Safari advice: based in Cape Town

[kpc]

Next year I am thinking of attending a conference in Cape Town in October. I can take 7 days of leave in addition and wondered whether this will be enough time to fit a safari in. So we (incl. +1) must start and finish in CPT, and have 7 (less likely 8) days including travel time for the safari. Any recommendations within Sth Africa? How about Tanzania? Kenya? Suggestions appreciated. Is October a good time to see the wild life, and what would the weather be like?
Thanks in advance!

 

[samh004]

There's a previous thread detailing a good experience here http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-and-reviews/mara-sarova-tent-camp-19555.html and I've finally found the link to the place I stayed at when I was younger. I recall we did the Kruger National Park, where there's many accommodation options throughout, but then we went to a private reserve for the best experience, that is http://www.gomogomo.co.za/gomo-gomo-rates-information

I'm not sure exactly how expensive that is, but that experience seems to be forever etched into my mind.




 

[Mwenenzi]

Head up to Nambia. Estosha is one of the best game parks I visited in Africa (but 25 years ago {hense my user name: Swahilli for wanderer / traveller}) http://www.etoshanationalpark.co.za/
The other option is Botswana
Both less commerical than East Africa or Kruger

 

[mole]

My husband and I had a fantastic time last month in the Sabi Sands Private Reserve which is adjacent to Kruger. We stayed at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge which was wonderful, fantastic game drives with lots of animal sighting......big pride of lions with 11 cubs between them and multiple leopard sightings (right next to our jeep) including watching an impala kill. We flew from Jo'berg to Nelspruit airport and then drove 2 hours to the lodge, when departing we again flew from Nelspruit direct to Cape Town.

 

[goldy]

We stayed at "Sanbona" and found it to be absolutely spectacular. We stayed in the dwyka tented lodges which were simply stunning. The small, effectively private, safaris run in the morning and afternoon and you can choose if you want to go on them or not as they are included in your accommodation price. Its about a 2 hr drive from Cape Town and you can make a day of it by stopping at Spiers which has a cheetah park or Stellenbosch with its many wineries. Highly recommended!!

 

[Myrna]

1. Next year I am thinking of attending a conference in Cape Town in October. I can take 7 days of leave in addition and wondered whether this will be enough time to fit a safari in. So we (incl. +1) must start and finish in CPT, and have 7 (less likely 8) days including travel time for the safari. Any recommendations within Sth Africa? How about Tanzania? Kenya? Suggestions appreciated. Is October a good time to see the wild life, and what would the weather be like?

Thanks in advance!

Two years ago, after saving for 20 years!, we did a 3 weeks trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls) - cost a fortune, but enjoyed every moment of it, and have been planning for a return trip to other parts of Africa in the next few years. We spent 5 days in Cape Town, hire a private tour guide who drove and showed us around Cape Town. We hired a car and drove along the Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (the only road section in South Africa that friends told us is safe to drive!). We went to 3 safaris - Kukozo Lodge near Addo Elephant Park outside Port Elizabeth, Phinda Mountain and Phinda Vlei, 4 hours drive from Durban, and Kirkman Camp on Sabi Sands of Kruger National Park. The safari we liked the most was Phinda. Friends who travelled to Durban for work every now and then recommended Phinda to us (it is run by andbeyond company - google andbeyond and check out tripadvisor for comments). We stayed 2 nights at Phinda Mountain and 2 nights at Phinda Vlei (we got a deal stay4 pay3). We flew from Port Elizabeth to Durban - but you can easily fly from Cape Town to Durban. We paid Phinda to send a car and driver to pick us up from Durban airport - 4 hours drive. Phinda then drove us from Mountain to Vlei, 1 hour drive. Vlei only has 6 lodges (12 guests in total) so very exclusive. The wildlife was amazing!

We went in mid-September, so October is good. It was still cold in September. South Africa's season is the same as Australia. We redeemed QFF for J class from SYD to JNB, and booked all internal flights ourselves.

 

[admin]

There is another "Game Park" on the Garden Route: Garden Route Game Lodge. I stayed there a couple of years ago for a few days. Perhaps I have been spoilt, but it doesn't really compare with the real Game Parks in the northern parts of the country. Don't get me wrong - it does give one a great introduction to African Wildlife - especially for those who otherwise would miss the experience. They do a fantastic job at that. But, like Pepsi, is not "the real thing".

In gereral, if you want to experience Wildlife in its most natural state, head north.

 

[mole]

I agree with admin, we also spent time at Riverbend Lodge which owns its own private reserve and also has access to Addo Elephant Park (Eastern Cape). Whilst the game drives here were enjoyable they were very tame compared to our ones in Sabi Sands (near Kruger). As I mentioned we stayed at Bush Lodge and although somewhat expensive ($2000 per night for a couple when we were there May/June) it was money well spent. As Sabi Sands is a private reserve they are allowed to drive off road which they do so for the big 5, we had fantastic, very close sightings on all of our 6 game drives and I still think of our drives on a daily basis, it was that memorable!

