Mediatorr

I became so excited about Jasher's concept of creating a repository of camp images that I got off on a tangent. Sorry about that.
Since it appropriately got buried there, I've plagiarized myself to create this new thread. "I've been trying to participate when I can (such as on photography discussions) so that I can be a responsible member of this community but obviously haven't been able to add anything specific about the destinations. The following is our itinerary with a few specific questions embedded. I'm not completely obsessed by food but i do enjoy it and I think I may have to make reservations at some restaurants fairly soon so that's why I'm listing the possibilities (all gleaned from comments on this Forum).

JOBURG, early AM arrival - Airport Intercontinental. Recuperate from trip from L.A. and ?? -- perhaps Apartheid Museum. What is a good 1st day activity?
LONDOLOZI Tree Camp 2 nights
JOBURG - The Grace 2 nights -- Soweto & Cradle of Humankind tours. Dinner at Yum and maybe Moyo, Auberge Michel, Soi, The Butcher Shop, or Pomegranate?
VIC FALLS, The Royal Livingstone 2 nights -- hoping to take a micro or ultra light flight (though my husband refuses to do it)
SAVUTI Game Reserve 2 nights
VUMBURA PLAINS 2 nights
MOMBO 2 nights
JOBURG Airport Intercontinental 1 night
WILDERNESS, Wilderness Manor 2 nights Explore Garden Route. Dinner at Pomodoro. Any suggestions for highlights accessible from Wilderness would be greatly appreciated.
PRINCE ALBERT, De Bergkant Lodge 1 night -- stop in Oudtshoorn along the way. Dinner at ?
FRANSCHHOEK La Petite Ferme 1 night. Dinner at Bon Vivant. Lunch Bread & Wine or Picnic at Boschendal, Cotage Fromage
CAPE TOWN, Cape Grace 4 nights -- Dinner at The Showroom, Ginja/Haiku, Bukhara, Africa Cafe/Mama Africa/township restaurant. Picnic from Melissa's in Kirstenbosch. High Tea at Mt. Nelson

African_Hilton

Mediatorr
I am new to the forum but came across your blog here - being based in SA let me see if I can help and shed some more light onto what you can/should do - OK?
Your Itin could be tweaked abit though to allow you better use of your days instead of having to overnight twice in JHB...
JOBURG - Things to see definely include the brand new museum complex at the Cradle of Humankind. An absolutel must to retrace the steps of humankind origins. Before you leave JHB the following morning work in a Hot air Balloon experience - fantastic way to see the African sun rise followed by a glass of champgane and breakfast - good choice of restaurants too.
Londolozi - Good choice - depends on when you travelling though...
Botswana - great company Wilderness. Would swap Vumbura though for Duba for the lion and buffallo interaction. Depends on when you travelling but I had a awesome experience last year Feb there (9hour game drive following the huge herd of Buffalo and different lion prides!)
Wilderness / Garden Route - I would rather suggest you swap here and go to Plettenberg bay. Tsala/Hunter's/Plett Park absolutely fantastic restaurants. Don't forget Knysna on a day tour too for Oysters and possibly dinner at "34degrees south"-resaurant of fame set in the Knysna Waterfront...
Extend your stay 2 nights at Grootbos (Hermanus) instead of overnighting in Oudtshoorn - you can do on a day tour. Grootbos will blow your mind away especially in SA's spring as you watch the whales in the bay and savour their delicious menu.
Rest is great - would just recommend that you also look at eating at Le Colombe set on the Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate. Voted as American Express Restaurant award winner for a number of years now and in my mind one of the best kitchens and settings in Cape Town.
Have Fun and how's that ?

Mediatorr

African Hilton,
Thank you, thank you for your helpful comments--especially with regard to the Cradle of Humankind and the Garden Route. I really appreciate it. There has been very little comment about the Cradle so I was a bit uncertain even though it sounds like a very special opportunity. My TA (who acknowledges knowing nothing about it) has recommended a tour which is led by paleontologists at Drimolen whereas most tours seem to go to Sterkfontein. Do you know anything about the choice?
Also, can you help me narrow down the choice of restaurants I've listed?
Thanks again to you and all others on this Forum.

cokie

I second the recommendation for lunch at Le Colombe at Constantia Uitsig. It is a truly special experience. Concerning restaurants in Joburg, my very favorite is Pomegranete. Let Michael chose glasses of wines for you to match each starter and main and you will get to try some less-known, but absolutely excellent, wines. I'm not a big fan of the Butcher Shop (too big for my taste), but I have enjoyed meals at Yum. Go to Moyo's at Zoo Lake, rather than one of the other branches.

Selwyn_Davidowitz

Mediatorr,

When are you intending to do your journey to SA? This is very important as many restaurants could be closed in the month of June or July as an example. Furthermore it would make a huge difference in where I would suggest you stay while in the Wildernesss or on the Garden Route. If you could let me know your approxiamte time of travelling I will then try and respond to you in this thread more constructively relative to your planning.

