csmart01

So we fell in love with a great looking rental house at the Kruger Park Lodge and were thinking of staying there for 5-7 days and using it as a base for excursions into the park. That's all we have so far We (family of 4; kids 9 and 14) plan on taking 2 weeks (mid August), flying in and out of JNB and driving to Kruger. Any suggestions? I don't think we want to fly within SA but could (also don't feel like driving 8 hour days... but then, it seems lately a 2 hour flight can occupy 4-6 hours of total travel time). Can we miss Cape Town? Is there enough to see in the JNB area that is all drivable (maybe drive to the east coast then up to Kruger?) Are we crazy to go this far (we will likely not get back soon) and not see Vic Falls? Wildlife is our main objective but the culture is a big part as well... and my 9 year old daughter would love to spend time near/in the ocean (too cold in August?)

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Charlie
(aka: head spinning researching this trip)

cary999

Yeah, so many choices, possibilities. We go to SA only for safari, and I do mean only safari. Last Sep 2009 we were in Kruger for 7 days and then other private safari camps for another 13 days. Twenty days total in safari camps, that was it, everything. So you can do that or you can do 2 days on safari and 20 days seeing/doing other things. But can your kids take 20 days of nothing but wildlife viewing??

Cape Town (we have never been there, only safari) is very nice I've heard -but- it's heritage is European, not African. Thus I'd prefer cities in Europe or USA. Vic Falls is ok (been there) but you'd need 3 days I think and I'd not go way out of my way to see them. (We saw them en route between safari camps ).

That's my perspective. I'm sure others here will offer theirs. Keep asking questions.

regards - tom

dutyfree

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities of the world. The Western Cape with its gorgeous ocean scenery,mountains,fabulous food,PENQUINS!!!! has it all-something for everyone.
Personally,I would start in Cape Town then head down to Simonstown/Boulders Beach.(A major colony of penquins are there and if you can spend the night at the hotel on the beach with them walking around it is magical-sunrise is coffee in your hand watching them take off for the first morning swim and eat.)After a night there I would go down to the Cape of Good Hope for a wonderful afternoon lunch at Two Oceans restaurant.Keep a lookout for the herd(4) of zebras and ostriches along with the fun baboons and other various wildlife.
I would then go over to the town of Hermanus for whalewatching and beachcombing for a couple days. Head up to the wine country through the mountains to either Stellenbosch or Franschoek for fabulous meals,wines and scenery.
I am on a really bad hotel computer that doesn't like me but I really want to stress that the Western Cape is Africa too.

No.I am not a South African but a flight attendant that fell in love with South Africa so much on trips that I vacation there now with my family.Jo'Burg-you can keep!I am not too fond of the city with all of its problems and safety issues in regard to being a tourist.

living4safari

Hi Charlie

I love Kruger Park Lodge and have stayed there a number of times, although I feel there might be better options in that area if game viewing/wildlife is what you are after. The safari operator that I've used for all my safaris is Africa Direct - do contact them, give them your budget and see what they can come up with. We've had wonderful trips with lots of variety (safari & other things) and we've also had trips where we were on safari only. The agent I work with is Tanya and their website is www.africadirect.co.za
Cape Town: beautiful city, but it remains a city. It does remind of San Francisco. It is a beautiful place with interesting places to visit such as Table Mountain, The V&A Waterfront (if you like lots of people and shopping), Robben Island, Boulders Beach etc. However, if you are loathe to fly around, then maybe stick to your original plan. I may just mention here that there are direct flights between Cape Town and Kruger Mmpumalanga Airport (which is about an hours'drive from Kruger Park Lodge).

Johannesburg: The city itself is much like any big city, but in he surrounding areas there are lots to see and do. I don't know whether you're into cultural/historic places, but Maropeng & the Cradle of Humankind is probably a must see if you are in the area and interested in the origins of man. (That is where the Mrs Ples skull was found, amongst others). Even though Johannesburg is interesting, in my mind it doesn't warrant more than a day or two.
I agree with you about not driving too much, especially since you don't know the country - if you are in the Kruger area, there is so much to see and do within 2-3 hours from Kruger Park Lodge. I'm thinking of Bourke's Luck potholes, Sudwala Caves etc etc...I can literally go on for hours - that part of South Africa is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Hope this helps a little!
Kind regards

spassvogel

Very good advise already.

QWe have visited numerous times and would go back in a heartbeat.

Please - whatever you decide on:

NOT VISIT ANY LION CUB PATTING/WALKING venue - despite it might be tempting particularly for the kids! Besides the total absense of ethics: If temptation is overwhelmingly strong: Those lion cubs even when 6 month old have the capacity to harm! Incidents happen now and then and parents are to blame in the end.

Those lion cubs fall victims to the trophy hunting industry! As they are hand raised they are habituated to humans and cars and therefore easy targets for those sickos.
PLEASE DON'T VISIT! Those venues are all over the country but the Eastern Cape, Free State and also North West province are the most rogue provinces in that regard.
Any venue which offers CLOSE ENCOUNTERS is abusive and cruel! No picture justifies to support that exploitation!

I'll come back later and post my suggestions - if you don't mind.

Bye for now.

SV

csmart01

Great info everyone (and I'm open to more )
Thanks.