Redhatter2

Sorry for multiple posts...
Please help. My husband and I are planning our first trip to South Africa for this May. We have started researching, but are a little overwhelmed with all that is offered and to see. We have 2 weeks and wanted to do most of it on safari with some time in Cape Town and/or other recommended city.

Any suggestions on:
1) The best safari tour groups operators (in terms of quality and price - on a budget but also want to have some level of comfort)
2) The best area(s)/properties to actually go on safari
3) Recommendations for airlines with best airfare from NYC
4) Best transporation between places
5) Hotel & restaurant suggestions for Cape Town, etc.
6) Any other sites or recommendations not to miss.
7) Anything to avoid.

Thanks to all for any help

cary999

This not much help, but - an idea of budget first. Just safari camps for 8 nights could be anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000 for the two of you. Airfare another $4,000 for two. Then the other CPT etc touring. What is your budget range for two?

As you are aware, May is rather close and this may very much limit you safari camp and other choices.

regards - tom

sandi

If looking for a "tour group" they should take care of just about everything on the ground - transfers, internal flights, hotels, sightseeing, etc. Check and see what OAT might have available.

For private travel, as tom indicates, you can have a real budget with self-drive, guest houses, game park cottages with self-cooking, etc. There's something at every budget.

For flights, Delta still has a special prices on their new routes to SA, CPT specifically.

May is around the corner, I'd get moving!

isabel25

www.flysaavacations.com had some unbelievably good deals available in May. One was called "South Africa in Style (Sabi Sands Area)" and included international flight from NYC, internal South Africa flights, four nights in Capetown at the Cape Cadogan Hotel and two nights at the Lion Sands River Lodge (plus miscellaneous tours in Cape Town), all for $2399! From the website, it appeared that the itinerary was flexible. If so, you could extend the Lion Sands River Lodge portion of the trip to 4 or 5 nights which would make a great vacation and still within your budget. From what I've read, Cape Cadogan and Lion Sands River Lodge are supposed to be very nice.

There were itineraries involving the Jackalberry Lodge in Thornybush and very good hotels in Cape Town for even less -- $1999 including international airfare etc. (I don't know anything about this lodge.)

The deals were for May only -- other months were thousands more. So you just might be in luck!

I don't know anything about this company or the website -- it is apparently a Canadian company that is partnered up with South African Airlines -- but I thought I'd pass along this information. If you do end up contacting them, I'd be curious to find out if the deals advertised on the website actually do exist!

atravelynn

I saw your budget of $3000/person and that would include air.

Looking at kayak.com, the best airfare I could see from NYC (just to pick a city) was just over $1300. With a room upon arrival, that's about 1/2 of your cost.

You may want to consider a self drive. Here's a site with self drive trips and prices. Never used them.

http://www.selftours.co.za

Isabel's site gave some LOW prices.

spiegelcjs

I cannot comment on anything except the Cape Cadagon. We stayed their last year in May and really liked it.

We had decided to spend our money on the safari camps and save hotel money in Cape Town. We found this guest houuse to be more than acceptable. There is a large room on the first floor that was fine, the others seemed rather small. As with most B&B's you have the feeling of being in someone's home. I could walk to the desk in my robe, and when the computer for the guests was not working I used theirs behine the desk. It is not luxury but clean , nice, in a neighborhood, and after a very long day of touring we just walked around the corner to a few local restaurants for dinner.

atravelynn

Another poster had a good experience through AAA in Tanzania. Couldn't hurt to ring them and see what they suggest for SA.

Please tell us the end result.

jackssid2

I have heard many bad things about Safari Consultants so do not use them.

Why don't you try mtbeds.co.za.
They have some good specials on in good places. Look for somewhere in the Sabi Sands for safari. Rent a car and drive yourself (just be careful but the roads/signs are easy). Nevermind Cape Town, take a couple of nights in Franschoek (45 mins) and go to either Haute Cabriere, Le Bon Vivant or Ruebens.
Cheers

Poppins

If you are traveling in May, there are plenty of specials. In fact, you can combine them and get half your trip free.

Stay at Jocks Safari Lodge for 2 nights and get 3 free nights at The Table Bay, The Last Word Properties or Lake Pleansant

Same special applies of you spend 2 nights at Shamwari, you get the 3 nights free as above

Spend 3 nights at Camp Shawu or Shonga or Hamiltons Camp and get 3 free nights at Le Franschhoek, Cape Milner or Lagoon Beach.

In Plettenberg Bay Emily Moon is half price, Kurland is less than half price. I could go on!!!

Any South African tour operator will have these specials. Just ask for them.