Very proudly part of the wonderful nation of South Africa

Clematis1

The meal that made me cry in SA was lunch at the forementioned Constantia Uitsig. It was perfection. I often wonder why it's not mentioned on this board more. The chef came out to greet us before and after our meal (even though he had an illustrious party in one room with Miss SA).

jasher

Hello Mediatorr,

You've got a very nice itinerary. I think you'll have a great trip!

A few comments:

JOBURG
You can certainly do the Apartheid Museum during your first day -- I've done this and it's a very moving experience. Another great option is MuseumAfrica.

LONDOLOZI
A bit short (I normally recommend at least 3 nights on safari) but you'll have a great time -- the guiding is superb and the accommodation is very posh. Say hi to the folks at Tree Camp from Julian Asher from Oxford (I'm a regular there)!

JOBURG
I'd recommend Yum here -- one of the best meals I've had in Joburg. Other good alternatives for food would be Soi or Pomegranate. Moyo is more of an entertainment than culinary experience -- it's very interesting but the food isn't exceptional.

VIC FALLS
Enjoy the microlight/ultra-light!

BOTSWANA
Again, you're moving pretty fast here with only 2 nights per camp...that being said you've got a very nice selection of camps and should have some excellent game viewing. I would NOT swap Vumbura for Duba - Vumbura has much more varied game-viewing (including sable) and is the only camp on your itinerary offering both land and water activities. I've stayed at Little Vumbura and had excellent leopard and serval viewing.

GARDEN ROUTE
I'd recommend Knysna as a base in the Garden Route -- it's more centrally located with easy access to both the Wilderness region and to the Tsitsikamma region. The Tsitsikamma treetop tour is a lot of fun:

http://www.treetoptour.com/

If you enjoy historic properties, take a look at Belvidere Manor or Parkes Manor House:

http://www.belvidere.co.za

http://www.parkesmanor.co.za/

If you prefer a more contemporary ambiance, take a look at The Lofts in the centre of town, or Pezula, a newly opened all-suite property which offers the most luxurious option in Knysna:

http://www.thelofts.co.za/

http://www.pezula.co.za/hotel/hotel.htm

Or go for something really unusual and stay aboard a yacht:

http://www.springtide.co.za/

Another superb option which would allow for some pampering would be Tsala Treetops, positioned between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay and very close to the Tsitsikamma National Park:

http://www.tsala.co.za/

I'd second the idea of doing Oudtshoorn as a day trip rather than spending a night there -- you could spend that night in Knysna.

FRANSCHHOEK
If you like wine and food, you will love Franschhoek. I'd recommend Bread and Wine over Boschendal.

CAPE TOWN
Ginja is a great restaurant in Cape Town - Asian fusion with an African twist. Africa Cafe is also wonderful - Cape to Cairo in one meal. For the best Cape Malay food, go to Cellars Hohenort in Constantia -- their restaurant (Cape Malay) is excellent.

Melissa's is great for picnics and tea at the Nellie is delicious.

Cheers,
Julian

Mediatorr

If I've said it once or twice, I've thought it a thousand times. This Forum is the best and you regulars are such generous fonts of information. I know we all appreciate it and feel an obligation to continue your good work upon our return from the trips you helped us with.
I'm especially pleased to hear that our basic selections seem to pass your inspection -- even though I know that we are rushing through the camps and not really staying long enough.
Selwyn: We leave Los Angeles on October 4 and return on October 29.
Julian: I was concerned about being able to get to Tsitsikama and back in one day even from Wilderness; I guess, from what you wrote, that that will work out fine. I'm about to look up all the links you posted, for which I thank you.
Your restaurant comments are very helpful. How much in advance will I need to make reservations for these top restaurants?

jasher

Hello Mediatorr,

Which Garden Route airport are you flying into from Joburg? If it's Port Elizabeth, I'd recommend thinking about changing the location of your stay to Knysna, Plett, or Tsala -- it's a pretty long drive from PE to Wilderness.

Cheers,
Julian

Mediatorr

Julian,
We are planning on flying into George. Would we be better off flying into PE?

jasher

Hello Mediatorr,

It does seem to make more sense to fly into PE -- you could fly in there, and drive to Plett or Knysna, stopping in at Tsitsikamma and Wilderness along the way. You can then finish up in George and fly to Cape Town for the last part of your trip, or drive up to Franschhoek, as the western end of the Garden Route is closest to the Winelands. The route would look like this:

PE --> Tsitsikamma --> Plett --> Knysna --> Wilderness --> George

If you choose PE, I'd recommed a night at Tsala or a similarly located place (good for Tsitsikamma) followed by a couple of nights in Knysna. If you wanted, you could drop your car in Knysna and finish up with a ride on the Outeniqua Tjoo-Choe steam train to George.

If you fly in to George, you'll end up heading east and then looping back to go to Cape Town.

