South Africa, which is the least painful route?

Welcome to the Africa forum Clara. Glad to have you. You'll get lots of good advice here.
You need to think about what you want to see...animals, culture, scenery, etc.
And having a budget in mind will help narrow things down too.
Have fun planning.
And believe me, the flight is worth it!

There are many ways to go to South Africa, and if you dislike the idea of a very long flight, by all means stop in Europe for a day or so. Most flights connect in London or Frankfurt and often you have 8 hours or so anyway, but a few days can be spent easily. I think just an overnight is a waste of time and i would rather get to Africa, but that's just my opinion. I have used Virgin from San Francisco to London and then to SA. Used United to Frankfurt (or Munich) and stayed overnight each time. In Frankfurt we found a place on the Rhine in a castle for an overnight. One trip we stayed a few days in Prague. In Munich we drove to Salzburg for a night. Lots to see in Cape Town, as well. The wine country around Franschoek is gorgeous, well worth a few days of exploring.

I've gone North, East and West to get to Africa and I think overnighting in London would be best for you Clara. I always did it on the way back as I wanted to get there as soon as possible. The usual 10 hour layover is a killer so my preferred route now is through JFK. I've been on British Air, South African Air, Emirates and Virgin, all about the same if you are in economy seats. If you are splurging I probably would choose Virgin.
You really should do a safari in the Sabi Sands (easily reached through Johannesburg) and then head down to Capetown for as long as you can. I haven't been to CT but there are a lot of things to see and do.
Can't wait to read your trip report Clara!

We've done both a stopover in Europe to get used to the time change and no stopover, but I think in the future we will just go and do the jet lag in S Africa next time (yes- you will want to go again). The major cities in Europe are pretty pricey, so I'd rather do the layover in CT which is a lovely city, and a bit less expensive. We pay for the flight to Europe in coach (on the East Coast, so not too bad a ride) and use FF miles in business for the longer leg to/from S Africa.

Loved CT - we were there for 4 nights, and it was perfect. Got a driver to go to Cape of Good Hope, the penguins and township (friends of the driver), and a second day for winelands. Spent a day doing the hop-on hop-off bus and Robben Island (don't miss - and my favorite tip is to go so that you return at sunset to watch the sunset over table mountain), and another for Kirstenbosch Garden/golf (for the boys) and Table Mountain.

If you think this might be your only time in S Africa, and I don't think it will be, don't miss Sabi Sand as mentioned earlier, Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta in Botswana if you have the time and money to do it all. Avoid S Africa next June/July due to World Cup. Our summer/their winter is the best time for wildlife, but not the best for Vic Falls and CT. You'll love it no matter when or where you go.

Ahh yes, the rigors of traveling to Africa.
Well, I start sort of like you, from USA, CA, LAX airport.
The six times I've flown to Africa, typically JNB, I've just ploughed ahead and got it over with ASAP. Yes, takes me around 32 hours from home door to JNB hotel door. I can't say I have tried staying overnight London, Madrid, Frankfurt, etc. To me having to leave the airport for many hours, return etc. just prolongs the agony (and cost). I would however certainly fly business class - if they would give it to me. Actually next time I'm going to try to find an airline that offers better seating than the usual cattle car economy class. Another two inches of seat width, and another 4 inches of "pitch". That simply would help a lot for comfort on the legs and knees. Would be worth another $500 round trip. Anybody have any suggestions?

Then when we get to JNB we always spend the first night at a close by hotel, Sun International, Metcourt Laurel, etc. And the next couple days may be semi-relaxing by going to Kruger or the surrounding country to un-wind, adjust to time change (9 hrs like you) before heading off to safari camp. But you are going to Cape Town, so you could also plan the first couple days as slow and easy.

regards - tom

This year I took the Air France Seattle to JBERG flight which connected in CDG with a 2 hour layover and the anticipation will get you there. Going back you may wish to spend a day in Paris. Ive always pushed the flights with as little connection time as possible. You will sleep well when there is nothing but boredom to compete with. I say push it----start on your vacation safari as soon as possible. You won't regret it. Good luck with your planning!

