Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 480732 times)

tmendy226 · « **Reply #1840 on:** September 03, 2021, 10:30:22 AM »

Quote from: mijo on September 03, 2021, 10:13:27 AM

Oct/Nov are good months to visit.
From a COVID-19 aspect, assume you're doing outdoor activities, flights don't seem very full.
Tourists are reporting that now is a good time to visit and you can distance easily.
However, with unvaccinated children, mask-compliance etc. YMMV

Vaccinated or not doesn’t make a difference to get in to SA

tmendy226 · « **Reply #1841 on:** September 03, 2021, 10:31:28 AM »

Quote from: Yehuda57 on September 03, 2021, 10:15:27 AM

Was like that before covid

Lol

mijo · « **Reply #1842 on:** September 03, 2021, 10:33:14 AM »

Quote from: Yehuda57 on September 03, 2021, 10:15:27 AM

Was like that before covid

Ouch! Just a big place and not many "regulars"

Quote from: tmendy226 on September 03, 2021, 10:30:22 AM

Vaccinated or not doesn’t make a difference to get in to SA

True since Nov last year, I was referring to if @Dan wanted to travel with children re: virus safety.

Yehuda57 · « **Reply #1843 on:** September 03, 2021, 10:37:32 AM »

Quote from: mijo on September 03, 2021, 10:33:14 AM

Ouch! Just a big place and not many "regulars"

I actually like it better now than how it used to be. (It was never "my shul". Used to live in a different area, and now I'm just an infrequent visitor)

Dan · « **Reply #1844 on:** September 14, 2021, 09:46:31 AM »

Best rapid PCR options in Johannesburg near the airport or Jewish community?

Yehuda57 · « **Reply #1845 on:** September 14, 2021, 10:48:41 AM »

Quote from: Dan on September 14, 2021, 09:46:31 AM

Best rapid PCR options in Johannesburg near the airport or Jewish community?

You can do it in the airport, which I've been told is the fastest (and most expensive)

Dan · « **Reply #1846 on:** September 14, 2021, 11:23:28 AM »

Thoughts on this itinerary? Was supposed to be 3 nights in the Kruger, but UA killed their Thursday JNB-EWR flight

Su CLE-EWR 2:50pm-4:28pm UA2350 738 J
Su EWR-JNB 8:45pm-5:45pm+1 UA188 789 J
1 night in JNB

Tu JNB-VFA 11:30am-1:05pm, BA6285 738 J
1 night in vic falls

We VFA-CPT 1:15pm-4:20pm, Airlink391 E135 Y
5 nights in CPT

Mo CPT-HDS 10:50am-1:10pm, Airlink391 E190 Y
2 nights in Kings Camp Kruger

We HDS-JNB 12pm-1pm, Airlink872 E170 Y
We JNB-EWR 8pm-5:45am+1 UA187 789 J
Th EWR-CLE 8:30am-10:16am, UA735 738 J

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #1847 on:** September 14, 2021, 12:09:16 PM »

Quote from: Dan on September 14, 2021, 11:23:28 AM

Thoughts on this itinerary? Was supposed to be 3 nights in the Kruger, but UA killed their Thursday JNB-EWR flight

Su CLE-EWR 2:50pm-4:28pm UA2350 738 J
Su EWR-JNB 8:45pm-5:45pm+1 UA188 789 J
1 night in JNB

Tu JNB-VFA 11:30am-1:05pm, BA6285 738 J
1 night in vic falls

We VFA-CPT 1:15pm-4:20pm, Airlink391 E135 Y
5 nights in CPT

Mo CPT-HDS 10:50am-1:10pm, Airlink391 E190 Y
2 nights in Kings Camp Kruger

We HDS-JNB 12pm-1pm, Airlink872 E170 Y
We JNB-EWR 8pm-5:45am+1 UA187 789 J
Th EWR-CLE 8:30am-10:16am, UA735 738 J

IMHO JNB is a waste of time, especially with the long stop on the return.

VFA has a lot of activities, I think 2 nights would be better.

If there's a JNB-VFA on Mo I'd do that, otherwise take a night off CPT.

Also might be worth driving and staying a night or two outside of CPT.

