Hi - My Wife and I are planning a 9 day trip to South Africa. We wanted some recommendations as to how to plan the trip. We do prefer nature and hikes. In addition we will like to see some of the famed South African cities as well. Feel free to suggest places/days we should visit on this trip.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kountdrak
Hi - My Wife and I are planning a 9 day trip to South Africa. We wanted some recommendations as to how to plan the trip. We do prefer nature and hikes. In addition we will like to see some of the famed South African cities as well. Feel free to suggest places/days we should visit on this trip.
As a South African, I can recommend some fantastic spots. Woudl suggest the following:
Fly into JHB.
If keen on game viewing, you can travel up to the Kruger game park for a few days (by car).
If you want to go hiking, then the Drakensberg mountains are the place to go. Cathedral's Peak has some amazing hikes and walks. You could also go down to Tsitsikamma and Knysna to do some hiking in that area.
End up down in the Western Cape in Cape Town. Visit the great sites there - Robben Island, Table Mountain (You can hike up and over the mountain), and then there are some great wineries and wine tours to do - you can go by coach or horses!
Good luck!
While we're on the subject and waiting for the OP to respond...here's my question:
What are the best sights, activities, and things to do while just in Cape Town for 6 Days? Preferably on a low budget and nothing too far out of the city. We will be there in mid-March.
table mountain & robben island
days drive to the cape point (save time to see the Penguin colony)
days drive through wine country
days drive out to walker bay / or if it's warm, spend a day on the beach
Kirstenbosch Gardens
Hout Bay
We stayed at 18 on Crox (as recommended by others here on Flyertalk). If it fits your pocketbook highly recommended: http://18oncrox.com/
Capetown is quite safe compared to Jo'Berg. I do urge you to pay attention to your personal safety. Go inside Banks or Malls to visit an ATM for example.
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Re: Robben Island: don't save it for last!
I STILL haven't finished that darn blog, but we did miss Robben Island because the ferry was randomly closed that day (they claimed high winds although none were apparent).
Book it early in your stay so you can reschedule for later in the trip if the ferry does not operate on your first try.
Same with the Table Mountain Cableway, which does not operate in foul weather.
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Dear RCC: Comp the beer or you can kiss my rear (goodbye).
And where ever you go, in one of the cities, make sure you book a township tour. Reputable hotels or guest houses can assist you with this. In CPT the tourist bureau does as well. It is a real shame to go to South Africa and miss this part. Township tours only give you a glimpse of what life is like for the vast majority of South Africans, but they are better than nothing. A good tour guide will also help educate you about what life was like before the change of government. In Cape Town, your tour should include both the Cape Flats and District Six, which can be done in a half day tour.
Johannesburg does have some important things to see as well, including the Apartheid Museum and the Constitutional Court/Old Fort Prison, which are immediately adjacent to each other. They can also usually be combined with a tour of Soweto as well. JNB/Pretoria (which are very close to each other) are worth a couple of days, I think.
Pay special attention to Johan Rebel's sticky about game parks and viewing. No one knows that better.
