Last-minute South Africa advice?

Old Jul 15th, 2016, 08:10 AM
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Last-minute South Africa advice?

My adult son and I are considering a two-week trip to South Africa. Given the late start on planning (we haven't bought air fare or booked a safari bungalow yet but have received vaccinations and scripts for malaria), any advice received would be appreciated (including "Are you nuts? It's too late to do this trip justice!"). We have done some of our own homework for sure but have also contacted Pembury Tours to see what they would offer and charge. Pembury is certainly willing to work with us on a last-minute itinerary but have cautioned that most Kruger game parks are full by now (gulp). They are suggesting other game reserves like Madikwe or the Eastern Cape game reserves like Shamwari and Lalibela. Seems like that would add a lot to the cost. So we're currently torn between continuing the path of self-planning this trip versus ponying up for added costs of going through Pembury (or another tour company like Go Today, which offers package tours).

Here is a tentative itinerary my son and I have prepared (before contacting Pembury). Any and all suggestions appreciated!
-Aug. 11: Fly direct Atlanta to Johannesburg
-Aug. 12-14: Acclimate and see the sights (Soweto, Apartheid museum, Constitution Hill?). Overnight hotel in Mabeneng? What's the best way to travel safely within Jo'burg to see the sights? Uber OK?
--Aug. 15-17: Fly or rent car for drive from Jo'burg to Kruger, or rent car near Kruger and do self-drive to see game within the park. Thoughts? Three overnights Kruger bungalow with at least one guided game viewing experience.
Aug. 18-23: Shosholoza-Meyl or Premiere Classe train Nelspruit to Cape Town (Pembury recommends against Shosholoza-Meyl because it is "unreliable" and unclean; others say Shosh-Meyl is a true bargain); overnight Cape Town (see Table Mountain, explore V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, Constantia Valley wine region..
Aug. 24: Fly Cape Town back to Jo'burg. Overnight Jo'burg airport hotel.
Aug. 25: Return flight to Atlanta.
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Old Jul 15th, 2016, 07:56 PM
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This website was extremely useful to be last February when I was planning our May safari. https://www.safaribookings.com They link to many different tour operators, at all price levels, and I found people got back quickly to me.

I ended up using wild-wings-safaris.com Working with a SA based tour operator made sense to me, and it worked out wonderfully.

You have even less time for travel, but you may get lucky with a cancellation? Good luck to you!
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Old Jul 15th, 2016, 08:01 PM
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Oh - I don't know that I would rely on Uber in Jo-berg. Frankly, we just stay near the airport and hit the road the next day, whether driving or flying to Capetown, Vic Falls or wherever. (Depends on your final itinerary). We like Premier Hotel OR Tambo, and they have a shuttle you can take to/from the airport.
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Old Jul 16th, 2016, 08:49 AM
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Thank you to both respondents! Very helpful. Other comments/suggestions welcome. Also, anyone else question taking Uber in Jo'burg? What IS the best way to get around that city, short of renting a car? Also, how dangerous is the Jo'burg train station. I've seen conflicting reports ... some says it's generally fine but others say they wouldn't even go there.
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Old Jul 16th, 2016, 09:01 AM
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You are not crazy! It's exciting and wonderful. You will love SA! It's gotten under my skin and I have been back numerous times since my first trip.

So glad you are giving a few days to Joberg. We did in our first trip too which also included three safari lodges in different game parks and Capetown. It really makes a difference to understand the recent history of the country. It makes you even more appreciative to see how far South Africa has come, but also how much more progress needs to be made to ensure a good life for all. Fascinating and vibrant city. Great boutique hotels now and fantastic restaurants. Great neighborhood markets now too to hang out with people of all races, which is transformative for this country.

You have it right to visit Soweto, the Apartheid museum and Constitution Hill. In Soweto you will see many famous and important sights like Mandela House, Tutu house, the Hector Pieterson Museum, which are on Vilakuzi Street, where the Soweto Uprisings were. Eat traditional African food at Sakumi across the street from Mandela House or go around the corner to the world famous Wandies Restaurant. You will also see how people lived in townships during apartheid as not much has changed in some places, but also see a bustling middle class too.

I would not Uber to Soweto. Not a lot of Ubers there to bring you back. Take a private driver guide or go with a tour, but make sure they give you time to linger. Uber is fine elsewhere in Joberg. I über to dinner and also to the all the new neighborhood markets. No problem at all.

Think about Lilliesleaf in Rivonia too. Fascinating. It's where Mandela and the other freedom fighters were hiding before they were found and arrested and put on trial. They have turned into a sweet living museum. Does not take much time but really illuminating.

I have a favorite hotel in Joberg now called the Palazzo Montecasino, based on its proximity to things I do in town and the wonderful service. However, I have tried a few really wonderful boutique hotels too including The Residence Boutique Hotel and the Peech Hotel. Both wonderful and charming in great neighborhoods. I also hear great things about 54 on Bath. Check them out.

uhoh_busted gave you great advice in terms of finding open lodges.

