South Africa on the Cheap(ish)

[kpc]

Is the Double Tree closer to the V & A waterfront than the Hilton? ....you need to take the hotel shuttle or taxi for the latter which chews up time.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I’d already done a bit of research on hotel options at JNB and was delighted to find that I could get a one night stay at the Intercontinental at the airport for just 30,000 IHG points. As I have 63,000 IHG points and need two single night stays, this works out perfectly.

The cash rate for the same room is R4590 for the non-refundable rate for two guests. This is a great value use of IHG points in my opinion at ~1.5 cents per point.

The Intercontinental is opposite the international arrivals hall so it is extremely convenient given we will only be staying for around 16 hours between flights. It’s also just 1.5km from the hotel to join the Kruger tour.

Both stays have been booked.

Flexibility: Free cancellation.

we have stayed at the Intercontinental 5 times now and have enjoyed it each time. They do a lovely breakfast buffet and the staff are very friendly. You will be hassled by porters, as soon as you exit arrivals and also at the door as you cross the road to the hotel. You can either say firmly you don't need any assistance, or let someone "show you the way". A tip of R10 or R20 will make them happy ($1 to $2) and I always feel that at least they are trying to earn a living. The official porters wear orange tops and I used to give them R50, but there are unofficial guys hustling outside the doors and I usually let them show me the way to the Intercontinental for R10 or R20, while keeping a very firm hand on my luggage.

 

[Flying mermaid]

If you have time in Cape Town I would recommend

Bo-Kaap Kombuis

The food is authentic and inexpensive. It is easy to get an uber to and from it.

Also can I put in a plea for no lion cub patting or walking?

 

[Flying mermaid]

The next thing I booked was the rental car. This took quite a bit of research as my son will be doing the driving and he is only 23 years old. As it turns out, South Africa is quite good in this regard. Most companies apply a surcharge at this age but the rates can still be quite reasonable.

After a lot of messing about I decided on a Toyota Corolla (“or similar”) from Avis. As we’ll be collecting the car in the morning and returning it late afternoon I’ll be paying for four days.

When you search on the Avis site it asks for the driver’s age and nationality. I noticed that a 23 year old from the U.S. pays about 25% less than the same quote for an Aussie. Does anyone know why this is?

Another strange thing is that when you do the search for a driver under 25 you get this message:

View attachment 88775

I had to ring the actual Avis location to find out what the young drive surcharge is! Just as well I have a very cheap VOIP service. It is R350 for the whole rental. From what I could find, this made Avis the best value overall as I found a few companies that charge R250 per day. It includes unlimited kilometres.

Total price is R1350 plus the R350 surcharge so around $170 for four days which I thought was quite reasonable. It’ll earn a few QFF points too!

If you can think of better options please let me know?

Flexibility: Free cancellation

if you are going to be driving, you will discover "car guards". The guys need to register to do this, so they are actually safe and can be trusted. Pretty much anywhere you want to park in the towns, a guy will spring up and help you find a car space. He will keep an eye on the car while you are gone and you give some money when you come back. All on an honour system - we usually gave between R10 and R20. They direct you back into the traffic, which Mr FM said was the most useful part of it.

Basically the baddies keep clear of areas where there are car guards, which makes it safe for you as well. Generally Cape Town is quite safe, Durban less so, Johannesburg is bad, so just be aware of safety there. Intercontinental is fine and the airport itself.

Make sure you carry all valuables with you, as rifling through luggage is a problem at airports.

 

[froggerADL]

A tip of R10 or R20 will make them happy ($1 to $2) and I always feel that at least they are trying to earn a living. The official porters wear orange tops and I used to give them R50, but there are unofficial guys hustling outside the doors and I usually let them show me the way to the Intercontinental for R10 or R20, while keeping a very firm hand on my luggage.

Thanks for the tip on tipping FM. I hate to under tip but I'm also not keen to overdo it either.

The food is authentic and inexpensive. It is easy to get an uber to and from it.

Also can I put in a plea for no lion cub patting or walking?

Thanks for the restaurant tip. As we get to feed ourselves in Cape Town I'm keen to try lots of authentic South African cuisine, whatever that might be. If anyone has any recommendations I'd be very grateful.

I promise not to pat or walk any lion cubs.

 

[froggerADL]

Is the Double Tree closer to the V & A waterfront than the Hilton? ....you need to take the hotel shuttle or taxi for the latter which chews up time.

This is really just an overnight stay before we fly home. Our tour finishes in the afternoon so we'll just go to the hotel in the late afternoon and then leave for the airport in the morning. My understanding is that the DT is closer to the airport than Hilton. Mind you, if the rates were similar I be at the Hilton in a heartbeat! I do love an exec lounge.

