BootsnAll Travel Community

Has anyone taken the 'Orange Train' from Durban to Cape Town? It sounds fun, and takes a good wandering route through the Orange Free State, but is it a good choice for me to take my family on (four girls aged from 14 downwards)?

And, once we get to Cape Town, how can we find somewhere to stay for a week that's not a hotel? We'd like to be able to book it from the UK, and are aiming to be there in August '07.

Charliehorse

Charliehorse, when you say somewhere that's not a hotel, what did you have in mind? There are hostels in Cape Town, and you can also do a homestay experience in a township (although whether you're comfortable doing that with 4 girls is something you'd have to decide).

If you want information, feel free to contact 2 friends of mine that live in Cape Town - their site is http://www.capetownhotel-link.com/aboutus.php

They'll be happy to answer any questions you have about their adopted home.

charlie, however you get there. just get there! i just left cape town and miss it already. its beautiful and hard to articulate all there is to see/do. eat it up and keep us posted!

The train sounds like a brilliant idea! I'm a born Capetonian & have often done the trip - it's relaxing, uncramped (unlike coach tours) and you get to see the scenery - fab...
Thought I'll add a pic to wet your appetite!
You can also have a look at my Cape Town travelguide for some ideas. Enjoy the journey

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I think we'll be using the capetownhotel-link...I'm not sure about the townships this time around. But, I have still got a week to account for and am thinking about the Drakensberg. Last time I was there I was camping up on Ifidi Pass, but I need somewhere tamer for the children. So: can anyone recommend a good campsite close to the Drakensberg mountains? We'll have a motorhome (Ug!) so it doesn't have to be right at the foot of the cliff. Or, should I start a new thread for that one?