Thanks everyone. Here's an idea: fly BA over the pole to London (I love London); take the tube into town for about 3 days...then on to SA (we have extended family there who might take us around a bit), then board the Regent Navigator (I think that's the one) to sail back, landing at last in Ft. Lauderdale...I am seriously considering this...I only got one rule, I really can't stand to be away from my home and family for more than 5 weeks max...I get nutsy and strange.

Have been to Kenya many years ago..loved the animals and the fine people, but I don't have any great urge to gothere again...now I am going to lie awake thinking about this.

Hey, now that's the ticket!!!

regards - tom

(Typical long-winded answer follows.)

We go to from Seattle to SA about twice a year. The routing that most agrees with us is the morning AA flight from Seattle to JFK, and spend the night in a hotel near the airport (our son and DIL live in greater NYC, so dinner at some ethnic restaurant in Queens is normal.)

Next morning we take the morning AA flight (there's also a BA flight) that leaves JFK at 8:30 AM and gets into London at 8 PM. Another hotel near Heathrow, obtained on Priceline. We've never paid more than US$70 for a 4-star hotel (usually Sheraton, Marriott or Crowne Plaza) at Heathrow.

Next day, hang out around London. If you want to go into town the night you arrive, fine; however we like to save money with a hotel at Heathrow and visit Windsor, or take the tube into the West End for a day - your pick.

Then if possible we take a morning departure to SA, usually BA. These don't happen throughout the year, but when they do they're great. If we're going to Joburg we stay at a fave hotel at the airport, the Southern Sun OR Tambo, then the next morning we pick up a car and blast off, usually toward Kruger/Sabi Sand, or sometimes off to Madikwe.

If we're going to Cape Town, then we take a taxi to a couple of B & Bs we know, or else to a hotel in the waterfront area.

Our method in all this is to try not to "sleep" on airplanes if at all possible. SA and western Europe are in the same time zone (plus or minus an hour depending on daylight savings time, reversed) so once you're accustomed to UK time you're good for SA, and vice versa.

We find the day flights eastbound over the Atlantic really reduce jetlag big time - you sleep in beds, not airplane seats, and you can keep the Ambien safe in the jar. It takes more time on the clock because you're not flying overnight, but we find the result is more productive days and less groggy touring. YMMV as they say.

Are you thinking about the Regent Navigator this month or next December (2010?) If this month, better get moving.

One other thing I was going to throw out... if the cruise doesn't work for you, I'm a big advocate of round-the-world air tickets. For considerably less than the cost of the Regent Navigator, you could buy a business-class RTW ticket that you could use to get to SA via Asia or Australia, then back via Europe, or vice-versa. Turns one vacation into two or three...

GL - you fly Seattle to SA -twice- a year. You're made of tougher stuff than I am

regards - tom

"Actually next time I'm going to try to find an airline that offers better seating than the usual cattle car economy class. Another two inches of seat width, and another 4 inches of "pitch". That simply would help a lot for comfort on the legs and knees. Would be worth another $500 round trip. Anybody have any suggestions?"
Tom, have you looked at the premium economy offerings? You get quite a bit more pitch and wider seats. I know BA have the product, as do Qantas on their J'Burg route (not all flights), don't think SAA have premium economy. More and more airlines are putting in this class so may pay to keep an eye open for availability.

Thanks twaffle. No, I haven't looked into possibility of "premium economy". I will for next time.

Started looking now!!! Came across this site and link -
http://www.seatguru.com/charts/premium_economy.php
They also have seating sizes for standard economy by airline.

Standard seats are 32 pitch and 17-18 inches width. Virgin Atlantic premium economy is 38 and 21 inches, nice. They also say that premium economy can cost 85% more than standard economy. Ouch, thats another perhaps $1,500 onto the fare. That would get me another 3 days in safari camp!!!

regards - tom

Tom, shop around as deals come up and also you could think about just paying the upgrade for the longest leg. It is hard to weigh up a bit of extra comfort versus extra safari nights I know. I just wish airlines would be more reasonable with their economy seats. I fly Qatar Airways and they give you 34in, but also the seats are thinner than some of the older planes and so it feels quite a bit more roomier. As well, I just got an almost half price return fare Australia - Nairobi in one of their promotions. I'm pleased!

all good help, especially Gardyloo. Have taken BA many times to London from Seattle, and it is relatively painless, as we get on late afternoon, have tea, then drinks and dinner, a short snooze and we are there.!! it's the segment to SA that I worry about. We flew home from Sydney last year to LA, then on to Seattle, and I was a rag by the time we got to our own beds....I was crazed for days. I don't fear flying, but do get a very 'cooped' up feeling if it goes on and on and on.