Ergel · « **Reply #1848 on:** September 14, 2021, 12:13:04 PM »

Quote from: PlatinumGuy on September 14, 2021, 12:09:16 PM

IMHO JNB is a waste of time, especially with the long stop on the return.

VFA has a lot of activities, I think 2 nights would be better.

If there's a JNB-VFA on Mo I'd do that, otherwise take a night off CPT.

Also might be worth driving and staying a night or two outside of CPT.

Doesn't seem like he's staying in JNB on Monday on purpose - just no flights. Even if he leaves JNB Monday night - lands in Vic falls Monday night - I don't think there is a late flight out to CPT on Tuesday night anyways - meaning either way, earliest he gets in to CP is Wednesday evening. Taking a day off CPT means he only has Thursday/Friday in CPT

Need an extra day somewhere
Spend shabbos in NJ and leave Motz"sh?

Something Fishy · « **Reply #1849 on:** September 14, 2021, 12:13:16 PM »

Quote from: Dan on September 14, 2021, 11:23:28 AM

Thoughts on this itinerary? Was supposed to be 3 nights in the Kruger, but UA killed their Thursday JNB-EWR flight

Su CLE-EWR 2:50pm-4:28pm UA2350 738 J
Su EWR-JNB 8:45pm-5:45pm+1 UA188 789 J
1 night in JNB

Tu JNB-VFA 11:30am-1:05pm, BA6285 738 J
1 night in vic falls

We VFA-CPT 1:15pm-4:20pm, Airlink391 E135 Y
5 nights in CPT

Mo CPT-HDS 10:50am-1:10pm, Airlink391 E190 Y
2 nights in Kings Camp Kruger

We HDS-JNB 12pm-1pm, Airlink872 E170 Y
We JNB-EWR 8pm-5:45am+1 UA187 789 J
Th EWR-CLE 8:30am-10:16am, UA735 738 J

The whole itinerary is skewed IMO. 2 weeks in Africa and just 2 nights on safari is insane, sorry.

- Cut down your time in CPT - no idea why you're spending so much time there. Sure it's pretty, but it's still just a city and you can see it all in a lot less time. And after Antarctica the penguins are less than meh, so that's another skippable thing.
- I would want at least 2 full days at Vic Falls. Don't just look at them, but do some of the awesome activities on either side. Devil's Pool is in season and unskippable IMO.
- For heaven's sake spend more time on Safari. If you're worried about it being repetitive (it won't), then add on a full day trip (sunrise through sunset) to Chobe from Vic Falls. You can do a 1-day guided land+boat safari for pretty cheap.

Yehuda57 · « **Reply #1850 on:** September 14, 2021, 12:26:47 PM »

He's only spending 3 days in Cape Town, Thursday, Friday, Sunday. Penguins would be half hour of that and hardly taking away anything.

Dan · « **Reply #1851 on:** September 14, 2021, 12:35:19 PM »

Quote from: PlatinumGuy on September 14, 2021, 12:09:16 PM

IMHO JNB is a waste of time, especially with the long stop on the return.

VFA has a lot of activities, I think 2 nights would be better.

If there's a JNB-VFA on Mo I'd do that, otherwise take a night off CPT.

Also might be worth driving and staying a night or two outside of CPT.

There are no connecting flights out of JNB that night except a 720pm on Fastair to CPT. Don't think that's doable, right?

Giving a night from CPT to VFA would mean only having a short Friday and Sunday in CPT.
Doing 2 nights in VFA and 3 in Kruger leaves only a short Friday in CPT. Gotta make some compromises.

Dan · « **Reply #1852 on:** September 14, 2021, 12:36:22 PM »

Quote from: Ergel on September 14, 2021, 12:13:04 PM

Need an extra day somewhere
Spend shabbos in NJ and leave Motz"sh?

Really trying to keep this to one Shabbos.
United did a number on us by killing the Thursday return

Dan · « **Reply #1853 on:** September 14, 2021, 12:38:23 PM »

Quote from: Something Fishy on September 14, 2021, 12:13:16 PM

The whole itinerary is skewed IMO. 2 weeks in Africa and just 2 nights on safari is insane, sorry.

