Going to South Africa in May
Discussion
Myself and the Jiffle Queen are planning to go to Southa Africa in May, but have mixed reports on the weather which ranges in Temp from 13 degress and 22 degrees. What is the temp out there in Cape Town and J.burg?
Also be interested in views on driving a hire car in South Africa as I've heard a few dodgy reports on tourists driving.
Any help from PH welcomed
T-J-K
We had a hire car out of Capetown and drove to Port Elizabeth. No problems, but best to keep alert to the crowded mini buses that career around and often get involved in accidents. We were told by a friend before we went not to stop at red lights at night if the road was clear. The first time we took this advice, we were stopped by a traffic cop! (He kindly let us off).
You're safe if you stick to the tourist routes, and there are some spectacular roads (although if you're heading inland, you might want to hire something that will comfortably handle the graded tracks!).
You're safe if you stick to the tourist routes, and there are some spectacular roads (although if you're heading inland, you might want to hire something that will comfortably handle the graded tracks!).
We went out there in Feb 2003 during the cricket World Cup. CT was nice and warm (25ish) but May will be cooler.
Rented a car in CT to drive around the Western Cape - the N2 from CT East is a great road - also the road from Ootdshorn West to CT (R137?) was a hoot. It was a Toyota Taz which was great on the coast, but without A/C in the Little Karoo was close to suicide!
Petrol is cheap, filling stations are fun - a gang of 'locals' will fill you up, clean the windows, check the oil etc. Just hand them some spare shrapnel for the service.
Also hired a VW Chico (Golf Mark 1!) in Durban and drove to Joburg. Warning - there is no petrol for most of the 2nd half of this route - we were within 5 miles of running out of petrol which isn't clever!
In CT you stop at red lights, but prepare to move off suddenly. Doors always locked.
In Joburg, you don't tend to stop at red lights at night or get out of the car unless in a safe area/secure compound.
Around CT driving skill levels are high and the roads are of a very good standard. Police speed traps are rare amd I understand bribes might work.
There are some fixed speed cameras at Wilderness on the N2 - the warning signs are in Afrikaans!
Rented a car in CT to drive around the Western Cape - the N2 from CT East is a great road - also the road from Ootdshorn West to CT (R137?) was a hoot. It was a Toyota Taz which was great on the coast, but without A/C in the Little Karoo was close to suicide!
Petrol is cheap, filling stations are fun - a gang of 'locals' will fill you up, clean the windows, check the oil etc. Just hand them some spare shrapnel for the service.
Also hired a VW Chico (Golf Mark 1!) in Durban and drove to Joburg. Warning - there is no petrol for most of the 2nd half of this route - we were within 5 miles of running out of petrol which isn't clever!
In CT you stop at red lights, but prepare to move off suddenly. Doors always locked.
In Joburg, you don't tend to stop at red lights at night or get out of the car unless in a safe area/secure compound.
Around CT driving skill levels are high and the roads are of a very good standard. Police speed traps are rare amd I understand bribes might work.
There are some fixed speed cameras at Wilderness on the N2 - the warning signs are in Afrikaans!
Oh.... having read puggits post I was reminded of the (literally) hundreds of "parking attendants" who will offer to watch your car for you if you park anywhere in CT (or elsewhere for that matter). They tell you that they will fill the meters up if need be and generally "look after" your car, all for a bit of loose change. All sounded reasonable to me and I was happy to give them the equivalent of a couple of quid just because they looked so downtrodden. Later we were told off by some afrikaan locals for encouraging "that sort" into town, and others told us to give no more than 10p. 
Whatever anyone says, the poverty divide is very wide. Whilst the parking attendants were after cash, we were approached by children at many junctions who were merely looking for food.
Whatever anyone says, the poverty divide is very wide. Whilst the parking attendants were after cash, we were approached by children at many junctions who were merely looking for food.
Hi -
I was in the Cape area in 2005 in late May to late June - followed by the Durban / Drakensberg / Nelspruit / Kruger area in July.
I got to the Cape just after the heatwave ended
, and had nearly 10 days of p1ssing rain , before it cleared up and I headed up to the Cederberg ( 4 hours North of CT - very scenic ). The temp was fine - its just that the Western Cape has a mediterranean climate and it can get rainy from May onwards.
However , it is drier inland North of CT , and the winter weather is also very stable and dry as you get nearer Durban and then inland to the Drakensberg , Joburg , Nelspruit and Kruger. edit: typically mid 20's in KZN in winter , but about 0 deg C at night in the Drakensberg. The coast from Durban to Mozambique is lovely and warm in the winter - warmer than the Cape.