 

[froggerADL]

Generally Cape Town is quite safe, Durban less so, Johannesburg is bad, so just be aware of safety there. Intercontinental is fine and the airport itself.

Make sure you carry all valuables with you, as rifling through luggage is a problem at airports.

Thanks again FM. Feel free to keep the tips coming.

Safety was actually one of my first considerations when planning this itinerary. I have an Auntie (late father's sister) and quite a few cousins in Jo'burg but I've never heard anything but safety warnings about the place which is why we are just flying in and out of the place. Still, I'll be able to say I've been there twice . I don't intend to venture outside of the airport or IC while we're there.

We're not staying in Durban at all really either. We'll collect the rental car at the airport and drive straight to Rhino River Lodge. I expect we'll drive around the surrounding area during the days we're staying there and then drive back to the airport. This is the only part of the trip where we'll be driving.

I'm so glad to hear that Cape Town is reasonably safe!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Thanks again FM. Feel free to keep the tips coming.

Safety was actually one of my first considerations when planning this itinerary. I have an Auntie (late father's sister) and quite a few cousins in Jo'burg but I've never heard anything but safety warnings about the place which is why we are just flying in and out of the place. Still, I'll be able to say I've been there twice . I don't intend to venture outside of the airport or IC while we're there.

We're not staying in Durban at all really either. We'll collect the rental car at the airport and drive straight to Rhino River Lodge. I expect we'll drive around the surrounding area during the days we're staying there and then drive back to the airport. This is the only part of the trip where we'll be driving.

I'm so glad to hear that Cape Town is reasonably safe!

I never go into Joburg either . Cape Town is excellent - they have "tourist police" there to keep an eye on things in the V&A area and we felt very safe wandering around those areas and through the city. Uber is safe to use as well. It isn't a safe country, but not as bad as people paint - as long as you use sensible tourist safety, you will be fine. (I.e. Don't go wandering off main roads when you don't know what you are doing). The Game reserves are like stepping back 40 years - not any safety issues - the thugs tend to be in the towns. My brother sent his kids to Uni in Cape Town (they live in Johannesburg), because of safety issues.

The roads in Durban terrified Mr FM, but if you are picking up the car at the airport and driving north, you should be OK, as you will avoid the traffic around Durban. . You will be in Zulu territory I think - having grown up in Durban, I feel an affinity with the Zulus.

As as far as cuisine goes, South Africa is a total hodge podge! You will get really nice Indian food, as there is a big Indian population, particularly in Durban. Cape Town had a big settlement of Malay slaves and the Bo-Kaap area is really pretty. THe restaurant I am recommending has really nice Malay food. Then of course you get Biltong, Koeksisters (nice if you like a hit of fat and sugar -you can see I am not a fan!) and the Braaivleis, which is the equivalent of our BBQ. You will probably get the opportunity to try a whole range of game food as well.

I actually hate tipping, but in Africa the people are so poor, it seemed a good thing to do. In South Africa the government is totally corrupt and not much of the wealth of the country gets down to the people at the bottom of the pile. I think you will love the people - they have so much joy in them and it takes nothing at all to get everyone singing.

 

[Milboo]

Thanks for the tip on tipping FM. I hate to under tip but I'm also not keen to overdo it either.



Thanks for the restaurant tip. As we get to feed ourselves in Cape Town I'm keen to try lots of authentic South African cuisine, whatever that might be. If anyone has any recommendations I'd be very grateful.

I promise not to pat or walk any lion cubs.

If you're looking for something more casual then definitely check out the Waterfront Food Market down near V&A Waterfront - Home - V&A Waterfront Food Market

Lots of local vendors and some seriously good food!

Tucked towards the back is a place called Vagabond who do a roast pork with mash, greens and epic sauce. I had it 3 years and still remember it fondly! It was that good my friend revisited with her husband last year just for that dish! It was only about $5 too.

On a Saturday morning there is also an awesome farmers market in Oranjezicht (one of the suburbs at the top of Table Mountain).

 

[froggerADL]

If you're looking for something more casual then definitely check out the Waterfront Food Market down near V&A Waterfront - Home - V&A Waterfront Food Market

Lots of local vendors and some seriously good food!

Tucked towards the back is a place called Vagabond who do a roast pork with mash, greens and epic sauce. I had it 3 years and still remember it fondly! It was that good my friend revisited with her husband last year just for that dish! It was only about $5 too.

On a Saturday morning there is also an awesome farmers market in Oranjezicht (one of the suburbs at the top of Table Mountain).

