Even the winter months have some memorable experiences to offer, however. One of them is the migration of hundreds of whales along the coast to where they mate in July.
Payments in South Africa are made in South African Rand (ZAR). 1 Euro roughly equals 16 Rand at the moment (March 2022). Check the current exchange rates before your trip to know roughly how much you’ll get for your money.
 
Many places in South Africa generally permit credit card payments, both in stores and restaurants. Nevertheless, you are well advised to have some cash on you – including some change. You will need it, among other things to park your car in a public parking lot. Many of them have parking attendants waiting on site to keep their eye on your vehicle for a small tip. Some stores or gas stations off the beaten track also may not accept card payments at all.

You can withdraw money at virtually every corner, in particular in busy locations, where you can use your EC or credit card on one of the many ATMs. Ideally talk to your bank beforehand to learn how much you will have to pay in foreign transaction fees.

Südafrika ist ein zu vielfältiges Land, um hier eine feste Zeitangabe machen zu können. Aufgrund der langen Flugzeit (von Deutschland per Direktflug ca. 12h) empfiehlt es sich, mindestens eine Woche einzuplanen. Nach oben hin ist eurer Reisezeit natürlich keine Grenze gesetzt.

Wie lange ihr durch Südafrika reist, hängt in erster Linie von der gewählten Route ab. Wollt ihr lediglich Kapstadt und seine Umgebung erkunden reichen euch 10 Tage völlig aus. Wollt ihr jedoch neben Kapstadt auch noch die Garden Route oder den Kruger Nationalpark erkunden empfiehlt es sich mindestens 2, eher 3 Wochen einzuplanen.

Die Reisedauer hängt selbstverständlich auch davon ab, wie ihr euch im Land fortbewegen wollt. Es ist definitiv empfehlenswert, mit dem Mietwagen zu fahren, da Südafrika (trotz Linksverkehr) über ein sehr gut ausgebautes und angenehm zu befahrendes Straßennetz verfügt. Nichtsdestotrotz bietet es sich bei begrenzter Zeit an, größere Strecken (z.B. Kapstadt – Johannesburg) mit dem Flugzeug zurückzulegen.

 

Bei Fragen zu möglichen Routen, der Reisedauer oder Erlebnissen, die ihr entlang eures Weges auf keinen Fall verpassen solltet, kontaktiert uns gerne! 

All you need to know: Norway

Many have succumbed to the vast, rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful landscape before. The trip to the North Cape, often the final destination of a long journey for travellers, has much to offer already.

It is not only the vast and often-deserted north that has always captivated travellers, however. Large cities such as Oslo, Trondheim, Tromsö, and Bodö offer a variety of travel experiences for just about any taste.

Everyone who has experienced Norway’s vast and diverse nature will understand why even (insert the king who climbed up the North Cape) was overwhelmed by the beauty of this place.
At 385,207 km², Norway is one of the largest countries in Europe, even though only about 5.5 million people live there. The 29,000-kilometre-long coastline with its deep fjords is rendered very mild by the North Atlantic current that brings relatively warm water high up into the north. The country’s eastern part sports a continental climate. Norway’s northern expansion brings a very different flora and fauna with it. While the southern part of the country offers a home to animals from Central European regions, Arctic species are living in the north.

The official language in Norway is Norwegian, a relative of the Swedish and Danish languages. The languages of the Sámi, the indigenous people of Norway, are recognised as well, however. Since pupils learn English as their first foreign language and may learn German, among other options, as an elective subject in Norway, the country has a very low language barrier.
Like most parts of the world, the country currently has restricted entry and imposed travel regulations. They are subject to constant change. Learn about the current status on the website of the Norwegian government before entering the country. German citizens may enter the country with the following documents:
 
• Passport: Yes
• Temporary passport: Yes
• ID card: Yes
• Temporary ID Card: Yes
• Child Passport: Yes

A visa is not required upon entry, but you must apply for a residence permit at a Norwegian police station within two weeks of entry if you plan to stay in Norway for more than three months. Norway has very strict customs regulations. Import of alcoholic beverages in particular, but also of tobacco products, is subject to strict limitations, and even small transgressions are punished severely. High import duties are payable on the import of passenger cars. The Norwegian Customs Service offers information on the precise customs regulations to be observed when entering Norway in the German language as well. Please write to us or call us if you have any further questions on entry and travel in Norway in general.
When should you travel to Norway? There is no specific travel time for it, as Norway offers some unique beauties in any season. Depending on the region, you can experience the midnight sun from June to August in summer, while the sun will not rise at all between mid-November and January in the north. On the other hand, September to March will show you Northern Lights when the sky is clear. Winter temperatures range from 0 °C on the south coast to -10 °C on the north coast and may drop to -20 °C inland. Summer is warm and dry, in particular in the south. The North Cape often remains wintery even then. Of course, you will need to pack your travel wardrobe accordingly.

Since the weather in Norway may change on a daily basis in any season, it is a good idea to be prepared for any weather. Bring some warm, water- and windproof clothes even in summer. It is advisable to dress in layers to be prepared for anything. Of course, winter requires warm clothes and shoes. Preparations are advised if you plan to visit Norway’s untouched nature. You can find a packing list for tours here.

Payments in Norway are made in Norwegian krone. Cashless payment has become the norm, however, even in more remote regions. As cash is to be gradually phased out in the course of the next few years, some hotels are already only accepting payment by credit card. Norway is, indeed, a rather expensive country. This is partly due to the high standard of living of Norwegians and their higher incomes. As a result, it is advisable to bring some things from Germany, in particular where alcohol or tobacco products are concerned.

Norway has something to offer for everyone, whether they are spending a week there, two, or much longer. Enjoy an extended tour from the south to the very north, or a short trip to one of the cities and its surrounding area. Southern Norway offers tours from Oslo via Kristiansand and Stavanger to Bergen. Trondheim has many activities that reach all the way to Bodö in Central Norway. The classic destinations with the Lofoten Islands and North Cape can be experienced in Northern Norway. We will find optimal individual activities for you to ensure a memorable trip to Norway and leave you wanting more, no matter how much time you have at hand and which region appeals to you the most.

Packing lists

We would like to give you some useful items for your trip with our packing lists. Some of them make your trip easier, while others are quite essential. We are deliberately leaving out any regular and everyday items that are generally needed on any trip. Many of these things are highly individual and everyone has their own everyday needs to cover. We merely aim to complement your own travel kit with our packing lists. Please contact us if you feel that we have missed some essential item.

Packing List: South Africa

Packing List: Norway