South Africa

Irish Wolf

I hope this isn't in the wrong forum - there seems to be a lot of moving threads going on from here.. but feel free to move as you see fit BuffyBot..

So as the title suggests, I'm off to South Africa. Travelling down on Sunday and staying for 3 weeks. I believe my friend there has done a magnificent job in planning out the trip.. flying in to Johannesberg and travelling up to Kruger for 4 days then back to Johannesberg to fly to Durban. From Durban we plan on driving to Cape Town staying over in Colesberg. Spending 7-8 days in Cape Town and then driving back to Durban via Port Elizabeth or Grahamstown, and spending the last few days around the Kwa-Zulu-Natal area with perhaps a trip to Drakensberg and the Battlefields...

So aside from the "usual" touristy things to do, e.g. the wine country, the garden route, game reserves, Table Mountain, Robben Island, etc. has anyone out there any tips on something "different" they've done on a trip to South Africa? I would class myself as sporty or particularly fit - so perhaps adventure sports wouldn't be too high on my list but all input more than welcome...

I've been trying to source tickets for the SA v Australia tri-nations match in Cape Town - so if anyone has any contacts for that - a PM would be most welcome

Anyway - provided I make it back in one piece I will hopefully write up a few lines on how things went - what was good, what was bad, etc. (hence the reason for starting the tread in Reports and Reviews).

Thanky...

BuffyBot

It is..as this is for when you come back

Moving to main Travel & Holidays forum

Irish Wolf

Perfect - thanks..

Zaph

While they're touristy enough, a few things I'd recommend seeing as you'll be in the right areas:

- Helicopter ride around Table Mountain. There are a few places selling tours at the V&A Waterfront.
- Bus tour of vineyards. We booked ours at the tourist office in Stellenbosch, and it took in 6 vineyards and included lunch. Much safer than driving!
- Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn. Off the Garden Route near George. Well worth a visit.
- Yacht charter on the lagoon at Knysna. A lovely way to spend an afternoon and had champagne and oysters included in the cost.
- Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth. It's a national park especially for, you'll be surprised to learn, elephants! Only a few quid in and you drive your own car around the park.
- Trip up the west coast to Langebaan. It's a couple of hours north of Cape Town. Quiet enough place, but nice to go somewhere different for a night.
- Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park near Pletenberg Bay on the Garden Route. Absolutely beautiful spot for lunch and a walk.
- Monkeyland, again near Plet. When we saw the ads for it we weren't too sure about it, but so many locals told us we had to visit it, so we did. It's a sanctuary for rescued monkeys and you can get very close to them on a guided tour.

It's a great country, have fun!

theCzar

Shark diving out of Cape Town is supposed to be good. Didn't have time when I was there. You go down in a steel cage like in Jaws and the sharks come to feed, maybe even Great Whites.

I'm not sure if you need diving license.

The bus trip south to the very cape itself is supposed be very cool (if touristy) lots of baboons and penguins. I eh, didn't get round to this either.

You can go on a mountain bike excursion to Stellenbosch wine region, if you're looking for something a bit different. (biking first, wine later of course, bus back!!)

Irish Wolf

Thanks to you both - the shark diving is something I'd really love to do but I can't even swim let alone dive - so I'm not sure I'll get a chance to do that.. guess I'll have to scare the sharks in the aquariums instead

Hadn't heard anything about the Cango Caves, or Monkeyland - another couple of things to add to the list..

Can't wait to go.. almost packed and raring to go..

theCzar

Irish Wolf wrote:

guess I'll have to scare the sharks in the aquariums instead

The two oceans aquarium in Cape Town was good too!