I fly SFO-LHR-JNB and do it one go, though I have to admit its harder now than it was a few years ago!

My preferred set up is VS Upper from SFO-LHR, leaves around 4:30pm, arrives London 11am, then LHR-JNB leaves at 6. This used to leave time to meet family for a quick lunch near Woking or in summer we could visit Wisley.

Last January miles meant we had to fly UA (first - only seats available!) that flight departed 12:30pm and arrived 6:30am. That meant a very long layover, which we spent at my sister's house in Hampstead and had lunch out. Frankly that was a pain, it's hard staying awake that long when you're hanging out at someone's house. In the past we have stayed a night in London, but found that we slept great the first night, due to exhaustion, then were awake all night on the flight to JNB.

Our next trip is the best we've had so far. UA have changed their flight time, and now depart at 7pm with a 1:30pm landing at LHR. That gives us plenty of time in the Virgin Clubhouse to shower, enjoy a massage, eat and drink lots, then go to sleep pretty quickly once on board. Given that Upper Class has a flat bed, I usually get a good nights sleep. We then have about a 4 hour layover in JNB, so we'll pay to use the lounge in the Sun; shower, change of clothes, breakfast, then check into Mala Mala flight. Arrive there at 12:30pm and be eating lunch on the terrace at 1:30pm. Perfect.

So in January it'll be about 36 hours do to door.

Tom

Premium Economy is a good way to go. Right now Virgin have a fare sale from UK to South Africa.

clara
I think you are speaking of the Regent Voyager which travels Cape Town-Ft. Lauderdale.
If you are that desperate to fly comfortably and spend a relative fortune for a 4 week cruise you might consider business class from the States to SA. Won't break the bank - well, anymore

Happy planing!

SV

If you have done a big flight already, then getting to SA is similar, take from your pas experience and break the journey. The service into J/berg is pretty efficient from virtually all the major cities of Europe, perhaps spending 48 hours in a city that you haven't seen on the way in would be sufficient a break in the journey to make the continuation on to SA more palatable? I prefer to get there as quickly as possible and use over the counter sleeping tabs to knock myself out for the journey.

Cape Town.
I am surprised that no-one answered your question on what to experience while there. Having been raised on the slopes of table mountain, surfed the breaks from Noordhoek to still baai and dived for crayfish and abelone everywhere else I feel there are many places overlooked by the average tourist: Here are my gems.

West coast. Particularly the towns of Mamre & Darling. the coastal landscape of the West Coast national park with its villages of Stofbergsfontein, churchaven & Kreefdebaai. On the otherside of the lagoon: langebaan around to paternoster and if time allows an adventure up to Elandsbaai (particularly if you are a birder).

If you fancy a drive a little further afield I suggest getting up into the cederburg mountains from Clanwilliam to Cederburg to Prince Albert hamlet ceres and wellington.

Heading to the south and east of Cape Town the Swellendam to Struisbaai around the coast to gansbaai and onward to Cape Town is simply stunning. Plenty places to stop en-route to absorb the culture, cuisine and hospitality. Along the way taking trips to dive for great white sharks and search the bays for southern right whales and penguins and seals and dolphins.....

In and sround the city itself, a hike over table mountain, Cape Town across the top and down into Kirstenbosch..A drive around chapmans peak for a brunch at Noordhoek. Buying fish from the pedllers at Kalk bay harbour and eating slap chips and calamari at snoekies in the harbour. Walking the beach at Olifantsbos in the Cape Point Reserve.

Then there are the cultural monuments in the city, the gardens, various museums, robben island (I believe an overated experience, however a must do to appreciate the character of Mandela). Aslo what has become a popular tourist spot is the penguin colony at Simonstown and a seal island trip out of hout bay. Did I mention Stellenbosch?

Many more to enjoy, but I think those highlights might tie up your diary for a while.

Welcome clarasong... If you have family in London, then do the stopover and continue a few days later.

