Discussion
Hello,
I am planning to go to South Africa soon with the family but it would be nice to hear peoples experiences.
Cape Town and Kruga National Park are the obvious destinations.
It seems an amazing place on paper, but what is South Africa actually like.
You read about a high crima rate and the obvious car jacking issues, but I would assume that the media put their slant on things and the reality is different.
Look forward to your responses.
Thanks
R
I am planning to go to South Africa soon with the family but it would be nice to hear peoples experiences.
Cape Town and Kruga National Park are the obvious destinations.
It seems an amazing place on paper, but what is South Africa actually like.
You read about a high crima rate and the obvious car jacking issues, but I would assume that the media put their slant on things and the reality is different.
Look forward to your responses.
Thanks
R
Edited by Rags on Monday 1st September 17:18
I spent just under a month in Stellenbosch (just outside Cape Town) in 2002. I felt safe, had no problems or any aggro from anyone. There were areas of Cape Town we were advised to avoid, but there are areas of all major cities you'd be best to avoid, so nothing unusual there.
I'd go back again.
I'd go back again.
The cape area is the nicest bit I've been to. But then the other place I went to was Jo'burg. Almost as bad as Crewe!
Went to Hermanus (sp?) for some whale watching which was ace, and up the garden route. I would definitely recommend that. I have also done a safari, not in the Kruger but on a little park next to it, and that was frikkin brilliant.
All my family who live out there seem to have moved to the cape, so on that basis I would stick to that area, but I am sure areas like Durban are also worth a visit.
Went to Hermanus (sp?) for some whale watching which was ace, and up the garden route. I would definitely recommend that. I have also done a safari, not in the Kruger but on a little park next to it, and that was frikkin brilliant.
All my family who live out there seem to have moved to the cape, so on that basis I would stick to that area, but I am sure areas like Durban are also worth a visit.
Rags said:
Hello,
I am planning to go to South Africa soon with the family but it would be nice to hear peoples experiences.
Cape Town and Kruga National Park are the obvious destinations.
It seems an amazing place on paper, but what is South Africa actually like.
You read about a high crima rate and the obvious car jacking issues, but I would assume that the media put their slant on things and the reality is different.
Look forward to your responses.
Thanks
R
you're right - the media do put a slant on things - most of the killings, rapes and car jackings never make the paper at all. those that do are on page 4 or 5.I am planning to go to South Africa soon with the family but it would be nice to hear peoples experiences.
Cape Town and Kruga National Park are the obvious destinations.
It seems an amazing place on paper, but what is South Africa actually like.
You read about a high crima rate and the obvious car jacking issues, but I would assume that the media put their slant on things and the reality is different.
Look forward to your responses.
Thanks
R
if you go and stay in the touristy areas, you'll probably be fine. but be on your guard *all* the time.
i lived there 20 yrs and came here 10 yrs ago. we'll never go back to live. now, even a 2 week holiday over there and i'm ready to come back. everyone is *so* on edge. they can only live there by taking precautions and hoping it'll never happen to them. members of my family have been held up at gun point, shot at and had cars stolen.
We did 3 weeks last September - Flew to Port Elizabeth and drove to Cape Town.
No real problems with security, driving was fine.
We liked Hermanus and Simonstown but these are very "safe" places full of expats! We're not that adventurous!
Don't rule out the safari options on the south coast - we did one called Kariega just east of PE and it was great. Rather less risk of malaria here to so you don't need the grim medication.
Cape Town was a big city - good bits and bad bits, fine if you like cities. Table Mountain was very cloudy so we didn't do that but the waterfront is worth a trip.
Generally the cost of living is towards half (eating out, wine etc) and the food was very good. We didn't spend much over £30 for a meal for 2 and at least one bottle of (really quite good and very local) wine.
We'd go back.
No real problems with security, driving was fine.
We liked Hermanus and Simonstown but these are very "safe" places full of expats! We're not that adventurous!
Don't rule out the safari options on the south coast - we did one called Kariega just east of PE and it was great. Rather less risk of malaria here to so you don't need the grim medication.
