Lee was very specific regarding his requirements for the holiday in South Africa. 14 days starting in Cape Town for some shopping and visits to the wine farms, then onto the Kruger National Park and back to Johannesburg. Lee, wife, four kids and the in laws. No hotels, self drive with the Big Five a must see and any other suggestions I could come up with. I smiled and promised to email my suggested itinerary.
First thing you need to know about South Africa, it's one very big country with diverse landscapes, unique sights and distances that will blow any Singaporeans mind. There was only one way I could 'Explain" the one thing that Lee wanted to do that would not be possible so I included a map in my first email. The Road trip??
To put it in perspective, 2976 kilometres. A bit ambitious for a first try, so here was my suggestion which he gladly accepted as a far better alternative.
Start in Cape Town for a few days, then overnight in Hermanus for some whale watching, another overnight in Knysna because it is mind blowing beautiful, then final stop in Ado Elephant nature reserve in Port Elizabeth. Fly back to Johannesburg and drive to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve for a few days returning to Johannesburg for final shopping before flying back to Singapore. Less time spent driving and much more time to enjoy the whole experience.
Lee would make his own reservations and decide where they would stay. Many more emails followed with some general questions on roads, safety, do's and don'ts weather and travel tips which I will not include. We met early in the new year once they returned and Lee shared their experience with me so look out for my next posting "A Singaporean returns from Africa"
I provided the following information to help with the planning.
So here they are for any prospective wild life enthusiasts.
Cape Town
Here are
some must do’s in Cape Town
http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/gb/where-to-go/western-cape/
Take the cable car up Table Mountain
Visit to
Cape Point. (Not the most Southern point in Africa) but very nice views.Take the cable car up Table Mountain
Take a drive to Houtbaai for Lunch. (Take the M4 highway then the M6 via Chapman's Peak, one majestic drive) Famous Seafood restaurant, harbour, boat trips to seal Island etc. Drive back via Llandudno, Campsbay, Clifton and visit Sea Point. Millionaires Valley where the rich and famous have holiday homes.
Visit
Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned for most of his life.
Many
Spectacular Shopping Centres.
Visit the world famous V&A Waterfront. http://www.waterfront.co.za/Pages/home.aspx Including the Aquarium
Take one of
the Wine Tours. Self Drive or tour
Knysna
http://visitknysna.co.za/new/
Port Elizabeth
http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-port-elizabeth#.Us5GZi_2PmI
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/tourism/get_there.php
The General Information
Here are
some trusted links I have used for our own holiday trips in South Africa to
help with accommodation.
You can
also use http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/
to check on accommodation reviews etc. Sure you know this one but out it in
anyhow.
This site
has all the info including route maps etc. http://www.aa.co.za/travel/route-planner/.
It has all the Tips, Advise, Road Conditions, and General information you will
need for the Trip. This is all you need to plan your own route with all the
information in one place.
Pilansberg and Sun City
The Game Reserves
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