On my flight JFK/JNB/CPT, was fine on arrival after 16/hrs in the air. Did fine during 4/days in CPT, then onto VFA and still open eyed. Not till we arrived in Botswana, about 7/days on, I was a out of it! Slept thru one afternoon and dinner till breakfast next day. One never knows. But I sure don't plan my flights on whether it will or won't cause jetlag... I'm on holiday!

Seems whether flying east or west, with the exception of my Southeast Asia jaunt - JFK/NRT/BKK... onto Cambodia next morning for 3/days, it was then on return to BKK, I slept almost 12/hrs. no big deal "going to." For sure though I find the homebound flights regardless from where that do me in, but where I can sleep dreaming of "where to next?"

Just go with or without the stop... and enjoy.

spassvogel: we just got a flyer from Regent; they are offering 2 for one fares...and then we could maybe hike up to Business at least...mkhonzo: great help..I am cutting and pasting and sending to DH for him to peruse...he has to 'bless' everything. WHat is the best season to see SA?

Best: March and September. There is never a worst.... The Cape weather is a little unpredictable around June, July & August -- Frontal rains that can bring inclement weather for as little as a four hours and if they are back to back can last days and on occasion weeks. Local knowledge is key, as with a frontal system the southern suburbs can be wet and the Atlantic seaboard sunny and warm, also the weather across the tombola in the Paarl/Stellenbosch valley can be dramatically better, ditto for up the west coast.

Some one higher up the thread warned of travel in June - July next year, I agree, world cup activity is causing price inelasticity while hotels are already pretty full. I would also avoid December 15 - through Jan 15 as this is when South Africans take their summer break and head for the coast and parks.

clara - whatever you choose: Have a safe and wonderful trip! But you have to hurry......

SV

SA school holidays. I've heard that Kruger and other such are popular during SA school holidays. Here is a calendar of those -
http://www.kwathabeng.co.za/travel/south-africa/destinations.html?ss=Calendar+South+Africa&lh=http://www.kwathabeng.co.za/travel/calendar/south-african-school-terms-calendar.html

regards - tom

Also looking at a tour, as an alternate to a cruise...anyone got info regarding Abercromie and Kent? we did a tour of Kenya with them years back and it was great.

Seattle to Atlanta and then nonstop with the sleeper beds to Johannesburg on Delta. Johannesburg to Cape Town on SAA?
Cape Town is my favorite place on earth!

you can do better than A & K clara, at least dollar wise.

I flew JFK to JNB direct on SA in May. The flight from JFK leaves in the AM and arrives JNB in the AM

I found the 15 hour flight was Ok, as I am not a great sleeper, so it afforded me the ability to take two 3 hour naps. so as a result i arrived JNB feeling as good or better then I do when ifly to Europe (from NY)

I sat in economy, and the flights both there and back were relatively empty, so many people had 2-3 seats to stretch out in.

I would go eat ethnic food in Queens, they have the best, then fly direct to JNB.

amy

I'm squarely in the stopover camp going over. Have done Delta/Air France from LAX via Paris, with a 10 hour layover, then on to Joburg on a red-eye, and will never do that again, even in business class with showers in Paris. Looney tunes on arrival.

The next year it was LAX via Miami (on American, yuck, and the worst U.S. airport), to Madrid on Iberia (nice plane/service). Stayed in Madrid 3 nites. Then on to South Africa. That worked well, sort of like having 2 holidays, Europe and Africa, in one trip.
I want the jet lag to be over once I get to Africa so I can enjoy the animals/scenery wide awake. At my age, it's flat beds and Ambien or I ain't goin'! But next year, the FF miles run out.
I hated BA when we flew from London to Toronto last spring, but it's probably a low-profit route for them. Dirty plane, bad service, crappy entertainment system, etc.
Also, Delta usually has routes directly to Cape Town during summer (a partnership with South African Airways I believe). The only stop is to refuel in Senegal, if memory serves, and you don't get off the plane. Something like 17 hours.
Unless you like group tours, there's no reason to take one to South Africa IMO. And A&K is the most expensive. You can stay at the most high-end places without using them and save money, I'd bet. With the money saved, you can hire a private guide/driver.
I'd spend quite a few days in Cape Town and the Winelands, and indeed take mkhonzo's advice on the rest. Sept would be perfect. A guidebook will point out all the highlights of Cape Town, like the Kirstenbosch Gardens, Robben Island (while the ex-prisoner guides are still alive, Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope and the coastal towns around CT. But S. Africa is HUGE, so their are many other places to go. Sounds like safaris aren't your thing, so I won't go there.