Cheers,
Julian

spiegelcjs

I have been lurking on this board for months (it seems like years) and have asked tons of questions.This may not be on the exact subject of food, but that is important also. The more information I receive the more confused I get. This is my problem.
1. We had planned to go to SA, Botswana & VF in June 2007 and try to catch the pricing before high season. The camps suggested were Chief's, Stanley's and Kings Pool by my TA who saw this specific itiniary from one company. Sounded pretty good to me. As I kept reading someone said Chief's would not be good at that time of year. Also pretty cold (not so good) very few insects (very good). Some said Chief's was great.
2. As I keep reading everyone naturally has their own opinion about camps. Some say one or the other is better because of floods, or not good because of floods.
3. This is our first and possibly only safari. We want quality lodging. I would say of the 5 to5+ paw quality. Great game sightings. Birds are ok but not a priority. Mokoro experience good for one day but not several although the Delta is important. Not looking for leisure time ,want to make the most of the 18 days we have.
Coming for California it is two days going and one coming home.
I guess what I really want is someone to tell me what to do. We have traveled a lot but this is the hardest trip to plan ever. It would be easy to just pick a trip with A&K, Natural Habitat as my brother did, but once I started looking on this board that was not good enough for me.
Please help.

capetownfolk

I agree with the La Colombe suggestion - its wonderful

Heard mixed reviews about Shworoom - heard its cold in the eveings

If you go to Oudtshoorn you must eat at Jemimas - awrd winning little restaurant and very nice.

If you stay in Oudtshoorn you could spend a night at Buffelsdrift private game lodge - check out their website www.beffelsdrift.co.za - it was awesome when we were there l;ast week - loved feeding the elephants

Camps Bay also has great restaurants

Booking - for october a few days if tht in advance would be fine perhaps a little longer for La Colombe

Mediatorr

A while ago there were some concerns expressed here about Jemima's in Oudtshoorn. I think it was changing management or something like that. Is it now considered back to where it had been before?

Mediatorr

Oops, I hit post before I should have. Are the mixed reviews about The Showroom about anything else besides it being cold in temperature? How about One at Cape Grace, how does that compare now with what it was before?

capetownfolk

We ate at Jemimas about 3 weeks ago and friends of ours were there last week - its wonderful. I think there was a change of owners but there are no problems that we know of and the food and service were excellent

One at The Cape Grace was run by Bruce Robertson who owns Showroom and the food there is very good. I think the main complaints was the cold, but also you apparently need to choose your protein item, say chicken and then you have to select a suce to go with it - quite exotic in some cases and some reviewers say that if you make an odd choice its not so great. Anyway give it a try I haven't eaten there so you decide. You can always drive past, read the menu and then decide.

Antique/ Butterfly Bar is new and getting good reviews.

Also try the web site www.eatout.co.za for local restaurant happenings and reviews - they also have a magazine you could buy when you get here

Hope this helps

Mediatorr

Thank you very much, Capetownfolk. I'm hoping you can help me with, hopefully, my last Cape Town dining confusion: Which of the African restaurants do you prefer or recommend: Mama Africa, Africa Cafe or a township restaurant? Are these restaurants similar to Moyo (where I thought we'd go to while in Johannesburg)?

ShayTay

Spiegelcjs, you might want to post your question as a separate thread.

Kavey

Knysna to Tsitskikamma and back is no trouble at all to do within a day - the road is excellent, straight and fast so it doesn't take long, should you want to do that.

Knysna is a good base location wise and has some nice areas but we found that the central part of the town was backpacker central. I'd definitely get feedback from Selwyn on any accommodation choices to make sure they are either in the more attractive residential areas or waterfront area.

2 nights in safari camps is shorter than I'd choose in an ideal world but also perfectly doable and enjoyable. On our first trip we wanted to explore a range of camps and areas and did two nights at most of the camps we stayed at. Whilst we could easily have stayed longer at nearly all of them we didn't feel that we were short-changing ourselves or travelling more than game viewing or anything. Anyway the flights from camp to camp are so wonderful that they are part of the experience!

capetownfolk

Good to be able to answer your questions as we have been asking loads of questions re our upcoming trip tpo Florida and Fodors posters are great so good to be able to give a little back.

Re African restaurants. Both Africa Cafe and Mama Africa are good. I am not sure when you will be here, but our restauarants are faily chilled about people just showing up for dinner, so you could drive past them both and see which menu appeals more - they are very close together.

As far as a township restaurant goes - we would not go there. I know we should be encouraging tourism into the townships, but quite honestly, its a long drive - the N2 at the moment should be avoided after dark, we have had some horrific stone throwing incidents lately, and I would not need the security hassle. A lot of people might disagree with me but it depends who you are - if your a couple of young guys - then fo, if you are a fmialy with children and committments, why take the risk - your call.

Moyo is part of the Spier estate near Stellenbosch and we often take overseas visitors there. The food is quite good, if you like self serv buffet style, but the vibe and location is brilliant and thats why you go. You will need to book - call Spier or llok on that eat out site i gave you. When you book, state that you DO NOT want to be inside the main tent. Try to geta table in one of the trees - but do book early. Also Moyo has cheetahs and lovely grounds. maybe spend the morning in Stellenbosch and then drive to Moyo for lunch?

Also in the winelands is Tokara - award winning outstanding restauaramt - you will need to book - well worth the drive. Maybe you could swap the Boschendal lunch for Tokara

What time of yera are you coming? Knysna and George is seriously affected by floods right now - peiople in George washed away - very sad