My friends are planning to head to South Africa for the World Cup in June. They are a group of 6 people and really need a place to stay.

All the Hotels are sold out!

They are also concerned about not getting ripped off!!

Anybody have any suggestions??

Yes hotels are going to be sold out, flights are getting limited and it will become more of a problem in the new year. Having lived in South Africa for a number of years I would recommend looking for B&B's to stay in a few hours away from the football stadiums. Its quite normal to drive 4 hours to go somewhere in South Africa as the country is so big. There are thousands of accomodation options in South Africa so you should find something. There are also lodges on Game Reserves that do not do much advertising. So have a look at Google, find a town, or game reserve and Google for accomodation in the area.
If you struggle then feel free to contact me at the website below and I can always get in touch with my contacts in the country.

Good luck
Antony
http://www.yomps.co.uk

Yeah, I'm planning to be there for the World Cup as well, and hotels are definitely hard to come by. There are still hostels with availability, particularly if you're willing to travel outside of the host cities. The hotels are going to be crazy expensive anyway. I guess it depends on how long you're staying. If you haven't gotten your flight tickets yet, get them soon - flights are getting very full and getting much more expensive.

Good luck planning your trip - should be a great tournament.

Ian

I finally bought my tickets today. not for a pretty price, but i didn't want to risk not getting a ticket, or getting a more expensive ticket.

i'm a little worried. i'm a solo female following the Dutch team around. I'm staying for approx. 20 days, and I have accomodation in Capetown for the beginning and end of my trip. The only problem is the middle part of my trip. I don't know where my team will be playing, so I haven't booked accommodation for the middle part of my stay.

Should I be worried??? Since I dont know where my team will be playing, I can't arrange for transportation to other cities or accommodation.

Greenmushroom, you know from the group matches that the Oranje will be playing in Jo'burg, Durban and Cape Town (June 14, 19 & 24). After that, who knows? If they make it out of their group they'll play in either Durban or Pretoria.

Yup, but my boss couldn't give me that week off when the Dutch are playing Japan and Denmark =/. I'm catching the Cameroon and Netherlands game in Capetown, and I'm confident they'll make it out of their group. Just not know sure where they'll be headed!

I'll be pulling for your Oranje to win their group, since I have a ticket to the R16 match in Durban. Hoping it's Netherlands-Italy!

I think you would need to book a place to stay already and just guess. Looking at your group I think you'll do very well, and your next stop should be Durban or Pretoria. Perhaps consider at least placing a deposit on a room somewhere, if that's possible. (I've found that most want half up front and the other half within a month, or straight up payment) I've found that even knowing already where I am going (I am following Spain, first 4 group matches) I had difficulty finding a place. Its not just a matter of finding a place to stay, its a matter of finding a place to stay in an area considered safe, as a solo female traveller, at a reasonable price. (for example the guest house i am staying in johannesburg is normally $38 but i am paying $164 for one night in the simplest accommodation before the cup but i had to stay there as I'm transiting before going to Kruger).

I was meant to go to Durban before joining friends in Joberg but opted out as the hostels were either already full or as a single traveler the guest houses proved to be too expensive. I have travelled to a lot of countries solo, but I am rather wary of South Africa given the feedback I have received and people's insistence that public transport is difficult in most areas. ( you may need to rent a car.)

I found that Cape Town was easier to book, and more reasonably priced, as was Pretoria. Johannesburg was difficult and pricey. I haven't tried anywhere else. Good luck with your planning and I hope the Oranje does well!