Cape Town was a big city - good bits and bad bits, fine if you like cities. Table Mountain was very cloudy so we didn't do that but the waterfront is worth a trip.
Generally the cost of living is towards half (eating out, wine etc) and the food was very good. We didn't spend much over £30 for a meal for 2 and at least one bottle of (really quite good and very local) wine.
We'd go back.
I went to Cape Town in 2001 with work and loved the place.
A trip up table top mountain is a must and the Waterfront area.
For excellent food try Panama Jacks on the quayside (link below). When i went the exchange rate was 10 rand to the £ so a full lobster seafood platter was around £11!
Obviously there were dodgy areas but it didn't seem to bad at the time. The local engineers we were working with however said it was going down the pan, and were all trying to leave as soon as.
http://www.panamajacks.net/site1/panama_jacks.htm
A trip up table top mountain is a must and the Waterfront area.
For excellent food try Panama Jacks on the quayside (link below). When i went the exchange rate was 10 rand to the £ so a full lobster seafood platter was around £11!
Obviously there were dodgy areas but it didn't seem to bad at the time. The local engineers we were working with however said it was going down the pan, and were all trying to leave as soon as.
http://www.panamajacks.net/site1/panama_jacks.htm
SpydieNut said:
Rags said:
Hello,
I am planning to go to South Africa soon with the family but it would be nice to hear peoples experiences.
Cape Town and Kruga National Park are the obvious destinations.
It seems an amazing place on paper, but what is South Africa actually like.
You read about a high crima rate and the obvious car jacking issues, but I would assume that the media put their slant on things and the reality is different.
Look forward to your responses.
Thanks
R
you're right - the media do put a slant on things - most of the killings, rapes and car jackings never make the paper at all. those that do are on page 4 or 5.I am planning to go to South Africa soon with the family but it would be nice to hear peoples experiences.
Cape Town and Kruga National Park are the obvious destinations.
It seems an amazing place on paper, but what is South Africa actually like.
You read about a high crima rate and the obvious car jacking issues, but I would assume that the media put their slant on things and the reality is different.
Look forward to your responses.
Thanks
R
if you go and stay in the touristy areas, you'll probably be fine. but be on your guard *all* the time.
i lived there 20 yrs and came here 10 yrs ago. we'll never go back to live. now, even a 2 week holiday over there and i'm ready to come back. everyone is *so* on edge. they can only live there by taking precautions and hoping it'll never happen to them. members of my family have been held up at gun point, shot at and had cars stolen.
I think you'd lat about 8 seconds now!Its a great place for a holiday, provided you keep to safe places, and don't wander into a high risk area. Use common sense and you'll be OK, assuming the lunatic drivers don't get you....
Went to Cape Town and Simons Town in 1998/99. I loved my time there and found it very cheap indeed. We stayed in the V and A waterfront in Cape Town for three week and did 10 days in Simons Town. Simons Town was great although my mate was arrested the second day there as he and a few others were sky larking around and he got pushed through a window. He paid for it and all was good. We spent alot of time in Camps Bay which was great and climbed Table Mountain too.
A few weeks also spent in Namibia (Walvis Bay) which started out really good as we went dune buggying and quad biking etc in the desert.
Don't know what it is like now but, my cousin was in the V and A back last year and he said it was awesome.
A few weeks also spent in Namibia (Walvis Bay) which started out really good as we went dune buggying and quad biking etc in the desert.
Don't know what it is like now but, my cousin was in the V and A back last year and he said it was awesome.
I was out there in February for 3 weeks, racing up in J'berg then down in cape town. J'burg has some severe poverty on show, as long as you are sensible and do what the hotel staff tell you, take taxi's or a car to where you are going it felt safe enough, if a bit intimidated at times. I wouldn't dream of walking on the streets though. Cape town felt a lot safer and had some stunning places to visit, i used to start and end the day with a walk down the beach where they hold the kite surfing competitions, then watch the sun go down over the sea from the bar on the sea front, fabulous. The locals were telling me things in SA are going down the pan year on year, they had a fair few power cuts in j'burg as they don't have enough power plants to run the demand, plus there are big problems with refugees coming from Zimbabwe, which is making things in J'burg quite dodgy at the moment.
