First trip to South Africa - ideas and tips?

[SYD]

Finally took up one of those crazy good QF J sales fares to JNB the other day. Will be travelling mid Dec to JNB and then home from CPT just over two weeks later. Basic plan is something like Kruger first, pop up to Victoria Falls and finish up in CPT for New Year. A couple of questions:

1. how long to spend in JNB? We'll most likely stay the first night as a minimum but I get the impression that it's not a place to spend too much time?

2. drive or fly to Kruger? SAA fares to Nelspruit seem reasonable but Hoedspruit is another! Corporate discount with Avis looks very cheap for 3-4 days hire. Although I noticed that it only includes 500km before paying per km.

3. any lodge recommendations? We had a great looking one recommended by some American friends but it is already booked out. We didn't quite realise how peak, 'Peak Season' is (even though it supposed to be the worst time of year to see the wildlife!)

4. Victoria Falls - much else to do once you've seen it? I'm recalling visiting Iguassu and Niagara...

5. We probably have some time up our sleeves (1 or 2 days) - any other places to visit before heading to CPT?

Cheers

PS
After booking, I did one of those 'bugger' moments - I should have looked at weaving in a DONE4...

 

[windycityf]

1. I found one night in JNB is good. But there are lots of things to do like the Apartheid Museum, Pretoria, etc.
2. Fly if possible. Spend more time taking in the sights
3. No advice sorry
4. You are right at the 4 corners. depending on what side you enter on, you can hit Nambia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana in one day. Also something else to consider is safari in Botswana. I loved Chobe. But it might be just at peak as Kruger.
Happy planning

 

[amaroo]

Subscribing - also looking for ideas.

 

[SYD]

Subscribing - also looking for ideas.

Have you already booked flights or thinking ahead?

 

[amaroo]

Have you already booked flights or thinking ahead?

Just starting to think about doing the groundwork. If you haven't already - cruise the TR board here and the Destination board over on FT.

 

[LadyC]

Take the time to go to Namibia if you can. I spent some time there in 2013 doing a self drive and it was great. Sossusvlei was amazing.

 

[SYD]

Just starting to think about doing the groundwork. If you haven't already - cruise the TR board here and the Destination board over on FT.

You probably know this already, but as well as the cheap J fares SYD-JNB (return for $4299). Multi-sector / Open Jaw options were exceptional value. We got the CPT-JNB-SYD return (all J) for only $150 more each (albeit on SA CPT-JNB on an A340). For some reason, it just didn't want to offer BA (Comair) J back from CPT. But for +$10 more than SA, we were offered BA in Y on a 737!

QF website would let me book BA J JNB-CPT after a stopover for a total of $4600 but we didn't know precisely when we wanted to head down.... I did work out that a one-way fare on BA (Y) was only $140, so we ended up with an open jaw.

 

[SYD]

Take the time to go to Namibia if you can. I spent some time there in 2013 doing a self drive and it was great. Sossusvlei was amazing.

Might be pushing the time for us. Having realised we're going at a pretty coughpy time, we might just have to properly plan a return visit later!

 

[amaroo]

Might be pushing the time for us. Having realised we're going at a pretty coughpy time, we might just have to properly plan a return visit later!

We're also tossing up doing a Dec/Jan trip (school aged kids).. have been told its a terrible/good time to visit

 

[SYD]

I should qualify my comment that it is super peak high season in the parks being summer school holidays. I'm seeing many places already booked out or limited availability. For what is not supposed to be a great time to see stuff and they have Malaria! September is arguably the best time.

Down south in CPT should be great I hope!

 

[craven morehead]

Have you thought about staying in Marloth Park ( borders Kruger) and just going in and out each day. We drove in through either Crocodile Bridge or Malelane gate.

Places to Stay | Marloth Park Accommodation

If you like golf stay a night at Sun City and play one of the 2 courses Gary Player walk only / Lost City Karts available

Not far from Sun City is this great place :

Facilities – Ukutula

 

[coles525]

we are spending 3 night @ Africa on foot, not long till the trip.