 

[kpc]

Thanks all for the suggestions so far. My brother suggested Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti in Tanzania where he went earlier this year but I think time wise maybe we are restricted to Sth Africa? Need to do a lot more research I guess...keep the suggestions coming, please!. I have looked through all the suggestions made above...the only conclusion I have reached so far is that safaris are not cheap:shock:

Edit: Found this old thread as well; looks like I can pick admin's brain a bit more:mrgreen:http://www.australianfrequentflyer....uestions/q-kruger-natl-park-safari-15609.html

 

[casanovawa]

Well i am in Joburg right now waiting for a flight down to Cape Town and have just flown down from Livingstone, Zambia where i spent about 6 days or so.

In that time i did a micro lite flight over Victoria Falls US$135 for 15 minutes (same for a helicopter and pluses and minus to both), US$20 to get into the Zambian side of the falls to have a look around the park and falls, US$55 for a river cruise of about 2 hours on the Zambezi... There were other things to do like go over to Zimbabwe side but added up in costs for visas in both directions but nothing mind blowing...

Flew 1time airlines up to Livingstone from Joburg and back down, no more than A$200 for the two flights... Did a US$265 2 day/1 night camping safari drive over the border into Botswana to the Chobe National Park and saw heaps of all sorts of animals, but sadly no lions and just a leopard under a bush which i would have loved to have seen out in the open... So there are some sort of rough prices to think about if you did the Chobe park/Victoria Falls options... Not 20 years saving, but most activities up there were a little pricey...

Most other safari options around Africa verge on the crazily expensive... But then i chose to do the Chobe option because I wouldn't have been able to drive out to Kruger as i lost my wallet and so my drivers licence and couldn't hire a car...

Anyway, if you want any other info let me know...

 

[Myrna]

When we were in Victoria Falls, the hotel where we stayed provided a 4 hour guide around the Falls with a tour guide - which we did, and later came back to do one by ourselves, it was amazing. We also did an elephant ride (in a private park 2 hours drive outside the Falls) and a walk with the lions. We were the only ones who did this - we held and played with the lion cubs (from 18 months to 6 months old). Not only it was expensive, but we wanted to experience close up to a lion. Later we found out not many people wanted to do the walk with the lions because they objected to the methods those lions were raised. We were horrified and would not have done it! These lions were born to captured parents, and before they could open their eyes they were taken away from the mothers and raised by human. They could never be released back to the wild. We also did the helicopter ride over the Falls - an unforgettable experience. There was a young man selling wares in the helicopter office. We bought some trillion and billion ZWD notes from him. He said to me, "Thanks madam and I will sit you next to the helicopter pilot because I am in charge of the sitting!" And, he did, and I had fantastic views over the Falls!

 

[kpc]

Ok, this trip looks like it's happening so I'm asking my fellow AFFers for more help and advice. I've already booked a J saver on SQ for my +1 Syd-Sin-Cpt for October 2012. We will have 7 nights, 8 days, departing from Cpt.

I have decided that we want to see Victoria Falls (having seen Iguazu in Sth America last year). From what I've read, October being the dry season, the Falls are better viewed from the Zimbabwean side, but to access Lvingstone Island, we need to come from the Zambian side. Visas seem not as issue assuming you are happy to hand over US$ at the border, so I would like to see the Falls from both sides. How many nights do we need, 2 or 3 to see the Falls (and maybe a sunset cruise on the Zambesi)? Any advantage being based at Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side or Livingstone on the Zambian side? Presumably, we can take a day tour to visit the other side? Any dangers by being in Zimbabwe?

We then need need to do a safari in the remaining 4 (or 5) nights. We are likely to fly Cpt-Jnb-Vfa (or Liv) on SA, so maybe a stopover in Jnb on the way back to Cpt, and head over to Kruger National Park. I just noticed that KNP is 3-400 kms from Jnb (any way to get there quickly?)! Any suggestions about which safari? I had a look at a number of safaris including the ones mentioned above, and they all look good and I'm confused:shock:. Maybe a suggestion to a local travel agent to help with the bookings might be helpful:idea:. Thanks for any advice!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Do you have an agent that specialises in that area?

 

[Myrna]

Any dangers by being in Zimbabwe?

I don't think so, as long as you stay around Victoria Falls, and not venturing to other parts of Zimbabwe. They need the tourist money, so Vic Falls is relatively safe.

 

[rtyuiop]

I did 6 days in the Timbavati (adjacent to Kruger, no fences between them and it) in June this year, can highly recommend it! I stayed at Ngala and Shindzela - both excellent, and quite different to each other considering they're practically next door.

