raerae09

Going with a friend to Cape Town from July 1st-july 3rd, then off to other parts of Africa. Just wondering if whether booking a tour from home is necessary, or would it be worth waiting till we arrive in Capetown to check out some tours offered through either the hotel or in the area??

So far we've been quoted a tour for $525US which includes visits to the following.
Full day Robben Island Tour
Cape Peninsular,
visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens,
visit to Boulders Beach (penguin colony),
fishing harbour of Hout Bay,
visit by boat to Seal Island (weather permitting),
visit to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point.
full day Winelands Tour *wine lands not specified*

Just wondering if there is anything important that we are missing in this itinerary??
any help or suggestions would be great!

atravelynn

With 3 days, I don't know how much more you can fit in. I think that looks pretty good. What about lodging? Could you get approx times for your activities? How many people on the trip?

I know for Robben Island if you book a day or two ahead, there may not be space available.

Binkieloo

I happen to be a South African travel agent, although I try not to be one on here, but the price you've been quoted for the tour (if it's just the touring and not the accommodation) is very high. Most of what's included is fairly easy to get to, and won't require too much travelling.

Generally they won't specify which wineries you're visiting, as there are many within a short drive of each other, and they will schedule the day according to how busy different wineries are as they get to them.

If you would like assistance from South Africa, you can email me on bianca.sprong (at) flightcentre.co.za

I usually won't put that on here, as I prefer to use these forums for my personal travel, and knowledge, but I would love to help if you want it.

Selwyn_Davidowitz

raerae09

If what you are telling us is that you’re <b>total</b> tour for 2 people will include <b>all</b> of the places you speak of and I assume that the tour will be a private one over 2 or 3 days then I have to disagree with Binkieloo. I think this is a phenomenal deal at what is about ZAR4450. The entrance fees alone on the excursions you speak come to over R1100 let alone other expenses. To this I must add that if <b>each</b> day tour costs you $525 then you are being ripped off and I would steer clear of these tours organisers.

There is one very bothersome factor about the proposed itinerary and that is that is that there is no Table Mountain excursion in the tour? My opinion is that if weather permits you to go to the mountain it would be unforgivable not to do so when visiting our city

In terms of making bookings I think you can quite safely make the bookings when you are over here as the June/July/August months are very quiet tourism wise in Cape Town.

Hope the above helps and that you have a great stay in Cape Town.

Very proudly part of the wonderful nation of South Africa

raerae09

Wow thanks for your help.
So the $525 is per person for the entire three days.

Id just hate to book something form here, and then be forced to go along with the intinerary when if we get there we may feel like doing other things!
And espeically the exclusion of the Table Top mountain, would definately not be worth it. thats something that is mandatory for us to see!!

Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated.

Any ideas about accomodations??
Ive been looking at bed and breakfasts and I found one called Deane House that looks really great! Any familiar names of hotels or other accomodations that you could recommend?

Selwyn_Davidowitz

Raerae09

If the cost is per person, which means a total cost for 3 days of about ZAR8900, then I have 2 important questions.

1.Is the tour a private one i.e. only your friend and yourself are on board the vehicle?

2.Are entrances included in the price?

If the answer to these questions are “yes” then I would say you are paying slightly more than the ball park figure for a private tour 3 day tour. If the company you are dealing with has a good reputation then I would say it probably would be best to go with this deal. If however the answer to any of the two above questions is "no" then I would say look around because you are paying too much.

I dont know Deane House and cant comment fully however from the guesthouse website it does seem as if it is located on the base of Signal Hill. If this is the case you will more than likely need transport in the form of a hire car or using the facilities of taxis. Taxis in Cape Town are relatively cheap, safe and efficient so I would not be too worried in terms of using this mode of transport, after all you will more than likely be on tour every day meaning that you might only need transport at night.

My take on good accommodation at good prices in Cape Town and for that matter the whole of SA is guesthouses, guesthouses, guesthouses! Unless one wants anonymity I really dont understand why people who visit SA dont seem to understand that guesthouses beat hotels hands down when it comes to accommodation.

Owners of South African guesthouses are generally marvellous hosts. The ones that I use as a tourguide definitely are as such. With that said bear in mind that guesthouses represent excellent accommodation that is much more personalized at <b>much better</b> rates than hotels.