- Cut down your time in CPT - no idea why you're spending so much time there. Sure it's pretty, but it's still just a city and you can see it all in a lot less time. And after Antarctica the penguins are less than meh, so that's another skippable thing.
- I would want at least 2 full days at Vic Falls. Don't just look at them, but do some of the awesome activities on either side. Devil's Pool is in season and unskippable IMO.
- For heaven's sake spend more time on Safari. If you're worried about it being repetitive (it won't), then add on a full day trip (sunrise through sunset) to Chobe from Vic Falls. You can do a 1-day guided land+boat safari for pretty cheap.

It's not that much time in CPT. It's 2.5 useable days now, cutting a day out means 1.5.
Devil's Pool in the morning is on the list. What else is there that can't be done in that timeframe?
We planned on 3 nights Safari, but that's what we cut with the flight change. Is it really better to cut CPT to 1.5 useable days to give 3 days of Safari?

Dan · « **Reply #1854 on:** September 14, 2021, 12:40:48 PM »

Quote from: Yehuda57 on September 14, 2021, 12:26:47 PM

He's only spending 3 days in Cape Town, Thursday, Friday, Sunday. Penguins would be half hour of that and hardly taking away anything.

Recommended CPT itin with 2-3 days?

Yehuda57 · « **Reply #1855 on:** September 14, 2021, 12:55:38 PM »

Quote from: Dan on September 14, 2021, 12:40:48 PM

Recommended CPT itin with 2-3 days?

There are others here better suited to advise on that.

This trip is with kids, right?

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #1856 on:** September 14, 2021, 12:56:18 PM »

Quote from: Dan on September 14, 2021, 12:40:48 PM

Recommended CPT itin with 2-3 days?

I very much enjoyed the drive to the Cape Good Horn or whatever it's called.

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #1857 on:** September 14, 2021, 01:00:13 PM »

Quote from: Dan on September 14, 2021, 12:35:19 PM

There are no connecting flights out of JNB that night except a 720pm on Fastair to CPT. Don't think that's doable, right?

I think it is - vipops@bidair.co.za +27 (11) 390-8555. Should be around $50 to speed you through the airport in JNB.

It's Africa, so $20 bills will cut any line you need.

Is it feasible for you to spend Shabbos at a lodge?

Dan · « **Reply #1858 on:** September 14, 2021, 01:03:38 PM »

Quote from: Yehuda57 on September 14, 2021, 12:55:38 PM

There are others here better suited to advise on that.

This trip is with kids, right?

Nope, going with @AJK

mimb · « **Reply #1859 on:** September 14, 2021, 01:03:49 PM »

Safari was my favorite part of SA and something that can't really be replicated outside Africa. I'd prioritize that over everything else. CPT was nice but maybe 1.5 days can squeeze everything in. I only did 1 night in VFA and it felt a little too short, I'd add another day next time if possible and visit Chobe.

Cbs	Link
Markus	Link
shmebeble	Link
Yaalili	Link
Ponash123	Link
Yehoshua	Link
Jomaster28	Link

