Help planning 13 days in SA in January
 

I have tickets for 14 days in South Africa, flying into Capetown and out of Johannesburg, next January. I've just ordered a guide book so I haven't done much research yet. I know I want to spend a bit of time around Capetown, taking in the usual tourist haunts. Driving to Port Elizabeth along the Garden Route is an option. Driving around parts of Kwazulu Natal would be fantastic. Finally, of course Kruger.

I want nice accommodations but affordable. Especially the Safari Lodges can get pretty expensive but we'll need air conditioning and mosquito netting in January I suspect! I also want to feel close to nature and if the animals come close to camp, all the better.

Does anyone have advice? Would a travel agency get me better pricing or should I continue on my own?

I'm all ears - or eyes in this case.

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Safe Travels!

hi Jahlie,

No need for mossie nets and malaria meds if you stick to the safari centres in the Cape such as Shamwari.

OTOH if you are wanting to see game in Kruger, then you will have to bite the bullet [or the pill].

Based on our experiences, [we just did Cape Town, the garden route and Shamwari, and took about 12 nights doing it] I would suggest at least 4 nights in Cape town, possibly 2 in the Winelands, another 3-4 along the Garden route - the time soon goes. Cut out the Winelands [or do them as a day trip from Cape Town] and it would leave more time for Kruger and Kwazulu.

KZN is my favorite area of S Africa, but with only 14 days, you might have to save it for next time. There's so much to do you can't fit it into your limited time - unless you skip other areas.

For me, four days in Cape Town with a day trip to the winelands was plenty. The wines are fantastic and most restaurants and game lodges have a great selection. Then do the Garden Route for 4-5 days and fly to Kruger from Port Elizabeth. There are three airports near Kruger, so choose the airport closest to the lodge you choose to cut down on transfer time and cost.

For affordable but nice private lodges in the reserves adjacent to Kruger, check out Arathusa, nThambo, nDzuti (my next lodge choice), maybe Senalala, Gomo Gomo and Elephant Plains. All will be in the more affordable range but all are beautiful and will exceed your expectations. There are many more, but start with them. You could also stay in the park and stay in surprisingly nice park accommodations and drive yourself around. We save money and add to the fun by doing both. Love it all!! It's even fun to do a BBQ out in the bush (the park lodges are fenced). If interested, see www.sanparks.org and check out Kruger. Or see the combination guided safari at Wild-Wings-Safaris.

I rarely advise to skip Kruger, but you could skip the GR and fly to Durban from Cape Town. Spend a few nights in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi or one of the excellent private reserves like Rhino River Lodge or Tembe Elephant Park. They are both very affordable and both are excellent. Then head to the coast and visit St Lucia for all the fun activities like horse riding with wildlife, kayak with hippos, scuba/snorkel, whale watching, possible turtle watching, night safaris. The drive from St Lucia to Cape Vidal might be my favorite drive anywhere - gorgeous and lots of wildlife and ends at a beautiful beach on the warm Indian Ocean. If you have time, drive to Kruger but you need an extra day to fly or drive. I love it so much I'm retiring to KZN.

In January, I'd take malaria meds for Kruger and KZN. No need in CT, the GR, KZN south of St Lucia. Only areas on the borders with other countries actually have any malaria risk. S Africa is doing a great job eliminating the risk and hope to eliminate it entirely by 2020. If it was winter, I skip the meds and take other precautions.

I wouldn't use an agent, but you might save a little bit. Use a local agent - they will work with your budget (US agents don't use the affordable lodges - not enough commission). Wild-Wings and Sun Safaris are both very good.

No matter where you go, you're going to love it. I thought my first trip would be my only - I'm planning number five, including time to shop for real estate. No one is more surprised than I am. :)

Oh my, that's quite a lot of good information but it looks like I'll have to save it for another time. I switched back to going to India this time around but know KZN is in my future sometime.

Thanks so much.