Safari and Golf in SA
Discussion
Has anyone done a trip to South Africa with family in tow and done Golf/Safari trip?
For golf they play a lot of courses all over SA, I'd like to golf at a course called Leopard Creek in Kruger National and other top courses but not clear if West Side of Africa in Cape Town area is better or east.
Safari would be the family entertainment and again I have no idea on how you plan on of these or where is best.
Also Ive never been down there but it does feel rather rough round the edges and you need to have your witts about you, or is this nonsense?
For golf they play a lot of courses all over SA, I'd like to golf at a course called Leopard Creek in Kruger National and other top courses but not clear if West Side of Africa in Cape Town area is better or east.
Safari would be the family entertainment and again I have no idea on how you plan on of these or where is best.
Also Ive never been down there but it does feel rather rough round the edges and you need to have your witts about you, or is this nonsense?
Edited by fourstardan on Monday 4th November 20:13
Safety wise it’s just a case of being sensible really, don’t flash wealth like some idiots do, let them be the literal rich pickings. Cape Town is fairly safe, on the other hand driving at night through rural Mpumalanga might be a tad unwise (I’ve done it but it wasn’t the most fun I’ve had behind the wheel of a car). Driving defensively and not blindly following sat nav through informal settlements are the other key things that tourists forget.
I got chatting to a couple on the way out to Jo’burg last year, they said they golf every year for a couple of months around George. Given the wealth concentration around the garden route I would imagine there’s no shortage of courses down there.
Safari, it’s the classic ‘depends’. Budget is the big one. Also what do you want to see? 5* accommodations or happy with a tented camp? If you want any specifics I’ve been on safari multiple times in SA, Namibia and Botswana ranging from wild camping and walking safaris to luxury resort on a small private reserve. Each has its own merits.
I got chatting to a couple on the way out to Jo’burg last year, they said they golf every year for a couple of months around George. Given the wealth concentration around the garden route I would imagine there’s no shortage of courses down there.
Safari, it’s the classic ‘depends’. Budget is the big one. Also what do you want to see? 5* accommodations or happy with a tented camp? If you want any specifics I’ve been on safari multiple times in SA, Namibia and Botswana ranging from wild camping and walking safaris to luxury resort on a small private reserve. Each has its own merits.
Not with family, but > 20 years ago I had a golf tour with a work colleague (who is a saffer) in Jo'burg and then Sun City which has a national park. Fortunately my work colleague's best friend was a Maxfli distributor in SA who kindly sorted all the free tees for us 
Jo'Burg - we flew into Jo'burg and started our golf tour here since my work colleague's family lived here too. I was taken around several amazing courses, some public and some members only (names I cannot remember!) around Jo'burg. However, I remember The River Club which is a mega exclusive private club. In fact, it was so private, the General Manager who greeted us advise us we were the only tee book for the entire afternoon. Think they have recently relaxed the rules so overseas player can now pay and play.
Sun City - has the infamous Lost City and Gary Player golf courses, and it's next door to a national park for your safari trips. I did do a 1 day safari trip just to say I did it! We were booked to play on GP, but suddenly our tee was cancelled at short notice due to the fact that the Nedbank comp was starting next week.
Jo'Burg - we flew into Jo'burg and started our golf tour here since my work colleague's family lived here too. I was taken around several amazing courses, some public and some members only (names I cannot remember!) around Jo'burg. However, I remember The River Club which is a mega exclusive private club. In fact, it was so private, the General Manager who greeted us advise us we were the only tee book for the entire afternoon. Think they have recently relaxed the rules so overseas player can now pay and play.
Sun City - has the infamous Lost City and Gary Player golf courses, and it's next door to a national park for your safari trips. I did do a 1 day safari trip just to say I did it! We were booked to play on GP, but suddenly our tee was cancelled at short notice due to the fact that the Nedbank comp was starting next week.
Im not sure I would want to stay around Joburg or base there it generally Looks limited to areas you can go and moody like the dodgy parts of LA.
George/Garden state appears to have one of the big courses (Fancourt) but not sure its cheap and one you could get on.
I have a few mates going down in January to play leopard creek so will no doubt get some tips.
Cape Town looks like the better side for holiday based actives, beach walks, a trip to the bush by plane for a day or two etc.
George/Garden state appears to have one of the big courses (Fancourt) but not sure its cheap and one you could get on.