Also, Delta usually has routes directly to Cape Town during summer

They dropped the CPT service. The only service now is ATL-JNB which is nonstop both directions.

That's too bad. Thanks. So, Patty, no refueling stop. Do they use longer haul planes now or what?

Yup, they've been using a long range 777 on the ATL-JNB route since June(?).

Gee, maybe I should have booked LAX to Dar this route and laid over in Jo'burg. I booked on Delta for August: LAX-Atlanta-Amsterdam; 3 days in AMS, then on to Dar via KLM.
Anyway, thanks for the update.

Have flown the nonstop to Johannesburg from Atlanta-nice!The refueling stop in Dakar was always brutal.

Do any of the Delta experts know how much a business class ticket from USA to JNB are?? Also what is it to upgrade. Not plannning a trip to SA till 2012,but I like the idea of a nonstop from Atlanta to Johannesberg-Thanks Chris

According to Delta this morning, sticker price for business is around $5900 for next month; $4800 for July/August 2010. Upgradeable coach ("M" fare category) is $3792 + 50K miles, for both next month and next July.

I have heard from friends that Delta will have nonstop charters next summer for the World Cup people in addition to having their normal everyday service to Johannesburg/Atlanta flights.
Absolutely LOVE Cape Town!!

Hi,
We took NW from the west coast to Amsterdam. Stayed there a few days. They are on the same time zone as Botswana and South Africa, so it was an interesting and fun way to adjust. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Amsterdam is such a fun town-easy to get around and the Van Gogh Museum and other activities make it supurb!

tHANKS EVERYONE.

I would like to ask a somewhat related question for a relative of mine who would like to visit SA for the first time but would prefer to travel there by ship. Are there any ships making the voyage from British or European ports to Capetown?

Many thanks!!

We took Delta flight direct from Atlanta to Johannesburg. Business class has flat beds and it made all the difference in the world. We were able to sleep for about 8 -9 hours and arrived pretty fresh in J'burg.

I would like to ask a somewhat related question for a relative of mine who would like to visit SA for the first time but would prefer to travel there by ship. Are there any ships making the voyage from British or European ports to Capetown?

There are a couple of repositioning sailings to/from CT from/to Europe most years, e.g. a Princess itinerary next October. Also there are several round-the-world itineraries that would allow segment bookings, from, e.g., Rio or Singapore. A good cruise TA could help.

Also there's a freighter route from Western Europe to CT; see http://www.freightercruises.com/pdf/daleastlondon.pdf

Finally, there's a trip I'd love to make, but a bit pricey - the RMS St. Helena, one of the last working Royal Mail ships in the world - hits St. Helena and Ascension Islands... way cool. http://www.rms-st-helena.com/

We did South Africa differently and don't do what we did. We left LAX and spent 4 days in Hong Kong then down to Joberg. I don't sleep on planes even when flat. We met people on a tour while in HK who lived in the area we were visiting and they gave us great information. The flight from HK to Joberg was ok. The return had a 24 hour layover with a room reserved. We had only 8 hours due to a weather delay. I was nearly dead once I got back to LAX.
We did HK because it was cheaper at that time than Europe and my husband had never been. I would not do it this way again. 4 days in a European city to adjust to the time sounds like what I will do when we go back.
We used a consolidator and save a lot of money. I don't do budget but I do a lot of comparison and use the money I save for a better hotel, better meals, longer stay, etc. A lot of my fun is in the pre trip research. I have been all over the world and have a lot more to see and have copied the suggestions above for my return to SA.
I can't remember the airlines used since this was in 1999 and I have been back in Asia a few times and don't remember the exact airline for each trip. Except for not being able to sleep, the fligts were fine with good service. I am all for the multi day layovers.

Thanks, Gardyloo. I think he is envisioning a voyage similar to a trans-Atlantic crossing, not a cruise with many stops. He may be a few decade too late for that! I will look into the Princess options for him.

For me, the RMS St. Helena sounds like the ticket!! I have already sent the link onto a friend..