I'm booked for South Africa -- anyone been

[jjcollins]

We're going to South Africa in March using my free flights with United airlines. I'm flying Bizz-class the whole way from Belfast via - London-Frankfurt with Lufthansa.

Guess how much it would have cost me £9475.00 and all i had to pay was £300 to by some extra miles we needed -- plus £251 in airport taxes happy days


So has anyone been before -- tips tips lol



jj.........

 

[onlyholly]

Yes we went to SA in April and had the most fantastic holiday. Although I was brought up there, it had been 20 years since my last visit.

We visited Cape Town, Hluhluwe Game Reserve, Durban and the Drakensberg (Cathedral Peak).

What are your plans, where will you be visiting and for how long ?

Sorry for the questions, but really interested as it is my all time favourite place and we plan to go back in the next year or two.

Have a fantastic time !!!!

Holly

 

[jjcollins]

Holly here go's lol

The Radisson SAS Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town for 3nts

Franschhoek Country House for 2nts

We've booked 2nts at The Garden Route Game Lodge

After that we've 3nts before we head back to Cape town-- and were thinking of Knysna - what you think???


Then 4 nts atThe Primi Seacastle Camps bay ( Cape town )


Thanks


jj.......

 

[onlyholly]

Your itinerary sounds great - Cape Town is a lovely place but be carefull around the waterfront and city centre at night.

We stayed at Tamboerskloof (Liberty Lodge) for 1 week, only 5 mins from the W & A Waterfront, where there is a shopping centre (very expensive and tend to rip the tourists off) and loads of restaurants.

Here are a few things we did:

Robben Island was interesting.
Drove upto Signal Hill at sunset and stopped to take photos all the way up as the scenery (table mountain, city etc) was fantastic.
Up Table Mountain
Waterfront
Constantia
Boulders Beach (penguins roam free)

We also went on a guided township tour with a local black guy from one of the townships. This was very interesting and something I'm glad I did. (I'll try and find out the tour guides name, contact no. and web address as you may be interested.)

The winelands were my favourite and Franschhoek is especially quaint with beautifull scenery (and wine!!!!).

We went to Boschendal (Franshhoek) for wine-tasting and lunch and had the most wonderful day (one of the best places for guided vinyard tours). We tried to lunch at Le Petite Ferme, but unfortunately they get booked months in advance. I believe it is one of the best places to lunch in Franschhoek

Knysna is a place I've not been to - hoping to do the Garden Route another time.

I did most of my research on the Lonely Planet Website (forum called Thorntree).

I don't need to say have a great time as I know you will.

Holly

 

[jjcollins]

Thanks Holly -- now heres a thing i've been told by someone who live in Cape town not to go anywhere near the Townships even with a guide But still wouldn't mind the info from the guy you went with. I'm looking up the Lonely Planet website now

Can i ask did you take travellers checks??

Did you hire a car or use taxi's

Ohhh and for the mrs weres the best place to shop lol


Sorry for the questions lol


jj........

 

[onlyholly]

As you, we were also advised not to go near the Townships even with a guide, and on the other hand we were told that it was something that had to be done. We wanted to do it and knew in our hearts all would be ok if we chose the right tour operator.

The following tour company was recommend by our apartment owner:

www.townshipcrawling.com

(click on History of the Townships and at the bottom of the page is a link to Thuthuka Tours)

Sorry can't remember the tour guides name but he owns and runs the tours and his wife owns a Shebeen where you can request a traditional South African meal. We rang him up and said what we wanted from the tour and he arranged it all including a meal at his wifes restaurant - it lasted approx. 5 hours. He picked us up from our apartment and took us to all six townships and showed us new and old living quarters, a school, a witch doctor/healer, shops, craft stalls etc. etc. We also visited a Township B&B (Vicky's B&B which my Husband and son want to do next time - I'm not too sure, as I like my comfort). She is well known and you can do a search on the internet.

This tour was by far the best experience of our holiday and I would highly recommend people go and see how the majority of South Africans have to live. It was a mix of emotions too.

We hired a car from here (UK) through Holiday Autos for our 3 week trip inbetween flights - all ran smoothly.

Not sure where the best places are to shop in Cape Town - maybe someone else can help you there, as we did most of our shopping in Durban. I just remember The V & A Waterfront Mall was very, very expensive.

We didn't take Travellers Cheques as again through forums we were told it was a better deal to use cash machines (switch card) and credit cards - we also took cash (Rand).

Hope I've answered all your questions and welcome anymore you may have.

Regards
Holly

p.s. Another good website I used was:

www.fodors.com
(click talk, then Africa & Middle East)

www.bbc.co.uk/holiday
(do a search on: You Call the Shots - South Africa, and there is a wealth of information)

 

[jjcollins]

Wooooow what can i say -- thank you so much holly -- just one thing you said use cash machines (switch card) -- will my switch card work there, i have the Maestro sign on the back of mine?



jj.......

