Just got back from South Africa-Trip Blog and Picture link!!! Finished!!!

[tiggrbaby]

You're Welcome!!!!

July will be winter time in South Africa. I think I recall hearing Tina or Craig say that some of the previous Adventurers whilst on their trip in the winter months purchased long john's in Cape Town before going on the rest of the trip.

I would suggest bringing a warm jacket and a pair of gloves at the very least. The evening game drives on the Safari can be quite chilly!!!

Enjoy this beautiful country!!!! If you have any questions before you go please let me know!

Renee

For my birthday I got silk long underwear: two tops and one pair of leggings! I got those in mind for the trip. I also picked up a hat, scarf, and gloves on clearance at the end of the season. I just got a knit polarfleece hooded jacket that is loose enough for two layers underneath. I figure it will all come in handy for cradling my purchases on the way home!

 

[Forever a Princess]

Sounds like you are all set! Have a great trip!!!

 

[LisaTex]

I absolutely will! "Hi!" from Renee and from the Petersons. Gotcha!

Sayhello

Also a big hello from the Schneider's from the one and only Hawaii year. we hope to see her next summer in S. Africa!

 

[beachbunny]

Hi again!

Your blog didn't go into it, but can you share what you did on that extra pre-tour day in Capetown?

Also, if you have one, can you share your packing list?

 

[Forever a Princess]

Hi again!

Your blog didn't go into it, but can you share what you did on that extra pre-tour day in Capetown?

Also, if you have one, can you share your packing list?

Hello!

Our pre-Adventure day was a Sunday. We got up that morning feeling great! We had crashed when we got in the night before. We went down to the hotel lobby and met our ABD guides Tina and Craig. Craig called a cab for us to go to church in downtown Cape Town.

While waiting for the cab Tina gave us a map of Victoria and Alberts Waterfront. Both Guides suggested that we spend the day at the Waterfront after church.

Craig suggested several places for us to eat. He set up reservations for us to eat at Balducci's (Lunch) and Ba'ia (Dinner). Both were seafood restaurants at our request.

We went to church in downtown Cape Town. The cab driver that had taken us there came back for us when church was done. He then took us down to the Waterfront. I had exchanged some money at the Cape Town Airport the night that we flew in so I had Rand on hand for the cab drive.

We spent a bit of time looking around at the Waterfront and made our way over to Balducci's. The food was fabulous! I especially loved the chocolate fondant!!!! After eating lunch we walked around the Waterfront and did a lot of shopping.

We checked on going to Robben's Island (boat leaves from the Waterfront) but they were all sold out for Sunday. I did not think of asking Craig that morning about tickets for this. I hear that the Robben Island tickets can be purchased prior to going so I would suggest this if you have any interest in this.

One of the neat things that we did was shopping at the Waterfront's Market. Essentially this is a (red) building where vendors have items for sale. The prices were marked on the items so no bartering was needed. We bought quite a bit in here.

We did check on going on a helicopter ride over Table Mountain etc. However it was quit cloudy that day so we would not of been able to see much so we passed on this.

Near the end of the afternoon we found a grocery store (in the Waterfront) and also a pharmacy (Walgreens equivalent). At these stores we loaded up on pop, an electrical converter and snack items (breakfast bars) for the trip. We also bought a couple of other items that we had forgot to pack. We then went and got on the free hotel shuttle and went back to the hotel for a rest. The jet lag was getting to us at the point so the rest was quite welcomed.

Around 6 pm we then headed back out to the Waterfront for our Dinner reservation (again on the free hotel shuttle). Our Dinner at Ba'ia was wonderful. We couldn't help but notice that we had one of the best tables in the restaurant (right by the windows) overlooking the Waterfront. (Mouse Magic Rules!!!) The seafood was fabulous!!! We would love to go back here someday. Our Dinner experience took a couple of hours so by the time we were done the mall was closed. We took the shuttle back to the hotel and crashed for the night.

Sorry I do not have a packing list. Any specific questions I can ask about packing for the South Africa trip??

Renee

 

[beachbunny]

Thanks for the pre-trip report!

I think we're going to have half a day more than you because we arrive in the morning whereas you arrived at night. So after we settle in, we'll have the rest of our arrival day plus the next day before touring starts on Day 2. With all that extra time, I'll definitely look into visiting Robben Island.

Packing: We'll be going around the same time as you - April - and I wanted to know how cold it got and what you brought (fleece, light jacket?). I'm a real wimp when it comes to cold weather! Also, how many pairs of pants, shirts, etc. did you bring? I plan on doing some washing of undies in the room, but don't want to be washing heavy stuff like jeans.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Lets see, you are packing for 2 climate types. Cape Town is mild weather. It was mostly 70's when we were there. Kapama days were hot/early morning and late evenings were chilly.

