too boer-ing?
 

I hate these inquiries myself but here goes:we are first timers to Africa and want to do it all. We fly into and out of Capetown on 2/15 leaving on 2/28. Our daughter is on study abroad in Durban.
Here's my rough plan and I really hope you all weigh in on options/changes etc!
Capetown-first 5 days activities: winelands,Table Mountain,Hout Bay, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach, Bo Kaap
Then fly to Durban:self drive in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi followed by Pinda stay total 3 days+ back to Durban, provide vast sums to college daughter,visit battlefields,Pietermaritzburg and lay on beaches-go on the trip to take sharks out of shark nets
So are we crazy, on target, more time in C-town HELP!!!!!

Sorry your first response is not advice, but mostly a question, since I have not been to Capetown or on safari in SA yet.

Can you tell me more about taking sharks out of a shark net?

Here is a little Phinda info. In investigating my first visit there, the two lodges that seem to be favorites are Vlei (more expensive) and Forest (less expensive). I've opted for Forest. Other lodges are Rock and Mountain.

Your planned itinerary to Cape Town, given the overall time you have for your trip, sounds about right. There are many other things to see, but those will have to await your next visit. Regarding Durban and vicinity, there is a lot to see besides the game areas you mention. If you are at all interested in history, look into the museum and memorials for Mahatma Gandhi in Pietersmaritzburg (at the Hindu temple, I believe). Before you get there, see if Durban has gotten around to honoring Gandhi in the area where he had his first ashram. The battlefields (Anglo-Boer War) are fascinating, if you are interested in history. Rork's Drift is an important site. There is a Norwegian (as I recall; might be another European nation) mission station in the area that has beautiful weavings. On the coast, Umhlanga Rocks, just north of Durban, is a resort that you might check out, although, the last time I was there, I was disenchanged to see how developed it had become. The oysters are renowned. Lastly, be sure to go to the Durban market. It is a universe of color and aromas. I wouldn't spend any time on the beach, but check out all the other attractions. ZZ

Lynn, you'll find information about "taking sharks out of a shark net" here:

http://www.shark.co.za/visit.htm

Under "Boat trips". However, it does also warn "Sharks are not often found in the nets."

Thanks Zambezi and Arthur. I finally booked our Pinda stay (yikes major lightening of funds) so now I can plan out our 5 days in Durban. We greatly enjoy history and planned on visiting the battlefields and going to the market, my DH especially LOVEs oysters so thanks for that tip! and the wealth of information from both of you. The sharks are almost too frightening!