Thanks Milboo. I love local food markets and farmers markets. They are now both definitely on the list.

 

[froggerADL]

I feel that I should point out that I’m not a total scaredy cat when it comes to travel. I went to Egypt in late 2014 when everyone was telling me how dangerous it was and that I was mad. It was ridiculously cheap and there were no crowds. For me, that’s bliss, and I had guys in tanks looking after me.

Mind you, I could run a little faster back then!

 

[Milboo]

Market Day - Oranjezicht City Farm

Seems it has relocated down to the waterfront area. Not sure if it is permanent or just for winter months. They have a FB page which might give the answer!

 

[froggerADL]

I now had just the JNB-DUR-JNB and JNB-CPT flights to book. The choice is pretty much between BA (Comair) or South African, with BA almost always a few bucks cheaper on these routes. As I have QF WP status BA was a no brainer. I was in no hurry to book these flights as it was still a fair way out and I could see cheaper flights on the same routes earlier in the year.

In early December the JNB-CPT flight was ~$140 each and JNB-DUR-JNB were about $170 each.

For the first time ever, I set google flight alerts for the most suitable flights. I had very little flexibility with flight selection as I wanted to be in Durban in the morning and then depart three days later in the evening. For the JNB-CPT flight I had been told by Epic Enabled to depart JNB between 6pm and 7pm.

As it was my first time using google flight alerts I kept monitoring the prices manually. They were fluctuating by a dollar or two, I assume due to currency fluctuations. I didn’t get any alerts for these small fluctuations. I was hoping for a New Year sale but it didn’t happen.

On 6 January I got an alert that the JNB-CPT flight had increased from $139 to $207! That did not induce me to rush off and purchase the flights.

On 11 January I received an alert that the JNB-CPT flight had decreased to $70. Woo hoo! I jumped straight on to the BA website and sure enough the flight was available for $70. The JNB-DUR-JNB flights had gone down to $97 each for the return trip. I booked them all straight away.

That works out at a total of ~$334 or an average of just $55 each per flight. I’m happy with that.

Flexibility: Non-refundable. R300 for date changes plus fare difference. Not bad given the price, which includes checked luggage.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I much prefer comair to SAA and their lounges leave SAA for dead. Seriously the best domestic lounge I have been in (but I am more food focused than alcohol).

 

[mel-world]

Enjoying this and you haven't even left yet. Such a lot of useful information.

 

[love_the_life]

I much prefer comair to SAA and their lounges leave SAA for dead. Seriously the best domestic lounge I have been in (but I am more food focused than alcohol).

The Comair flight we had from JNB to VFA was one of the oldest planes I think we'd ever flown. We were thankful we didn't fly back but boarded the train! I would hope the plane from CPT is better.

 

[Flying mermaid]

The Comair flight we had from JNB to VFA was one of the oldest planes I think we'd ever flown. We were thankful we didn't fly back but boarded the train! I would hope the plane from CPT is better.

Oh yes - they have some horrible planes! I suspect it depends on the time of day and loads as to what you get - we have had ones that are fine. SAA are much newer and nicer. However the SAA service is very patchy both on the ground and in the air and the lounges are no comparison.

 

[froggerADL]

Oh yes - they have some horrible planes! I suspect it depends on the time of day and loads as to what you get - we have had ones that are fine.

Our JNB-DUR flight is on a 737-400. I have many happy memories of this aircraft flying between ADL and CBR on QF, particularly in rows four and five.

DUR-JNB and JNB-CPT are both on 737-800s. According to google flights, seat pitch on the 737-400 is 32" but only 29" on the 737-800. I think I may prefer the 400!

I considered using Avios for J seats JNB-CPT, but at 12,750 points and GBP32 (A$52) each, I decided to hang onto the points. I haven't read any good reviews on Comair J.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I considered using Avios for J seats JNB-CPT, but at 12,750 points and GBP32 (A$52) each, I decided to hang onto the points. I haven't read any good reviews on Comair J.

The flights aren't particularly long so I would save the points. J is a bit strange, as the config tends to be two seats on one side and three on the other. From memory I think pretty much just economy seats. If you get the A and B seats (which we always do), it is quite comfortable, but the 3 together looks very crowded. THe meals are Ok and quite substantial, but if you have eaten the nice snacks in the lounge, you really don't need a meal on the plane anyway. The lounges are called SLOW lounges - I will try and find some photos. In JNB straight after security, the lounges are on your right upstairs. We struggled to find them first time, but that is probably just us.

 

[JohnM]

Late aboard, but settling in.