Cape Town, Garden Route, Winelands, Kruger Itinery
 

Hi there,

I'm just in the planning stages for my S.A. trip next November and would appreciate the help of the experts.

I may not have use of a car during my stay and if so intend to use the baz bus for travel along the Garden Route.

My current plan is as follows:

Tanda Tula Private Game Reserve - 2 nights
Fly to Port Elizabeth - stay 1 night
Nature's Valley - 1 night
Kynsna - 2 nights
Wilderness - 1 night
Hermanus - 1 night
Winelands - 2 nights
Capetown (Primi Royal Camps Bay) - 4 nights

Do you have recommendations for nice guest houses/b&b's to stay. Ideally I'd like to keep to €100 per room per night, but will pay up to a max of €200 per room per night for somewhere really special.


Which area of the winelands do you suggest, Franchock or Stellenbosch. Ideally I'd like to explore the region by bike or walking.

What is the weather like in Novmeber, when is the ideal time to travel?

Would you suggest any alterations to my itenary?

Thanks,

Audrey

We stayed at the Hout Bay Hideaway b&b in Hout Bay just outside of Cape Town.

http://www.houtbay-hideaway.com/

The rooms were fantastic, but the breakfast very subpar and the owner not very friendly. My husband and I (who have stayed at many b&bs over the years) felt very uncomfortable because of the owner.

When in Franschhoek we stayed at La Fontaine. They had the best breakfast I have ever eaten at a b&b. The rooms were spacious and pretty. The owners friendly. It was reasonably priced (I think $110 - 130).

I felt like Stellenbosch was just another city, whereas Franschhoek had the charm of a small village with quaint side walk cafes. Once in Franshhoek we walked all around the town, except to the wineries which are all within a couple of miles and therefore could be seen on bike.

I hope this helps.

Jenny

There's a nice book of B&Bs you may want to get -- Portfolio -- which has listings for B&Bs and guesthouses all over South Africa. Google that and you can check out places on line, but we also ordered the book whilst planning our trip and it came in handy. Our budget was half what yours is, and the places we stayed in were quite wonderful. (When we came home we realized it was time to buy a new mattress -- and higher thread-count sheets! Boy, were we spoiled!) In Hermanus you might check Avalon on Sea B&B. Try to reserve the second floor room with its own balcony. www.avalononsea.co.za

In the winelands I'd recommend Plumwood Inn in Franschhoek - we really liked it plus the owners Roel and Lucienne really look after you very well and are very charming and friendly. They are Dutch and moved to South Africa a few years ago after falling in love with the country on a holiday not long before that.

Thanks for the response so far. I've heard from a few people that Franschhoek is the nicer area in the winelands so I'll probably head there.

Does anyone know what the weather will be like in November. As I'm planning this well in advance I'm not tied to this month if weather is an issue.

Also, has any one used the Baz Bus. Is is suitable for non backpackers.