Cdnfolks

We would like to plan a trip in Sept 07 which would include the white shark cage diving and some quality safari time probably in Kruger. Time frame approx 21 days and budget $10K Cdn pp. Ideally, safari accommodation would be private game reserve lodge. Would appreciate some tips to get us started.

cw

I can't give you direct advice since we have yet to go on our first trip to SA, but you should take a look at previous trip reports.

This link is an index that has an annotated list of repots that should be helpful.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34772027

With 21 days, you should be able to plan a wonderful trip.

CW

cw

Repots=reports. Sorry, must be the Boston accent coming out.

jasher

Hello,

There is now an updated Southern Africa trip report index (organised chronologically with redundant links removed):

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34858382

Cheers,
Julian

thit_cho

I have twice gone shark diving, the second time with White Shark Ecoventures and they were excellent. I will not mention my first operator since I was less than impressed with their performance. I last went cage diving in August 2002, when the dollar was much stronger, and it was around US100 per day, and while its likely more expensive now, it will not significantly dent your budget, and its a real highlight.

Michael

jasher

Hello,

Hope you've had a chance to take a look at some of the trip reports, which should give you some ideas as to what you can do with your three weeks in SA.

September is a great time to travel in SA - it's the beginning spring so the weather is warming up, and it should be sunny and dry. It's the tail end of the low season so you should still be able to take advantage of low season winter rates.

It's hard to make recommendations without knowing what your interests are, but here are some ideas:

I'd recommend spending a week in Cape Town -- there is so much to see and do here. In addition to historical sights like the musuems and Robben Island, there are great outdoor experiences like Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch. Shoppers can enjoy the little shops on Long Street, and there are plenty of great restaurants.

If you like wine and food, I'd then recommend a few nights in the Cape Winelands. Franschhoek is located in the centre of the winelands and makes an ideal based to explore the area, and is home to some of the best restaurants in SA.

From the Winelands you can then drive down to Gansbaai for the shark-diving experience. Some people do this as a day trip, but I'd recommend allowing two days just in case the sharks don't show on the first day.

From there, you can head east along the Garden Route. I'd recommend basing yourself in Knysna and doing day trips from there to places like Wilderness, Tsitsikamma, and Oudtshoorn. There are lots of great outdoor adventure activities, like abseiling off the Knysna Heads at the Featherbed Nature Reserve, as well as beautifiul scenery.

You can end your Garden Route trip in Port Elizabeth, and fly from there via Joburg to the Kruger region. For the best game-viewing in South Africa (especially for the big cats) head to the Sabi Sands. I've just visited several reserves there, and I'd highly recommend Mala Mala and Londolozi:

http://www.malamala.com

http://www.lonodolozi.com

Both reserves have superb game-viewing, particularly for leopards. For a taster, take a look at Mala Mala's Ranger Diary:

http://www.malamala.tv

Your itinerary might end up looking like this:

Cape Town x7
Winelands x3
Gansbaai x2
Garden Route x4
Sabi Sands x5

With the budget you have outlined, you should be able to have a great trip. If money becomes an issue, I'd save on the city portions (by staying in boutique hotels or guesthouses rather than big tourist hotels -- much less expensive and also much more characterful) and splurge on your safari.

Have fun planning!

Cheers,
Julian

Cdnfolks

Thanks for suggestions. We are now torn between 11 day safari in Kenya/Tanzania, then flying to S.A. for additional 10 days. We realize the distance involved, but this will probably be our only opportunity to visit Africa.

jasher

Hello,

It's not commonly done, but it is possible to combine East and Southern Africa -- one Fodorite who is currently travelling combined Tanzania, Botswana, and Namibia. However, she had seven weeks to travel -- with only 21 days, I'd recommend sticking to Southern Africa to avoid spending too much of your time (and money) on transportation rather than your trip.

If you want a superb safari, take a look at spending those 10-11 days in Botswana or Zambia. Both are within an easy 1.5 hours of Johannesburg and are great safari options.

I've combined Botswana and South Africa on my past few trips, and it's a great combination. The Okavango Delta is absolutely magical, with huge tracts of pristine wilderness shared among a few very small camps. The game-viewing in Botswana is superb, and there are plenty of activities other than day and night game drives, including boating, mokoro excursions, bush walks, and fishing. You can see everything from wetland species to unique desert species in Botswana.

You can read the first section of my trip report from this year's trip on this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34844345

The South Africa portion is coming up soon.

Cheers,
Julian

BUENAVIDA

Just returned from our first safari and can only tell you of our experiences. First, we travelled with Lion World Tours in Ontario (Teri at www. lionworldtravel.com) and we were very pleased (with one hiccup). We flew to Joburg and stayed one night at the magnificent Palazzo Hotel. We then flew to Eastgate airport and spent 3 days at the perfect Jackalberry Lodge in Thornybrush preserve. We were lucky enough to catch a pride of lions at a waterhole in the early morning. Our tracker called it a "calendar picture" and we defintely agreed. Also, in evening safari saw lions devouring a baby giraffe. It was eerie hearing the crackling of the bones as the mother giraffe watched nearby. Although the lions were trying to sneak up on her, she managed to escape. We went from there to Ngala Lodge for 2 nights. Also terrific. Especially the opportunity to visit the African foundation schools nearby. It gave us a very clear idea of how much help is needed to help and educate these beautiful children of Africa's future. Our next part of the journey took us Zuleika Country House in Hoedspruit. This is rated as 4 star, but do not believe what you hear! Fortunately, Teri immediately trasnferred us to Buffalo Camp at Kapama Game Reserve --a marvelous tented camp. I apologize for being so lenghty but I'm still so excited by it all!

Cdnfolks

Your trip sounded wonderful! We will check out Lion World travel.
Still trying to combine Kenya/Tanzania
and South Africa. Close to a perfect
(for us) itinerary for Kenya/Tanzania
then have to tie that it with South Africa.