mcdan58

I am planning a trip to South Africa in May 2008. I already have a RT ticket to Johannesburg. (wish I had thought to get a ticket flying into Capetown & flying out of Johannesburg).
My ideal itinerary is to do 5 days in Capetown, 2 days in Johannesburg, 3-4 nights at the Elephant Plains Lodge (Sabi Sand ). I am trying to figure out how to this with the least amount of backtracking. Renting a car and/or flying are both options. I am familiar with Mango, Kulula, Nationwide & SAA. Are there any other airlines?

Main question: Should I

1. fly from NYC to JNB
2. spend the time in JNB
3. Fly/or drive from JNB to Nelspruit
for the Safari @ Elephant Plains
4. Fly from Nelspruit- Capetown
5. Spend 5 nights in Capetown
6. Fly from Capetown back to JNB
7. Fly from JNB back to NYC.

Confusing right? I would appreciate any assistance you can offer.

ps. What if I had decided to do the Garden route? I am sure that would really have complicated things (smile) thanks

allycb

There is another SA low cost airline called 1Time Airline.
Had you wanted to do the Garden Route, you could have flown JNB to Port Elizabeth or George.
I don't see how you can avoid back-tracking unless you can change your ticket to leave from CPT.

jk34jk

airlines that fly the shorter routes seem to be
SAA Express flysaa.com
Mango airlines
Kalulu airlines

I understand there is an issue with paying with a credit card on Mango or Kalulu.

Can you change your original ticket for a small fee to make it an open jaws ticket ie into Capetown out of Jb....or whatever combo you need.

ArthurSA

1time's website is www.1time.aero

ArthurSA

And for the major routes, it might be worthwhile looking at BA/Comair (www.britishairways.com).

Comair is BA's local partner, and Kulula is Comair's budget arm. But depending on the timing (how far ahead you book) and what flexibility you have in scheduling, I've found that sometimes BA's rate can be better than, or equitable to, all or most of the others. Including Comair's own budget airline. That was the case when I flew Jo'burg/Durban return earlier this year.

canadian_robin

My family of four has used Kulula twice - once on a round trip to Johannesburg from Cape Town (in 2005) and again to fly from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth (in 2007). We were happy with the service on both occasions, and they offered the cheapest fares by far. Only downside is the corporate colour - lime green planes, lime green seats, lime green uniforms....yikes! Robin

allycb

Hi Robin,
Did you book on line with a non-South African credit card? There seems to be some problem whether this can be done or not??

canadian_robin

We booked our flights online, with either Amex or MC (can't remember which), once we arrived in South Africa. We had no difficulty getting flights, even though the trip to Joburg was at Christmas. Robin

canadian_robin

And yes - those were Canadian credit cards! Robin