 

[JohnM]

I think Soweto is worth a visit while in JNB. There are plenty of day trips out to there.

Regarding Vic Falls: if the wet season is good (they are in a major El Nino drought there at the moment) and the falls are really working, just bear in mind that the view on the Zim side (ie. Victoria Falls town side) can be obliterated by spray to the point it's hard to see the cascade. The Zim side is better in the dry season; the Zambian side better in the wet.

Unfortunately, the temporary day visa to cross the bridge to look at both sides has been stopped. A full border crossing (with US$30 fee) is, I believe, now required. It is possible to get a double-entry visa upon entry to Zim (but no more than double), so that may be worth considering if you think you may want to cross to Zambia to see the falls. I can't recall what any fee to enter Zambia may be.

An upside of going to Victoria Falls, rather than Livingstone, is that it is walking distance from town to the falls - although there are some good hotels within walking distance on the Zambian side. Also, the Victoria Falls Hotel is well worth a visit for its colonial splendour. High tea at the hotel is not my thing, but it got raves from some women I spoke to when I was there <2 weeks ago.

Make sure to do a helo ride over the falls and I can highly recommend a sunset cruise on the Zambezi (many to choose from).

If on the Zambian side, a boat trip over to Livingstone Island to peek over the precipice and get your photo taken with the horseshoe falls in the background is an absolute must-do if the water is cranking.

 

[UP4014]

A shot from last month.
Be ready for beggers though at every turn.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/15264656@N02/27977054732/in/album-72157669566034560/

 

[takenbyaliens]

Hi SYD
About to travel for my 20th SA trip in Feb 2017. Go for a month every year. Used to be September but now February. You have picked the busiest time of the year and many places will be full.

JNB: Yes do a Soweto tour or do as I did and just drive in.

Re Kruger: Have done it about 7-8 times so far. I drive from JNB and usually stay in Marloth Park... there are zebras at breakfast with us each year!! It is very close to Crocodile Gate and since it actually fronts the Crocodile River it is in fact easy to walk the fence and spot buffalo, crocs, elephant, giraffe and once even lions.See if you can get in there. Search for Sable Inn...and older place but you can sit in the splash pool and watch the animals in the river.

Capetpwn will be pumping. Try to stay a little bit out. For the last few years we have stayed in Hout Bay in a range of cottages.. Again however, peak times. look at Air BnB. There are some excellent township tours that you can do. Very worthwhile. Confronting!!

We also go out to Britannia Bay on the West Coast...about 3 hrs out from CPT. Great place...wonderful lobsters!! ( but do not buy the illegally caught ones! )

Wonderful country...love it!

Botswana also very worthwhile. And do go to the Zambian side of the falls and deny Uncle Bob his USD30 that he spends on his mansions!!

 

[SYD]

Hi SYD
You have picked the busiest time of the year and many places will be full.

Yes, that was my concern when the other half thought it would be a good time given that we both would be off work anyway.... Mind you, the primary idea was to go to CPT. But even that is super busy!

We were in Mexico when we booked the QF Sale - not really having a plan or checking availability! On return home, my worst fears were being realised. Anyway, it seems to have worked out.

JNB for 2 nights
Self drive to Kruger - three nights at Lodge. Would have stayed there for Christmas, but availability disappeared before my eyes... :evil:
Fly to VFA for two nights.
Fly to CPT and drive to the wine country for 2 nights.
Finish up in CPT for about a week before heading home.

 

[vetrade]

SYD,
We did a similar trip you what you are contemplating last year and we're returning to JNB in Dec for my son's wedding (will go to Vic Falls this time).
Firstly, there's nothing particularly interesting about JNB - suggest you get GPS with your car as roads are generally poorly signposted. Places like the Apartheid Museum have historical significance but personally I found it visually boring.

