Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 473580 times)

Dawie · « **Reply #680 on:** February 18, 2016, 04:45:01 PM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on February 18, 2016, 04:18:47 PM

"Better" still isn't the same as safe.

thats why i'm going...to make sure

Yehoshua · « **Reply #681 on:** March 08, 2016, 04:42:22 PM »

Does it make sense to fly out of HLA to CPT instead of JNB? I still haven't booked anything yet, but I'm thinking of staying in Pilanesburg for 2 nights (Mon, Tue) and fly out of HLA on Wed. Flight would be at 2pm for $74.50/person. The other option if to fly from JNB for ~$78.50/person at 11am.

My question is two-fold:

1. Is the extra time in CPT worth the farther drive to JNB?
2. If flying from JNB I'd need to leave early enough that I'd miss the morning game drive, making staying in Pilanesburg Tue night kind of pointless. Would it be worth it to stay in JNB another night just to get the earlier flight?

This is assuming that there either isn't a one way rental fee for the car or that it won't change the price much.

Finally, on a different topic, when you select an infant (under 2) on SAA it charges 10% of the fare (about $8). Does this get the infant a seat? If it doesn't do all infants need seats on domestic flights within SA?

Dawie · « **Reply #682 on:** March 08, 2016, 05:46:37 PM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on March 08, 2016, 04:42:22 PM

Does it make sense to fly out of HLA to CPT instead of JNB? I still haven't booked anything yet, but I'm thinking of staying in Pilanesburg for 2 nights (Mon, Tue) and fly out of HLA on Wed. Flight would be at 2pm for $74.50/person. The other option if to fly from JNB for ~$78.50/person at 11am.

My question is two-fold:

1. Is the extra time in CPT worth the farther drive to JNB?
2. If flying from JNB I'd need to leave early enough that I'd miss the morning game drive, making staying in Pilanesburg Tue night kind of pointless. Would it be worth it to stay in JNB another night just to get the earlier flight?

This is assuming that there either isn't a one way rental fee for the car or that it won't change the price much.

Finally, on a different topic, when you select an infant (under 2) on SAA it charges 10% of the fare (about $8). Does this get the infant a seat? If it doesn't do all infants need seats on domestic flights within SA?

infant doesn;t get a seat
the difference between HLA and JNB is minimal (1/2)from NTY (if you take the toll road...) there maybe traffic to JNB
i'd go back to JNB/HLA for Tues and get an early jump on CPT

Yehoshua · « **Reply #683 on:** March 08, 2016, 05:53:56 PM »

Quote from: Dawie on March 08, 2016, 05:46:37 PM

infant doesn;t get a seat
the difference between HLA and JNB is minimal (1/2)from NTY (if you take the toll road...) there maybe traffic to JNB
i'd go back to JNB/HLA for Tues and get an early jump on CPT

But do you need to pay for an infant (compared to in the US where you don't)?

So you'd just go from JNB, or does it not matter much? There are obviously more flights from JNB.

Dawie · « **Reply #684 on:** March 08, 2016, 06:35:28 PM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on March 08, 2016, 05:53:56 PM

But do you need to pay for an infant (compared to in the US where you don't)?

So you'd just go from JNB, or does it not matter much? There are obviously more flights from JNB.

since when dont you pay for an lap child ? (is it only int'l? i haven;t flown with a lap child domestically in years)
I'd go to where ever the most convenient flight is

Yehoshua · « **Reply #685 on:** March 08, 2016, 06:38:00 PM »

Quote from: Dawie on March 08, 2016, 06:35:28 PM

since when dont you pay for an lap child ? (is it only int'l? i haven;t flown with a lap child domestically in years)
I'd go to where ever the most convenient flight is

Yeah, domestically you don't pay for a lap kid.

Even if you're staying in JNB it's just as easy to get to HLA as it is to get to JNB?

