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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
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Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas?
      #59609 - 05/07/06 02:21 PM

My wife and I will be spending two weeks on holiday in South Africa in early September.

Looking to see if anyone has any ideas on good things to see, tips, good accomodation venues etc?

I do have some ideas but am welcome for suggestions.

What we probably will do is to include a trip to Cape Town and also the Stellenbosch and Paarl wine regions. To visit some wineries and have a look around. Plus the lovely Cape Dutch architecture.

So we will certainly be down that way.

Kruger Park is another possibility. Any recommendations for Kruger or the surrounding areas?

Other worthwhile parks?

***

I will be doing a short hunt with NE.com member 'Ndumo' in Namibia, a place I have always wanted to hunt. And also a week long cow elephant hunt in the Omay with Nengasha Safaris prior to the holiday.

***

Would might also be nice is if we can organise a dinner or something for any NE members who are interested. Probably in Jo'burg but I am welcome to suggestions as to the place.

A possibility for a date would be Saturday the 2nd of September, but this needs to be confirmed.

Anyone based in the Jo'burg area or South Africa interested?



--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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iqbal
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: NitroX]
      #59626 - 05/07/06 11:37 PM

Nitrox,there was a place near Joburg,called Warmbad where we had dinner.It was typical african with a lot of trophies including full size elephants and rhino.The food was excellent and the customers were all tourists from all over the world.I think it was a private ranch open to the public.If it is still open do visit it.

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SafariHunt
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Reged: 02/01/03
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: NitroX]
      #59630 - 06/07/06 03:10 AM

Are you having the two weeks holiday non stop ? You could really do a lot in two weeks and see a lot of the country but that depends on how much you like driving.

You have about 1400km between Cape Town and Joburg. Can I suggest KwaZulu Natal Umofolozi/Mkuze reserves and then the Drakensberg one week and the other week Cape town. The reserves are linked with each other and have the big five with plenty of rhino. You will also be not so far from the coast to catch some good fishing for big ones as well.

--------------------
"Sleeping under the African sky I can see nothing wrong with this world!"

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: SafariHunt]
      #59656 - 06/07/06 02:58 PM

Iqbal

Thanks for the Warmbad tip. It may be a place to visit near Jo'burg. I presume it is close enough for a lunch or evening dinner visit?

SafariHunt

That is a possibility. A week in CT area and a week in Natal. I was thinking of the Drakensbergs as well. Would the Umofolozi/Mkuze reserves be better or comparable to Kruger in your opinion? Perhaps less crowded as well?

I was originally thinking of visiting Natal in a future visit, but it is gaining appeal.

I won't be doing any fishing this trip however.

Now is doing a trip like this, what do you suggest as transport? Hiring a car in CT and then driving East and returning the car .... ? Or flying as well?

I imagine it would be at least two days plus driving using the East coastal route plus any visits to places along the way. We're not looking to do a lot of long driving days on this trip but around that wouldn't be too bad especially if one does not need to backtrack.



--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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BigBullet
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: NitroX]
      #59680 - 07/07/06 08:26 AM

NitroX,

An area that I visited a few years ago was the Blyde River Canyon. Truley spectacular and there are many scenic vistas along the canyon. Not far from the south end of Kruger and on your way to KZN. You may also want to try your hand at some trout fishing which is reported as being very nice in some of the hilly areas of Mpulunga (sp??). Enjoy your trip,
BigBullet

--------------------
"But I have always held it little short of criminality to anticipate evils, I will allow it to be a good, comfortable road until I am compelled to believe otherwise." William Clark May 1805

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DoubleD
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: SafariHunt]
      #59690 - 07/07/06 03:20 PM

If you are coming to K-Zed-N, kwaZulu Natal to visit Umofolozi/Mkuze reserves and the Drakensberg your base city should be Durban...Johannesberg is 578 km inland

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DD, Ret.

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SafariHunt
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: NitroX]
      #59706 - 08/07/06 04:29 AM

Johnn,

I would think to fly to Durban and Cape Town would be a better deal. Check out http://www.elandvalley.co.za/ My wife and I had a very nice couple of days at this resort very cheap and self catered with lots of activities around. The Drakensberg is breathtaking and you are very close to the Lesotho border from there. From there we spent 2 nights in teh Hluluwe/Umfolozi reserve in one of their new safari tents with ensuite bathroom toilets to be kept awake by a hyena the one night and a porcupine the other. They have no perimeter fence around the camp. We stayed in Umfolozi, the two reserves border each other crossed by a road.

Hiring a car from Durban it will take just over 3 hours to get to the Drakensberg resort and then from there 4 hours to the Hluluwe.