 

[onlyholly]

Yes your switch card will work in the SA ATM machines but to be sure just check with your bank - they will also give you there charges.

Kind regards
Holly

p.s. FYI If you don't want to ask any ?'s on the Thorntree forum just do a search and all info regarding SA should come up.

 

[WDWfan uk]

....... moving you onto the Community Board !

 

[jjcollins]

Shirley maybe you'd like to explain why your moving this post about my trip planning from the trip planning board


Seems very odd


jj........

 

[jjcollins]

Holly i've already asked 2 questions on that Thorntree forum lol



jj......

 

[UKDEB]

jj - I think you'll find the 'Trip Planning' forum is specifically for WDW trip planning. At least that's always been my understanding.

Enjoy your trip - sounds great!

 

[jjcollins]

Well i've never heard that Debbie and if thats so why is lots of things on this board got nothing to do with

specifically for WDW trip planning

Villas for one -- Travel Insurance -- and others


It just says trip planning at the top



jj........

 

[UKDEB]

Well, villas and travel insurance for trips to WDW rather than villas and travel insurance for, say, Spain.

 

[vernon]

I had a week in Cape town on my way down to Aussie, I had a great time and thought it a beautiful part of the world.

Things I enjoyed was the trip up to Table mountain, do allow plenty of time for here as although it's easily and quickly accessed from Cape Town ( 5 minutes in a cab from the water front and allow 20 minutes to queue for and take the cable car to the top) it's a shame just to get to the top and do the minimal 30 minute walk that's in the immediate area of the cable car station. The next "level" of walk is a 2 hour stroll around the plateau , and if you have sufficient time and energy it's a leisurely 4 hours to walk all the way to the far end ( and high point) of the mountain. IMHO it's worth making sure you do at least the 2 hour walk but I wish I'd had time to go all the way. If you get to Cape town and there is a day that the weather is good (clear and not too windy) make sure you do the trip up the mountain that day, even in good weather the mountain is only really accessable/worth going two or three days out of 7 as clouds obscure the wonderful views and winds sometimes close the trip.

I also really enjoyed a couple of the day trips organised from Cape Town , in particular the wine trips into the Stellenbosch area that covered a little bit of Franschoek. It's also worth trying to find a tour that includes a visit to the monument to the Afrikaans language, it's a thought provoking monument with STUNNING views. I went midweek and it was almost eerily (sp) quiet there as we were the only people visiting. I'll try to dig out the name of the tour company I used as I thought they were particularly good (although one of the more expensive of the tour opperators). I guess you get what you pay for.

For transport in Cape Town itself there is a "round Capetown" tour bus that you can hop on and off at a number of predestined points, this is a good way to see a lot of the city and to get an idea of where you are, it's pretty cheap for a daily ticket. I used taxis or they have a system of "shared taxis" that are really cheap. I can't remember the name of them, but not only are they quite a bit cheaper than cabs (which aren't a bad price to be honest) but it's also a good way to meet other travellers. If you are a one or two I'd use the shared taxis if you're not in a rush, or use a "regular cab if you're 3+ or in a hurry.

Outside of Cape Town I just went on organised tours, IMHO the easiest and most informative way to get to know the area is to take tours. If you at least take a couple of tours to "orientate" yourself and learn some of the geography and history of the area then you may be able to make use of a hirecar and explore the area more fully ( I would have loved to have taken longer at the botanical gardens to the East of Cape Town who's name escapes me here, but they were STUNNING, but didn't have the time on the tour nor did I have the time to go back later)

When you going JJ?

 

[jjcollins]

Sounds great Vernon -- We're going near the end of March start of April. The bus tour sounds a great idea ( hop on and off) We're also staying 2nts in Franschoek. We've hired a car for most of our staydid you do any driving Vernon?


Thanks for the tips Vernon

UKDED -- My point still is, could you or Shirley please tell me were it says the trip planning forum is only for WDW.

Plus i don't understand you reply -- if on a post it does'nt mention were your going how can you say its about WDW


Anyway more planning to do


jj.......

 

[jana]

Vernon asked me to tell you the name of the botanicle gardens, Kirstenbosch.
No Vernon did not have a car in Cape Town.

 

[jjcollins]

Thanks Jana -- a few people have mention that place to me -- So are you missing him Jana or is it good to get a bit of peace and quiet



jj.........

 

[onlyholly]

JJ, just thought of another great place to pay a visit if you have time and want to indulge.

The Mount Nelson Hotel (where our Queen stays) does afternoon tea every day. For around £5.00 you can have a traditional British afternoon tea - sandwiches, cakes, scones etc.

Take a look at their website.

www.mountnelson.co.za

(enter the site and click on dining)

Regards
Holly

 

[jjcollins]

Ohh yes thats a must -- after we do the houses of Parliament. Tea and scones please yummmmmmm -- thanks Holly


jj.......