Johannesburg to Cape Town

Old Dec 16th, 2014, 07:53 AM
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Johannesburg to Cape Town

Hello all,

So I am traveling solo to S Africa and this is my tentative itinerary, I would like some feedback as to how long and which parts of the cities should I stay in. Also, I am thinking of doing a Kruger Safari tour by Intrepid. Should I do the tour, or should i just search for a lodge and book independently. I haven't researched if the lodges provide transportation from and to JNB.

Day 1-4: Johannesburg

Day 4-9: 5 Day kruger safari

Day 9: night in JNB

Day 10-14: Cape Town

So basically, I am thinking of staying in JNB and Cape Town for 4 days each, is this enough?

Thank you
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Old Dec 16th, 2014, 11:39 AM
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We just got back from a trip to S. Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls in June. We loved Cape Town and I think 4 nights will give you a good visit. Heck we were only able to stay 2 and we squeezed in quite a bit with a private guide.

Now Johannesburg I think 4 nights is too much but I'll be curious to hear what others say. Other than visiting a township and the Apartheid Museum, frankly from what I saw I didn't care to spend any more time there.

We booked Cape Town on our own and arranged our own private guide. Very easy to do so not sure I would opt for a tour company to overcharge you on hotel rates.

Johannesburg was booked for us by Expert Africa as part of the private safari we booked with them for Botswana.
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Old Dec 16th, 2014, 06:48 PM
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Thank you for the feedback, from what I have been reading online, I was also thinking what is there to do in Johannesburg. Also, I will be a solo traveller, and it doesn't seem like they have a lot of good hostels in JNB either.
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Old Dec 18th, 2014, 06:51 AM
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If it were me, I would put Cape Town first (before the safari), to allow my luggage to catch up with me (should it go astray) and, more importantly, to allow me time to recover from long, international flights/time differences before going on safari - which, despite the fact that you spend your days on safari sitting in a vehicle, are surprisingly tiring. I would spend as little time as possible in JNB, and add those days to your safari. CR
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Old Dec 18th, 2014, 10:16 AM
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Hello Armaan112!

I agree with the previous postings. Since you have expressed an interest in visiting JNB, I would cut that stay in half so this way, you still get to visit the Apartheid Museum if that is of interest. This initial stop would be a good place to ride out your jet lag if you struggle with that.

I would then go to Cape Town and enjoy the many incredible things to do there. Lastly and of course the highlight would be the safari. You could add any extra days from your shortened JNB stop to the safari - that would be my first choice. Or perhaps split them between Cape Town and Safari.

You will have an amazing time! Enjoy!

Dianne
Africa Direct USA
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Old Jan 29th, 2015, 10:39 AM
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I may be late to add suggestions, but I have been so busy at work I've had no time lately to pay back all the advice I get on Fodors.

I've been in JNB twice as solo female (work) and as others say, once I'd been to the museums, Soweto...there just wasn't much for a tourist. There is a tower for a view--I haven't been. A friend drove me around Pretoria and told me some history of various sites. So, totally agree with the others--use it to overcome jet lag and see the limited with a tour or guide for 1-2 days.

I've been in CPT once--trip report posted (I think). This I booked on my own using the hop-on/off bus and small group or private day tours. Lots to choose from. Depending on interests, I would suggest 3 days minimum. The bus allows two days for orientation tour, mountain, Bo Kaap, beach, botanic garden, museums. One day out to the cape. If longer, you can add to match your interests. CPT was much easier and safer to negotiate as a solo female tourist. And it was lovely, as everyone promises, but I had great weather, which is not always the case.

I am unfamiliar with Intrepid, so I searched and see their 4-day Greater Kruger trip--my questions would be which private reserve they visit the first day, what lodge is the lodging, and what the costs are to do something on the free day. I don't think you will want to relax at the lodge. The other drives are in the national park, not a private reserve. You can see the long discussions on this board--private reserve means off road, up close and in the park means on road, uncertain distance to animals.

I have only gone on one safari--two private reserves over 5 nights. The close encounters were unbelievable. We are real nature lovers, yet had had enough of the routine after 4 nights. I saw the panorama route only from the air and it looked gorgeous, so I would like to take the driving route listed by Intrepid.

There were solo visitors at both of the reserves/lodges we visited, so you will not be unusual. The smaller, more casual lodge guests quickly greeted new arrivals and made them part of the group. The larger, more expensive lodge we stayed at had groups of 1-5 people, but it seemed everyone stayed to themselves more.
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Old Feb 6th, 2015, 12:41 PM
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A few years ago we were in SA while son was teaching at Un. of Wits. That's in Jo'burg and I would recommend a Soweto tour to include Mandela's house which we went through and on your own consider the Aparteid Museum. We also spent time for safaris in Kruger Park and explored the area north including Blyde R. Canyon and wonderful Maropeng Museum on cradle of humanity and nearby Sterkfontein Cave.

Then we were also in Capetown and would recommend the Castle and Kirsteenbosh Gardens along with a drive to the Cape. A week later was spent in a castle rental at Plettenberg Bay and we hiked Tsitsilammon Nat'l Pk, had a whale watch from Bitou, went to Elephant Park-Knysna. Lots to do in South Africa.
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