AJK's Trip/Route Planning Thread

[Fan of Dan]

Have you been?

yes

[AJK]

Care to share tips?

[jaywhy]

Looking forward to Mrs AJK's TR. 

[txtmax4]

I hadn't even heard of it, but maybe I should?

You need a whole day for it. You can have a fun day there.
http://www.sun-city-south-africa.com/

[Fan of Dan]

Care to share tips?

Sure. What is your itinerary while you are on the ground and is it finalized?

[PlatinumGuy]

Great, so we can go out for dinner. Any recommendations for On the Square?

I've heard very good things about it

[AJK]

Sure. What is your itinerary while you are on the ground and is it finalized?

Just landed in JNB. Excellent F crew on the 388 from FRA.

Waiting on our SA flight to CPT.

Will be there until Friday morning,  when we'll return to JNB for shabbas. Early Sunday morning, go to Gd's Window en route to Kruger,  where we'll be until Tuesday afternoon.

Thoughts?

[rots5]

Just landed in JNB. Excellent F crew on the 388 from FRA.

Waiting on our SA flight to CPT.

Will be there until Friday morning,  when we'll return to JNB for shabbas. Early Sunday morning, go to Gd's Window en route to Kruger,  where we'll be until Tuesday afternoon.

Thoughts?

try to have fun?

[AJK]

try to have fun?

Fun? What's that?

[rots5]

Fun? What's that?

[Fan of Dan]

Just landed in JNB. Excellent F crew on the 388 from FRA.

Waiting on our SA flight to CPT.

Will be there until Friday morning,  when we'll return to JNB for shabbas. Early Sunday morning, go to Gd's Window en route to Kruger,  where we'll be until Tuesday afternoon.

Thoughts?

Nice!! In CPT make sure to go to the Cape of Good Hope. The baboons along with the scenery and crashing ocean are amazing. You can even see Ostriches walking along the beach etc. If you have time also try to drive towards Hermanus on the coast, the mountains running into the ocean on that drive are breathtaking. And don't forget the penguins there is whole colony of them near CPT. Lion's head or Table mountain in CPT itself also can't be missed. The harbor area in CPT is a very pleasant place to walk around.

Where are you staying in Kruger?

[txtmax4]

penguins there is whole colony of them near CPT.

@ boulder beach.
Cannot be missed.

[Fan of Dan]

@ boulder beach.
Cannot be missed.

Yup 

[AJK]

Nice!! In CPT make sure to go to the Cape of Good Hope. The baboons along with the scenery and crashing ocean are amazing. You can even see Ostriches walking along the beach etc. If you have time also try to drive towards Hermanus on the coast, the mountains running into the ocean on that drive are breathtaking. And don't forget the penguins there is whole colony of them near CPT. Lion's head or Table mountain in CPT itself also can't be missed. The harbor area in CPT is a very pleasant place to walk around.

Where are you staying in Kruger?

Thanks, we plan on hitting about 90% of your recommendations in the next two days.

As of now, we're staying one night at Berg-en-dal, and playing it by ear for the second night.

Any tips? How to pick up a guided tour somewhere?

[Fan of Dan]

I would try to stay the second night at the Sabi Sound, Timbivati or Londolozi. They are connected to Kruger and since they can drive off road you will see a lot in a short amount of time. They are from the premier reserves in the world. In Kruger itself you will need to stay on the road, which is fine if you have a week, but not ideal for the amount of time you will be there. These reserves are connected to Kruger so it's just as authentic. All 3 reserves offer guided tours.

[AJK]

Thanks for the reccos. I've reached out to Londolozi and Timbavati, and Londolozi is sold out for our dates.

I''m waiting on Timbavati to get back to me.

Which resort/lodge am I looking for in Sabi Sound?

[AJK]

[Fan of Dan]

Thanks for the reccos. I've reached out to Londolozi and Timbavati, and Londolozi is sold out for our dates.

I''m waiting on Timbavati to get back to me.

Which resort/lodge am I looking for in Sabi Sound?

Not surprised about Londolozi, let's hope one of the other 2 work. Anywhere in the Sabi Sound network will be good, it really should come down to pricing as it's a small fortune (a worthwhile one) and all. I don't recall specifics on the different lodges. Make sure you get in at least one night drive and one early morning drive. Ideally you should get 3 drives on the 1 night stay. It's smart that you are saving the best for the last. You will be blown away.

[AJK]

Not surprised about Londolozi, let's hope one of the other 2 work. Anywhere in the Sabi Sound network will be good, it really should come down to pricing as it's a small fortune (a worthwhile one) and all. I don't recall specifics on the different lodges. Make sure you get in at least one night drive and one early morning drive. Ideally you should get 3 drives on the 1 night stay. It's smart that you are saving the best for the last. You will be blown away.

I was able to find at Timbavati! Sent 'em an email confirmation.

All in all it's not that expensive, if we take away food (which we're not going to eat obv).

They said that when we arrive on Sunday, they'll take us on a Big 5 sunset tour from 3-8PM. And then a full day tour from 5:30AM-5:30PM.

I've asked if they can do another tour on Tuesday morning. Will let you know. Thanks!

[Fan of Dan]

I was able to find at Timbavati! Sent 'em an email confirmation.

All in all it's not that expensive, if we take away food (which we're not going to eat obv).

They said that when we arrive on Sunday, they'll take us on a Big 5 sunset tour from 3-8PM. And then a full day tour from 5:30AM-5:30PM.

I've asked if they can do another tour on Tuesday morning. Will let you know. Thanks!

Way to go!! Best decision of your entire trip btw! What are they charging you?

That is an awesome amount of time. You have a really good chance at seeing leopard at night and they have many lions. You may even see cheetah if you are lucky (I wasn't  although we came close). You never know what you will see but you are doing everything you can to increase your chances. I had a leopard walk within 5 feet of me one late afternoon. Hard to describe. Way cooler than the lazy lions (even though they were feeding on a kill). In our Timbivati lodge a Hyena ran into the gates during a bbq and the cook chased it out with a stick. Cool stuff.