Enjoy!
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Old Jul 16th, 2016, 09:13 AM
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Joberg also has the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus. I have not taken it but folks on this forum have and lots of into on TA too. I have heard good things. Taxis are plentiful at all major hotels and restaurants/attractions will call them for you to get you back. Or your hotel will do the same thing if you call them to tell them you want to be picked up. A lot of hotels have drivers too which they use regularly and will charge your room. More expensive but no where near U.S. rates and the dollar is so good now it's almost criminal. This is a good time to go as your money will really stretch. Uber is fine to all major places in the city, just don't take them to Soweto. I have a friend now who lives in Capetown and comes to Joberg now for business a lot. She now only uses Uber to meetings. Don't know about the train station, as I have never taken the train. But I will say that Joberg is like NYC. Take it all in but make common sense decisions about where you go and how you get there, especially at night. Your hotel can be really helpful with ensuring you get around and see the major sights, so use them in advance to arriving. Good luck!
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Old Jul 16th, 2016, 11:13 AM
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Again, thank you! We are almost ready to book thru Go Today (great prices, somewhat limited options on hotels, etc.). Remaining questions:
1. Is it easy and safe to drive from Jo-burg to Kruger or better to fly or pick up a rental car at Kruger intern'l airport?
2. We are thinking of doing one or possibly two guided tours, probably thru Echo Africa Safaris, with offices at our hotel, Pestana Kruger Lodge near Malelane Gate. However, with four nights at the lodge, it seems like having a rental car would provide flexibility for daytime excursions into the park or elsewhere.
3. After Kruger we want to travel to Cape Town. Taking the train would apparently require us to return to Jo'burg and go to the train station (as opposed to leaving directly from Kruger). Still not sure if that is a good (safe) option or if it would make more sense to just fly.
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Old Jul 16th, 2016, 04:40 PM
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You can drive to Kruger. People easily do it. I always prefer to fly to maximize my time. Doing self drives is also quite easy, though I have not done so myself. I have stayed at lodges inside of Kruger that include game drives but many, many people self drive and self cater. Doing two tours and then driving yourself makes sense. Personally I would fly to Capetown. Again to maximize your time in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. If you are interested in Robben Island, make those arrangements in advance. Hope this helps. Also, there are pretty recent trip reports where people not only drove to and through Kruger but in and around Capetown too.
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Old Jul 17th, 2016, 01:37 AM
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We have driven ourselves from Jo'burg to Kruger four times in the last 20 years, and intend to do it again, and we are now in our seventies.

There's information on the SA autoclub site, and toll information etc, if you google. We picked up maps from them too, which have proved valuable in planning later trips. From Australia, we are used to driving on the left, but have found a few problems with street names since the Dutch sounding names have been changed to African
ones. There was a SA Automobile Association at Eastgate shopping centre exit 113
from route 3 where the road from the airport (12) meets the main ring road towards Pretoria(3).

The hire cars are basic, but adequate. Am sure navigational aids can be hired, but we have never used them. In Kruger, it is such fun finding your own animals. Blyde River Canyon is a beautiful area near Kruger, and a car is a necessity here.

With only two weeks, we would leave Cape Town for another time.
From Jo'burg , you can do day trips to the Cradle of Humankind and Maropeng, even Pilanesberg and Sun City, tho it's a long day.

We love St Lucia, hippos can wander to your hotel pool!
Our next trip, after Jo'burg, we will spend 3 days near Pilanesberg, 2 at Hazy view just outside Kruger (for Blyde area) 6 in Kruger, 1 in Ermelo on the way to St Lucia,(4), two in Durban, one in the Drakensberg area on the way back to Jo'burg and the last one in Jo'burg again.
Hope this helps a little.
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Old Jul 17th, 2016, 12:57 PM
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The drive from Capetown to Kruger takes about 6 hours. Plan to leave early in the morning -- check to see what time the gates close on the afternoon you plan to arrive (it gets dark EARLY during the "winter" months -- like 5PM) so they want to be sure you get to your camp before dark.
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Old Jul 17th, 2016, 02:51 PM
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The drive from Capetown to Kruger takes about 6 hours.

I'm sure you meant from JNB/Tambo airport.

I actually prefer driving only as far as the Panoramic Route the first day; Graskop is my preferred overnight point. That way you can have a look at some of the marvelous scenery nearby - God's Window, Three Rondavels etc. - before heading to the safari camp. You won't be fighting daylight and if you're planning an evening game drive, you'll be there in plenty of time.

---

A couple of comments on the post so far. First, I wouldn't write off the possibilities of staying on a lodge in one of the private reserves somewhere near Kruger Park, or possibly at Madikwe. It wouldn't take too long to see if anybody has space; for example on Booking.com I can see space at a couple of lodges in the Balule reserve, close to Hoedspruit. We've stayed at a couple of these (Ezulwini and Pondoro) and found the game viewing to be very good, close to Sabi Sand levels.

