Back From South Africa
Discussion
Back from a 3 week tour of South Africa so thought I’d share some experiences in case the info will help anyone looking to go.
Started off in Cape Town 5 nights. Great city lots to do and see, very cosmopolitan, and like the rest of the country very contrasting, on one hand developed liked any western city but with townships dotted about where people have bugger all. Fantastic costal scenery and driving roads. Baboons everywhere.
We then spent time in the winelands, before driving the Garden Route staying at several places along the way to Port Elizabeth, roads were generally of a very good standard, wouldn’t advise trusting Google maps as you could easily end up on a dirt road as we did on one occasion. Roads were generally very quiet, traffic cops tended to set up speed traps in built up areas only. Most main roads have the equivalent of a hard shoulder that people will quite happily move into to allow over taking. Driving standard outside the cities was surprisingly good I found.
Flew north to the Kruger area, staying in Hazyview for 3 nights before going for a safari in a private reserve. There’s allot to do in the area other than going into the national park, stunning scenery. Plenty of dodgy traffic cops around though, was forewarned about coming to a complete stop at stop signs which I did and one still tried to fine me, he was after a bribe but only had loose change so eventually let me go.
Safari was awesome, we opted for a private reserve as we hopped it gave us the best chance of seeing the most wildlife in a short amount of time. Definitely exceeded expectations, not cheap but all things considered found it to be good value.
We then moved onto Mauritius, mostly out of necessity as we fancied somewhere to unwind and it wasn’t warm enough anywhere in SA to guarantee warm beach weather. Tbh IMO you can keep Mauritius, I wouldn’t advise anyone to travel that distance who were just looking for a location for a beach holiday not on the same page as say somewhere like the Maldives but allot more to do and see if you want more than just to cook on the beach for a fortnight or whatever.
Before we went allot of people (none of whom had been themselves) made comments about safety in SA. We had no issues and felt as safe as we would back home. There are no go areas but you’d have to be actively seeking the out i.e. you wouldn’t just stubble into them. Cost of food and drink relative to the UK I found really inexpensive, as were entry fees, cost of activities etc. Petrol was 75 to 80p a litre.
Would go back tomorrow, next time I’d like to see the areas around the east coast too and go in their spring time. Previous favourite holiday destination was probably driving holiday to the US and the West Coast in particular I’d say for me SA tops it.
Started off in Cape Town 5 nights. Great city lots to do and see, very cosmopolitan, and like the rest of the country very contrasting, on one hand developed liked any western city but with townships dotted about where people have bugger all. Fantastic costal scenery and driving roads. Baboons everywhere.
We then spent time in the winelands, before driving the Garden Route staying at several places along the way to Port Elizabeth, roads were generally of a very good standard, wouldn’t advise trusting Google maps as you could easily end up on a dirt road as we did on one occasion. Roads were generally very quiet, traffic cops tended to set up speed traps in built up areas only. Most main roads have the equivalent of a hard shoulder that people will quite happily move into to allow over taking. Driving standard outside the cities was surprisingly good I found.
Flew north to the Kruger area, staying in Hazyview for 3 nights before going for a safari in a private reserve. There’s allot to do in the area other than going into the national park, stunning scenery. Plenty of dodgy traffic cops around though, was forewarned about coming to a complete stop at stop signs which I did and one still tried to fine me, he was after a bribe but only had loose change so eventually let me go.
Safari was awesome, we opted for a private reserve as we hopped it gave us the best chance of seeing the most wildlife in a short amount of time. Definitely exceeded expectations, not cheap but all things considered found it to be good value.
We then moved onto Mauritius, mostly out of necessity as we fancied somewhere to unwind and it wasn’t warm enough anywhere in SA to guarantee warm beach weather. Tbh IMO you can keep Mauritius, I wouldn’t advise anyone to travel that distance who were just looking for a location for a beach holiday not on the same page as say somewhere like the Maldives but allot more to do and see if you want more than just to cook on the beach for a fortnight or whatever.
Before we went allot of people (none of whom had been themselves) made comments about safety in SA. We had no issues and felt as safe as we would back home. There are no go areas but you’d have to be actively seeking the out i.e. you wouldn’t just stubble into them. Cost of food and drink relative to the UK I found really inexpensive, as were entry fees, cost of activities etc. Petrol was 75 to 80p a litre.
Would go back tomorrow, next time I’d like to see the areas around the east coast too and go in their spring time. Previous favourite holiday destination was probably driving holiday to the US and the West Coast in particular I’d say for me SA tops it.
This is true. Obviously it’s very different living somewhere then visiting with rose tinted glasses as a tourist. Not somewhere where I think could live though, well unless I was very wealthy.
The point I was trying to make in terms of safety was if you look on sites such as Trip Advisor I’m surprised anyone goes in the first place and that allot of people can enjoy themselves when they must be on edge allot of the time.
Great people though, went out for dinner what night and got chatting with the chef and got invited around to their place for a braai the next night when it was a slow night.
The point I was trying to make in terms of safety was if you look on sites such as Trip Advisor I’m surprised anyone goes in the first place and that allot of people can enjoy themselves when they must be on edge allot of the time.