I must add that besides the fact that guesthouses are marvellous venues to stay in their rates also include a fantastic breakfast. This is very important relative to your question as many forget about this in the <b>total</b> price. At most venues one enjoys this meal in the wonderful, friendly, guesthouse breakfast room. Guesthouse rooms generally are much better than hotel rooms when it comes to size and facilities and please bear in mind that unlike the crazy notion that some people have about guesthouses <b>every room</b> in a respectable guesthouse has its <b>own private</b> en suite facilities such as a shower or bath + toilet. When one stays at a guesthouse one has total freedom of movement and generally every guesthouse has some special attraction such as a fantastic view etc. What also is most important is that because of the size of the guesthouse you will <b>not</b> be in amongst the hordes of tourists in town as you might only have a couple of other guests at the guesthouse while you are there. One also generally gets to know these fellow travellers and many travel tips are shared over the breakfast table. Thus you obtain great accommodation, friendly personalised attention as well as wonderful value in a very safe place to stay when you reside in guesthouses and that is why I recommend them so highly.

All in all staying in a SA guesthouse is a wonderfully free and easy style of holidaying.

Another important point is that is as absolute myth to want to believe that for a great Cape Town stay one has to be located near to the Waterfront. The Waterfront is nothing other than a big shopping mall. If one falls for this type of need then you will more than likely miss out on some of the other great accommodation which is generally much better located and certainly more keenly priced in Cape Town.

In terms of good guesthouses represnting good value for money may I suggest that you look at the following sites:

<b><u>Avanti.</b></u>

www.avanti.co.za

Tried and tested ranking amongst the best value for money in Cape Town. Also 50 yards from the Sea Point seafront. HIGHLY recommended.

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<b><u>Davids</b></u>

http://www.davids.co.za/

Wonderful venue with fantastic hosts. Close to city as well as the Green Point strip where there are many restaurants. Well appointed and has to be amongst the best value in Cape Town. Highly recommended.

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<b><u>Cape Standard.</b></u>

http://www.capestandard.co.za/home.htm

Well located. Lovely guesthouse with super friendly host. Great value for money and certainly not expensive. Rooms are done up in a rustic manner with all conveniences available. Great breakfast area.

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<b><u>Cape Codogan.</b></u>

http://www.capecadogan.com/

Fabulous venue with wonderfully spacious and beautifully decorated rooms. Close to city and well located relative to some fabulous restaurants that are all within walking distance. Slightly more expensive than the average guesthouse but certainly worth the money.

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<b><u>An African Villa.</b></u>

http://capetowncity.co.za/villa/

Fantastic place to stay that is relatively close to city centre. Guesthouse is superbly run by wonderful hosts who offer great value for money, is beautifully decorated. Close to many restaurants by foot. Internet facilities available. Simply a wonderful place to stay.

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<b><u>Camps Bay Terrace..</b></u>

http://www.campsbayterrace.com/

The website to this venue says it all. This is what I believe is the finest place to stay in Camps Bay. The establishment is meticulously run. I would suggest that one should stay in the penthouse if you are 4 people and in the suite if you are two people. The views at this guesthouse are amazing to say the least. One is a walk away from the beach and close to many of the local restaurants in Camps Bay. Please note that this is a self catering venue but one is very close to many coffee shops as well as a supermarket where you can buy anything you need for eating purposes that can be made in the wonderful kitchens in the penthouse or the suite. VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

<b>VERY IMPORTANT.</b> There is construction taking place around Camps Bay Terrace at the moment and will probably be continuing till the middle of this year (2009) so if you are looking at visiting us before this period, as wonderful as this guesthouse is, it could be somewhat noisy in the day times.

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<b><u>De Waterkant Cottages.</b></u>

http://www.dewaterkantcottages.com/a...n/cottages.asp

Even though this is not a guesthouse these are fantastic self catering cottages at excellent rates. Very quaint, fabulously furnished with huge, huge, huge amounts of space. The cottages are also extremely well maintained. The cottages are right in the middle of where it is all happening near the city centre (10 minute walk away) as well the Waterfront. (20 minute walk away; 5 minute cab ride away). The cottages are also close to many great little coffee houses, a wonderful deli called Andiamo as well as interesting restaurants. Bearing in mind that the cottages are hired out on a self catering basis information these little eateries will be of importance to you especially for breakfast.

I have had many people stay in these cottages in the past and everybody, without fail, have loved them to bits. These cottages are great value for money and are unbeatable for price especially in the off season

Hope the above helps to make your Cape Town stay a great one.

Very proudly part of the wonderful nation of South Africa

atravelynn

What a primer on accommodations. This one's a keeper! Thanks.

oneday

ttt