Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, Beach, Makalali...need advice!
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South Africa
Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, Beach, Makalali...need advice!
Hello all! I'm planning a trip to SA for me and my boyfriend in April 2012 (it'll be the first time for both of us). The trip will be at least 2 weeks long. As a somewhat of an obsessive travel planne
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Cat:Middle East and AfricaForum:0EE6B362
Cat:Middle East and AfricaForum:0EE6B362Discussion:0449ad4d-1d8b-4059-8e2a-008a4bd1bdd3
I'm planning a trip to SA for me and my boyfriend in April 2012 (it'll be the first time for both of us). The trip will be at least 2 weeks long. As a somewhat of an obsessive travel planner, I've got a rough idea of what I would like our trip to look like, but am anxious for more tips and ideas.
Just a short note on our travel style: We like a little luxury, but would take a charming 3-star over a Disney-esque 5-star any day. We're both foodies and love small hotels.
So here's what I have so far:
Flight from Berlin - Cape Town, rent a car
2 nights in Cape Town at Parker Cottage or Abbey Manor, excursions to Cape Point, Table mountain etc. (don't think we need a tour guide for this stuff)
2 nights in the winelands (most likely Frankschhoek) - here we'd love a 1-day guided (or at least driven!) wine-tasting tour, preferably private or in a small group.
Garden Route - I need a little advice here. As it won't be whale season, I've read that it's not worth overnighting in Hermanus. So I guess Mossel Bay and on to Plettenberg? As much as I'd like to ride an ostrich and play with a baby cheetah (yes, I admit it), I'm deathly afraid of falling into a tourist trap. Anyone have a tip in terms of route and stops along the way?
After the Garden Route I was thinking of heading to the Elephant Coast, maybe even all the way up to Mozambique, for a couple nights on the beach (and I mean RIGHT on the beach…I miss the ocean). In this case we'd dump the rental car and fly from Port Elizabeth. After that I'd like to do to Garonga Lodge for approximately 4 nights. I'm toying with the idea of skipping the beach and doing 3-4 nights at Kruger instead.
Transfer to Johannesburg, Flight to Berlin
I know this is a lot of info…thanks to anyone that's read the whole thing! A couple more questions: 1. Can anyone recommend a good tour operator that could help me plan this? I worked with Argeus Travel while planning our Turkey trip and they did a perfect job of turning my inspiration into a real trip. 2. Do I need to be worried about driving around in the rental car? With this itinerary driving around with a car full of suitcases, etc. will be unavoidable. 3. Foodie tips welcome!
South Africa is a tremendous destination. You are sure to enjoy your trip.
Not certain what your concerns are about a rental car. I drove a rental car for 2 months in South Africa with no particular problems. Roads are well marked and well maintained.
Be patient in learning to drive on the left side of the road, if that is not your usual habit. At all intersections and when re-entering a roadway, remember to Look Right Look Left Look Right Again before pulling into traffic.
sounds like a great itinerary! First of all I would not recommend to leave anything in your car! Never ever! People break into cars even if there is just a jacket in your car, because they imagine something valuable could be in! Everytime you leave the car behind somewhere you should empty it and take everything with you! Concerning the driving on the left side of the road: you will get used to it very quickly! Don't worry :)
About the travel operator: I did a lot of trips with those guys: http://www.snapshot-tours.co.za/ I am not sure if they will cover all of your plans, but maybe give it a try! I know that they organize Wine tastings, Safaris, Overland Tours, Garden Route and a lot of adventurous stuff! And they usually always have small groups and set up individual plans for travellers.
If you are already on your way to the winelands, there is a cheetah farm close to Stellenbosch. The place is called "Spier" and includes also a winery. I have been there last week and enjoyed it very much. To visit the Cheetahs you only pay 5 Rand. But there is also the option of a "Cheetah Encounter" (around 80-90 Rand) where they will lead you into the cage, so you can stroke them and so on. I am not sure if you can really play with baby cheetahs. I talked to a lady there that told me they only do the encounters with the mature ones, because the already have a certain kind of "education" and do not hurt the tourists.
I hope I could help you at least a little bit on your way to a perfect trip!
Thanks so much for the information and tips! I'll take the driving slow...I am more worried about maybe leaving our suitcases in our car for 1-2 hours. But well, I'm sure we'll figure something out.
please check out african valley in stellenbosch, is very near franschoek, I have been there twice, very helpfull people, there are dutch. wonderfull place, pick you up at the airport. travelling to capetown is no problem. stellenbosch is an easy place to go
