South Africa trip?

Old Jan 17th, 2010, 07:51 AM
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South Africa trip?

Hi. I am a 44 yr old man from the US. I have done limited traveling in my time---never been outside the US as a matter of fact. Was thinking of making a trip to South Africa. A few experienced travelers I know said it might be better for me to go somewhere else first, like London and Paris, as my first international trip. Rather than jump into South Africa.
Any thoughts on that? And I would be traveling solo.

Thanks
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Old Jan 17th, 2010, 10:51 AM
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If you're a capable traveler within the US, then why not. It is a long way and it's a country with perhaps greater risks than many european countries. But if that's where you want to go, then go for it.

If you're a nervous traveler who doesn't cope well with unfamiliar surroundings then you might want to consdier something a little easier.
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Old Jan 17th, 2010, 11:30 AM
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I see no problem with starting out in South Africa. More affordable and just as easy (if not easier) to navigate than London or Paris.

What are your interests?
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Old Jan 17th, 2010, 11:58 AM
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It all depends on what you want to do/see. If you don't want to go to Europe at this time then of course do what interests you.

We met a woman on our last trip in similar circumstances and she was having the time of her life on safari on her own. She was not with a tour group, but you could consider that option.

Give us some details of what you'd like to do and we'll help you out with your planning.
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Old Jan 17th, 2010, 02:49 PM
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Very exciting choice!

A World in One Country--that's a slogan used by the tourism people, and how true!

Unless you are going because of The World Cup, avoid June and July of 2010.

But first, as others have asked, can you tell us your interests and expectations for the trip so we can see if South Africa is the best fit?

Also the time of year you hope to go may make a difference.

Solo travel works fine in South Africa and that's what I've done twice.

It's hard to find one country with a combination of breathtaking ocean scenery; top notch cultural attractions in the world renowned Cape Town and vicinity; penguins you can get close to; the prison where Mandela was held; vineyards; Kirstenbosch Gardens, on par with Butchart and other world class gardes; whales you can see from shore (or a boat); excellent roads so you can drive around easily and travel the garden route if you are comfortable on the left side of the road; many fine Cape Town guides who can do the driving for you if you prefer and offer fascinating insights; Rikki Taxis if you just want a taxi; baboon troops you can mingle with safely through escorted walks with Baboon Matters; Great White Sharks you can observe from a boat as they swim, breach, and hunt fur seals; Great White Sharks you can observe from a safe underwater cage; Table Mountain cable car; outstanding cuisine; numerous cultures; battlefields; wildlife reserves where sightings are routinely unrivaled anywhere else in the world; and accommodations in those reserves to fit a variety of budgets and tastes.

Does any of the above appeal to you?
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Old Jan 17th, 2010, 06:17 PM
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You give no clue as to what you'd like to see and experience on your trip.

If you want to see wildlife like you see on the National Geographic channel, sure go to South Africa. If you want to see historic cultural sites and cities, don't, go instead to Europe.

Traveling in either South Africa or Europe presents no big difficulties.

regards -tom
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Old Jan 18th, 2010, 03:17 PM
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Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of going the last 2 weeks in March. I have 14 days of vacation then, so was thinking of 2 days of travel from NYC on each end, and 10 days in South Africa. 5 on safari and 5 in capetown maybe. Or maybe less in each with some other places mixed in.
Is 2 weeks too short? Is 3 better? I am a teacher, so could also go in June/July/August; though this year I assume I'd want to wait until after the World Cup.
Things I would like to do: See wildlife; experience the culture; no interest in wine, but like nice scenery, interesting towns, etc...
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Old Jan 18th, 2010, 05:31 PM
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Well, here's my take on it, a rather different view that may bend some people a bit out of shape. You're a teacher and in the public school system I'm assuming. And you've not been outside of the USA. As a teacher I believe you should go to Europe to visit the foundation cultures of America. You owe this experience/education to yourself and your students. And perhaps there is also a way to work the trip into educational credit or reimburse you for the expense.

regards - tom
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Old Jan 18th, 2010, 05:40 PM
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You already have a good outline and I like your 5/5 plan.

14 days works, but 21 is better if you also have enough money for a trip of that length.