PM me if you want a recommendation for the local agent I used, he was really good - happy to answer heaps of questions, and what he recommended panned out well for me.

In the Kruger area you can fly into either Nelspruit or Hoedspruit airports, off the top of my head, on real airlines, but I think the other airstrips only via Federal Air or charter, which have *serious* luggage restrictions - hard to fit under them if you're carrying significant camera gear or much other luggage. Where to fly into will depend on what airlines you're using and what lodges you're going to - in my case, Hoedspruit would have been way closer, but I was on a Oneworld award and they don't fly there... Rental car from Nelspruit was minimal hassle, and I'm sure *far* less stressful than driving through Joburg.

I drove through the Panorama Route on the way back, which was very worthwhile - wouldn't mind doing the Garden Route at some point in the future.

If I can be permitted to show off a little, pictures from that part of my trip are at:

SouthAfrica - Page 1

Hope that helps!

Danny

 

[GCC]

We stayed at Riverbend Lodge in October, we were traveling with 18 month old baby G and Riverbend was one of the few places that welcomed and looked after small children -with no malaria and no risk of being eaten by something.

I'd agree its is pretty tame compared to Kruger, Sabi or other parks, but it is still a great experience if you dont have much time and a good "taster" for more full on safaris. The elephants are something pretty special, and we also saw Lions, Rhino, Giraffe and buffalo on our drives.

Has the advantage of being at the end of the garden route. We also had 7 nights, stayed 1 night in the wine area flew CPT - George, then had 3 nights on the garden route, 3 nights at Riverbend and then flew out again from Port Elizabeth. The other private game park in that P.E. area is Shamwari.

 

[Myrna]

Agree about the luggage restrictions on small planes going into the game parks - soft luggage is recommended, not the hard shell ones. Some planes were so small and no carry on luggage was allowed on board because there was no overhead storage bin. However, they would tag them for you as you boarded the plane, to go into a special area in the hull and when you got off the plane you would just pick up yours as you descended the stairs.

Shamwari would be worth visiting one day, after watching that the tv show of the same name! We are in the process of relocating to London, and hoping to do a trip there in the next year or so. Once you went to these safaris, you would want to make return trips. Seeing the animals in the wild was absolutely amazing! Seeing the photos posted by Danny reminds me of what an unforgetable journey it was.

 

[kpc]

In the Kruger area you can fly into either Nelspruit or Hoedspruit airports, off the top of my head, on real airlines, but I think the other airstrips only via Federal Air or charter, which have *serious* luggage restrictions - hard to fit under them if you're carrying significant camera gear or much other luggage. Where to fly into will depend on what airlines you're using and what lodges you're going to - in my case, Hoedspruit would have been way closer, but I was on a Oneworld award and they don't fly there... Rental car from Nelspruit was minimal hassle, and I'm sure *far* less stressful than driving through Joburg....

If I can be permitted to show off a little, pictures from that part of my trip are at:

SouthAfrica - Page 1

I've PM rtyuiop for the travel agent he used but would like to put on record what absolutely great pictures he took....looks very professional!!

Quick Q for him and others. I'm trying to use a Star alliance award for the trip to Kruger and Victoria Falls from Cpt (in true AFF style).

My preference is to do Victoria Falls first, and then the safari at Kruger; if i do this, I will have to fly in / out of Nelspruit airport. If I do the reverse i.e. safari first, I can fly in / out of Hoedspruit airport. I've used google maps to locate both airports...it seems Hoedspruit airport is more central to most of the private safari reserves than Nelspruit airport. I still haven't decided as to which safari I will be doing as yet (11 months out!!) but want to lock in the award flights ASAP. Given this, and to remain as flexible as possible, would it be better to fly in / out of Nelspruit or Hoedspruit airports to minimise road time at the Kruger end?? The more I research and read, the more exciting this trip looks....

 

[rtyuiop]

Once you went to these safaris, you would want to make return trips. Seeing the animals in the wild was absolutely amazing!

This is so, so true. Highly addictive destination, Africa!

Danny

 

[rtyuiop]

Given this, and to remain as flexible as possible, would it be better to fly in / out of Nelspruit or Hoedspruit airports to minimise road time at the Kruger end??

I think I mentioned this in PM, but just in case anyone else is looking at this thread with a similar problem... I think it would depend on where you're going - for my trip, I was going to two lodges in the Timbavati, and Hoedspruit would definitely have been faster - but I was on a Oneworld award, and the OW airline in the area (BA/Comair) don't fly there.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that KNP itself (not even counting the private reserves) is roughly the same area as Wales! If you're going to Kruger itself, or (I suspect) several of the other private reserve areas, Nelspruit might be quicker. Entirely depends on where you go... A specialist safari travel person certainly helped me sort this all out.

Cheers,

Danny