If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
?How about 30 days in South Africa starting next month?
FYI, we are a 60ish couple who have car tripped all of North America
and Europe I thinking of a visit. Flying in to Johannesburg A few days in Johannesburg A few days in Krugher National park Renting/leaseing a car in Johannesburg Drive to Cape Town A few days in Cape Town Drive the coast to Durban Drive to Johannesburg Fly out of Johannesburg Have I got a good start on where to go? Is a month a good amount of time? Is this the right time of year? |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
?How about 30 days in South Africa starting next month?
Great time of the year, for sure.
You could use your car all the way. Driving from Kruger to Durban could take you through the historic battlefields. Driving from Durban to Cape Town would include some great coastal scenery and a good look at less-developed areas of the country. Travel during the day only. Maybe plan your trip to fly home from Cape Town. The long drive all the way back to Johannesburg doesn't offer much interest - especially as the 'finale' to what would be a great trip. Here are a few hundred web sites (many of them 'gateway sites' to many other sites) http://www.cbel.com/south_africa/ To look at B&B's, Guest houses, etc., I suggest: www.safarinow.com & http://www.sa-venues.com You should expect $40+ per day for a car such as a Nissan Almera - including the minimum recommended insurance. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
?How about 30 days in South Africa starting next month?
I agree with Dave, good time of year. Might be a bit steamy in/around
Durban, but if your car has aircon you'll have an emergency escape from the heat if you happen to need it. I also agree that the drive should be Joburg to Kruger then down the east coast south of Lesotho and west across the Garden Route to Cape Town. I would add an excursion up the west coast to Namaqualand, which is unforgettable and an amazing contrast to the lush tropics of Venda (northern Limpopo) where you'll begin. It is safe and well sign-posted, with plenty of petrol stations, accommodation, etc. Fly back to Joburg -- buy a low-cost one-way on Mango, Kulula or 1Time airlines. What kinds of things are you most interested in? There are great archaeological sites all along the route, historical battlefields, botanical wonders, hikes, fly fishing, animals, golf, music, spas, sea and sand (I imagine you aren't keen on learning to surf, but one never knows -- turning 60 tends to do things to one's mind...) and animals. Are you foodies? Wine lovers? Vegan? You'll go through vibrant cities, deep rural traditional areas, and will likely hear all 11 official languages as you go - the cultural diversity is stunning. Have you considered hiring an RV and taking your own bedroom and kitchen with you? There are several excellent companies who offer those. I'm happy to make more specific recommendations of routes and destinations (as others are too, I'm sure), but by and large this NG has tiptoed around endorsing specific accommodations (B&B, guest house, safari lodge, etc.) to keep it from being spammed by adverts and marketing blather -- but we will warn you away from something if you ask and we know it to be a problem. A month is a good amount of time...but be prepared to plan a return journey! Kurt |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
?How about 30 days in South Africa starting next month?
I can only agree with Dave and Kurt. I think you've been given sound
advice there. The drive between Jhb and CT CAN be interesting if you want it to be. You don't have to trake the direct route. You could go up the west coast to Lambert's bay, then inland to Calvinia etc. and then approach Johannesburg from the west. There are intersting places such as Kimberley for example to visit if you're interested in that sort of thing. If you're really ecclectic, there's the Radio Museum in Van Ryhnsdorp :-) and the largest post box in the world in Calvinia. ;-) Marc |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
?How about 30 days in South Africa starting next month?
Well the opinions have been YES so I am going to try to get two tickets
on an auction site Friday. If sucessful, I will be back with more questions Doug Clark ps. Our trip blogs are at:http://beulavillenc-travel.blogspot.com/ On Jan 24, 2:15 am, Marc Lurie wrote: I can only agree with Dave and Kurt. I think you've been given sound advice there. The drive between Jhb and CT CAN be interesting if you want it to be. You don't have to trake the direct route. You could go up the west coast to Lambert's bay, then inland to Calvinia etc. and then approach Johannesburg from the west. There are intersting places such as Kimberley for example to visit if you're interested in that sort of thing. If you're really ecclectic, there's the Radio Museum in Van Ryhnsdorp :-) and the largest post box in the world in Calvinia. ;-) Marc |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
?How about 30 days in South Africa starting next month?
Renting/leaseing a car in Johannesburg Drive to Cape Town ? I wouldn't drive from Jo'burg to Cape Town. From the Kruger I advise to visit St. Lucia and Hluwehluwe. Then drive to Durban and take a flight to PE. From PE you can drive the garden route to Cape Town. June-August is wintermonth, and dry in the Kruger areas. But cold in Cape Town and surroundings! Keep well. Regards from the bush, Corné. www.amukela.com |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
?How about 30 days in South Africa starting next month?
