BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm planning 3-4 weeks in South Africa as part of my RTW trip, and I had a couple questions.

Flying in and out of Jo'burg because that's all that works for the RTW ticket. I was thinking of taking the Shosholoza Meyl train to Cape Town, then get the Baz Bus back up to Jo'Burg, hop on hop off along the way... any recommendations for stops on that route are very welcome

Now I definitely want to work in some kind of safari park into this, possibly Kruger. I will be there in June, are malaria pills necessary for Kruger at this time of year? and I was wondering if there were any other comparable parks (as far as range of wildlife) that are recommended.

I would like to avoid the malaria pills if possible as this is towards the end of my year long trip and it's just 1 more thing i'd have to work out while traveling. Of course if they're necessary for me to see the wildlife I want to then I'll end up figuring that all out

I was in South Africa last year and here is what I did. I got a flight from J'burg down to Cape Town. From Cape Town I took the Baz Bus up the coast back to J'burg and did it in like 3 weeks or so, I can't remember exactly. I stopped in Wilderness, great place to chill. Whales playing offshore, very cool. Jeffrey's Bay was next, if you are into surfing, it's a good place to go, if not, it's still a good place to go and party, cool hostels there. Port Elizabeth will be a mandatory stop on the Baz Bus. Addo Elephant Park and the small game park which you can do all in one day for about 800 Rand is definitely worth it. It was as close as I wanted to get to Lions. Coffee Bay, and Port St. John were also great spots. Good hiking and beaches and cool hostels. Durban is a must stay on the Baz Bus, but it's a bit city and I didn't stay except for the 1 night. St. Lucia is great. Tons of Hippos and crocodiles and a big game park in the area as well. Swaziland is a must. You can do some day trips into their game parks as well. From there you can go up to Nelspruit and do a trip into Kruger for a couple days, that's probably the best thing to do. Kruger is in the Malaria Zone but because you will be there during winter your risks will decrease a little bit. I didn't take any malaria medication and I was fine. It's all dependent on if you are a person who normally get's bitten alot by mosquitos, i am not, fortunately. Hope this info helps.

That sounds like an awesome trip Bgagnonius and i couldn't suggest anything better! it covers all the must sees, but i would suggest spending a day or 2 in Durban... it's a very chilled and great city!

for low cost airlines for flights from jhb to ct check out kulula.com, one time airlines and mango.

quote:

Originally posted by dopeyzn:
That sounds like an awesome trip Bgagnonius and i couldn't suggest anything better! it covers all the must sees, but i would suggest spending a day or 2 in Durban... it's a very chilled and great city!

for low cost airlines for flights from jhb to ct check out kulula.com, one time airlines and mango.

the risk of malaria is pretty low in winter and you will be wearing clothes that over your arms and legs so you should be safe... but as Bgagnonius said it all depends on your tendency to be biten by mosquitoes!

drop me a line if your keen to meetup for a drink if you end up in Durban!

thanks for the replies guys!

so i'm hearing that I don't really need the malaria medication at that time of year in Kruger as long as i wear long clothes etc, im not usually bitten an abnormal amount by mosquitos!

I was looking at Swaziland too, does look interesting. So are you guys saying to scrap the idea of a train from Jo'burg to CT? I thought the train would let me see the scenery overland. but is flying better?

I couldn't tell what is between J'burg and Cape Town on the train cause i didn't go. I did hear that it was relatively cheap and it took a long time, that's all I could say. I got a flight on 1time airlines and i got it a few days in advance and got a decent fair, dont' remember exactly what it was though. A transfer from the airport to a hostel will cost a pretty penny but so what. I also forgot to mention that Hogsback is definitely a must stop on the way north along the coast. Beautiful hiking and waterfalls and the hostel there probably had the best food going, if the scottish cook is still there working...Good Luck!