South Africa or Thailand

Scruff101

one month off work South Africa or Thailand!??!

mikedragon32

A little more detail might help... Budget, interests etc...

Vague requests attract least help.

shanagarry

And time of year

macca1983

Go to South Africa. Ive done both places and SA ia amazing! Spent a month in SA last January on a RTW trip and it was easily the best country i visited. People talk about the beaches of Australia and the general scener, but trust me when i say Australia is pooh in comparison to SA. Very cheap over there too - not as cheap as Thailand but would not be far off! No jet lag either thanks to time difference. A great backpacking community there too - a bit older and shall we say more mature in comparison to Thailand.

Scruff101

It will be December/January time. Like beaches, nightlife bit of culture. Think would like safari if in Africa....anything really. Not on very tight budget so won't be staying in hostels but thinkin alonglines of 3 star hotels. Nothing too fancy?! Thanks!

youcancallmeal

If money is an issue then Thailand is the one for you. South Africa is amazing but activities and accommodation aren't the cheapest.

shanagarry

I would recommend South Africa so (I liked it so much that I came back to live here).

You really have it all - cities, rural, great scenery, safari. Accommodation needn't be that expensive. Rather than hotels, I would look at guesthouses. They're not like you're Irish B&Bs with the nosey mammy figure, they're usual not owner occupied and have great facilities, usually a pool etc.

That time of the year will be brilliant weather wise for exploring Cape Town and the Garden Route, perhaps up along the Wild Coast given you will have plenty of time. The downside is that it is school holidays and thus peak holiday season, in particular, lots of Joburgers head for the coast. So you need to book well in advance and be aware that prices will be a bit higher.

For safari I'd go to Kruger, I wouldn't be a fan of the ones along the Garden Route. Although it's not the best time for viewing as it is just after the rainy season so there will be lots of foliage/grass obscuring your view and animals will have more water sources and won't be forced to use the permanent water holes. But on the upside, lots of young. It doesn't need to be expensive, you could self drive and stay in the national park accommodation. Check out www.sanparks.org. However, the accommodation will go quickly so book asap if you want to take that option.

I could go on for pages about SA, so if you have any specific questions just ask

Todd Gack

Depends on what type of holiday you prefer, been to both and I personally would definitely pick South Africa. Huge country so plenty of options, agree with the above on the game parks on the garden route, went to one and they're safari parks. The private game reserve moniker is a little misleading, they don't compare to proper game reserves at all. Seeing animals in the wild proper is far more rewarding if that's your thing.

The Cape winelands around Stellenbosch and Paarl are amazing, well worth a wine tour or two. The cities are a little edgier, I wouldn't spend too much time in any. Cape Town has its sights like Table Mountain and The Cape of Good Hope but the city itself is nothing special. Joburg is best avoided. Regarding the hostels, they are some of the nicest i've ever been, very homely and a really nice atmosphere in the few I stayed in. Worth a night or two here and there, private room if like myself you're not a dorm fan. Food is great too if you like your meat. The game meats like springbok, kudu, gemsbok etc are all delicious and pretty cheap too.

Thailand is very cheap, full of backpackers, plenty beaches, great food and plenty nightlife. Does have a lot going for it, there is a well worn tourist trail with the islands in the south (two is plenty, no earth shattering differences between them all) and the more adventure/hiking/exploring type activities in the north plus it's a big country so plenty other options for going off the beaten track if that's what you'd prefer. There are also many options to visit neighbouring countries which SA doesn't really have, Air Asia flights are very cheap and have a good network all over SE Asia. You can do plenty in a month.

pickarooney

I went to Thailand one year and SA the next. Hard to say which I preferred, really but if I hadn't been to either before I would probably go to Thailand.