Name	Type	Hours	Contact	Location & Description
Avron's Place (Sea Point)	Meat	S – T: 11am – 3pm; 5pm – 10pm; F: 11am – 2:30pm	+27 (0)21 439 7610 Link	19 – 33 Regent Road - Oldest kosher meat restaurant in SA. The humbly adorned, family-friendly eatery, serves a wide variety of dishes, including beef ribs, burgers, mixed grills, boerewors, Cape lamb curry, vegetarian platters, pastas and sushi. Prices rather reasonable. On Tuesdays there's a special on its beef burger and chips (R49 instead of the usual R59). Offers takeaways and catering and packed Shabbat meals for visitors. For the Sephardim the meat is Bet Yosef. But check to make sure.
The Press (Sea Point)	Meat	S – T: noon – late; F: 11am – 3pm; Sat: 1 hour after Shabbat till late	+27 (0)21 434 7724 Website	176 Main Road - Restaurant and Bar (many craft beers on tap).
Coffee Time (Gardens)	Milk	M – T: 8am – 3:30pm; F: 8am – 3pm	+27 (0)21 461 8414	20 Breda Street - Set in an old house in a lush, garden environment. Lawn seating with views of Table Mountain. Breakfast, brunch or lunch. Menu includes scrambled egg, salmon and humus wrap, fish bobotie with homemade chutney, tuna lasagne, sandwich, salad, quiche or smoothie. Early-morning special between 8am and 11am (a combo of two eggs, grilled tomato and mushrooms goes for R25) and also serves a delicious, and incredibly popular, buffet lunch every Wednesday between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Gluten-free and sugar-free options. Offers catering. Proceeds support the Astra Centre.
Café Riteve (Gardens)	Milk	S – T: 8:30am – 5pm; F: 8:30am – 3pm	+27 (0)21 465 1594 Website	88 Hatfield Street - Located on a piazza that’s part of the same centre as the historical Gardens Shul, the South African Jewish Museum, the Cape Town Holocaust Centre and the Jacob Gitlin Library. Large and varied menu includes three-egg omelette, sushi salad, grilled hake, falafel with dukkah wedges and humus, tuna and mushroom cannelloni, smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich and chocolate ganache-filled croissant. Also sells range of shakes and juices as well as kosher wine and liquors. Offers catering, takeaways, no delivery. They had some CY, just ask. The earlier you go the more likely the have.
Goldies Deli and Diner (Sea Point)	Meat & Pareve	S – T: 8:30am – 8pm; F: 8:30am – 4:30pm	+27 (0)21 439 3008 Link	174 Main Road - Meat and parev deli and bakery - next door and connected to The Press. Menu include burgers, steak rolls, schwarmas, bagels, salads, fish cakes, breakfast plates and more. Specials every Wednesday and Friday (deals like a three-course meal for four for R120). Delivery is free in Sea Point. Bakery treats include carrot cake, cinnamon twists, chocolate brownies, doughnuts, cupcakes, apple crumble, croissants and teiglach. Offers Shabbat meal orders.
Café B'tayavon @ Highlands House	Milk		021 461 1100	9 Gorge Rd, Highlands Estate - Snacks and Light Meals
Jean's Kitchen @ The Kaplan Centre	Milk		021 650 3064 info@jeanskitchen.co.za	The Kaplan Centre - University of Cape Town - Tea, coffee, sandwiches, gourmet salads, falafel etc
Baskin Robbins @ Mojo Market (Sea Point)				Note: This is the only kosher B & R All ice creams, ice cream cones, milkshakes and waffles are Kosher, milchik. The following topping ONLY are kosher: Crushed Almonds, Crushed Cashews, Fudge, Mini Astros, Mint Crunch NB: Cakes are NOT KOSHER

Name	Cost	Distance from CPT	Description and Notes
Boulders Beach	R170	35 min	• "I found that there were two different entrances, boardwalk and beach. The boardwalk has a higher density of penguins but if you want a better experience, I recommend visiting the beach side- especially at low tide. Because of the tide I was able to walk past the few dozen folks on the beach, climb under and over some boulders, and encounter effectively a different private beach- with penguins!!" • For budget travelers, take the train to Simonstown and from there a cab to Boulders beach - R20.
Betty’s Bay		1.25 hours	Also features African Penguins though less crowded than Boulders beach, though further.
Chapman's Peak Drive	R45/car	45 min	• Beautiful scenery, you have the mountain on one side and the ocean on the other side, great pics, great to make a BBQ come during daylight hours. NOTE: You need Rand or an SA issued card to pay for the Chapman's Peak toll.
Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point	R360/pp	1.5 hours	• LONG but AMAZING drive • almost a full day activity
Lions Head			• Hike - not difficult • Paragliding - around $85 (prices might be outdated). Book ahead
Robben Island			Tours depart three times a day and take about 3.5 hours, consisting of a ferry trip to and from the island, and a tour of the various historical sites on the island that form part of the Robben Island Museum. These include the island graveyard, the disused lime quarry, Robert Sobukwe's house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers, and the maximum security prison. Nelson Mandela's cell is shown. Reviews are mixed
Table Mountain (Cable car or hike)	~R350		• Follow on Twitter for updates on if open or closed • Cableway costs ~R350 rand pp - depends if morning or afternoon • Can repel down • 895 rand pp (prices might be outdated) • repel for like 15 mins • hike back up is 25 mins • Closes 6pm • BOOK IN ADVANCE
Signal Hill			Go there for a sunset with bit more a "local" flavor. Views aren't great compared to Lion's Head and can be quite crowded at sunset.
V & A Waterfront
The Garden Route			long scenic drive