We drove to Kruger (on the N12) and stayed at Graskop for a night before continuing on to Elephant Plains in Sabi Sands (where the private game reserves are at Kruger), where we saw a great variety of wildlife including a pride of lions feasting on a giraffe, elephant etc. It was a good place to stay with lovely staff, trackers etc. Since you are also driving you might consider the Panorama Route. We travelled one part on the way to Kruger and did the rest on the way back to JNB. There are some very scenic spots such as Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels and Bourke's Luck Potholes. I loved seeing those spots and driving through the small townships which gave us a real feel for the rural areas which you would miss if flying.

Even though CPT will be busy it has great scenery, cheap restaurants etc. but most of it is close together (Table Mountain, Lion's Head etc) - even the drive south to Cape Point via Hout Bay etc can be comfortably done as a day drive. So personally I think a week in CPT will see you twiddling your thumbs for 2-3 days which you might find better spent on the Panorama Route.

I see you have done your homework and will spend time in the wine country. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek are well worth the visit. Suggest you look up the Delaire Graff Estate (delaire.co.za). It is a winery / restaurant owned by Laurence Graff, a diamond billionaire and as well as unbelievable scenery over the hills & vineyards it has many sculptures and artworks. And the meals are works of art too! If you look at the pictures on their website I doubt you will be able to resist making a booking straight away - it is the type of place you can't really believe could be as beautiful as it is.

 

[amaroo]

Half decent African article in the paper today No Cookies | Escape

Summer v Winter...

SUMMER V WINTER

While there are pros and cons to every season, the animals roam the lands year round.

While it is the wet season, the summer months of November to February are the peak tourist times and prices may be higher.

SUMMER PROS: The summer months are when a majority of the animals are giving birth. The days are long and sunny, with plenty of adult and newborn sightings to enjoy.

SUMMER CONS: Summer is the rainy season. Not only is it hot and humid, but storms roll through on most afternoons, although they tend to pass quickly. The grass is higher, making the animals harder to spot.

April to September is the winter dry season. The animals are easier to track during this time and prices are often lower. Although safaris are popular year round, the crowds are smaller.

WINTER PROS: Because it’s the dry season, the grass is shorter, making animals easier to spot. As watering holes become more scarce, animals gather around existing watering holes in greater numbers.

WINTER CONS: The nights are cool in most regions and the land can be dry and dusty. Wear plenty of layers on early morning safaris as the outdoor temperatures can be near freezing.

 

[amaroo]

3. any lodge recommendations? We had a great looking one recommended by some American friends but it is already booked out. We didn't quite realise how peak, 'Peak Season' is (even though it supposed to be the worst time of year to see the wildlife!)

This one looks pretty good!

Royal Malewane |*Luxury Safari Lodge | The Royal Portfolio

[video=youtube;39xOi0ny0KA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39xOi0ny0KA[/video]

 

[Milboo]

At Vic Falls we stayed at the Victoria Falls River Lodge which was upriver on the Zimbabwe side and located on the river bank and within the park. This meant that we had game drives and river cruises included in our room rate. River cruises were a highlight as it was only about 6 people on board.

Vic Falls was our first destination on our trip. It was rather special to be transferred from the airport to a jetty and to cruise up the river to the lodge, cold drink in hand and spotting hippos.

We walked the Falls, did the helicopter ride (longer one) and had high tea at the Victoria Falls hotel. Also zip lined around Batoka Gorge.

We flew from Zambia side to Nelspruit due to flight times (vs Hoelspruit) and then were driven to private reserve adjacent to Kruger. It was a really interesting drive - going through crops, townships etc

We stayed in Thornybush reserve at Shumbalala and loved it. Very small lodge (Max 8 guests). Thornybush
has its own airstrip so we (last minute) flew back to Nelspruit in a 4 seater and it was phenomenal!

We then went to Capetown and spent a couple of days there before heading over to Franschhoek (Winelands) - and highly recommend visiting out there, doing the drive to Cape Point and going to Simonstown.

We then went to Plettenberg (stayed at Emily Moon River Lodge - highly recommend it). Enjoyed whale watching, visiting an elephant sanctuary and a monkey one.

Finished in JNB briefly including visiting Soweto.