I have a few mates going down in January to play leopard creek so will no doubt get some tips.
Cape Town looks like the better side for holiday based actives, beach walks, a trip to the bush by plane for a day or two etc.
If you’re sticking around Cape Town you’re an easy drive out to Sanbona which is a nice luxury game reserve. The drive takes you out via the winelands so plenty of places to stop along the way and actually quite a pleasant and picturesque drive.
Which all reminds actually you’re not far from Mossel Bay which has Pinnacle point golf course. I’ve not played it but I have hiked there and it looked rather nice. Mossel Bay is also a quick drive to George.
Which all reminds actually you’re not far from Mossel Bay which has Pinnacle point golf course. I’ve not played it but I have hiked there and it looked rather nice. Mossel Bay is also a quick drive to George.
fourstardan said:
Im not sure I would want to stay around Joburg or base there it generally Looks limited to areas you can go and moody like the dodgy parts of LA.
I don't blame you, but there are many quality courses in Jo'burg.We didn't have Sat nav back in the days, and we drove into the edge of a township which was f'ing scary enough. Fastest 3 point turn executed by my friend! Also, quickly learned to wind the car window up when approaching a junction/traffic lights as bag/watch snatch through the car window was common, and to avoid certain walkways during the evening. My friend's parents lived in a beautiful house with a huge garden & pool inside a private gated estate with security guards, but the 25-30ft electrified wall + metal burglar bars on all the house windows was a constant reminder of the threats! Lived in Tottenham in my younger days which was rough, but Jo'burg was on another level!
DeejRC said:
It looks like I might have to go down to Bok land early next yr.
Are we saying that Cape Town is reasonably safe and I’m probably not going to get murder, death, kill raped if vaguely sensible ?
The drive from Cape Town airport is surrounded by the Cape Flatts and Mitchell’s Plain which are an eye opener in themselves - massive townships that you never stop or go through but will pass on the N2. There is even a warning on the FCO travel advice telling you not to use a certain road when leaving the airport.Are we saying that Cape Town is reasonably safe and I’m probably not going to get murder, death, kill raped if vaguely sensible ?
If you read the full FCO travel advice for South Africa, you’d probably never go but as long as you are sensible you should be OK.
Once in Cape Town, around the V&A Waterfront is well policed but it’s not really a true taste of South Africa.
A top tip is to buy the City Sightseer ticket that lets you hop on and off at various points - it even goes to the Table Mountain cable car as well as Camps Bay, Hout Bay and Groot Constantia/Beau Constantia wine estates (Groot is supposedly the oldest wine estate in SA).
I would avoid staying in the Central Business District (CBD) as it’s a bit dodgy but as part of the City Sightseeing ticket, you can get a guided walking tour around Bo Kaap (don’t do it without a guide!)
There are some great areas not too far from Cape Town with our favourites being Hermanus (along the coast near George) and Franschhoek which is around 30 miles inland from Cape Town - both these areas are pretty safe. The City Sightseeing bus can take you to Franschhoek but to be honest it’s worth stopping at least 2-3 nights there as there’s so much to see if you like good food and wine. Avoid weekends as the Capetonians tend to descend there for a weekend escape.
We will be on our fifth visit next February because it is so beautiful and the weather at that time is fantastic. The wine estates are superb around Franschhoek (Google everything but around here the Wine Tram is well worth a visit).
You’ll also be surprised how good value it is!
DeejRC said:
Yeah, I was thinking of being there only 3-4 days only and absolutely not leaving the safest bits of Cape Town. The last thing I want to do is explore or see any of real SA, in fact the less I see the better.
To be honest SA is stunning - you’re missing a real treat. It really isn’t as bad as the FCO travel advice - honest! I wouldn’t go anywhere near Joburg though. Mind we don’t want every Tom, Dick & Harry latching on to how good it is - was it Love Island that suddenly decamped to SA during Covid so now it’s attracting “influencers” and all the b
ks that that attracts?!Edited by Boxster5 on Wednesday 25th December 16:20
Boxster5 said:
To be honest SA is stunning - you’re missing a real treat. It really isn’t as bad as the FCO travel advice - honest! I wouldn’t go anywhere near Joburg though.
Mind we don’t want every Tom, Dick & Harry latching on to how good it is - was it Love Island that suddenly decamped to SA during Covid so now it’s attracting “influencers” and all the bks that that attracts?!