Kirstenbosch Gardens
Shark Diving	$88 +$34 for video (prices might be outdated)	2 hours	Can do in Gansbaii. Links:1, 2, 3
Sandboarding			Bring goggles!
Skydiving	$170 (prices might be outdated) Cheaper
Quad Biking (ATVs)
Hout Bay market
Kayaking at Hout Bay	Link		Amazing experience. Views may very but can often see Heaviside dolphins jumping right in front of you
Cheetah Outreach			Where you can go and pet cheetahs and other animals super cool. Website
Aquila Private Game Reserve		2 hours	Pricey but quality accommodations for overnight stays. Good for people who aren't leaving Cape Town area but want to see wildlife. Some dismiss as a "glorified zoo"
Cango Wildlife Ranch		5 hours

Cbs	Link
Markus	Link
Yaalili	Link
Yehuda57	Link
Ponash123	Link
Yehoshua	Link

Name	Type	Contact	Location & Description
Corner Cafe (Glenhazel)	Milk	+27 11 440-3160 Link	Corner of Queens square and cross road in Glenhazel. Corner Café is the best place to go (or maybe the only) for kosher gluten free muffins. I’m told they’re very good. They also have great breakfasts and pastas, but I usually stick with a toasted cheese and chips.
Dee-Jays (Sandton)	Milk	+27 11 883-2265 Link	Morningview Shopping Centre, 100 South Road, 2196 - Dee-Jays provides casual dairy food that is perfect for a breakfast out with the family. Their fishballs are really good and if you need a cake in the Sandton area, they’re the place to go.
Market Cafe (Norood Mall)	Milk		Cholov Yisroel cafe
KosherWorld, Mi Vami Kosher and Chop N Wok (Glenhazel)		+27 11 440 1402 Website	1 Long Avenue, Johannesburg, 2192
Gelatisimo (Glenhazel)			Across the road from Kosher World, authentic Italian gelato. Chalav Yisroel. Absolutely fantastic.
Michelos (Glenhazel)	Milk	+27 11 885-1500 Link	17 Northfield Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Michelos is the second best pizza restaurant. They are very centrally located (in the Jewish area of Glenhazel) and their food is nice. Never go there the night after Pesach because you’ll wait hours but most other times are good, plus they serve chalav yisrael.
Nandos Kosher (Savoy)	Meat	+27 11 885-1496 Website	553 Louis Botha Ave, Savoy, Johannesburg, 2090, South Africa - Nandos is a large chain of Portuguese chicken restaurants, but there is only one kosher Nandos in South Africa, so be aware that you can’t step into any of them! They serve top notch chicken but be sure to also try their beef burger (and order extra sauce).
Next Door "Non-CY" (Norwood)	Milk	+27 11 728-2577 Link	80 Grant Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Next Door is rated as a top restaurant in Johannesburg, kosher and not, so you know it must be pretty good. It is usually full so booking is highly recommended. While their sushi may not be top class, their pizzas certainly are and, if you’re around in Summer, definitely try their fish braai (barbeque in South African).
Pie Works (Sandringham)		+27 11 485 2447 Website	74 George Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Their pies (clearly) are the best kosher pies in the country and are perfect if you want to buy some to take home and reheat. Their burgers are delicious and the have a milk side with pizza that is really good. They’re situated on what is known as the Kosher Strip, so any Jew will be able to direct you.
RTG "Ready to Go" (Norwood)			A fast food place next door to ... Next Door. While they do offer steak and a Chinese menu, the focus is their extensive burger and hot dog menu.
The Deli Store (Sandton)		011-656-3142 / 4915 info@thedelistore.co.za, http://thedelistore.co.za/menus/main-menu/	Shop 52, (opposite Woolworths) Morning Glen Shopping Mall Cnr Bowling & Kelvin Road Gallo Manor - Reviewed in CBS's TR, as having excellent food for very low prices. According to Google is "Permanently Closed".
So Sushi (Glenhazel)
Jozi Blue (Glenhazel)	Milk		They have some items Cholov Yisroel, which they will serve on disposables on request

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Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 480732 times)