CapeTown

bewhiched

Hey all hope you can help we are off to CapeTown on the 26th December we have 18 nights was here before and loved it so on our way back over but don't really want to do the garden route we did a safari so has any one ideas what to do instead of a garden route??? Thanks in advanced guys

Newgrange Warrior

Recently in SA myself. Its well worth staying in a wine estate in Stellenbosh (c.50 mins drive outside Cape town)- I stayed in asara wine estate, class relaxation.

bewhiched

Ahhhh love it got engaged over there had a ball, yeah just don't fancy staying in CapeTown for the whole 18 nights!!! Thank you very much I will look into that now cheers for the quick reply

pontia

you could get to namibia in less than a day by road,plenty to do there,18 days is to long for capetown particulary if there already,cheap enough internal flights.few hrs flight will get you most places

bewhiched

Yeah could be an idea too sounds great would like to something nice too for new years eve thank you very much for your help

Le_Dieux

Having lived in South Africa ( PE) for many years, may I offer a couple of ideas?

While not agreeing with You on the Garden Route ( for me, the best drive anywhere on this planet), why not go the inland road ( R 62 ) to Oudtshoorn from CT, and spend maybe 2 days there? Plenty to do, and as You say You'll be there Sept/Oct, won't have gotten too hot yet.

Then head up the west coast from CT, via the R 27 to Langebaan, and head up to Windhoek, then go west to Walvis Baai & Swakopmund & (especially if You fish) go as far north as Henties Baai. Stunning coastline, but You will need a reliable car to make this trip, as distances are vast when compared to Ireland.

But as i say, worth the drive....

bewhiched

Just seems a lot of driving maybe and I've no idea on exactly on the garden route to b honest where to stop how long in each place where for new years eve???? Thanks a million for your reply you all have been brillant

Mincork

Just a few thoughts of what I would like to do given the time ...

From V & A

Shark cage diving
Robben island museum
Table mountain cableway
Kirstenbosch botanical gardens
Sunset cruise on " spirit of the sea "

With car , day trip

Hermanus - whales and dolphin
Stellenbosch - wine
Saldanha - coastal town

With car , one week trip

Mosselbay > George > Oudtshorn > Knysna > Plettenberg Bay > Port Elizabeth

Ai - Ais Namibia > Windhoek > Etosha National Park

December and January is peak summer , so looking at around 28oC to 38oC Everyday

New Year count down - Must be in the V & A
Mariners Wharf Take away - Houtbay - best Fish and Chips in the world , lol

Hope this helps , enjoy your hols , and if your need a local tour guide , you might be able to twist my arm , lol

Cheers
M

Le_Dieux

NYE? The V & A is the place to be then!

One thing to remember - The time of year You are there is high season. Prices are at a premium! I misread Your post earlier, so please ignore my reference to Sept/Oct. I must warn You about Oudtshoorn that time of year ( if You decide to go): It can go up to mid 40's that time of year. But everywhere there will be hot. If the heat is a problem, stay along the coastline where it is cooler.

I'll also be open to having my arm twisted if You need a guide LOL

Enjoy!

northknife

Do a skydive.
It will be one of the best things you ever do.
My wife and I did one (skydive)here on our honeymoon.
We were there in January and found it strange with Last Christmas and other classics belting out from pubs and the sun cracking the stones but loved the city and hopefully will return someday.

http://www.skydivecapetown.za.net/

bewhiched

Guys you all have been brilliant huge thanks to ya all,

endabob1

Hopefully not too late; Avoiding the Garden Route....

I would visit Hermanus http://www.hermanus.co.za/ for a night or 2, if lucky there might still be some Whales still knocking about. I really like it, small seaside town similar to Knysna.
From there go to visit cape Aghulas (the most southerly point) while staying in Arniston (stay in the Hotel, it's pricey but very nice) http://www.arnistonhotel.com/
Then I would go inland towards Oudtshoorn which is serious Ostrich country and the Cango Caves http://www.cango-caves.co.za/adventure.php which are like a bigger version of the aillwee caves but you get to crawl and climb through tunnels which is good fun but it's exhausting.
Head back towards Cape Town on route 62 www.route62.co.za/ a lesser traveled touristy route than the Garden route, with lots of mountains & nice places to stop; Spend a night a night in Montagu for the hot Springs, www.avalonsprings.co.za which are hot mountain springs, very cool to swim in naturally heated water in the middle of winter, might not be so great in the height of Summer!
As you're coming in from this side I would then visit the wine country, there are wine estates on Route 62 & around Hermanus but Stellenbosch/Paarl & Franschoek are the traditional homes.

Franschoek is home to the highest rated Restaurant in Africa (and only African in the top 50) Le Quartier Francais www.lqf.co.za/ While Stellebosch has the 2nd best www.rustenvrede.com/

bewhiched

We. Where just thinking maybe doing two nights in francschkor and two nights in Stellenbosh maybe think we will be in stallenbosh for new years eve??? Wonder would there be much to do, not mad nightclubs but good restaurants etc both look fab!!!!! Thank again guys

endabob1

Stellenbosch is also a university town so it's generally busy all year, there's good restaurants in both areas but Franschoek is the foodie capital.

As you've been to Cape Town before I assumed you'd done the traditional stuff, like Cape Point, Table Mountain etc.. I will say that you're here in the peak season so if you haven't booked your accommodation I would get on it pronto, stuff gets booked up very quickly.

bewhiched

Yeah we did all the usual stuff so think we may do three nights in each of these town they beautiful indeed and the hubby loves the wine!!!!!! Right think I will go ahead and book three nights in each massive thanks to all you you you've been brilliant!!!!!!

martinsvi

how safe is South Africa, these traditional routes and Capetown as such? a quick google search gives the impression that its a place where you dont really want to visit unless you're Chuck Norris

would you use a tour operator or do everything by yourself?

dingding

If you are in Cape Town try to get a reservation in the test kitchen restaurant. You usually need to book months in advance do it might be to late. .

Also make sure to visit the castle before noon as they let off a signal gun at 12. Also the district 6 museum is great.

endabob1

martinsvi wrote: »

how safe is South Africa, these traditional routes and Capetown as such? a quick google search gives the impression that its a place where you dont really want to visit unless you're Chuck Norris

would you use a tour operator or do everything by yourself?

Cape Town and the traditional tourist routes are generally very safe, don't go off the beaten track, don't wander around unlit areas of the city at night with your Nikon Extra long lens around your neck and you'll be fine. I've lived here for 5 years and never had any bother.

Personally I would hire a car when I came, but if you'd rather not just go on organised trips, there are hundreds of places doing day trips around the cape.