Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 474370 times)

chani21 · « **Reply #360 on:** August 06, 2015, 02:55:12 PM »

Quote from: Yaalili on August 06, 2015, 02:52:49 PM

Best way to do Kruger is on your own car rental. Otherwise nhongo safari tour is your best bet.

Why is it best to do it on your own?

Yehuda57 · « **Reply #361 on:** August 06, 2015, 02:55:58 PM »

Quote from: chani21 on August 06, 2015, 02:40:01 PM

We have a week to tour and kruger park sounds great, but don't think we need a week, any suggestions of what else to do that doesn't including flying to another place? Additionally, any suggestions of best tour groups or hotels etc for kruger? We'll be in joburg for shabbos, ideally a company that picks up from joburg sounds ideal, unless its considerably more expensive. We don't really want to rent a car as we heard uber is fine there, has anyone used uber there? Any and all suggestions would be much appreciated.

Uber is indeed fine in JNB, but renting a car can give you more flexibility if you want to venture a bit further out to the Lion Park or the like.

If you rent a car, you can also do some stuff nearer to Kruger which you couldn't do if you were being driven there by a Safari company.

Yaalili · « **Reply #362 on:** August 06, 2015, 02:56:54 PM »

Quote from: chani21 on August 06, 2015, 02:55:12 PM

Why is it best to do it on your own?

Flexibility, drive whenever u want, on ur own pace, that is how everyone does it there, well marked roads.

chani21 · « **Reply #363 on:** August 06, 2015, 02:58:22 PM »

Quote from: Yehuda57 on August 06, 2015, 02:55:58 PM

Uber is indeed fine in JNB, but renting a car can give you more flexibility if you want to venture a bit further out to the Lion Park or the like.

If you rent a car, you can also do some stuff nearer to Kruger which you couldn't do if you were being driven there by a Safari company.

Have you rented there before? What was your experience? Did you have to bring any insurance info from here? We recently went to mexico and it was such a hassle renting a car they wanted to charge us like crazy for more insurance. If its not a big deal to rent a car and driving is safe, were not opposed.

Yehuda57 · « **Reply #364 on:** August 06, 2015, 02:58:43 PM »

Quote from: Yaalili on August 06, 2015, 02:52:49 PM

Best way to do Kruger is on your own car rental. Otherwise nhongo safari tour is your best bet.

-1 - depends on your budget. Guided drives are far better than self driving

chani21 · « **Reply #365 on:** August 06, 2015, 02:59:19 PM »

Quote from: Yaalili on August 06, 2015, 02:56:54 PM

Flexibility, drive whenever u want, on ur own pace, that is how everyone does it there, well marked roads.

There isn't a worry about animals coming to your car? Also would I need to rent a special kind of vehicle?

Yehuda57 · « **Reply #366 on:** August 06, 2015, 03:00:58 PM »

Quote from: chani21 on August 06, 2015, 02:58:22 PM

Have you rented there before? What was your experience? Did you have to bring any insurance info from here? We recently went to mexico and it was such a hassle renting a car they wanted to charge us like crazy for more insurance. If its not a big deal to rent a car and driving is safe, were not opposed.

I've rented a bunch of times. Insurance has always been mandatory, they won't take it off no matter what letters you have from your credit card company.

Driving in South Africa is safe - don't run red lights at night. It is a myth and can get you killed like running a red light anywhere else would.

chani21 · « **Reply #367 on:** August 06, 2015, 03:04:19 PM »

Quote from: Yehuda57 on August 06, 2015, 03:00:58 PM

I've rented a bunch of times. Insurance has always been mandatory, they won't take it off no matter what letters you have from your credit card company.

Driving in South Africa is safe - don't run red lights at night. It is a myth and can get you killed like running a red light anywhere else would.

Yes, thats exactly what ive heard about the red lights. Thanks for the insurance info.

chani21 · « **Reply #368 on:** August 06, 2015, 03:07:25 PM »

Assuming we rent a car, any suggestions of best kind of car to rent assuming we drive to kruger and any other attraction. Addtitionally, we plan to be in joburg for 2 shabbosim, would it be worthwhile to spend shabbos in another community?

CholentTheTraveler · « **Reply #369 on:** August 06, 2015, 03:36:46 PM »

Quote from: chani21 on August 06, 2015, 02:40:01 PM

We have a week to tour and kruger park sounds great, but don't think we need a week, any suggestions of what else to do that doesn't including flying to another place? Additionally, any suggestions of best tour groups or hotels etc for kruger? We'll be in joburg for shabbos, ideally a company that picks up from joburg sounds ideal, unless its considerably more expensive. We don't really want to rent a car as we heard uber is fine there, has anyone used uber there? Any and all suggestions would be much appreciated.

Do you like nature? G-ds window and the potholes etc are awesome (personally). The area is very beautiful and great way to break up the trip. Last time I did Kruger was 2 days (day 1 we saw everything) but was lucky. What are your interested and can help us share more ideas.

CholentTheTraveler · « **Reply #370 on:** August 06, 2015, 03:37:48 PM »

Quote from: chani21 on August 06, 2015, 03:07:25 PM

Assuming we rent a car, any suggestions of best kind of car to rent assuming we drive to kruger and any other attraction. Addtitionally, we plan to be in joburg for 2 shabbosim, would it be worthwhile to spend shabbos in another community?

