SA Advice
Mar 25th, 2005, 09:11 AM
#21
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Dreaming,
They did not break the costs out separately, but I did do the research to price it myself and it was more expensive. Mostly because it's so darn expensive to fly from the West Coast in the US. But I will definitely ask the agent about the Westcliff special and the game drives at Boongani. Thanks for the tips.
They did not break the costs out separately, but I did do the research to price it myself and it was more expensive. Mostly because it's so darn expensive to fly from the West Coast in the US. But I will definitely ask the agent about the Westcliff special and the game drives at Boongani. Thanks for the tips.
Mar 25th, 2005, 09:35 AM
#22
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Joboe -
You should also ask them about the JNB/CPT/JNB flight - the differences in costs between carriers are pretty substantial (R800 for Kulula to R2000 ish for SAA). They might have the cost for this rolled into the cost of the transcontinental flight, but if not, there might be a savings there.
Are you still trying to get this down to $5000? Or are you o.k. with what you've got? If you're trying to get it down, there's probably some possibility in the Cape Town accomodation - although the websites of the lodgings you've chosen look nice.
You should also ask them about the JNB/CPT/JNB flight - the differences in costs between carriers are pretty substantial (R800 for Kulula to R2000 ish for SAA). They might have the cost for this rolled into the cost of the transcontinental flight, but if not, there might be a savings there.
Are you still trying to get this down to $5000? Or are you o.k. with what you've got? If you're trying to get it down, there's probably some possibility in the Cape Town accomodation - although the websites of the lodgings you've chosen look nice.
Mar 25th, 2005, 10:59 AM
#23
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Dreaming,
I will include that in my list of questions for them (I have a pretty long list!). My guess is it's all rolled into the transatlantic flight. I know they have us on a direct flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg once we get to Atlanta. Of course, I'd love to bring the price down so I will also ask them for other options, but I think we can be ok with this price. Your comments have been a big help, Dreaming!
I will include that in my list of questions for them (I have a pretty long list!). My guess is it's all rolled into the transatlantic flight. I know they have us on a direct flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg once we get to Atlanta. Of course, I'd love to bring the price down so I will also ask them for other options, but I think we can be ok with this price. Your comments have been a big help, Dreaming!
Mar 25th, 2005, 11:53 AM
#24
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I'm in a similar situation, planning a honeymoon in SA. I noticed someone (joboe) mentioned getting a good itinerary from go2africa.com. I did the same, and it looks very reasonable. Also mentioned were other message boards where you obtained references for go2africa.com. Can you share which message boards you were talking about or drop me an email and let me know about your experiences with them? I'd like to find out some more "independent" info on them before I drop this kind of cash.
Mar 25th, 2005, 03:59 PM
#25
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Braun_Greg,
I did a search on Frommer's and found a posting of someone who hadn't taken the trip yet, but had dealt with go2africa extensively and had very positive things to say. There was another posting from someone who had taken 2 trips with go2africa and was about to take a 3rd and said they wouldn't go with anyone else. And on the weddingchannel.com message boards, the person who told me about the pacific delight trip said she spoke to someone while down there who had used go2africa and thought it was great. I haven't found a ton of postings on them, but I also haven't found anything negative. So far my experiences have been really great. I've been working with Shannon and she answers all my questions quickly and (it seems) honestly. Please let me know how your dealings are and if you choose to go with them.
I did a search on Frommer's and found a posting of someone who hadn't taken the trip yet, but had dealt with go2africa extensively and had very positive things to say. There was another posting from someone who had taken 2 trips with go2africa and was about to take a 3rd and said they wouldn't go with anyone else. And on the weddingchannel.com message boards, the person who told me about the pacific delight trip said she spoke to someone while down there who had used go2africa and thought it was great. I haven't found a ton of postings on them, but I also haven't found anything negative. So far my experiences have been really great. I've been working with Shannon and she answers all my questions quickly and (it seems) honestly. Please let me know how your dealings are and if you choose to go with them.
Mar 27th, 2005, 09:05 AM
#27
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Selwyn,
The quote is for 2 people. I know you're very familiar with Cape Town, is that a decent lodging? The website looks nice. I could also use some help prioritizing activities in Cape Town since there's so much to see there. I know we'll want to hike Table Mountain--will that take up a whole day? We also want to see Robben Island, District Six, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Chapman's Peak Drive, hike Lion's Head, take a Harbour Cruise and possibly whale-watch in Hermanus. It seems like a lot to fit into 4 days!
The quote is for 2 people. I know you're very familiar with Cape Town, is that a decent lodging? The website looks nice. I could also use some help prioritizing activities in Cape Town since there's so much to see there. I know we'll want to hike Table Mountain--will that take up a whole day? We also want to see Robben Island, District Six, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Chapman's Peak Drive, hike Lion's Head, take a Harbour Cruise and possibly whale-watch in Hermanus. It seems like a lot to fit into 4 days!
