Hi people!

I'm flying to South Africa as the next stop of my rtw trip next weekend. I'll be there in total 23 days, I've just formulated a basic plan and would like some input on it, I'm pretty flexible here.

I'm flying into Joburg and out of Cape Town (that's the only part that can't change), firstly doing a guided safari in Kruger, then planning on using the baz bus and going via the Drakensburg mtns in between. Here's my basic idea so far:

Johhanesburg/Soweto/Pretoria - 3 days

Kruger NP Safari 3-4 days
any recommendations what company to do it with? (I don't want to self drive it and I have the money budgeted for a tour.) was looking at this one, seemed good..
http://transfrontiers.com/safari.asp

Drakensburg Mtns 2 days

Durban 2 days

Port Elizabeth +around 2-3 days (including a day trip to Addo Elephant park)

Garden route 3 days
up for suggestions where exactly here?

Cape Town 4 days


The total of all that is 21 days, I left the other couple spare for whatever...

now all I need is someone who has a clue giving me some input, any general suggestions would be most appreciated too!

Thanks guys!

That is a good itinerary all in all. Transfrontiers is a good company, with the only thing I would say is give yourself more time on the Drakensberg. If you make your way to Royal Natal National Park, get up onto the escarpment and hike a little bit in Lesotho. Otherwise sounds like you have a good plan. If you want to chat about SA and SA travel feel free to get me on peter@bootsnall.com

Hey there

I spent 5 mths backpacking in SA and used the baz bus the whole time. Am more than happy to give you some suggestions especially on hostels, pretty much stayed at or visited most of them.

I would suggest you don't stay as long in Port Elizabeth, rather spend more time on the garden route or even better stay in the former transkei, perhaps at Buccaneers Backpackers.

Please drop me a message if you want some suggestions on hostels, otherwise have a look at www.southafricalogue.com and search under Baz Blogger and Trekker's Hostel Highlights. I wrote a lot of articles of my trip there.

Trekker
kathy@bootsnall.com

Thanks for the replies guys! Less time in PE is noted. I was thinking maybe the Bulungula backpacker lodge on the wild coast for a day or 2. I'm also up for some more time in the Drakensbergs, assuming the weather is good while I'm there.

Glad to know my plan isn't totally crazy! I have done a bit more research, wondering if doing a Hluhluwe Imfolozi safari out of Durban instead of going to Kruger would be a good idea? I like the sounds of it being less crowded as far as tourist hordes and it seems to get great reviews for wildlife.

learningtofly wrote:Glad to know my plan isn't totally crazy! I have done a bit more research, wondering if doing a Hluhluwe Imfolozi safari out of Durban instead of going to Kruger would be a good idea? I like the sounds of it being less crowded as far as tourist hordes and it seems to get great reviews for wildlife.

I like that idea... the Umfolozi game reserve is a great reserve where you can see the big five without the crowds! Have a look at Isinkwe Backpackers Lodge, i've stayed there and it was great and they organise safaris for you...

Argh I can't decide which park and I'll be there in a couple days!
The 4 night walking safari in Kruger sounds really cool to me right now, the whole safari experience and is available for the dates I need soon after I arrive but Imfolozi sounds more off the tourist track, however I don't see much in the way of longer safaris there from Durban (from my SA book or online)? I wont have my own transport from Durban and since I'm going via the mountains, not Swaziland, my bazbus pass wont cover that detour.

Seeing Kruger with a walking safari instead of on the main roads should be away from a lot of the crowds right?..

sounds doable!

seb

learningtofly wrote: I was thinking maybe the Bulungula backpacker lodge on the wild coast for a day or 2.

I definitely recommend Bulungula. It takes more effort to get there (vs backpacker favorite Coffee Bay), as in, plan at least 2 nights, though 3 is better. The reason is the rough "roads" you take to get there are draining, let alone if you're driving yourself and break down or get stuck or it is raining.

It is probably the prettiest place I stayed in my 2 months in South Africa, and taking the village tour is a wonderful experience. In case you need some incentive, here's a view from the front of the eco-friendly backpackers.

Read more about my time in Bulungula here: http://www.gobackpacking.com/Blog/2008/ ... lungula-2/