Would i go back again, definitely, the people i met out there were superb and the country is stunning, without the crime it would be a wonderful place to live.
Would i go back again, definitely, the people i met out there were superb and the country is stunning, without the crime it would be a wonderful place to live.
I was there in October / November last year. Was an amazing place, was in Cape Town to start with (a bit back packer-ish on Long Street, but a good hotel - sadly the first day there was the Victory Parade for the RWC team). Did sailing, mountain biking on table mountain and a wine tour in a van to Stellenbosch.
Then hired a car and did Boulder Bay (Penguins), Hermanous (Whales), Mossel Bay (Dolphins and Seals and bugger all else), Plettenburg (more whales and lots and lots of drinking) and J-Bay (Surfing), then came back via the big bungy, Knysner (pretty marina based town) and the Garden Route game lodge (you're better off at Whipsnade).
Once back in Cape Town stayed in Camps Bay (Gorgeous beaches, Lambo Gallardo's, and great restaurants).
Was amazing but we stayed West. While we were there one of my friends was working in Jo'burg on a project and she flew out to meet us at weekends. She wasn't allowed to go anywhere on her own at night, and had first hand accounts from SA colleagues of being held up at gunpoint for their cars ("At least we weren't kidnapped") and just people regularly mugged in the street.
My advice would be to stay west, but if you're hell bent on a safari, fly to Kruger and stay away from Jo'burg.
There is a stark gap between the rich and the poor in Cape Town and the line is defended by firearms. I've been to Rio recently, but I was more fearful of being out on my own in Cape Town. Within around 10 miles of the guys with their Lambo's there are people living in tin huts.
Would seriously consider going back for the World Cup in '10.
Then hired a car and did Boulder Bay (Penguins), Hermanous (Whales), Mossel Bay (Dolphins and Seals and bugger all else), Plettenburg (more whales and lots and lots of drinking) and J-Bay (Surfing), then came back via the big bungy, Knysner (pretty marina based town) and the Garden Route game lodge (you're better off at Whipsnade).
Once back in Cape Town stayed in Camps Bay (Gorgeous beaches, Lambo Gallardo's, and great restaurants).
Was amazing but we stayed West. While we were there one of my friends was working in Jo'burg on a project and she flew out to meet us at weekends. She wasn't allowed to go anywhere on her own at night, and had first hand accounts from SA colleagues of being held up at gunpoint for their cars ("At least we weren't kidnapped") and just people regularly mugged in the street.
My advice would be to stay west, but if you're hell bent on a safari, fly to Kruger and stay away from Jo'burg.
There is a stark gap between the rich and the poor in Cape Town and the line is defended by firearms. I've been to Rio recently, but I was more fearful of being out on my own in Cape Town. Within around 10 miles of the guys with their Lambo's there are people living in tin huts.
Would seriously consider going back for the World Cup in '10.
for Cape Town and surrounds. 
For the enjoyment factor, just go to Cape Town, and as far as Port Elizabeth.
On your way, do the worlds highest bungy at Bloukranse, if you dare !
Reasonably safe, providing you don't go walk about in suspect areas.
Food wise, the place can not be beaten,
So , so cheap to eat.
Hotels and car hire to suit almost every pocket.
many of the plus points for Cape Town have already been mentioned.
Did any one mention Chapmans Peak Drive?
Stunning !
On your way, do the worlds highest bungy at Bloukranse, if you dare !
Reasonably safe, providing you don't go walk about in suspect areas.
Food wise, the place can not be beaten,
So , so cheap to eat.
Hotels and car hire to suit almost every pocket.
many of the plus points for Cape Town have already been mentioned.
Did any one mention Chapmans Peak Drive?
Stunning !