The reserves are great not overcrowed and we saw two leopards in the first 20 minutes we were there. A mother and her almost full grown cub the chances of getting good photos are exceptional as well a going on their night drives that cost less than R100 per person are also great.
Have a look for more info http://www.kznparks.com/

--------------------
"Sleeping under the African sky I can see nothing wrong with this world!"

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SAHUNT
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: NitroX]
      #59832 - 11/07/06 03:16 PM

John, the possibilities are endless.
My recomendation will be:
Spend 2 days in Capetown, there are a lot to see, trip to table mountain, the lighthouse museum, the waterfront, district six and the citys old buildings, and the fynbos world heritage site, asd well as Pobin Island

2 days on the wine routeand enjoy some of the RSA wines, Stellenbosch and suroundings is a must.

Carry on to Oudshoorn and visit the ostrich farms, you can even have a ride on the ostriches and visit the Cango caves.

Complete section with a trip through the garden route to George.

Fly to JHB.

Spend 2 - 3 days in JHB and Pretoria, there is a lot of history both old and young. Visit the Craddle of Humankind ( I was not part of that ancient history)wher fossils like mrs Ples was discovered.

Take a trip through the Waterberg biosphere, then tour up to Polokwane (Pietersburg) a lot is to be seen on the route with lots of interesting history. Visit the cultural village in Polokwane. Carry on to Musina and vist Mapangubwe, a recently discovered site of a ancien group of t people who lived there about 20,000 years ago. It is at the confluance of the Shasi and Limpopo rivers. take a trip through Kruger from the top to the bottom and exit at the bottom. Travel through the old eastern Transvaal and visit places like Graskop, Pilgrims Rest , Gods window, the three rondavels, various waterfalls, Bourkes Luck potholes and beautifull senery .

There is so much to do, I can keep you busy for two months never mind about 2 weeks. It is all about what you want to see and what interest you, nature, culture or history.

--------------------
Life is how you pass the time between hunting trips.
Sometimes I do not express myself properly in the English language, please forgive me, I am just a boertjie.
Jaco Human
jacohu@mweb.co.za
SA Hunting Experience

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bulldog563
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: SAHUNT]
      #59866 - 12/07/06 12:24 PM

Indeed, there are limitless possibilities.

Have you considered renting a car and driving the Garden Route? It is supposed to be a wonderful trip. I have not done it personally but have had a few friends/relatives that did it and had a great time.

Like everyone else said as well Stellenbosch is great if you like food/wine and scenery.

Knysna would also be a must for me. It is a stunning place right on the water with excellent oysters. Highly recommended! I believe it is on the Garden Route as well. An internet search should bring up a lot.

I believe the route usually starts from CT (someone can correct me if I am wrong) and ends in PE so that would be a good place to fly in and stay a while. I usually stay in Sea Point which is right by the Waterfront, Table Mountain, etc. and would be a nice central/scenic and safe place to stay. Also CT has some of the best restaurants I have been to. Never been to PE but I am sure other members can comment.

If you need specific suggestions for CT restaurants or accomodations drop me a PM.

Good Luck


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Gerard
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: bulldog563]
      #59941 - 14/07/06 06:48 AM

Close driving distance from Port Elizabeth is the Addo Elephant Park. Very worthwhile and I will drive you there and back for the day. Addo Elephant Park
What is nice is that you can get up close.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: Gerard]
      #59960 - 14/07/06 07:17 PM

Gerard,

My wife 'discovered' Addo Park last night so we are looking into it.

Anyone with comments on its merits or not? Vs other parks in Natal/Eastern Cape?

Bulldog,

We will almost certainly 'do' he Garden Route.

Jaco,

At the moment I am leaning more to CT and to the East of Cape Town possibly to Durban. A future trip maybe to the Limpopo area maybe combining a safari in the area again. Nothing set though yet.



--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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SafariHunt
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: NitroX]
      #60066 - 18/07/06 01:38 AM

check this out for fun http://www.mobys.co.za/

--------------------
"Sleeping under the African sky I can see nothing wrong with this world!"

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Bigfive
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Re: Two weeks holiday in South Africa - any ideas? [Re: SafariHunt]
      #60671 - 01/08/06 11:33 PM

Hi Nitro,
There is so many things to see in RSA that it is difficult to suggest anything.
Tip on Table Mountain.Try and book tickets with the cable car if you would like to go onto TM because it is very busy right through the year.
Kruger Park has a lot more game in the southern half of the park but it is a lot quieter in the northern parts.

Hope you enjoy.

--------------------
"Hunting is a way of life"
Bigfive,South Africa

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