If you waited until as late as you could go in August, that might work well. World Cup is June 11 to July 11 or very close. By the first week of August the revelers may be headed home. You could check the flight prices to see if Aug is a possibility and if so, then I'd do Aug. Here's why:

March is the end of the high season in SA and prices for everything are generally higher.

If you are interested in whales or Great White Sharks, Aug is a great time to see them. March is not as good.

This year if repairs, updates, remodeling must be done for World Cup in June, you might experience the disruptions such undertakings cause in March.

Even if you don't take a full 3 weeks to travel, you do have a little more flexibility to add one more day of this or that onto your itinerary.

You'll come back from Spring Break and be tired and jetlagged and have to return to work immediately. In the summer, plan on a couple of days between your return and going back to school.

See this weather chart for pros and cons of Mar vs Aug in Cape Town and reserves closer to Johannesburg.

http://www.classicescapes.com/sa-weather.html

If you spent 5 in Cape Town, consider Simons Town (my fav city), which is 45 minutes away by car or Rikki taxi or train. From there you can walk to the penguins, to the Great White Shark viewing boat--the location where the sharks breach as they hunt for seals, and it is the location of Baboon Matters for Baboon Walks. Also beautiful scenery, places to stay that aren't that expensive.

There are lots of safari locations in Kruger or the neighboring Sabi Sands private concessions.

There are hourly flights between Cape Town and Johannesburg where you can leave from to get to the safari activities.

If you have an idea of budget, more specifics can be given.
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Old Jan 18th, 2010, 07:34 PM
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August is better for wildlife viewing than March. Capetown and wildlife sounds like a fine itinerary, but if you're not into wine 4 nights in CT is plenty IMHO. Then decide where you'd like to check out the animals - you'll get a lot of votes here for the Sabi Sands area around Kruger. I can't tell you how much our first trip to southern Africa changed our lives and we want to go back often. But then we'd already been to Europe a few times and will be going back soon. If you are in the ny metro area, I have a great travel agent. Our two trips with them were flawless, especially our transfers and airport stuff which can be a nightmare, as we all know.
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Old Jan 19th, 2010, 04:53 PM
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I had one glass of wine in my entire Cape Town trip, so that is not my focus either, StuQ, but I still enjoyed 9 nts in Cape Town in late June and had hardly a moment of down time. Granted 7 mornings were on a shark boat.

I'll put in a link to my report that has all the Cape Town activites at the beginning. There is another link within that report to a detailed account of how the Great White shark trip from Simons Town works.

The first paragraphs of the report contain some nonsense about wine drinking and other silliness, but the rest of the report is serious and there are links to pictures.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-n-luangwa.cfm

"I can't tell you how much our first trip to southern Africa changed our lives and we want to go back often."

That comment of Christabir's is typical, and not something that is so frequently uttered by travelers returning from other destinations, even if the trip was fabulous. I felt the same way after my first trip to Kenya & Tanzania. That could be a problem with starting your travels in Africa; you may never want to go anywhere else.
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Old Jan 19th, 2010, 05:17 PM
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You have been warned- you may turn into one of us- an Africa addict!

North Africa was just ok. I was bitten by the bug during my visit to Kenya and Tanzania but never caught the fever, so I thought I would wander down to Southern Africa. Piece of cake, right? NOT! If you could only see me now, another hopeless case that lives vicariously through other posters, and obsesses day and night over my next opportunity to return...

I went to SA (Cape Town and the Eastern Cape) in April for 10 days and had a fantastic time. I used Go2Africa and they have a pretty good website that could give you some ideas of what might appeal to you.
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Old Jan 20th, 2010, 02:23 AM
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As a solo traveller, why not take a tour of SA and include a game reserve on the end of before you fly home. There are many tour companies who do this sort of thing and fly you into CT, then allow you to choose a tour to suit you. You'll have people that you'll get to know and diner companions.