Drive to Cape Town? I wouldn't drive from Jo'burg to Cape Town. From the Kruger I advise to visit St. Lucia and Hluwehluwe. Then drive to Durban and take a flight to PE. From PE you can drive the garden route to Cape Town. This is sound advice for most people who come for a week or two, but given the amount of time you're planning to spend I have to disagree strongly. The southern KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape parts of the trip are beautiful, relatively unspoiled by tourism overdevelopment, and have some of the most amazing cultural experiences in them. To be honest, most South Africans don't even bother to visit this part of the country (south of the Drakensberg) in their travels, and don't know what they're missing. After all the safari experiences of Kruger and Hluhluwe, the Drakensberg and Eastern Cape are just the right change of pace and scenery, and are nothing like what you'll find along the Garden Route or in Cape Town. This region includes the homeland of Mandela and Tutu among other luminaries, and also offers wild coastlines as well as the majesty of the Drakensberg Mountains at the Lesotho border. History runs deep here, and you'll find the ghosts of Shaka, of British imperial misadventure, of prophetesses and much more. The landscape and the parks are lovely (with the latter generally well maintained), and the ancient African traditions of hospitality in this area are legendary! So many people overlook the Eastern Cape and it's truly their loss. When you're ready to talk in detail about your itinerary and route, I'll be happy to share some more specifics. Kurt http://afrikatourism.blogspot.com |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
?How about 30 days in South Africa starting next month?
I got my tickets this morning on South African Air for $890 each. The
deal? was buy one get one free. I think if I had started earlier, I could have bagged lower tickets on Sky Auction for about $650. So four big questions to start with: Out of a 32 day trip, is a week in a condo in Johannesburg way too much? Where should I stay on Johannesburg - Downtown, Sandton or else where? Out of a 32 day trip, is a week in a condo in Cape Town way too much? Any comments on my schedule below? Doug Clark ps. we like cities, fresh food, history plus the scenery in ZULU with Michael Caine. /////////////////////////////////////////////// 2-8 and 2-9 Leave Washington and arrive Johannesburg. 2-9 to 2-16 Johannesburg Condo rental. see City Sights, Sun City, Pretoria & ????. Auto 1,000 km 2-16 to 2-20 On to Kruger National Park and Around the park. Auto 1,000km 2-20 to 2-23 Out of Kruger National Park and on to Durban. Auto 600km 2-23 to 2-26 Out of Durban and on to Port Elizabeth. Auto 1,000 km 2-26 to 3-2 Out of Port Elizabeth and on to Cape Town. Auto 800km | 3-2 to 3-9 Cape Town Condo Rental. See sights 3-9 to 3-12 Out of Cape Town and round about on to Johannesburg. Auto 2,000km 3-12 and 3-13 Leave Johannesburg and arrive Washington. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
?How about 30 days in South Africa starting next month?
Hi,
See my comments below your questions... On 28 Jan 2007 14:09:58 -0800, " wrote: I got my tickets this morning on South African Air for $890 each. The deal? was buy one get one free. I think if I had started earlier, I could have bagged lower tickets on Sky Auction for about $650. The ticket price sounds pretty darned good. I have to visit NYC later this year, and I wish I could get a ticket at that price :-) So four big questions to start with: Out of a 32 day trip, is a week in a condo in Johannesburg way too much? I love Johannesburg, but a week here means that you will be missing out on other things. You can "do" Johannesburg in about three or four days. Please feel free to e-mail me personally for any information about Joburg, I'm always more than happy to make visitors welcome to my city. (I have no involvement in the tourism or hospitlity industry at all, I simply know that people who visit my country and have an enjoyable and positive experience, will be the future ambasadors for my country.) I would definitely plan to visit the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, a tour through Soweto, and perhaps take in some night life or entertainment/restaurants if that's your "thing" Where should I stay on Johannesburg - Downtown, Sandton or else where? Don't stay downtown. Not only is the inner city quite delapidated and dangerous, but there is no easily available transport, and no infrastructure for visitors. What level of accomodation are you looking for? Once again, please feel free to e-mail me personally. Out of a 32 day trip, is a week in a condo in Cape Town way too much? If you spend a week in Cape Town, but spend your time travelling around and seeing the sights, then a week is a good period. There are wine tours nearby that can be done as a day trip. You can also easily travel up or down the coast, visiting interesting places within an easy drive from Cape Town. Any comments on my schedule below? Doug Clark ps. we like cities, fresh food, history plus the scenery in ZULU with Michael Caine. If you're interseted in history and ZULU, then you absolutely positively have to visit the "Battlefield Route" and you MUST visit Rourke's Drift, Isandlhwana, etc. Johannesburg is a fascinating, vibrant, and marvelous city. It also can be very dangerous if you're in the wrong place. Without a sensible local to accompany you, I do not suggest that you visit certain parts of downtown Joburg, Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville. Being a bit on the portly side of slim :-), it is quite clear that I also enjoy good food, and I know some excellent restaurants in Joburg. Johannesburg is the biggest, and wealthiest, city in Africa and as a result we get much of our produce before the rest of the country. Fish, for example, is put on ice and flown to Joburg daily, and it hits the store shelf at around the same time as it does at the coast. You can easily fing live crayfish and oysters in Johannesburg even though we're at least 1000km away from the nearest oyster beds. /////////////////////////////////////////////// 2-8 and 2-9 Leave Washington and arrive Johannesburg. 2-9 to 2-16 Johannesburg Condo rental. see City Sights, Sun City, Pretoria & ????. Auto 1,000 km Pretoria is "do-able" as a day trip from Johannesburg. Sun City could be done in one, long day, but staying overnight is probably better. 2-16 to 2-20 On to Kruger National Park and Around the park. Auto 1,000km 2-20 to 2-23 Out of Kruger National Park and on to Durban. Auto 600km If you visit the Battlefields route, then schedule more time on this leg. 2-23 to 2-26 Out of Durban and on to Port Elizabeth. Auto 1,000 km It may be around 1000km, but it is through difficult countryside (good roads, but undulating and winding). This area of the country is really beautiful, and you may want to schedule more time here, particularly in the former "Transkei", what is known as the "Wild Coast". Look at places like Coffee Bay, Mazeppa Bay, Qora Mouth, etc. 2-26 to 3-2 Out of Port Elizabeth and on to Cape Town. Auto 800km To my mind, you've scheduled too much time for this leg. Yes, it's pretty along this route, but not like the Wild Coast.| would personally prefer to stop off at Storms River for an hour or two, then stop off in Knysna perhaps overnight. Then pretty much straigth on to Cape Town. You might consider a deviation via Oudshoorn for interest's sake, and perhaps visit Hermanus 3-2 to 3-9 Cape Town Condo Rental. See sights 3-9 to 3-12 Out of Cape Town and round about on to Johannesburg. Auto 2,000km As I've suggested before, I'd travel up the west coast via Paternoster, Lambert's Bay etc, and then head inland towards Calvinia, and then on to Joburg that way. You could take in Kimberley along this route. 3-12 and 3-13 Leave Johannesburg and arrive Washington. I hope you find my information helpful. Regards, Marc |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
?How about 30 days in South Africa starting next month?
So four big questions to start with: Out of a 32 day trip, is a week in a condo in Johannesburg way too much? Jo'burg can been seen in 2 days. Remember there's a lot of crime, so don't go downtown. Sandton, Soweto and Gold Reef City are worth a visit. Where should I stay on Johannesburg - Downtown, Sandton or else where? Sandton is very safe and luxury. Big shopping malls there! Out of a 32 day trip, is a week in a condo in Cape Town way too much? No, although crime rate in Cape Town is high (in the townships), there a safe areas and interresting places to visit. A week is good. You van go to Robben Island (visit Mandela's prison), Table Mountain, The Waterfront, etc. Really a nice place to spend some days and relax. Don't miss the city tour, and visiting the old dutch VOC gardens. 2-8 and 2-9 Leave Washington and arrive Johannesburg. 2-9 to 2-16 Johannesburg Condo rental. see City Sights, Sun City, Pretoria & ????. Auto 1,000 km 2-16 to 2-20 On to Kruger National Park and Around the park. Auto 1,000km Visit Letaba, Lower Sabie and Olifants camp. They are worht a visit. 2-20 to 2-23 Out of Kruger National Park and on to Durban. Auto 600km In this province you might consider going to Umhlanga rocks, and do the Battlefield route (the Michael Chain story) For the rest it looks really good. Remember the comments I made are my personal ideas, as I like old cities, culture and nature. Enjoy this beautiful country and remind not to speed, as traffic cops are every where. If you are fined ask for an offical ticket and tell them that you will pay at the Magistrate Court. Most probably you can get away with it with R50.... Regards from sunny SA, Corné. www.amukela.com |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Starting a hostel/restaurant in Central or South America | Louis Banens | Backpacking and Budget travel | 1 | September 19th, 2004 06:16 AM |
Starting a hostel/restaurant in Central or South America | BZEFIRST | Latin America | 1 | September 16th, 2004 04:51 AM |
Starting a hostel/restaurant in Central or South America | Louis Banens | rec.travel.bed+breakfast | 0 | September 15th, 2004 10:26 PM |
TIP OF AFRICA: Cape Town & Garden Route Accommodation - South Africa | [email protected] | Travel Marketplace | 0 | March 11th, 2004 02:52 PM |
TIP OF AFRICA: Cape Town & Garden Route Accommodation - South Africa | [email protected] | Africa | 0 | November 14th, 2003 09:30 AM |