Suggestions Apprciated

Old May 5th, 2016, 01:11 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Suggestions Apprciated

I'm planning a 2 week trip to SA in July. I have a little bit of work to do in Durban and Stellenbosch and then I'll visit Cape Town. The first half of my trip, I'll be solo. Then, my cousin is joining me in Stellenbosch.

We love art, wine, music, nature, hiking, adventure, museums, history...we're game for anything.

I'm also wondering if a safari is possible? A day trip? Or a night or 2? Not to sound daft, but I'm not exactly sure how to plan a safari.

I am a PhD student, so I'm definitely on a budget (but I do have funding...so there's a little wiggle room). I'm planning to stay at AirBnBs and get taxis (or hire a car when necessary).

Here are the bones of my trip:

DURBAN
7/6 Fly from the states-Joburg-Durban
7/7 Get acclimated
7/8 Research at Killie Campbell
7/9
7/10 Shembe Festival

STELLENBOSCH
7/11 Fly to Cape Town (shuttle to Stell)
7/12 ACLALS Conference presentation
7/13
7/14
7/15

CAPE TOWN (+safari?)
7/16
7/17
7/18
7/19
7/20
7/21
7/22 Fly home

Lastly, a few questions:

1. I've read the weather is in the 60s. Would sweaters be advisable? Is it rainy? Just wondering if I need my wellies.
2. I have an old iPhone; how do I go about setting it up so I can use it in SA?
3. Which Stellenbosch vineyards are must sees? Is July an ok time to visit?
4. Should I request Rand from my bank (is that even possible) or just exchange once I'm in SA?
5. I have a standard international converter (missing paperwork of course). Do most standard converters work with SA outlets?
6. I travel all the time, so I'm good at packing light. For 2 weeks I could easily get by with a carry on and a backpack. However, I've read SA flights (Joburg-Durban and Durban-Cape Town) are super strict on luggage (and sometimes don't allow carry on roller bags). Should I bring a checked bag? Is that just going to be a pain?
7. I've heard advice about carrying a "dummy" purse (and keeping a copy of a passport and rand on my body). Is this necessary? I mean, I won't be swinging around a Louis Vuitton, but it would be nice to carry some Chapstick, phone and a camera.
8. I bought a pacsafe bag (http://www.pacsafe.com/travelsafe-12...able-safe.html) to put my laptop, passport, and credit card in while out and about. Basically, it's a wire mesh bag you can attach to a pipe or etc. Will this be sufficient protection? Is there a better suggestion/solution/advice? If someone really wants your stuff...not sure it's going to do much.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
MlleDusty is offline  
Old May 5th, 2016, 01:16 AM
  #2  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
*Appreciated. I promise I can spell...it's still early��
MlleDusty is offline  
Old May 5th, 2016, 11:05 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Too bad you can't spend more time in the Durban area. It's a great place to go on safari and will have the best weather - dry and the warmest in S Africa in the winter. The Indian Ocean is gorgeous, too. There are no safari locations that I would recommend near Cape Town or Stellenbosch.

Near Durban you can rent a car and drive to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Wildlife Park and drive yourself around to see the wild animals. It's like our national parks but instead of bears and bison they have wild lions, hyenas and elephants! I still can't believe they let us drive around among them. Stay at Mpila if you want to cook for yourself or Hilltop if you want more services. You can also go to Zululand Rhino Reserve (we stay at Rhino River Lodge - we will be there in a few weeks! Love it there, can't wait!!). It's right off the N2 highway and very easy to get to. For just over $120 per night you get 2 game drives, food, very nice lodging in a wonderful, beautiful reserve. It's my happy place.

The Durban area (KwaZulu Natal province) is my favorite. So much to do and see. If you can go back after CT, I'll give you more stuff to do.

You're in Stellenbosch - go to a winery or two. Do you care about weather while tasting wine?

You sure seem to be worried about safety. Use your best judgment and you'll be fine. Your fears are overblown.

Most electric stuff has converters built in. Usually just an adapter is needed. There are two kinds - Google is your friend. They have the adapters on Amazon. That said, I blew up a rechargeable flashlight because it was the only thing we brought that needed a converter. I take a small electric strip with a USB port to charge our camera batteries and phones.

Buy a cheap phone or SIM card when you get there. Again, Google can help with your old iPhone. It must be gsm, not coma, to work overseas. Turn off roaming on your current phone or you'll get whacked with lots of very expensive charges even if you don't use it.

The Durban - CPT flights are on regional jets (same regional jets as here). Just check the luggage restrictions on the SA Airlink website. I'm going very soon and having more trouble with international carry on restrictions than Airlink.

It's colder in winter in S Africa than you think. Dress in layers. Anything you need you can buy!! Yup, they have stores, even malls, to buy stuff.

Relax - you're visiting very cosmopolitan cities. You're going to be very surprised when you land at Durban and see the beautiful, brand new airport. You are going to love every second.
christabir is offline  
Old May 5th, 2016, 11:08 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just tell your banks you are traveling. Use credit cards and ATMs just like home, preferably cards that don't charge foreign transaction fees or foreign ATM fees. Check with your cards. Exchanging money is expensive and why carry around a lot of cash?
christabir is offline  
Old May 5th, 2016, 02:10 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,657
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was in South Africa in 2012 with an iPhone 4 which we had purchased originally with AT&T because at that time, they were already "unlocked." (We travel a good bit). I bought a VodaCom sim card once we were there. Actually, I got them for both my iPhone and iPad. Used my iPhone for GPS. We were primarily in the Capetown and Garden Route areas. I think the other major carrier is called MTN.

I did that at the airport, and bought extra time at a VodaCom store while traveling. But as you will be there and meeting with locals, you may not need to wait in line at the kiosk store in the airport, and do it at a local shop.

There did seem to be pretty inexpensive programs where you could just get a phone with service, and turn it in at an airport shop when you left. Had I known that, I probably would have left my own phone at home!
uhoh_busted is offline  
Old May 5th, 2016, 04:15 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Doesn't look like the op will be able to add more time in Durban since she's scheduled for a presentation in Stellenbosch on July 12.

My suggestion would be to take July 15 away from Stellenbosch & move it to Capetown where you'll now have 7 days.

4 days in the city will allow you to manage the highlights such as Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, Robben Island, etc.

With the other 3 days I'd book a safari in the Sabi Sands region. You will not regret nor forget it!

Others here will be able to best advise on camps/lodges that would suit your budget.
KathBC is offline  
Old May 6th, 2016, 02:02 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you for all of the great advice. This really helps!
MlleDusty is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
uhoh_busted
Africa & the Middle East
8
Apr 11th, 2016 10:16 PM
Wandy1
Africa & the Middle East
5
Aug 30th, 2015 11:09 PM
stormysunshine5
Africa & the Middle East
7
Jul 29th, 2011 09:40 AM
pilgrimsprogress
Europe
14
Apr 18th, 2010 02:47 PM
georocheleau
Africa & the Middle East
8
Jul 22nd, 2008 08:14 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -