Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 480967 times)

Something Fishy · « **Reply #2300 on:** July 20, 2022, 10:54:55 AM »

Is Devil's pool even gonna be open then?

Regardless, Chobe is a must-do.

Gimpel · « **Reply #2301 on:** July 20, 2022, 11:11:43 AM »

Thanks for the quick responses yes I have devils pool booked already it should be open as it’s the end of august, was just in touch with Bella (someone posted her number) looks like we will be picked up from devils pool in Zambia fit in the full day tour in chobe and then be dropped off in Zimbabwe.

Dan · « **Reply #2302 on:** July 20, 2022, 11:13:04 AM »

Quote from: Gimpel on July 20, 2022, 11:11:43 AM

Thanks for the quick responses yes I have devils pool booked already it should be open as it’s the end of august, was just in touch with Bella (someone posted her number) looks like we will be picked up from devils pool in Zambia fit in the full day tour in chobe and then be dropped off in Zimbabwe.

Itinerary seems backwards. You want to get to Chobe bright and early in the morning.

Gimpel · « **Reply #2303 on:** July 20, 2022, 11:22:24 AM »

Bella just spoke to me she said she spoke to the tour guide and we should be in chobe by 10 and we will have time for both especially cuz we are skipping lunch, we also want to be in Zimbabwe that night so we don’t need to worry about crossing the border Tuesday morning as our flight to Addis Abba is at 1255.
We also can’t follow your itinerary exactly cuz the Kenya airways flight land at 520 pm.
BTW we are also doing 2 full days in Kruger.

Saulius · « **Reply #2304 on:** July 20, 2022, 11:29:29 AM »

Quote from: Gimpel on July 20, 2022, 10:32:32 AM

Hi I have a trip planned to South Africa and Victoria falls next month, we are a group of 5 friends and we are taking the Sunday flight from Cape Town to Livingstone Zambia to see Victoria falls and are flying out from Zimbabwe on Tuesday midday, as of now we plan on doing devils pool Monday morning, crossing into Zimbabwe touring that side of the falls and then Tuesday morning visiting a tribal village, but after reading what everyone is saying about Chobe we would love to go there also, do u guys recommend the original plan or doing devils pool Monday morning then a half day in chobe and touring the Zimbabwe side of the falls on Tuesday and skipping the tribal village?
Also anyone whose been lately can update me with the current COVID requirements l?
Thanks

Botswana, Zambia, & Zimbabwe requires negative PCR result results or full vaccination. Chobe is a must, but takes about an hour to get from Victoria Falls and usually consists of a game drive and a boat cruise - so you need to budget at least 6 hours in Chobe. Devil's pool is possible during June to December, and adviseable to book in advanced to secure your spot. As far as the tribal village, you can get a night tour - Also, in Swaziland/Eswatini - there is the Mantenga Cultural Village one can visit - but what one sees on youtube is the exact same thing.

Saulius · « **Reply #2305 on:** July 20, 2022, 11:52:30 AM »

Quote from: Gimpel on July 20, 2022, 11:22:24 AM

Bella just spoke to me she said she spoke to the tour guide and we should be in chobe by 10 and we will have time for both especially cuz we are skipping lunch, we also want to be in Zimbabwe that night so we don’t need to worry about crossing the border Tuesday morning as our flight to Addis Abba is at 1255.
We also can’t follow your itinerary exactly cuz the Kenya airways flight land at 520 pm.
BTW we are also doing 2 full days in Kruger.

Just make sure you get the KAZA UNIVISA on arrival for $50 (payable by credit card or USD (although sometimes their credit card machine does not work) - that gives you a 30 day unlimited entry visa to Zambia & Zimbabwe (allowing day trips to Botswana). I travelled to Chobe, Botswana via Kazungula (note the bridge has tolls), and between Zambia and Zimbabwe via Victoria Falls bridge and the wait times were short.

moish · « **Reply #2306 on:** July 20, 2022, 12:00:55 PM »

Quote from: Saulius on July 20, 2022, 11:29:29 AM

Devil's pool is possible during June to December,

Nope. It opens around mid August

Dan · « **Reply #2307 on:** July 20, 2022, 01:25:35 PM »

Quote from: Saulius on July 20, 2022, 11:52:30 AM

Just make sure you get the KAZA UNIVISA on arrival for $50 (payable by credit card or USD (although sometimes their credit card machine does not work) - that gives you a 30 day unlimited entry visa to Zambia & Zimbabwe (allowing day trips to Botswana). I travelled to Chobe, Botswana via Kazungula (note the bridge has tolls), and between Zambia and Zimbabwe via Victoria Falls bridge and the wait times were short.

Cash only when I went last October. Border crossings were not too bad.

Gimpel · « **Reply #2308 on:** July 21, 2022, 11:12:41 AM »

K so we booked chobe and devils pool, now I want to get everyone’s opinion about Cape Town. We are scheduled to land in Cape Town from Johannesburg Sunday midday and be there till the next Sunday as of now we have planned- climbing and rappelling down table mountain on Monday, Tuesday shark diving, Boulder beach and the cape of good hope, Wednesday morning we want to do sunrise on lions head.
Besides that we don’t have much else planned for Wednesday,Thursday or Friday we are considering the underwater safari tour. Any other ideas or must do’s in Cape Town?
Thanks

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #2309 on:** July 21, 2022, 11:17:58 AM »

I would spend more time on the coast etc outside of Cape Town

Dan · « **Reply #2310 on:** July 21, 2022, 11:20:36 AM »

Quote from: Gimpel on July 21, 2022, 11:12:41 AM

K so we booked chobe and devils pool, now I want to get everyone’s opinion about Cape Town. We are scheduled to land in Cape Town from Johannesburg Sunday midday and be there till the next Sunday as of now we have planned- climbing and rappelling down table mountain on Monday, Tuesday shark diving, Boulder beach and the cape of good hope, Wednesday morning we want to do sunrise on lions head.
Besides that we don’t have much else planned for Wednesday,Thursday or Friday we are considering the underwater safari tour. Any other ideas or must do’s in Cape Town?
Thanks

Winery tour and drive? Paragliding? Botanical gardens?
Shark diving combined with cape of good hope will mean that experience will be quite rushed. With that amount of time, separate it to separate days and maybe do the farther away shark diving.

Due to weather, our shark diving and paragliding were cancelled.

Gimpel · « **Reply #2311 on:** July 21, 2022, 11:45:25 AM »

Quote from: PlatinumGuy on July 21, 2022, 11:17:58 AM

I would spend more time on the coast etc outside of Cape Town

Can you explain where or give ideas
Thanks
Also heard there is a bunch of kosher wineries there does anyone have the details about that?
Thanks

Saulius · « **Reply #2312 on:** July 21, 2022, 12:33:37 PM »

Quote from: Gimpel on July 21, 2022, 11:45:25 AM

Can you explain where or give ideas
Thanks
Also heard there is a bunch of kosher wineries there does anyone have the details about that?
Thanks

My favorite place along the Garden Route (was just there for the 3rd time - I skip Cape Town and fly straight to George or Plett)
Storms River Mouth Restcamp to visit and stay overnight (you can get an Oceanettes / Ocean front chalet) - the highlight there is The Stormsriver Mouth Hike (2km round trip) - 77m long suspension bridge crossing the Storms River Mouth is a must! And at Stormsriver there is the Waterfall trail - it's the first 3km of the world-renowned Otter Trail - (Otter trail is a 5 day hike that one can book up to 11 months in advance, but it's always sold-out). And then there is kayaking there, plus bungee jumping at the nearby Bloukrans Bridge.

Plettenburg Bay area - Kranshoek Coastal Trail - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/south-africa/western-cape/kranshoek-coastal-trail
Robberg Nature Reserve - https://www.alltrails.com/en/parks/south-africa/western-cape/robberg-nature-reserve -- I saw humpback whales and dolphins there last week

Oudtshoorn (Cango Wildlife Ranch (they also offer Cheetah Encounters, Nile Crocodile cage diving, and they have a rare white Bengal Tiger), Cango Caves, Swartberg Pass, Ostrich farms), plus the Jewish history there: https://wcapeshuls.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/oudtshoorn/

Saulius · « **Reply #2313 on:** July 21, 2022, 12:39:46 PM »

Quote from: Gimpel on July 21, 2022, 11:45:25 AM

Also heard there is a bunch of kosher wineries there does anyone have the details about that?
Thanks

As far as Wineries - but you would have to contact directly if they are open for tours.

Draken Wine Estate - https://www.kleinedraken.co.za/ -- All their wines are kosher

Backsberg https://backsberg.co.za/

LFR · « **Reply #2314 on:** July 27, 2022, 10:35:14 AM »

Does anyone know of a way to access Devil's Pool in Zambia without paying $100 USD + per person?

Saulius · « **Reply #2315 on:** July 27, 2022, 11:09:46 AM »

Quote from: LFR on July 27, 2022, 10:35:14 AM

Does anyone know of a way to access Devil's Pool in Zambia without paying $100 USD + per person?

The way to get there is taking a boat from Zambia to Livingstone Island, and then a short swim to the Devil's pool. There is only one company that's licensed to guide this trip.

Gimpel · « **Reply #2316 on:** July 30, 2022, 04:18:56 PM »

Quick question
Can we get kosher biltong in Cape Town or do we need to pick it all up in Johannesburg?
Thanks

Dan · « **Reply #2317 on:** July 30, 2022, 10:10:29 PM »

Quote from: Gimpel on July 30, 2022, 04:18:56 PM

Quick question
Can we get kosher biltong in Cape Town or do we need to pick it all up in Johannesburg?
Thanks

You can get in CPT, but it's not as good or as cheap as JNB.

LFR · « **Reply #2318 on:** August 02, 2022, 04:44:13 PM »

Quote from: Saulius on July 27, 2022, 11:09:46 AM

The way to get there is taking a boat from Zambia to Livingstone Island, and then a short swim to the Devil's pool. There is only one company that's licensed to guide this trip.

Thanks!!

Charlie87 · « **Reply #2319 on:** August 08, 2022, 03:14:35 PM »

Brushing teeth with sink water in joburgh and Cape Town is okay??

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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

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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 480967 times)