Dawie · « **Reply #686 on:** March 08, 2016, 07:10:33 PM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on March 08, 2016, 06:38:00 PM

Yeah, domestically you don't pay for a lap kid.

Even if you're staying in JNB it's just as easy to get to HLA as it is to get to JNB?

Depends where you are
you could stay in Montecassino or somewhere around fourways and be close to HLA
Generally if you want food and a minyan you'll want to be in or around Glenhazel, which is closer to JNB

Yehoshua · « **Reply #687 on:** March 08, 2016, 07:29:00 PM »

Quote from: Dawie on March 08, 2016, 07:10:33 PM

Depends where you are
you could stay in Montecassino or somewhere around fourways and be close to HLA
Generally if you want food and a minyan you'll want to be in or around Glenhazel, which is closer to JNB

Got it. Once we're going back to JNB anyway, it makes sense to stay in a Jewish area to have both food and minyanim.

Dawie · « **Reply #688 on:** March 09, 2016, 09:49:50 AM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on March 08, 2016, 07:29:00 PM

Got it. Once we're going back to JNB anyway, it makes sense to stay in a Jewish area to have both food and minyanim.

Melrose Arch African pride is 20k marriott a night

Yehoshua · « **Reply #689 on:** March 09, 2016, 10:37:57 AM »

Quote from: Dawie on March 09, 2016, 09:49:50 AM

Melrose Arch African pride is 20k marriott a night

Cool! I'll have to get a Marriott card though as I'm out of points there.

Dawie · « **Reply #690 on:** March 09, 2016, 10:56:27 AM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on March 09, 2016, 10:37:57 AM

Cool! I'll have to get a Marriott card though as I'm out of points there.

there is SPG and Hyatt options (not as close)

Yehoshua · « **Reply #691 on:** March 09, 2016, 10:59:00 AM »

Quote from: Dawie on March 09, 2016, 10:56:27 AM

there is SPG and Hyatt options (not as close)

True. Now I'm just looking into where to stay in Sun City or near that dam you mentioned earlier. It looks like it's 1 night in each place: Sun night in Sun City or near the dam, Mon on the game reserve, and Tue back in Joburg. I'm wondering if there's a way to stay in 1 place for more than 1 night. Doesn't seem like it...

Dawie · « **Reply #692 on:** March 09, 2016, 11:52:00 AM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on March 09, 2016, 10:59:00 AM

True. Now I'm just looking into where to stay in Sun City or near that dam you mentioned earlier. It looks like it's 1 night in each place: Sun night in Sun City or near the dam, Mon on the game reserve, and Tue back in Joburg. I'm wondering if there's a way to stay in 1 place for more than 1 night. Doesn't seem like it...

you could base yourself in sun city for all three nights but then you limit yourself re: the game drive (access to Pilansberg sunrise and sunset etc . )and drive back to JNB wed morning
i'd stick with the sun night in Lost City, monday night in pilnasberg and tues in the Melrose Arch or Hyatt Rosebank

Yehoshua · « **Reply #693 on:** March 09, 2016, 12:05:50 PM »

Quote from: Dawie on March 09, 2016, 11:52:00 AM

you could base yourself in sun city for all three nights but then you limit yourself re: the game drive (access to Pilansberg sunrise and sunset etc . )and drive back to JNB wed morning
i'd stick with the sun night in Lost City, monday night in pilnasberg and tues in the Melrose Arch or Hyatt Rosebank

That makes sense. What do you make of the Hilton Sandton? I have loads of HH to use and C+P is 16k+R785 (vs the HR for 8k or 4k+R885).