We did laundry in the room every couple of days. Wash in sink-->rinse in tub-->hang to dry. We usually washed on the day that we moved to a different hotel. That gave the clothes enough time to dry. Specifically I'm talking about the socks. Take more pairs then you think. We bought the quick dry ones. But it took them two days to dry.

We did like the quick dry underclothes that we bought and brought with us. Those dried overnight.

I brought both a lightweight safari jacket and also a fleece hooded sweatshirt. I would wear both layered on the safari game drives in the early morning and in the late evening. I'm like you. I'm always cold!!

I also took one lightweight sweater.

Other stuff I packed:
1 tank top
3 short sleeve shirts
3 almost long sleeve shirts
1 pair of cargo pants
1 pair of cargo capris
2 pair of shorts (I only needed one pair)
2 skirts (did not really need them)

Hope this helps!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Lets see, you are packing for 2 climate types. Cape Town is mild weather. It was mostly 70's when we were there. Kapama days were hot/early morning and late evenings were chilly.

We did laundry in the room every couple of days. Wash in sink-->rinse in tub-->hang to dry. We usually washed on the day that we moved to a different hotel. That gave the clothes enough time to dry. Specifically I'm talking about the socks. Take more pairs then you think. We bought the quick dry ones. But it took them two days to dry.

We did like the quick dry underclothes that we bought and brought with us. Those dried overnight.

I brought both a lightweight safari jacket and also a fleece hooded sweatshirt. I would wear both layered on the safari game drives in the early morning and in the late evening. I'm like you. I'm always cold!!

I also took one lightweight sweater.

Other stuff I packed:
1 tank top
3 short sleeve shirts
3 almost long sleeve shirts
1 pair of cargo pants
1 pair of cargo capris
2 pair of shorts (I only needed one pair)
2 skirts (did not really need them)

Hope this helps!

You are soooo helpful! I took your advice and booked the Robben Island tour for our pre-trip day. I have been reading your blog over and over to try and commit your tips to memory! I am hoping to be able to afford to get two ostrich eggs: one for me and one for my parents. But how do you tranport them home? My carry-on will be stuffed with my laptop, camera, and kindle to begin with!

 

[beachbunny]

Thanks Renee!

tiggrbaby: I always bring bubble wrap and duct tape with me when I travel to foreign countries. It allowed me to pack wood carvings (animals and bowls) in Tanzania and ceramic pottery in Ecuador. I don't think I'd pack an egg - no matter how hard the shell. I think I'd bubble wrap it and carry it in the free duffel you get from ABD.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Thanks Renee!

tiggrbaby: I always bring bubble wrap and duct tape with me when I travel to foreign countries. It allowed me to pack wood carvings (animals and bowls) in Tanzania and ceramic pottery in Ecuador. I don't think I'd pack an egg - no matter how hard the shell. I think I'd bubble wrap it and carry it in the free duffel you get from ABD.

Bubble wrap! What a great idea! thanks!

Free duffel? In addition to the backpack I got last week? Will they allow me two carry-ons?

 

[Forever a Princess]

You are soooo helpful! I took your advice and booked the Robben Island tour for our pre-trip day. I have been reading your blog over and over to try and commit your tips to memory! I am hoping to be able to afford to get two ostrich eggs: one for me and one for my parents. But how do you tranport them home? My carry-on will be stuffed with my laptop, camera, and kindle to begin with!

You're Welcome!!!!

I would like to hear about your Robben Island tour when you get back. Can't wait to see pics of this!!!

Yes you are allowed two carry ons. I had a small purse that fit inside the ABD backpack. Then I also carried on the duffle bag.

ABD gives you both the backpack (pretrip) and the duffle bag (when you get there). The Mouse thinks of everything!

The duffle that ABD gives you is big enough for all of your souvenirs including the ostrich eggs. I had every square inch of my duffle packed to the gills. Not to mention the backpack.....

The overhead bins on the international planes are HUGE. Think size of a small car trunk. Plenty of room for the egg or you can place it under your feet. Our Cabin Captain Steward was joking that "all of you think that it's your job to fill these things." Right he is!!!!!

The shop owner will wrap your egg in bubble wrap/tissue and place the ostrich egg in a box. My egg made it through 4 airports by the time that I got it home!!!!!

I had originally not planned on purchasing an ostrich egg as I thought that it would not make the trip. The Ostrich eggs are quite sturdy. Boy I'm glad I got it. It's my favorite souvenir of the trip!!!

Tip-Just remember to also purchase the wood egg stand when you are there. The wood stands look like a bracelet or can be more ornate.