Try Cox and Kings website for an idea of the various trips that you put together.
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Old Jan 20th, 2010, 05:07 PM
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What to do in SA by a guide:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=35120876
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Old Jan 21st, 2010, 05:56 PM
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Great comments everyone. August might be better, but the weather is cooler.
And might the infrastructure be in a constant state of improvement in March for the world cup.
i'd love the name of the travel agent in NY.
I am thinking of a tour, or at least the safari part as a tour.
WE'll see
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Old Jan 21st, 2010, 07:33 PM
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The safari part is always a tour of sorts unless you are self driving in Kruger or other areas where that is permitted.

Even when traveling alone (unless you paid for a private vehicle) you join several others in the safari vehicle and with your ranger and perhaps a scout, you set out in search of wildlife. Transport to the camp or lodge is arranged by the lodge or an agent.

Christabir mentioned a travel agent in a recent post.

christabir on Jan 20, 10 at 6:24pm
Congratulations!!

I use Classic Africa. They are in Connecticut, but I don't have any trouble dealing with them over the phone and online...


2Afrika is an agent in NYC that does South Africa and has been used with success by posters. I have not used them.

Their mission statement is they strive to keep Africa affordable.
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Old Jan 21st, 2010, 07:47 PM
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Here are a bunch of reports on S. Africa trips and 2Afrika

Just to clarify, there is also a company in S. Africa called Go2Africa.


http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-operators.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ur-company.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...put-please.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-expensive.cfm


http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ou-pay-for.cfm


http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...st/2afrika.cfm


Not so good comments on 2afrika
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...frica-trip.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ika---long.cfm
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Old Jan 30th, 2010, 12:13 PM
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You could also check some of these companies that have been used for S. Africa by those on the forum

The Africa Adventure Co in Ft. Lauderdale
Eyes on Africa in Chicago
Go2Africa in South Africa
Premier Tours
Rhino Safaris in South Africa
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Old Jan 30th, 2010, 03:04 PM
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In many ways I agree with Tom, if this is your first international trip, why not - England, France, Italy (or Netherlands/Amsterdam)... an easy enough intro to foreign travel, though the USD$ isn't worth much over there whether against the GBP or Euro.

But if Africa has caught your attention, you won't here me protest much

Re: 2Afrika - Even that "very bad experience" report re this company was from 2007 and much to do with the in-country airline that left most travelers stranded which could as easily have happened anywhere, they're a reputable group tour operator.

Their group safari prices are at pretty reasonable prices, along with the TOs that atravelynn mentions above, though not sure they all (or even) do group departures. Do remember though as a solo traveler there is the "single supplement" unless, as some group tour operators offer - willing to share, you won't get stuck with this added expense. 2Afrika is owned by a South African living in the States for years, with office located in Manhattan on John Street, downtown Wall St. area.

There's also OAT (out of the Boston, Mass area) - Overseas Adventure Travel - which includes international air in their prices. Check their site as: www.oattravel.com/gcc/general/ to see what they might have scheduled for 2010. Small groups, max 16/pax. Avg age is usually 40s-80s, will vary depending on destination.

Or go it alone. In fact, with Aug being low-season and great time for game viewing, if you have the budget you can also include Victoria Falls & Botswana/Chobe. This can be an expensive side-trip for a few days, but if you'r already down that way... why not.

If you've got 2/weeks, if scheduled right, you can have 12/days on the ground as:

Day 1 - Lv USA
Day 2 - Arv JNB, connect for flight to CPT - o/n
Days 3/4 - CPT, winelands, Robben Island, Penguins, Cape Point, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Table mountain - o/n.
Day 5 - Fly via JNB to Vic Falls (arriving about 1pm) - Zambezi cruise - o/n
Day 6 - Morning Falls visit; road transfer (2.5/hrs) to Botswana to Chobe (known for large elephant herds) - o/n
Day 7 - Chobe - o/n
Day 8 - Road transfer back to VFA, Fly to JNB - o/n (flight often arrives too late to connect to Kruger)
Day 9 - Fly to Kruger for safari - o/n
Day 10, 11 & 12 - Kruger - o/n
Day 13 - Fly back to JNB; homebound flight
Day 14 - Arv USA (morning)

Keep us posted on your progress.
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Old Jan 30th, 2010, 03:43 PM
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Sandi has thrown the lovely Botswana into the mix. You'd be there at the perfect time for the eles in Chobe if you chose August. Vic Falls too if that's of interest.
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