I am planning on spending 5 or 6 nights next August in Cape Town after my Zimbabwe safari. I am thinking of 3 nights Cape Town and then rent a car and drive to Hermanus for 1 or 2 nights and then back to Cape Town for 1 night before flying home from there. We won't be arriving in Cape Town until evening and the flight home will be in the late afternoon. Is Hermanus worth 2 nights? Also overnighting in Johannesburg before we fly to Victoria Falls. Any ideas of where to stay and what to do for the afternoon there.

Hi Raelond,

I am also planning for Cape Town next August! I visited Hermanus in 2004 and wouldn't recommend making the trip unless you have a particular reason? If you don't wish to spend extra time in CT, have you considered the De Hoop Nature Reserve, http://www.dehoopcollection.co.za/. This is a beautiful area with sparkling white dunes and clean, endless coast.

We will be staying at the Airport City Lodge as we transit through JNB, however if you have some extra time, have you thought of a visit or overnight at the de Wildt sanctuary http://www.dewildt.co.za/?

Happy planning,

Pol

www.hermanus.co.za

pretty cold good for whale watching that's about it...

Westin priceline.com bidding my fav otel.com for no bid

in Capetown something central in JoBurg.

virtualtourst.com for best local postings.

did a tour with jenmansafaris.com when last there years past

Have fun!

FYI

DMB Traveller has just posted up a Video above on

Airport City Lodge good hotel good food location.

Good advice regarding De Hoop, if you don't go there how about De Kelders, this along with Hermanus is great for whale watching in season. You could also visit Agulhas the southern point of Africa & where the two oceans meet.

For overnighting in JNB, I'd stay in a hotel near to Nelson Mandela Square Sandton or Rosebank (we stayed at the DaVinci Hotel & Suites and also at the Protea Balalaika close to the square), go to the Lion Park or De Wildt cheetah santuary, or visit Maropeng.

The gautrain service from JNB to Sandton is very good but a bit expensive for the short 15-20 min journey.

Winelands are a nice place to stay close to CPT, although in August the vines are bare and the weather can be quite cold (it was still cold this past week) but the wineries & other sites will be open.

The Travel Section of today's New York Times (Sunday, Oct. 30) has an article on Cape Town that you may find useful. You can read it online, I believe. ZZ

Have decided to spend the 5 nights in Cape Town and take a day trip to Hermanus. Hotels near Nelson Mandela Square are fairly pricey. I may look at a B&B instead.

Yes the hotels are a bit pricey near or on the square but the Protea Balalaika had reasonable prices on hotels.com and is within walking distance if that helps. One of the Garden Court hotels was also nearby as well.