South Africa Vacation

WarZ

Hi all,

So I am planning on heading to South Africa in June. Arriving in Cape Town and staying in the country for just over 2 weeks.

I am looking for some advice for anyone that has been. Ideally we want to spend few nights in Cape Town, do a safari of some kind and then finish in Port Elizabeth (before heading back to Cape Town for return flights)

Does anyone have suggestions? I've few questions if anyone has a few minutes to spare...

1. What sort of attractions are a must see in Cape Town?
2. How many days is long enough in Cape Town?
3. How far is Cape Town from the Safaris? Could you drive it?
4. Where is good to stay in the reserves? Does anyone have any particular tours that they recommend?
5. How many days is enough to spend in the reserves?
6. If we are driving from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth what exactly is the Garden Route? How long is the drive?
7. Is there anything else that we should see while in South Africa?

A lot of questions :P

If anyone has any other information, anything at all, it would be a massive help.

MRG77

Don't know much about South Africa but if you're into your sport the Irish rugby team play South Africa in Cape Town on 11th June, in Jo'burg on 18th June and Port Elizabeth on 25th June. But I suspect you may know that already!!!

wandererz

1. What sort of attractions are a must see in Cape Town?
-- Not too sure myself about specific attractions. It's more about the scenery and beaches for me. Chapmans Peak is a must, driving from the city across Chapmans Peak Pass to Hout Bay and further and then back.

Also, the view from Signal Hill and from Table Mountain.

Lot's of nice long stretches of beach.
Robin Island - if you're into that kind of historical thing.
Shark diving - if you're into that kind of thing.

The V&A Waterfront for food and entertainment.
Long street for food and entertainment - (be careful).

Stellenbosch (where many of the wineries/vineyards are located is very scenic and just 1 hour outside of Cape Town.
Consider staying here for a night or two if you're going to be sampling some wines.


2. How many days is long enough in Cape Town?
-- I would move there if i could. 3 nights minimum would be good. Spent 2 nights in the center and one night in a B&B further down the coast last year. Would have preferred one or two more nights.

3. How far is Cape Town from the Safaris? Could you drive it?
- I think there are a few around Cape Town. But perhaps more the closer one gets to PE.
Cheetah sanctuary just outside of Cape Town is good.

4. Where is good to stay in the reserves? Does anyone have any particular tours that they recommend?

Good areas for Game Reserves would be Kruger National Park and the private reserves outside of it, those outside of Port Elizabeth and those outside of Durban.

5. How many days is enough to spend in the reserves?
-- We spent two nights (at Lalibela near PE, could have done with a 3rd). There was a game drive in the early morning and a second late afternoon stretching into the night. 2+hrs long at least for each one.
Animals don't cater for tourists. So you may spend thousands and still not see anything if they decide not to turn up. The rangers though are in contact with each other and one can direct others if they spot anything.

6. If we are driving from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth what exactly is the Garden Route? How long is the drive?
-- It is a very scenic drive mainly along the coast and the closer one gets to Knysna the more green it gets along with different flora. Hence the term "Garden Route".

About 8-10hrs straight from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.
So you will need to stop off overnight along the way for a night or two.

3 nights (one in each place along the route) would make it leisurely.

Here's one route:
https://www.google.ie/maps/dir/Cape+Town+City+Centre,+Cape+Town,+8001,+South+Africa/Port+Elizabeth+International+Airport,+Port+Elizabeth,+South+Africa/@-33.9262473,20.8618768,6.75z/data=!4m34!4m33!1m25!1m1!1s0x1dcc6763a3ee4fe9:0x95516cf23f5ee8f5!2m2!1d18.4187029!2d-33.9242692!3m4!1m2!1d18.4758324!2d-34.100236!3s0x1dcc41000d7f71fd:0x389fa0816131ce9b!3m4!1m2!1d18.8861365!2d-34.3645921!3s0x1dcdd43bf02b5b85:0xf8e9aaf443d24e2d!3m4!1m2!1d19.1100994!2d-34.3214147!3s0x1dcddeb629694cd9:0x25209dc25faa3f78!3m4!1m2!1d19.2262788!2d-34.4301405!3s0x1dce0b0d171e7fc7:0x7bba5ea6b56c1210!1m5!1m1!1s0x1e7acd80a86fbe67:0x8ee409cd67269180!2m2!1d25.6142947!2d-33.9872719!3e0


7. Is there anything else that we should see while in South Africa?
Lots - will update later or others will post as well.

I have also posted a few similar comments here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=99288067#post99288067

With Hertz (perhaps others) you can collect a car in Cape Town and drop off in Port Elizabeth. That gives you the option of flying back to Cape Town or Johannesburg.

Depending on costs, you may find it easier and more flights to fly in and out of Johannesburg instead of Cape Town.
So, for example, fly into Johannesburg. Spend a few days around there (head to Kruger National Park - safaris etc) then back and a local flight to Cape Town.

Then drive the Garden Route up to PE and fly back to JB for your subsequent flight back home.

uck51js9zml2yt

Are you planning on driving?
If so, do not stop if flagged down or flashed for any reason.