Have fun shopping!!!
Renee

 

[Forever a Princess]

Thanks Renee!

tiggrbaby: I always bring bubble wrap and duct tape with me when I travel to foreign countries. It allowed me to pack wood carvings (animals and bowls) in Tanzania and ceramic pottery in Ecuador. I don't think I'd pack an egg - no matter how hard the shell. I think I'd bubble wrap it and carry it in the free duffel you get from ABD.

You're Welcome!!!

Great idea on the bubble wrap! I'm going to add this to my must take list for future trips!!

 

[briano72]

awesome!

 

[beachbunny]

Renee: Why do you think they cut out this year's days 5 and 6 (the Protea Hotel King George days)? The 2011 tour looks mostly like the 2010 tour except that those two days are cut out and the price has increased significantly. Now I'm kinda glad that I signed up for the 2010 tour (but going in April 2011).

 

[Forever a Princess]

awesome!

Thank You!!!!!!

 

[Forever a Princess]

Renee: Why do you think they cut out this year's days 5 and 6 (the Protea Hotel King George days)? The 2011 tour looks mostly like the 2010 tour except that those two days are cut out and the price has increased significantly. Now I'm kinda glad that I signed up for the 2010 tour (but going in April 2011).

Hello!

John and I were discussing the changes last night.

My answers are of course pure speculation.

Two thoughts on the change in number of days/nights:

1. First.

On Day Five is/was the Lunch in Swellendam in Roosje van De Kaap’s Restaurant. I heard Roosje saying that she was closing the Restaurant in the near future. I'm not sure when she will be doing this. By removing this lunch option Disney may have had some difficulty with finding another Restaurant in the surrounding area .

One of the best meals was Under the Sky by Chef Conrad at the George
Protea Hotel. That was the best part of George.

The Ostrich Farm in George, Dias Museum in Mossel Bay and Railroad Museum in George were all fun. That being said I don't think they will be greatly missed by others on the trip.

George is a nice little town. It's just not a WOW like Cape Town (and surrounding areas), Knysna and Kapama Reserve. Ultimately I think Disney knew this and pulled these days from the roster. (Again very much speculation on my part).

2. Second.

I am wondering if the change to 10 days will bring more folks to South Africa. With ten adventure days and four days for travel this would bring the total time to two weeks.

Both my place of work and John's have little problem with taking off of work for vacation for two weeks. However taking over two weeks for vacation from my employer took a bit of work. "Trip of a life time etc."

Maybe other employers are this way? Perhaps a fourteen day trip vs sixteen day trip will bring more Adventurers to South Africa?????

As for the money part. When we booked our trip in 2008 Disney was cheaper than the tour operators that we looked at.

I looked at Tauck Bridges web site for Africa 2010. Price for June through August starts around $6000 and December 2010 starts at about $6300.

My speculation is that Disney has looked at the other tour operators pricing and are now adjusting accordingly.

That being said I had sticker shock by the new pricing.

Enjoy your Safari!!

Renee

 

[beachbunny]

Interesting. I appreciate your insight.

I agree the amount of time away from work will be long. I'm looking at about three weeks off from work - two days to get to London, two nights in London for jet lag, shopping, and the Royal Opera (love it!), one day to fly to Cape town, one pre-tour night, the tour, one night in London because I can't make the connection, and then fly home.

I also had looked at Tauck, Abercrombie and Kent, etc. But they were kinda pricey. With the ABD 2010 prices plus a really super pin code ($400 off per person), it was a no-brainer.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Interesting. I appreciate your insight.

I agree the amount of time away from work will be long. I'm looking at about three weeks off from work - two days to get to London, two nights in London for jet lag, shopping, and the Royal Opera (love it!), one day to fly to Cape town, one pre-tour night, the tour, one night in London because I can't make the connection, and then fly home.

I also had looked at Tauck, Abercrombie and Kent, etc. But they were kinda pricey. With the ABD 2010 prices plus a really super pin code ($400 off per person), it was a no-brainer.

 

[carolinatennisgirl]

Thanks so much for all the great information. We have always wanted to go to South Africa and I'd like your opinion. We are a family of four with two teenagers, thus our schedule is dictated by their school breaks. If you had to choose between going in December and going in June, which do you think would be best weather wise? I understand Cape Town is much milder than the rest of the trip, but am worried about going in December and being too hot on the Safari days.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Thanks so much for all the great information. We have always wanted to go to South Africa and I'd like your opinion. We are a family of four with two teenagers, thus our schedule is dictated by their school breaks. If you had to choose between going in December and going in June, which do you think would be best weather wise? I understand Cape Town is much milder than the rest of the trip, but am worried about going in December and being too hot on the Safari days.

I'm glad that you are thinking about going!!! It definitely is a trip of a lifetime.
Our Kapama days were quite hot. Almost to the point of being uncomfortable during the day. I would suggest going in June for this very reason.