Booking.com shows space at the Greenfire Lodge in Balule - http://www.greenfire.co.za/game-lodge - for a two- or three-night stay starting Aug. 14. The lodge looks terrific, and you could follow with a couple of nights in Kruger itself if you wanted. The benefit of staying in one of the private reserves that abut Kruger (no fences, so the animals come and go unrestricted) is that you can go off-road and after dark, which hugely improves the experience. Yes, they're more expensive than hotels or guest camps in or near Kruger Park itself, but IMO the extra cost is well worth it.

A few snaps from Balule -

http://gardyloo.us/africa7J%2001515k.JPG
http://gardyloo.us/africa7J%20019.JPG
http://gardyloo.us/africa8J%20052.JPG
http://gardyloo.us/824JS%20057a.jpg

Then later, once you head to Cape Town, I'd use a couple of days to travel north from the city a couple of hours to West Coast National Park and Paternoster on the Atlantic side. Late August is when the (incredible) spring wildflowers start appearing in this area, an experience you'll never forget. Paternoster is a very picturesque village with great seafood.

Paternoster - http://gardyloo.us/aug24b%20016s.JPG
West Coast NP - http://gardyloo.us/aug24b%20044s.JPG and http://gardyloo.us/aug24b%20066s.JPG
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Old Jul 18th, 2016, 10:10 AM
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I wish you a great visit to SA. We used Pembury and were very, very happy with everything but booked 7 months before the trip. (I heard negative things about the train from several locals.) When/If you go to Cape Town, please make time to go to the Cape of Good Hope and to Boulder Beach to see the Penguins.
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Old Jul 19th, 2016, 03:02 AM
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"The drive from Capetown to Kruger takes about 6 hours"

It's well over 1000 miles, so I think you probably mean Joberg.
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Old Jul 19th, 2016, 03:03 AM
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Whoops, sorry - should have read full thread before jumping in, Gardyloo has already pointed that out.
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Old Jul 19th, 2016, 10:15 AM
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Johannesburg was the first and only place we used the Big Red Bus, ever, anywhere. We decided that with just 2 full days after arriving from US with jetlag, it would be the easiest and best way to see some of the city.

It worked well - we did do the Soweto Tour that they offer as an add on and spent time at Apratheid Museum. We stopped at Carlton Center for a great view of the city; Newtown Project with lunch at World of Beer. We actually only spent part of day 1 and part of day 2 on the bus. We didn't make it to a few spots we would have liked to see because we didn't have full days.

https://www.citysightseeing.co.za/johannesburg/stops
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Old Jul 19th, 2016, 10:21 AM
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Oh, if you need a place to stay near Timbo -- we stayed here both coming and going. Free shuttle to and from airport, good breakfast included and dinner was also good and reasonably priced. They will also take you to train station and pick up if you want to go into Jo'burg for the day.

We were going to France after Africa, so we had a whole different set of clothes and we were able to store that luggage there for 10ZAR a day, I think it was.

Also, we had a late night flight home and they graciously let us hang around after we checked out.

[I found the recommendation for them on here].

http://www.sunrock.co.za/
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Old Jul 19th, 2016, 11:55 AM
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Yeah..I meant JBerg.
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Old Jul 24th, 2016, 06:17 PM
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Many thanks to all posters for some great advice that we have used to finally book our trip through Wild Wings Safaris (not Go Today after all, simply because Wild Wings offered more of what we wanted). Our itinerary now includes two nights at a Joburg hotel to acclimate and see a couple of city sights, then off by 6-hour shuttle to Kruger (Balule Private Nature Reserve) for four nights, followed by a full-day Panorama tour/overnight at Perry's Bridge Hallow before taking a flight to Cape Town, where we will spend six nights. Wild Wings has arranged privately hosted tours to Cape Peninsula and Cape Point National Park, city tour & Table Mountain, and Hermanus during this time period. That leaves a couple of free days in Cape Town which we are still doing our homework and looking to fill. Again, thank you. We are very much looking forward to our adventures in what is surely one the world's most beautiful countries.
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Old Jul 25th, 2016, 06:20 AM
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Hi Sherwoodforest!

If you have some free time in Cape Town, have you considered visiting Paternoster on the Cape's West Coast? Beautiful terrain with some National Parks to explore (Columbine and West Coast Nature Reserves as well as West Coast Fossil Park). Really beautiful there with rugged terrain and rustic seaside villages. Great seafood! The flowers of Paternoster are spectacular in peak season.

Just a thought to pass along..

Best
Dianne
Africa Direct USA
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Old Jul 26th, 2016, 09:10 AM
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Sounds like a great trip. I was very happy working with Wild Wings on our trip. Everything they arranged for us went smoothly, and we loved loved loved all our lodging choices.
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