Has anyone done South Africa?

[puzzledout]

Recommend it?

Where would you visit?

Well I hope you find something right for you!

If you're going with kids then I'd recommend the aquarium at the Waterfront, mine loved it.

@WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout You do realise Vic Falls is between Zambia and Zimbabwe? It’s a long way from SA? You would normally fly to Livingstone from SA - it’s 1300 km from Joburg. So if keeping costs down matters, this is an expensive add on. There’s more than enough to see in SA.

A coach trip might not stop long in places snd be a bit rushed. Can you drive?

@Donimo Apologies. I misread your post. Yes. Don’t rush around with dc!

Yes I know where Vic falls is and in the region. It’s an add on to the coach trip and an add on to the luxury one I’m looking at,

Dh doesn’t want to go at all to either, but I’m 60 next year and I’ve always wanted to, so only way I’ll get him there is for my birthday 😁

mind you I’ve been to iguazu and I’m not sure any other falls will compare. Looking at you Niagara.

I liked Johannesburg! Cape Town is nice but very touristy. We went in safari from Jo'burg and to some great museums. There are some really trendy markets and places to see. Soweto was also a great experience with a tour. It's largely accepted that you shouldn't walk the streets in Jo'burg but it is an interesting place to visit with lots to see. If you want to be even more adventurous, you could visit Lesotho! Lots of great nice in a lifetime experiences there! Check out Semonkong as a starting point.

@Newmum738 Lesotho! I really want to go there. On my radar for next time.
@WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout I think Vic Falls isn’t quite the same as Iguazo. I’ve been to both. I’ve done white water rafting from the boiling pot and then climbed out of the gorge lower down. Hence I’m not hiking up steep hills again! Vic Falls is a long way or a flight. We stayed at Tongabezi camp. There are others that have sprung up now. We also stayed at the Vic Falls Hotel years ago too. Personally I’d do it as an add on to Zambia, not SA. Are you sure the SA itinerary is a good one? Where does it go? Are lots of flights involved?

Thank you Tizer

I’m looking at lots of options but will probably go to Johannesburg as well as have family there.

Definitely Cape Town and safari. There’s also a Azamara cruise which looks interesting but at last few times I’ve been quite unwell following a cruise so I’ve promised my kids no more after the 2 we currently have booked!

Will see as also waiting on neurology appointment for possible Parkinson’s so may all be up in the air and won’t book anything till I know!

I did say in season, but you’re right, I hadn’t noticed that the OP is going Jan/Feb. Maybe it could be of use to someone else reading the thread and planning a visit.

I think it’s why I like “spring” when visiting SA. Fresh weather and whales!

Loving this thread!

I've been twice to SA, solo, loved it!

Flew to Johannesburg both times and took the train to Cape Town. Great journey!

Stayed in a hostel in Cape Town which was party central every night.

Did the hop-on, hop-off bus in both places, great trips.

Stayed in Soweto and did a bike tour. Great fun. The people were lovely.

Then took the Baz bus up the coast, Knysna etc. Knysna is wonderful. Met lovely locals there.
Went to Durban but not for long enough. Maybe I'll go back next winter.

I love Cape Town. DH lived there for a few years before we met. I went 12 years ago when PIL still lived there and I've wanted to go back ever since but PIL moved over to the UK and we had kids so the cost involved would be a lot more now. Still, we plan to go back soon.

We went in Jan and the heat wasn't unbearable but I can imagine it would be inland.

Such a beautiful place, I'm so envious, enjoy every minute OP 😊

Thank you 🤩

I adore a train ride! How long was the journey.

Train is our favourite way to travel!

I went last year and hated it. Felt horribly unsafe most of the time. Load shedding caused great inconvenience and was dangerous. Driving was terrifying as people roamed the streets and traffic lights stopped working if power was out. The safaru was amazing but I would want to fly straight in and out for that. You couldn't pay me to go back in general and I certainly wouldn't be self drive.

I'm glad it's not just me! I've been going to SA since 2004, my in laws still live there. After last year's trip I decided I would not be going back for the foreseeable future. Even dh who lived there until his mid 20s felt uncomfortable last year, as for the driving it's downright bloody dangerous - especially with no traffic lights in the load shedding! One day load shedding was right around peak commuter time (5pm) absolute chaos!! Dh has been driving there since he passed his test age 17 in Durban, but even he says now he doesnt want to drive there again - including in Cape Town.

And please don't walk up table mountain folks, there are so many muggings on there.

@Donimo if you have kids I would definitely look at the Animal Safari boat that runs from the V&A Waterfront - they claim to show you the Big 5 sea creatures - whales, dolphins, penguins, sunfish and seals. We saw all apart from penguins but we were really out of season for the whales so were lucky!

@90yomakeuproom The Oyster Box is wonderful isn’t it! Probably the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in. Hoping to go back next year.

@puzzledout

The train takes about 27 hours, you can buy a sheet package for about 2,50 euros. Probably more now. There's a bar/restaurant on board, take cash.

You leave at about lunchtime and arrive next afternoon. The views are stupendous! A nice relaxed bunch of people onboard. I made some friends who I met up with in CT.

Oh, and you can reserve online before you go.

@ImnotadickheadIpromise have you got a website for the animal safari? The ones I have seen are on ribs so cannot take on our children as they are too young!

@Donimo I don’t know about a website but their Instagram is explore.collectionsa they were just along the harbour wall and offered various trips but this was the only one specifically mentioning the animals. It was a spontaneous decision as the boat to Robben Island was cancelled but so glad we did it! Think we paid R900 so £37 for 90 mins. There were only 8 of us on board and we got drinks, snacks etc too.

Re SA entry requirements. Can anyone confirm this is definitely ok, as per the gov.uk website (I have less than 6 months left on my passport, so trying to work out do I risk renewing now, or has anyone had been in this position below). I’ll have about 2.5 months left.

Passport validity requirements
To avoid problems at immigration, your passport should:

• be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended date of exit from South Africa

@WilloTheWispy this is the understanding I have. My daughters passport expires in August and we travel in 3 weeks. So she will have less than 6 months. Obviously not been yet. But everyone I have checked with confirm it's fine

Thanks @Donimo that is helpful. Hope you have a fab trip! We go in April!

We hired a car in Jo-berg and drove around for a month taking in all of the national parks we could. You can self drive in Kruger and the accommodation is cheap. You have to book a year in advance though to get what you want! We last did a big tour of just Kruger for3 weeks. You get a map and plan it! It's awesome. We also did Cape Town, Durban, the garden route, god's window. It's all incredible and to be honest I've never felt unsafe. We are going back soon having only been twice!

You won't need to book for any of these I don't think. I don't know giraffe house (what is that?).

Driving is fine, especially considering where you will be. As a pp said, don't leve valuables in sight. Put your handbag in the boot or under the seat but you will be fine.