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?How about 30 days in South Africa starting next month?



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 23rd, 2007, 08:18 PM posted to rec.travel.africa
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Default ?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  
Old January 23rd, 2007, 11:21 PM posted to rec.travel.africa
Dave Patterson
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Default ?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  
Old January 24th, 2007, 05:45 AM posted to rec.travel.africa
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Default ?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  
Old January 24th, 2007, 08:15 AM posted to rec.travel.africa
Marc Lurie[_1_]
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Default ?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  
Old January 25th, 2007, 03:51 AM posted to rec.travel.africa
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Default ?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  
Old January 27th, 2007, 08:07 AM posted to rec.travel.africa
Corné
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Posts: 34
Default ?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  
Old January 27th, 2007, 10:12 AM posted to rec.travel.africa
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Default ?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  
Old January 28th, 2007, 11:09 PM posted to rec.travel.africa
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Default ?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  
Old January 29th, 2007, 08:41 AM posted to rec.travel.africa
Marc Lurie[_1_]
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Default ?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  
Old January 30th, 2007, 08:17 AM posted to rec.travel.africa
Corné
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Posts: 34
Default ?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



 




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