Car hire is fine , but keep your doors locked when driving around central CT , avoid central Joburg. I hired from Aroundabout cars - decent cars and good value. Be aware that even "full" car insurance will not usually cover windscreen , window and tyre damage - the most likely damage is a smashed windscreen from stones from trucks on gravel roads - be careful. The paved highways are generally very good . It is customary to move over and drive along the hard shoulder if someone wants to overtake you , to allow them to pass( works very well )
If you park in a town centre - local boys will mind your car for 2 or 3 rand ( 25p) - its worth it to avoid a breakin if you are in a dodgy area. Most people I met were very helpful and friendly.
South Africa is fantastic , with great scenery, great food and very friendly people - enjoy.
>> Edited by alfaman on Tuesday 3rd January 01:31
I was in the Cape area in 2005 in late May to late June - followed by the Durban / Drakensberg / Nelspruit / Kruger area in July.
I got to the Cape just after the heatwave ended
, and had nearly 10 days of p1ssing rain , before it cleared up and I headed up to the Cederberg ( 4 hours North of CT - very scenic ). The temp was fine - its just that the Western Cape has a mediterranean climate and it can get rainy from May onwards. However , it is drier inland North of CT , and the winter weather is also very stable and dry as you get nearer Durban and then inland to the Drakensberg , Joburg , Nelspruit and Kruger. edit: typically mid 20's in KZN in winter , but about 0 deg C at night in the Drakensberg. The coast from Durban to Mozambique is lovely and warm in the winter - warmer than the Cape.
Car hire is fine , but keep your doors locked when driving around central CT , avoid central Joburg. I hired from Aroundabout cars - decent cars and good value. Be aware that even "full" car insurance will not usually cover windscreen , window and tyre damage - the most likely damage is a smashed windscreen from stones from trucks on gravel roads - be careful. The paved highways are generally very good . It is customary to move over and drive along the hard shoulder if someone wants to overtake you , to allow them to pass( works very well )
If you park in a town centre - local boys will mind your car for 2 or 3 rand ( 25p) - its worth it to avoid a breakin if you are in a dodgy area. Most people I met were very helpful and friendly.
South Africa is fantastic , with great scenery, great food and very friendly people - enjoy.
>> Edited by alfaman on Tuesday 3rd January 01:31
Was in CT in April May 2001 and weather ranged from muggy but still shorts and t-shirt through to blissful sunshine. Also had no problems with car hire, a bunch of us drove from CT up to Stellenbosch (go horseriding in the vineyards) and then through the Klein Karoo to Knaysna (sp?) before heading down the coast back to CT.
The only thing that even came close to a problem was when we walked into a lonely bar in the middle of the Karoo and in our resplendent hawaiian shirts walked slap bang into a gathering of the CT Harley-Davidson motorcycle club. 40 leather-clad maniacs turned to look at us and we heard someone say 'Holy shit, it's the Beach Boys . . . .'
The only thing that even came close to a problem was when we walked into a lonely bar in the middle of the Karoo and in our resplendent hawaiian shirts walked slap bang into a gathering of the CT Harley-Davidson motorcycle club. 40 leather-clad maniacs turned to look at us and we heard someone say 'Holy shit, it's the Beach Boys . . . .'
alfaman said:It does work very well but I understand it's illegal - this is the pavement area that people are moving to.
The paved highways are generally very good . It is customary to move over and drive along the hard shoulder if someone wants to overtake you , to allow them to pass( works very well )
However, as a British motorists enjoying straight empty roads, I suspect it'll be the locals moving over for you.
The pedestrian death toll is extreme in SA - mostly blacks who don't seem to understand the dangers of the road. While we were there one young kid got hit returning from a booze shop carrying some crates of beer
Gazboy said:
Crikey TJK- haven't seen you on here for ages!
I've been around but just not posted..... Lurking some might say!!
Thanks to all for the good advice, I am sure that we will go there, and are really looking forward to it.
If anyone has some great places to go/see, please do post them as I'm really keen to get the most out of the trip
Many Thanks
T-J-K
the jiffle king said:Outdshoorn (about an hour north of George) in the Little Karoo is a gem of a place.
If anyone has some great places to go/see, please do post them as I'm really keen to get the most out of the trip
Lots to see and do, and the centre of ostrich farming.
In just 24 hours we:
Visited the Cango Caves - much better then anything I've seen in Europe.
Visited an Ostrich farm - helped them hatch and I even rode one (you MUST)
Visited the Cango wildlife ranch - just a fiver to get in and for another fiver you get to stroke a cheetah
Ostrich BBQ - the meat is wonderful.
Simonstown/Boulder beach (on the Cape) - swim with penguins
Shark cage diving at Gaansbai/Hermanus - a whole day out on a boat great white shark spotting - get in the cage if you dare
Plettenburg Bay - huge empty beach, great for star gazing.
Go up Table Mountain whenever you can see it, you might not get another chance!
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