South Africa
Among the largest of Greater Kruger’s private reserves, Timbavati is known for its white lions, a rare leucitic morph associated with a recessive gene that also often results in blue eyes. Since 2004, at least a dozen leucitic cubs have been recorded, but none has survived to adulthood, not because of any adaptive inferiority, but due to the high infant mortality rate among lions.
When to visit
South Africa is a year-round destination. If your main interest is safaris, then best to visit in the southern winter, which runs from May to September. By contrast, Cape Town and the Garden Route are most agreeable in the summer months of November to March. Whenever you visit, it is easy enough to tweak your itinerary to make the most of the season. Tourist attractions become crowded from mid-December into early January, the main domestic holiday season.
Visas and paperwork
Prior to the coronavirus-related lockdown, US citizens did not require a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days, provided that they arrived at the airport or border with a valid passport. As of 28 March 2020, all US citizens visiting South Africa are required to obtain a visa in advance. This ruling will most likely be relaxed in the post-pandemic era, but do check.