Great people though, went out for dinner what night and got chatting with the chef and got invited around to their place for a braai the next night when it was a slow night.
I've only been to Cape Town but have been there twice.....absolutely love it. First went in 2004 and again in 2009....it had got a lot more expensive in that time (it was the wrong price in 2004) and a lot of flash money and cars around that weren't in 2004.
Brilliant place for a holiday and can't recommend it enough. Yes it's dangerous in places but you just need to be sensible.....only carry essential cash on no flash watches, cameras or jewellery etc depending where you are.
Cape Town is very doable for a long weekend give the overnight flights and lack of jet lag. I reckon it's the same price as going to New York (flights more expensive but hotels and everything else cheaper) and would make a great weekend break in the winter.
Brilliant place for a holiday and can't recommend it enough. Yes it's dangerous in places but you just need to be sensible.....only carry essential cash on no flash watches, cameras or jewellery etc depending where you are.
Cape Town is very doable for a long weekend give the overnight flights and lack of jet lag. I reckon it's the same price as going to New York (flights more expensive but hotels and everything else cheaper) and would make a great weekend break in the winter.
Cheib said:
I've only been to Cape Town but have been there twice.....absolutely love it. First went in 2004 and again in 2009....it had got a lot more expensive in that time (it was the wrong price in 2004) and a lot of flash money and cars around that weren't in 2004.
Brilliant place for a holiday and can't recommend it enough. Yes it's dangerous in places but you just need to be sensible.....only carry essential cash on no flash watches, cameras or jewellery etc depending where you are.
Cape Town is very doable for a long weekend give the overnight flights and lack of jet lag. I reckon it's the same price as going to New York (flights more expensive but hotels and everything else cheaper) and would make a great weekend break in the winter.
Loooooong way to go for a long weekend. If you live in London/somewhere you can get direct flights it makes a big difference, I think it's about 11 hours? We went via Dubai so 7ish hours + 3 hour layover then about 10 hours. Typing that I'm realising we were a bit mad but flights were much cheaper and we'd still have to get a connecting flight to London or face a 6 hour drive.Brilliant place for a holiday and can't recommend it enough. Yes it's dangerous in places but you just need to be sensible.....only carry essential cash on no flash watches, cameras or jewellery etc depending where you are.
Cape Town is very doable for a long weekend give the overnight flights and lack of jet lag. I reckon it's the same price as going to New York (flights more expensive but hotels and everything else cheaper) and would make a great weekend break in the winter.
Cape Town is what I'd call the most European part we visited in SA. We found eating out in Cape Town really cheap, you'd struggle in the high end places to find somethng on the menu for over a tenner and about £1.50 pint even for improted stuff.
I`ve been to South Africa twice inc` The Garden Route,Safari`s, the lot, and driven a hire car all the time,1000`s of miles.I`ve never experienced any trouble or uncomfortable situations (I`ve had enough aggro and crime around my own small business in the UK)Of course there are places a white tourist would be a fool to go any way near.Also you always have to travel with the doors locked and windows shut in towns and never show things of value in the car.The street hawkers at traffic lights in J/Burg are a pain but if you ignore them they leave you alone.The only thing I find a bit intimidating is all the nice places surrounded by high fences and guards with guns,and they will use them if necessary!! All in all I enjoyed the place and would go back again.
a311 said:
Cheib said:
I've only been to Cape Town but have been there twice.....absolutely love it. First went in 2004 and again in 2009....it had got a lot more expensive in that time (it was the wrong price in 2004) and a lot of flash money and cars around that weren't in 2004.
Brilliant place for a holiday and can't recommend it enough. Yes it's dangerous in places but you just need to be sensible.....only carry essential cash on no flash watches, cameras or jewellery etc depending where you are.
Cape Town is very doable for a long weekend give the overnight flights and lack of jet lag. I reckon it's the same price as going to New York (flights more expensive but hotels and everything else cheaper) and would make a great weekend break in the winter.
Loooooong way to go for a long weekend. If you live in London/somewhere you can get direct flights it makes a big difference, I think it's about 11 hours? We went via Dubai so 7ish hours + 3 hour layover then about 10 hours. Typing that I'm realising we were a bit mad but flights were much cheaper and we'd still have to get a connecting flight to London or face a 6 hour drive.Brilliant place for a holiday and can't recommend it enough. Yes it's dangerous in places but you just need to be sensible.....only carry essential cash on no flash watches, cameras or jewellery etc depending where you are.
Cape Town is very doable for a long weekend give the overnight flights and lack of jet lag. I reckon it's the same price as going to New York (flights more expensive but hotels and everything else cheaper) and would make a great weekend break in the winter.
Cape Town is what I'd call the most European part we visited in SA. We found eating out in Cape Town really cheap, you'd struggle in the high end places to find somethng on the menu for over a tenner and about £1.50 pint even for improted stuff.
Leave office in London at 5 pm on Thursday....land in Cape Town at 9am on Friday. Leave Cape Town Sunday at 7pm....10 pm flight and at your desk by 10 am Monday morning. Three full days away.
Works much better from a jet lag perspective than New York and you get as much or more time there.
Yes it's a long way but the flight times and jet lag work brilliantly.
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