Grew up there mom and bro still out there.
Younger brother lives in joburg and loves it. Mother lives in pe. TBH kruger park is great but have heard stories of trouble that way so would suggest/advise going to pe and down towards cape town. Port Elizabeth is pretty safe you just need to be sensible (ie dont walk around with a very big expensive camera hanging off your neck etc.
A lot of crime in pe and cape town will be petty so if they want it just give it to them the value of life is very low out there.
Touristy things to do.
Port Elizabeth as far as I am concerned is the new cape town. Its not big and flashy (yet but it has international status on its airport and flights no longer go int to durban its only a matter of time till they extend the runway and flights will go to pe direct). We have addo elephant farm locally plus various safari parks with the big 5 i believe. Knysna and Grahamstown (historic town holds a festival every year arts and crafts theatre etc) are fairly local +- 2hrs drive away.
Plettenburg bay, j bay yet again fairly local Jbay is brilliant for surfers, sunseekers and drinkers. Garden route is spectacular esp at the right time of year to drive through in the right car is also a great drivers road. Plenty of fun to be had rwd.
Cape town big city.Think London Fancy, big nightlife nice beaches cold water (unlike pe). Very scenic. Stellenbosch wine route a must do. Absolutely stunning vineyards and by that I mean the actual farmhouses as well.
Younger brother lives in joburg and loves it. Mother lives in pe. TBH kruger park is great but have heard stories of trouble that way so would suggest/advise going to pe and down towards cape town. Port Elizabeth is pretty safe you just need to be sensible (ie dont walk around with a very big expensive camera hanging off your neck etc.
A lot of crime in pe and cape town will be petty so if they want it just give it to them the value of life is very low out there.
Touristy things to do.
Port Elizabeth as far as I am concerned is the new cape town. Its not big and flashy (yet but it has international status on its airport and flights no longer go int to durban its only a matter of time till they extend the runway and flights will go to pe direct). We have addo elephant farm locally plus various safari parks with the big 5 i believe. Knysna and Grahamstown (historic town holds a festival every year arts and crafts theatre etc) are fairly local +- 2hrs drive away.
Plettenburg bay, j bay yet again fairly local Jbay is brilliant for surfers, sunseekers and drinkers. Garden route is spectacular esp at the right time of year to drive through in the right car is also a great drivers road. Plenty of fun to be had rwd.
Cape town big city.Think London Fancy, big nightlife nice beaches cold water (unlike pe). Very scenic. Stellenbosch wine route a must do. Absolutely stunning vineyards and by that I mean the actual farmhouses as well.
From an ex-pat, some of the advice I'd give you if you do go is as follows:
Hire a car with air-con - you do NOT want to drive around with the windows down (wherever you are!) Carjacking is rife, as is gun-crime.
Lock your doors - car doors and of any places you are staying.
Be especially cautious if drawing cash from an ATM.
Do not use public transport.
Do not leave valuables in your luggage - leather jackets, cameras etc. go missing regularly and without a trace from suitcases in transit through South African airports.
Don't be bullied into letting "a local" help you with your luggage/show you the way, etc. at the airports.
Enjoy the food but drink bottled water.
Do not leave your possessions alone for a minute (e.g. at the beach)
Be careful after dark.
All of the above might seem like common sense but it is more important to observe these points when over there than if you were in the UK.
Hire a car with air-con - you do NOT want to drive around with the windows down (wherever you are!) Carjacking is rife, as is gun-crime.
Lock your doors - car doors and of any places you are staying.
Be especially cautious if drawing cash from an ATM.
Do not use public transport.
Do not leave valuables in your luggage - leather jackets, cameras etc. go missing regularly and without a trace from suitcases in transit through South African airports.
Don't be bullied into letting "a local" help you with your luggage/show you the way, etc. at the airports.
Enjoy the food but drink bottled water.
Do not leave your possessions alone for a minute (e.g. at the beach)
Be careful after dark.
All of the above might seem like common sense but it is more important to observe these points when over there than if you were in the UK.
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