Two weeks in South Africa

biddy1

So im hoping to bring my girlfriend to South Africa for two weeks. Along the way I hope to pop the question. Firstly im wondering is it a silly idea bringing a diamond ring with me and carrying it around South Africa until I find the right moment? Is it any more dangerous than say a European city? Secondly id like a bit of information from somebody who has travelled south Africa with an itinerary that included things like table mountain, sabi sand game reserve, kruger national park and a 5 day safari and Victoria falls. Any information on this ie. who I should book with and how much I should be expecting to spend on a trip like this for two people. Thanks alot folks.

Jacovs

2 weeks is a very short time to be cramming all those things into, considering the distance between all of those mentioned attractions.
You could spend 2 weeks just in Cape Town and still not see half of it.

Its a full day's travel from Cape Town to Kruger National Park. Another full day travel from Kruger National Park to Victoria Falls (which is in Zimbabwe). You might spend half your 2 weeks just traveling from one point to the next and not that much time actually at the attractions taking it all in as you might wish.

The currency is really weak right now, so its a good time to go there. More or less R17/euro. You should find food and drink is really cheap, admission to most places arent too expensive either. But stuff like Safari's and such which is aimed directly at foreign visitors do cost a bit.

You could book most everything yourself if you wanted to.

biddy1

Thanks for the reply jacovs.
I could stretch it too three weeks. What would be the easiest/cheapest way to travel between those areas. Should I get internal flights?

Jacovs

biddy1 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply jacovs.
I could stretch it too three weeks. What would be the easiest/cheapest way to travel between those areas. Should I get internal flights?

Definitely be a good few internal flights in your trip if you plan to do all those things.

Where do you plan to start your trip? And where do you plan to finish it? I could go into as much detail as you like regarding travel, but one thing is for certain, it will take up a big chunk of your holiday time.

roundymac

Security is a big thing in SA. There are no go areas everywhere, night time especially. Haveing said that taxis are cheap and most hotels will offer a shuttle service. Areas like railway stations can be dangerous, just take extra care when planning something. If you are hiring a car start in Capetown, take the Garden route over to George and Port Elizebeth. Get a flight to Durban from there. Umhlanga Rocks just outside Durban is a great place to base yourself. Are you booking online? my recommdation is you go to a travel agent, they are the experts and no, I am not one myself. Just when you are that far away from home it is better to have someone to call to sort it out.

biddy1

Thanks guys
I plan to start in Capetown, continuing on to Botswana, Zimbabwe and finish in Johannesburg. Going to all the destinations in between. I will discuss it with a travel agents but will probably end up booking everything myself. It will be alot of travelling and maybe I should cut it down and stay in South Africa?

Bigbok

In from SA so any question just pm me,with regards to the ring want kit buy it there?i bought my engagement ring there for €1800 and its valued here at over €7000?

wandererz

Three weeks may be a bit too long.

Go for 2 weeks and base yourself in SA.

JHB-Cape Town or PE-Durban or Durban-JHB, fly rather than drive.

Spend 1 week to 1.5 weeks doing Cape and the Garden Route up to Port Elizabeth.
Spend at least 4 days around Cape Town.
Do a tandem paragliding jump off Signal Hill in Cape Town. Her first and then you. Opt for the videos as well, you will have something great to reflect on and talk about for years afterwards.

Best if you have a car during this time in the Cape.
Drive through Chapmans Peak Pass - in both directions.

Visit Stellenbosch - and stay around there for one or two nights. Visit the wineries and vineyards.
Take a picnic basket with you or stop off somewhere to eat.

Buy a caseload of really good wine and drink it all before you return! You have a car so stock up the boot until PE!

Then drive up the Garden Route., stopping off in a few places and ending up in PE.
There are a few game reserves around the area so check them out as well.

Addo Elephant Park is here. You can stay at one of the lodges or stay in PE and visit as a day visitor.
I've also stayed at Lalibela Game Reserve.

From PE you can get a flight to Durban or Johannesburg.
From JB you can go to Sun City for a day or two of casinos and shows and/or go to Kruger Park for a few days.

Outside of JB is the Cullinan Diamond mine. You can do a tour there.
There is also an opportunity at the end to purchase a diamond. They will mount it onto a ring for you and you will save on the tax. Be prepared though, some of those diamonds were $450K. Although, also some nice pieces around the €4k mark. They have their own Cullinan cut which can only be purchased there and nowhere else in the world. Now that would be special IMO. Be prepared for an additional day or so while its being mounted onto a ring!
Diamonds go well with a platinum setting, and SA is as good a place as any to get it.

Outside Durban, there are also game reserves. A car is necessary.

Don't wear flashy or expensive jewelry under any circumstances anywhere.

Forgo the Zimbabwe and Botswana trips for now...if she accepts then you have somewhere to go for the honeymoon and you will have more cash to spend at Cullinan or elsewhere on the ring this time around.

This way, you are purchasing the ring at the end of the holiday and less time to have it on the hand in SA but great experience for her on the flight back.

On this subject, i don't know what your budget is, but keep at least €10k available on your credit card.
This way one can look at something that is a lot less, but if on the day there is an unexpected selection then you don't have to revise expectations.
Also remember that if you intend to make large or multiple purchases in a foreign country then it may be worthwhile contacting your card company to advise them of this. That way you don't get unexpectedly declined.

Pop the question, and if she declines then don't do Cullinan.
If she accepts then make it clear when selecting what the budget is.

If she goes mental because of that... then you know it wasn't to be... And rather than her admiring her gorgeous new ring on the flight back with a glass of champagne and everyone clapping because of the announcement on the intercom... it will be eye protectors, ear plugs and straight to sleep instead!