Mar 27th, 2005, 02:56 PM
#28
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joboe,
Firstly I think that the price that you
have attained at Go2Africa for 2 people is excellent.
Les Cascades is a great place to stay. I would recommend it highly.
There is nothing wrong with Village Spier but with it being a hotel as opposed to a guesthouse it does not fall into my favour. With that said you do have an advantage of having a car so that will make all the difference at Spier in terms of moving around.
In terms of touring Cape Town a hike up Table Montain should take you about 4 hours including a ride down in the cablecar. The Robben Island journey takes 3.5 hours. My suggestion for one of your days would be to do the Robben Island journey in the morning and the Table Mountain hike directly after this. Remember you MUST book Robben Island up front or you might not make the ferry.
On a second day I would visit the District Six Museum and follow that up with a walk through Kistenbosch Gardens. Thereafter I would travel in a south easterly direction towards Noordhoek so as to travel via Chapmans Peak and return to Les Cascades via the Atlantic seaboard.
On a third day I would travel down to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Along the way I would visit the Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach and thereafter Cape Point which is on the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Seeing that you will have seen Chapmans Peak already I would recommend that you then make your way back to the city centre via the Van der Stel highway (M3) as soon as possible so as to hike up Lions Head with the intention of watching a Cape sunset. Take a flashlight with you for when you come down the mountain.
On your 4th day I would take in the city centre and simply take it easy and relax after all you are on vacation.
On one of your two days at Village Spier I would use the day to travel out to Hermanus so as to see the whales. On your second day at Village Spier I would visit some winefarms and Stellenbosch as well as maybe Franschhoek.
You ask whether all of the above can be done in 6 days and the answer is yes HOWEVER there is one factor that could give your planning a bit of a jolt and that is the weather, so my suggestion is that you watch the forecasts when you arrive in Cape Town (the forecasts generally are reasonably accurate) and then do your planning taking this into account.
Hope that this all helps.
Very proudly part of the wonderful
nation of South Africa
Firstly I think that the price that you
have attained at Go2Africa for 2 people is excellent.
Les Cascades is a great place to stay. I would recommend it highly.
There is nothing wrong with Village Spier but with it being a hotel as opposed to a guesthouse it does not fall into my favour. With that said you do have an advantage of having a car so that will make all the difference at Spier in terms of moving around.
In terms of touring Cape Town a hike up Table Montain should take you about 4 hours including a ride down in the cablecar. The Robben Island journey takes 3.5 hours. My suggestion for one of your days would be to do the Robben Island journey in the morning and the Table Mountain hike directly after this. Remember you MUST book Robben Island up front or you might not make the ferry.
On a second day I would visit the District Six Museum and follow that up with a walk through Kistenbosch Gardens. Thereafter I would travel in a south easterly direction towards Noordhoek so as to travel via Chapmans Peak and return to Les Cascades via the Atlantic seaboard.
On a third day I would travel down to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Along the way I would visit the Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach and thereafter Cape Point which is on the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Seeing that you will have seen Chapmans Peak already I would recommend that you then make your way back to the city centre via the Van der Stel highway (M3) as soon as possible so as to hike up Lions Head with the intention of watching a Cape sunset. Take a flashlight with you for when you come down the mountain.
On your 4th day I would take in the city centre and simply take it easy and relax after all you are on vacation.
On one of your two days at Village Spier I would use the day to travel out to Hermanus so as to see the whales. On your second day at Village Spier I would visit some winefarms and Stellenbosch as well as maybe Franschhoek.
You ask whether all of the above can be done in 6 days and the answer is yes HOWEVER there is one factor that could give your planning a bit of a jolt and that is the weather, so my suggestion is that you watch the forecasts when you arrive in Cape Town (the forecasts generally are reasonably accurate) and then do your planning taking this into account.
Hope that this all helps.
Very proudly part of the wonderful
nation of South Africa
Mar 27th, 2005, 06:17 PM
#29
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Selwyn,
Thank you so much! That information helps a great deal. We'll definitely watch for the weather and plan our days accordingly. My husband and I have both done a lot of travelling, so we know to be flexible. The more I read about Southern Africa, the more I feel that this will be our first trip rather than our only. At first my husband was only mildly interested in visiting South Africa for our honeymoon, but thanks to the postings here, I've easily been able to convince him that it's the perfect place for us.
Thank you so much! That information helps a great deal. We'll definitely watch for the weather and plan our days accordingly. My husband and I have both done a lot of travelling, so we know to be flexible. The more I read about Southern Africa, the more I feel that this will be our first trip rather than our only. At first my husband was only mildly interested in visiting South Africa for our honeymoon, but thanks to the postings here, I've easily been able to convince him that it's the perfect place for us.
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