South Africa

[Louise2004]

We've booked our flights for South Africa next summer, staying for two weeks at the beginning of June (just missing the arrival of the footballers!). We plan to start in Cape Town then drive along the Garden Route and head inland to Port Elizabeth. Now we need to come up with a planned route and book accommodation as some hotels have already closed their bookings until the football schedule is confirmed and we're not sure about leaving it all to the last minute...

I'd be really grateful for any tips and suggestions on where to go, what to do, accommodation etc. Also, it would be good to know roughly how long we should stay in each place, taking into account any driving time as well as the activities on offer in that area (for example, starting with Cape Town - one or two nights?).

To give you a bit of background, our ds will be 10 years old and is an excellent traveller, and we prefer active holidays (both culturally and sporty, particularly water sports). We don't want to do any safari trips as we already got "safari'd out" (!) in Kenya a couple of years ago.

We've had a look in a guide book and online and have found some great ideas but any local info from anyone who lives there or who has visited there recently would be great.

Thanks!

The vineyards of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschoek are a good place to tour and to find accommodation. There is also Hermanus to visit... and at that time you may be lucky to spot a few early whales. Chapmans peak drive is amazing. Sir lowries pass is another amazing drive - preferably coming into cape town. Dolphin beach hotel near bloubergstrand is a great place to stay in n cape town (request the cabanas and they are just about on the beach and where you will get iconic photos of table mountain from). Groot constantia is definitely worth a visit, some wine tasting and food. I would also say try to go up the mountain in the cable car and a trip to robben island too.
Its a beautiful place (used to live there) with lots to do for everyone depends what your preferences are.

Thanks - the Dolphin Beach Hotel looks great, with fantastic views. It looks like we're going to be driving along some spectacular routes, both along the coast and inland. I thought two weeks would be enough time but perhaps we should have booked three weeks!

Ahhh - just lurve SA - went there for our honeymoon and would love to go back.

Def do the Chapmans Peak drive - just amazing. Absolutely do the touristy things too...cable car up the mountain (take a picnic and watch the sun set) and Robben Island - very interesting.

We stayed at the Winchester Mansions in the city - out of the centre but perfectly placed.

Enjoy

yes go to Hermanus
PIL have home there and they rave about it all the time
we have yet to go for a visit

If you have two weeks I would spend at least a week in Cape Town and surrounds,i.e. winelands (Franschoek, Stellenbosch) and then 5 days in the Garden Route (visit Knysna, Plettenberg Bay) and not so much time in PE (only been there once) but I know there is some wildlife to see nearyby although if you have done that no need really for PE. From the Garden Route you can also go inland to the Breede River Valley etc. and maybe stay over a few nights there.

Check out www.sa-venues.com/ - loads of places to stay - you can stay on a wine farm in Franschoek or a farm with a river and swim in waterfalls near Swellendam. For a truly South African experience google Protea Farm for a tractor ride and Potjie kos - yum. Near Cape Town on the West Coast visit the Melkbosskerm Outdoor Seafood Restaurant, visit Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch and see the cheetahs.

Sorry I am getting over excited - we are South African and going to Betties Bay in December for a month and I can't wait!!