I personally like Chabad of the North Coast as the shul is close to the beach (used to be on the beach) and some good activities in the area (shark diving, Ushaka etc).

Yehuda57 · « **Reply #371 on:** August 06, 2015, 03:41:50 PM »

Quote from: chani21 on August 06, 2015, 02:59:19 PM

There isn't a worry about animals coming to your car? Also would I need to rent a special kind of vehicle?

Thousands of people self-drive Kruger each day, in all different types of vehicles. It is safe. But exercise common sense. Don't get out of your car under ANY circumstances. Keep your doors locked. (Yes, someone got killed a few months ago in the Lion Park when a lion opened an unlocked door.)

Having said that, it is FAR better to have guided drives, especially on your first safari. The guides can spot animals way better than you can, being in the Jeep gives you a much better vantage point to see animals, and they are very knowledgeable about the animals and the area which will make for a much more interesting drive. It's a matter of your budget. When you stay in the park, game drives are often included (sometimes with a choice of a sunset or sunrise drive) the rest of the day you do on your own. The better the resort, the longer the included drives will be.

Another thing to keep in mind - you probably don't want to be doing the drive to or from Kruger at night. Closer to Kruger, the roads are more sketchy.

As for what else there is to do in that week - it depends on what kind of activities you are interested in . Perhaps you'd enjoy a two day hike in the Drakensburg, or maybe you'd like a hot air balloon ride over Magaliesberg. Near Kruger, beginning in Graskop, is the Panoramic Route, with about two days worth of scenic activities. (including the Potholes and G-d's Window mentioned by Cholent)

There are numerous communities with the Johannesburg Jewish community, all are very warm and welcoming, and you should have a lot of fun.

The North Coast mentioned above is about a 5-6 hour drive from JNB, and depending on the time of year, it could also be a place to see whales and/or dolphins.

CholentTheTraveler · « **Reply #372 on:** August 06, 2015, 03:46:59 PM »

Quote from: Yehuda57 on August 06, 2015, 03:41:50 PM

Near Kruger, beginning in Graskop, is the Panoramic Route, with about two days worth of scenic activities. (including the Potholes and G-d's Window mentioned by Cholent)

Graskop has an amazing "swing" and also zipline which we really loved. They claim it is the tallest, longest and fastest zipline in the world. I would highly recommend it!
+1 Yehuda for the reminder on the location.

gsquared · « **Reply #373 on:** August 07, 2015, 02:02:14 PM »

It looks like you have a week to tour so I would suggest that you self drive on Sunday to someplace near the Panorama route - we stayed in Sabie. Monday - drive the Panorama route. Include a town I like that noone mentioned - Pilgrims Rest. You need to decide if you want to spend the bucks and stay at one of the private game parks that abut Kruger e.g. Elephant Plains. Most people do 1 or 2 nights in the private game parks and then 1 or 2 nights in Kruger. Probably 3 nights either way. If and when you go to Kruger and self drive you should make sure to take the game drives that camps provide. Self drive cant drive after sunset but these tours do and they are great.
If its Thursday then you can drive through Swaziland and then Friday spend shabbat at the Chabad in Durban in Umhlanga. It depends on the time of year.

chani21 · « **Reply #374 on:** August 09, 2015, 11:21:13 PM »

Quote from: Yaalili on August 06, 2015, 02:52:49 PM

Best way to do Kruger is on your own car rental. Otherwise nhongo safari tour is your best bet.

Did you use Nhongo tours before? What makes them better then anyone else?

Yaalili · « **Reply #375 on:** August 10, 2015, 12:43:25 AM »

Quote from: chani21 on August 09, 2015, 11:21:13 PM

Did you use Nhongo tours before? What makes them better then anyone else?

They had the best reviews when I searched online, and people on the forums (Yehuda & maybe others) used them.

chani21 · « **Reply #376 on:** August 10, 2015, 12:53:00 AM »

Thanks so much

Yosef_S · « **Reply #377 on:** August 13, 2015, 01:13:24 PM »

Quote from: chani21 on August 09, 2015, 11:21:13 PM

Did you use Nhongo tours before? What makes them better then anyone else?

We used Nhongo when we went. There were some minor issues in communications as far as the pick up from JNB, but the safari itself was excellent! Our guide (Mark) was amazing and we saw all of the Big 5 in the first day. I can't stress enough the importance of going on a guided safari as opposed to self-driving if you are there for a shorter trip! The guides can spot an animal far better than you can, and they have access to the radio channels where they all tip each other off to the best sightings.

CholentTheTraveler · « **Reply #378 on:** August 13, 2015, 11:54:54 PM »

Quote from: Yaalili on July 31, 2015, 10:12:21 AM

Or just use miles, both flights had plenty seats available when I went. Especially the LVI flight there were about 30 people on the entire 737.

What did you pay in tax? I was just looking and tax was $640 for 2 pax

Yaalili · « **Reply #379 on:** August 14, 2015, 12:03:29 AM »

Quote from: CholentTheTraveler on August 13, 2015, 11:54:54 PM

What did you pay in tax? I was just looking and tax was $640 for 2 pax

Our tax was about $100 per person roundtrip. Make sure the BA account had a transfer in past few months to show that rate, otherwise can be significantly higher.

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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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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 474370 times)