tjhome1

Hi
Having decided last year that our big trip this year was Japan we've decided in the last few weeks that the Rand exchange rate is too good to miss and we've changed it to South Africa - it will be my second trip (last one was 30 years ago though) and partners first. It's a place that's been on our list for a long time. I'm now playing catch up with my trip planning though.

We leave 22 October and we were going to spend a couple of nights at Victoria Falls and then after a couple of nights back in Johannesburg spend the bulk of our 3 weeks in Cape Town with a side trip along the Garden Route and back on the R62 with a couple of nights in Franschhoek.

My question is given we would be at Victoria Falls at the end of October is the small amount of water at the falls as a result of the time of year and the drought going to be worth it? Money is also a consideration. We can't afford top end hotels (we try to have an average night spend on accommodation of $150) and my research so far suggests flights will be over $500 each (£350/R7750) and a decent hotel $200 a night. It all seems a lot of bucks for not many bangs.

I know this is very subjective but I'd be very interested in people's opinions.

Thanks very much
Tim

tripplanner001

Hi Tim. What, three plus weeks and no animal safari? With three weeks, you can easily see the highlights Cape Town and Franschhoek in a week. Even with the Garden Route and Johannesburg, you seem to have a week to spare and I would spend all of it on safari.

You can either do this in South Africa where the exchange rate is in your favor (Kruger, Sabi Sand, the reserves around KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, etc.) or, if you have your heart set on Victoria Falls, at nearby Chobe National Park in Botswana. If you are going to tack on the extra expense of going to the Falls, which to me as a waterfall enthusiast is worth it, then it is worth getting more out of your buck by spending some there in the area with the animals.

Except for the Garden Route, I was just in some of these areas a month ago. You can click on my user name for my report of my experiences. Happy to answer any other questions you have.

christabir

I agree with tripplanner - three weeks and no wildlife? I can visit nice cities, winelands and see pretty scenery lots of places but nowhere else for lions, rhinos, elephants (and so much more). Safari doesn't have to break the bank - I just did two weeks of safari (almost all safari locations) and we combined affordable private reserves and national parks for a great and budget friendly vacation. I planned it in April and went in May - in my book you're ahead of the game!! Look into Rhino River Lodge, Tembe Elephant Park (I love both!) for affordable reserves in KwaZulu Natal. For affordable lodges near Kruger, try Umkumbe, Gomo Gomo and Shindzela. For very affordable, visit the National Parks - for Kruger see www.SanParks.org, for Hluhluwe-iMfolozi see www.kznwildlife.org and find Hilltop Lodge. The accommodations are surprisingly nice and you can drive yourself around the parks, plus arrange for game drives with park rangers. Tons of fun. While in KZN, don't miss St Lucia - the most fun town I've ever been. See www.stluciasouthafrica.com for some of the fun!!

Unless it rains in October, Vic Falls will barely be a trickle. To me, this year doesn't make sense, but if you do go you need to visit the Zimbabwe side to see any water (no joke - any water). That means visas for Zimbabwe and Zambia if you fly to the Zambia side - they can add up. I was there in September in a normal year and water flow was low. To make it a better value, stay in Chobe and do day trips to VF. Chobe is very nice early morning and late afternoon without the day visitors.

Even if wildlife is not your thing, I'd still visit KwaZulu Natal. It's my favorite province of S Africa - beautiful beaches, mountains, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the warm Indian Ocean. It also feels a lot more like Africa than Cape Town and the Garden Route. Flights to Durban from JNB or CPT are easy and affordable. In S Africa, a one way flight is half the cost of a return flight so doing one ways is affordable.

ekscrunchy

My vote would be to skip the Falls in October. Even in early October, I thought they were impressive, but perhaps not worth the extra outlay of money and time to get there and back. I thought Livingstone was interesting, though. Large daily market, interesting museum, etc. If you go, try to visit the city if possible.

tjhome1

Thanks all for replying. Tripplanner, your recent report was one of the first I'd read since we decided to switch to South Africa and it's been very helpful. Christabir, your huge experience is greatly appreciated and I'm glad your thoughts on the merits of Victoria Falls match mine. And ekscrunchy your vote clinched it.

So Victoria Falls is replaced with two nights at Lower Sabie Rest Camp. We will hire a car as soon as we land in Johannesburg and stay a night in Graskop and see some waterfalls there and then get to Lower Sabie in time for a sunset drive.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.

xyz99

We were there in Sept last year, visited both sides, and it was underwhelming. I guess it will be even less water by Oct...I suggest you skip it and use the time (and $$) for wildlife viewing.