I follow a youtuber who played the mini tours out there and did some blogs of joburg and it was very much that you take uber everywhere point to point,avoid locals and only do stuff on daylight. Mind we don’t want every Tom, Dick & Harry latching on to how good it is - was it Love Island that suddenly decamped to SA during Covid so now it’s attracting “influencers” and all the b
ks that that attracts?!Edited by Boxster5 on Wednesday 25th December 16:20
Los angeles used to be like that tbh.
Literally just seen this, heading to SA with the family (wife and toddler) and my clubs tomorrow, back 3.5 weeks time.
We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
kiethton said:
Literally just seen this, heading to SA with the family (wife and toddler) and my clubs tomorrow, back 3.5 weeks time.
We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
Looks like my kinda idea for a trip, I guess you are South African?We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
How much all in is the golf do you think?
fourstardan said:
kiethton said:
Literally just seen this, heading to SA with the family (wife and toddler) and my clubs tomorrow, back 3.5 weeks time.
We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
Looks like my kinda idea for a trip, I guess you are South African?We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
How much all in is the golf do you think?
I'm not 100% sure on costs but those I've seen are generally in the £30-80 range - Fancourt is being played with a member (somebody that knows a colleague and booked it for me, am staying at the golf hotel at St Francis and Pearl Valley which may also help
kiethton said:
Literally just seen this, heading to SA with the family (wife and toddler) and my clubs tomorrow, back 3.5 weeks time.
We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
Outsthorn is fabulous. We did the cave and the wildlife park - both fabulous little places. We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
Puggit said:
kiethton said:
Literally just seen this, heading to SA with the family (wife and toddler) and my clubs tomorrow, back 3.5 weeks time.
We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
Outsthorn is fabulous. We did the cave and the wildlife park - both fabulous little places. We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
kiethton said:
Puggit said:
kiethton said:
Literally just seen this, heading to SA with the family (wife and toddler) and my clubs tomorrow, back 3.5 weeks time.
We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
Outsthorn is fabulous. We did the cave and the wildlife park - both fabulous little places. We're doing J-Bay - Plett - Knysna - Oudsthorn - Mossel Bay - Franschoek - CT - Kruger - Sun City.
Currently have rounds booked at:
St Francis Links
Fancourt Links
Pinnacle Point but may do Goose Valley with a friend instead
Pearl Valley
Gary Player CC
Have been to SA and played (other courses) before so that helps.
Hadn't intended to play golf but managed to get a round at Fancourt Links - couldn't recommend it more. It was expensive by SA standards, but not by UK standards, especially given the quality of the course and overall experience. Fancourt worked well as rest of the family had plenty to do whilst I played. I was fortunate and playing out of season though, suspect booking well in advance required, particularly for The Links.
DeejRC said:
So, is there a central part of Cape Town that you can walk around with getting raped and mugged? Can I get to the beach without pre booking an armoured taxi? In fact can I even go to the beach without armour plated speedos?!
The “central part” of Cape Town is probably what is known as the Central Business District (CBD) around Long Street - it is a bit dodgy around there with lots of homeless living in tents on the streets (viewed from the top deck of the City Sightseeing Bus Tour). It’s also adjacent to Bo Kaap (Google it and see the fantastic colourful buildings but don’t walk around there without a guide - included in the City Sightseeing bus ticket).The beach is accessible again on the City Sightseeing bus with stops at Camps Bay (or book an Uber) - you may get pestered by hawkers trying to flog you paintings etc but a firm no will see them off - stay on the bus for a trip past Table Mountain and then along the coast past Hout Bay, Camps Bay, Green Point and back to the main stop at the aquarium on the V&A Waterfront.
If you’re nervous about Cape Town, don’t even think of going to Joburg as it is apparently a lot worse.
As a starter traveller for Cape Town, you’re better off sticking to the V&A Waterfront which is well policed and very safe but you’re getting a sanitised version of South Africa and it doesn’t show the true extent of it’s beauty - having said that you have a great view of Table Mountain and Devils Peak from the V&A and there are some decent restaurants around the waterfront.
Just don’t wear expensive watches, jewellery or cameras or flash the cash and you’ll be fine - it’s all about common sense.
We can’t wait for our return trip to SA end of January - our fifth visit.
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