surich

We are looking to tour South Africa in October 2012 and have seen a number of guided tours advertised. We particularly liked the look of Titan 19 Day beginning in Johannesburg and ending in Cape Town. We normally travel independent and do our own thing but are not sure from a safety point of view if this is feasible in South Africa. Can anyone offer advice and their experience to help us decide.
Many Thanks

qwovadis

www.travelzoo.com/vacations/africa/896401

great safari packages at awesome value.

many other options but for me

generally guided groups are better

to be safe and learn more.

tucantravel.com cost effective budget group tours also.

Good personal experience.

DonTopaz

There's been a lot of exaggeration about South Africa's crime rate. For a tourist, the country is no more dangerous than almost any other place you might visit (except Japan, maybe, where you could leave your wallet on a restaurant counter and come back 6 hours later to find it sitting there, untouched). Johannesburg is more of a problem than elsewhere, but I would have no hesitation whatsoever to tour Cape Town, the wineleands, and any of the safari areas. If you're accustomed to being an independent traveler, you have no need for a tour group in So Africa.

sandi

Agree with rizzuto... easy enough to visit South Africa independently. We did, and it was no different than any other countries. Just remember to pack your common sense!

cjryan

Surich, I did a similar trip but started in Cape Town and ended in Johannesburg but I also added in Botswana and Victoria Falls. We were two women traveling alone and I didn't feel uncomfortable walking around the Cape Town area and tourist sites at all. I also felt safe in Zimbabwe and actually did quite a bit of walking there. However, I must say that I didn't "tour" Johannesburg and only saw the airport and my hotel so I'm not sure about safety concerns there. With a little research, I think you could do this independently and tailor it to your interests and have a much better time.

surich

Many thanks for your replies. They are helpful.

Willem_Schoeman

Sandi, correct. As long as you also pack your common sense South Africa will be a very good visit. The country do not start in Johannesburg and ends in CT. North from Johis is the Kruger National Park and many more game reserves. Coming down from Johis you can hire a car and drive to CT, via Eastern Freestate, enter the Eastern Cape north of Lesotho and travel via Eastern Cape towards Cape Town. This is the best part of the country, unless you want to experience a more desert environment and travel down the Westcoast, less populated

Ozarksbill

We were on our own several years ago with son teaching in Jo'burg. Stayed in Melrose B&B. By rental car to Kruger Pk plus other sites to the north...especially Blyde R. Canyon & Maropeng cave & museum. Also half day trip in Soweto incl. Mandela house. Apartheid Museum worthwhile. A few days in Cape and then a week in a castle place rented in Plettenberg Bay.

And usually we do go with a tour group.

Bill in Boston
[email protected]

SteviSquaw

Cjryan, I would be interested in seeing your itinerary when you did your trip. The reason is that my employer is interested in going to Africa with a couple of girlfriends and her preferances are of a similar nature. I'm in the midst of trying to figure it all out and am hoping that you can spare me some time. So far I'm not that thrilled with the tour companies. (( prefer to travel without utilizing a tour company myself so not used to dealing with them).

cjryan

SteviSquaw,

This was my itinerary (Oct 2010):
October 2nd: Seattle to Cape Town
October 3rd - 8th: Cape Town S.A., Parker Guest House
October 8th - 11th: Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, IIala Lodge
October 11th: Overnight at JNB, Safari Club Hotel
October 12th - 17th: Mashatu Tented Camp, Botswana
October 17th-22nd Mala Mala, South Africa

You can find the trip report here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...rt-re-post.cfm

And photos here:
http://cjthurman.smugmug.com/Africa-2010

I loved this trip! And I found it very easy to plan and book given that there is so much information available online. If you have questions, go ahead and post them - there are so many people here who will be able to offer you some excellent advice.

Ozarksbill

Stunning picts, Stevisquaw! What a trip, especially safari. So you are in Bellingham area? Many, many years ago went to UW summer school and stayed with aunt/uncle in their beautiful home on Evergreen Point. Now have grandson in Seattle...college grad, computer whiz...any ideas for employment beyond coffee shop?
Bill in Boston

cjryan

Thanks Bill. And sorry but Bellingham is horrible right now as far as job hunting. I'd say you'd be pushed to even find a coffee shop or other retail job. Seattle would probably be a little better...