Dawie · « **Reply #694 on:** March 09, 2016, 12:45:15 PM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on March 09, 2016, 12:05:50 PM

That makes sense. What do you make of the Hilton Sandton? I have loads of HH to use and C+P is 16k+R785 (vs the HR for 8k or 4k+R885).

close to shuls, Gautrain, Nelson Mandela Square (maybe figure out how to use points for the MIchelanglo... one of the LHW hotels) (another interesting hotel in JNB is the Four Seasons Westcliff, a real old time gem from the colonial days similar to the Belmond Igauzu)
dont know about the food situation in Sandton

Yehoshua · « **Reply #695 on:** March 09, 2016, 12:49:07 PM »

Quote from: Dawie on March 09, 2016, 12:45:15 PM

close to shuls, Gautrain, Nelson Mandela Square (maybe figure out how to use points for the MIchelanglo... one of the LHW hotels) (another interesting hotel in JNB is the Four Seasons Westcliff, a real old time gem from the colonial days similar to the Belmond Igauzu)
dont know about the food situation in Sandton

Right. I may just try to open another Marriott card, use the free cat 4 night at the African Pride, and the 87.5k signup for the Protea Sea Point. Question remains if Chase will give me the card.

Yehoshua · « **Reply #696 on:** March 09, 2016, 02:55:12 PM »

For JNB-CPT, how would you rank the following airlines and why:

Comair (BA)
Kulula (MN)
South African (SA)
Mango (JE)
FlySafair (FE)

Dawie · « **Reply #697 on:** March 09, 2016, 03:16:50 PM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on March 09, 2016, 02:55:12 PM

For JNB-CPT, how would you rank the following airlines and why:

Comair (BA)
Kulula (MN)
South African (SA)
Mango (JE)
FlySafair (FE)

Comair is like British Airways (wait it is British Airways)
Kulula is a cross between Spirit and WN - they are into the humour but rate below on most other things
Mango is like frontier (they are sort of SAA's budget step child)
SAA is your standard National Airline, used to be better...
dont know about FE, looks very much like a ryanair knockoff

Yehoshua · « **Reply #698 on:** March 09, 2016, 03:42:20 PM »

Quote from: Dawie on March 09, 2016, 03:16:50 PM

Comair is like British Airways (wait it is British Airways)
Kulula is a cross between Spirit and WN - they are into the humour but rate below on most other things
Mango is like frontier (they are sort of SAA's budget step child)
SAA is your standard National Airline, used to be better...
dont know about FE, looks very much like a ryanair knockoff

Thanks for the breakdown.

Kulula is ~$120 for 2 adults and a lap child (incl a 20kg bag per person including lap kid)
Flysafair is ~$96 for 2 adults and a lap child (plus $15.24 for a 20kg bag, not including lap kid) for a total of $126.50
SAA operated by Mango is ~$166 for 2 adults and a lap child (incl a 23kg bag per person including lap kid)
BA is ~$242 OR 13,650 avios (If Avios are valued at 1.2cpp, then the fare would be $163.80) for 2 adults and a lap child (incl a 23kg bag per person including lap kid)

Based on the above, what would be the best option assuming we don't need more than 40kg checked in and they're not super makpid on the 7kg carry on weight restrictions?

Do SA and BA offer kosher meals on those flights? It doesn't appear so...

Yaalili · « **Reply #699 on:** March 09, 2016, 03:43:26 PM »

Quote from: Yehoshua on March 09, 2016, 02:55:12 PM

For JNB-CPT, how would you rank the following airlines and why:

Comair (BA)
Kulula (MN)
South African (SA)
Mango (JE)
FlySafair (FE)

On my most recent trip I have flown all of them besides for FE. South African is your standard one, think any of the major American ones. Comair we flew with to Victoria falls and the planes were very old, but empty too. Mango we had a fresh new plane from the smell of it, very pleasant smooth flight from JNB to HLA. And we flew kulula from JNB to CPT which was a really fun flight, younger crowd on the flight. Both Kulula and Mango are nowhere on the league of frontier or spirit, they are much better. Including free drinks, free piece of luggage, free carry on. In fact when I asked if we had to pay for a checked bag, the agent at the counter responded: "what do you think this is, spirit?

"

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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 473580 times)