Book cheap flights to Cape Verde

Although Cape Verde is deliciously sunny throughout the year, there are two distinct seasons: Tempo das chuvas (rainy season) from August to October and Tempo das Brisas (time of the winds) from October to July. The best time to visit Cape Verde depends on what you want to do. November to March offer the best conditions for surfing and windsurfing. Nesting season for turtles is between June and October and baby turtles hatch between August and December. For scuba diving and snorkelling, June to December offers calm water and great underwater visibility. Hiking is amazing from July to December, when the landscape is green and beautiful. However, flooding from the rains can impede some Santo Antão hikes. Notable festivals include: São Vicente Carnival in February, Gamboa Music Festival in May, São Vicente Baia das Gatas Festival in August, and Santa Maria Festival in September. For cheap flights to Cape Verde, the best time to visit is from April to June and in October.

South African passport holders require a visa to enter Cape Verde. Visas can be obtained in advance from the Embassy of Cape Verde in Angola or upon arrival at one of the international airports.

You will need to ensure your passport has a validity of at least six months and two blank pages for entry stamps.

The Embassy of Cape Verde in Angola is situated in Luanda.

Address: Rue Oliveira Martins No 3, Luanda, Angola

Phone: 09 244 2 32 1765/0412/0436

Fax: 09 244 32 0832

E-mail: embaicv.ang@snct.co.ao / embaicv.ang@multitel.co.ao

Although the Cape Verde islands are generally considered quite safe, crime is not uncommon. You should take the usual precautions and use common sense throughout your trip.

Avoid flashy displays of wealth and wandering into isolated areas or alone at night. Be vigilant in the crowded markets and of children who appear to be hanging around without adults, as pick-pocketing and bag snatching does happen. Keep doors and windows of your hotel locked and valuables stored in the safe when you leave the hotel.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are travelling from an infected country. Zika virus, dengue fever, and malaria are a risk, so precautions should be taken to avoid mosquito bites. Recommended and routine vaccinations include: hepatitis A & B, typhoid, rabies, MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, meningitis, varicella, polio and influenza. Stick to bottled water.

Medical facilities on the Cape Verde islands are limited, so travel insurance is recommended.