Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 473492 times)

Joe4007 · « **Reply #940 on:** February 15, 2017, 10:55:41 AM »

Quote from: Dawie on February 15, 2017, 10:16:05 AM

O M G wow you absolutely nailed it
alot of planning must have gone into the trip and it looks like you got the full experience

Thanks! Indeed I put a LOT of planing into this trip.

Quote

Totally agree about VF Safari lodge, i stay in the Kingdom , not because it's good but because of the location
VF has it's advantages over Igauzu but i'd take Igauzu any day (Devils Pool, sunset cruise, actual height, gorge, zipline, bungee rafting etc. are some of the advantages)

I hear your points about Vic over Iguazu, but like you said I'd take Iguazu any day. Devil's pool wasn't available now (high season) and sunset cruise didn't seem too exciting to me (We actually took the rafting trip in Iguazu upstream of the falls and it was very nice as we got relatively close to the falls). I'm slightly afraid of heights so no zipline and bungee for me...

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what did you think of the Protea by KNP ? functional?

We were in the Protea in Nelspruit which is your typical 3-3.5 star hotel. The Protea at Kruger gate sounds like a much nicer property and I was actually booked there, but the location made me switch to the one in Nelspruit. It would have meant driving 1.5-2 hours after dark to get to the hotel and also entering the park the next day at the same place where I was returning my car meaning I would drive the same roads twice. Not the end of the world, but I'd rather use that one self drive to cover more ground.

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Location of the Marriott 15 On Orange Hotel is really good, was it decent?

15 On Orange is a very nice modern hotel. Their smallest room is 400+ Sq. Ft. We were upgraded (Marriott Gold) to a deluxe room 750+ Sq. Ft. Excellent point value (6.6k SPG).

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I'll be handing out this itinerary!! i'm very impressed

You do that, and thanks

ajs625 · « **Reply #941 on:** April 28, 2017, 12:45:49 PM »

Can kosherworld prepare for you prepacked meals like pom meals?

Yehoshua · « **Reply #942 on:** April 28, 2017, 12:48:43 PM »

Quote from: ajs625 on April 28, 2017, 12:45:49 PM

Can kosherworld prepare for you prepacked meals like pom meals?

Yes

ajs625 · « **Reply #943 on:** April 30, 2017, 06:50:40 PM »

I will be in Victoria Falls for 1 1/2 days, is it better to do a whole day safari to Chobe or a half day and do the other activities in and around Victoria falls?

Saulius · « **Reply #944 on:** May 01, 2017, 10:47:11 AM »

Quote from: ajs625 on April 30, 2017, 06:50:40 PM

I will be in Victoria Falls for 1 1/2 days, is it better to do a whole day safari to Chobe or a half day and do the other activities in and around Victoria falls?

Chobe is worth it, but the best time to go is July-September, and game viewing is best at sunset and sunrise times.
Whitewater Rafting on the Zambezi is another activity which you can do.

Dawie · « **Reply #945 on:** May 01, 2017, 10:54:41 AM »

Quote from: ajs625 on April 30, 2017, 06:50:40 PM

I will be in Victoria Falls for 1 1/2 days, is it better to do a whole day safari to Chobe or a half day and do the other activities in and around Victoria falls?

i'd just stick around VFA
Do both sides of the river
there's more then enough to do around the falls for 1 1/2 days
Chobe is a 2 hour drive from VFA and thats just to the park
most of your time will be just getting there and back

as2 · « **Reply #946 on:** May 01, 2017, 11:08:10 AM »

Quote from: Dawie on May 01, 2017, 10:54:41 AM

i'd just stick around VFA
Do both sides of the river
there's more then enough to do around the falls for 1 1/2 days
Chobe is a 2 hour drive from VFA and thats just to the park
most of your time will be just getting there and back

+1 VF is gorgeous and has plenty to do in the area. I'd recommend the Livingston Island tour, bungee jumping and/or zip line over the falls. If you want to spend a bit more, a helicopter tour is cool too.

Saulius · « **Reply #947 on:** May 01, 2017, 04:44:22 PM »

Quote from: as2 on May 01, 2017, 11:08:10 AM

+1 VF is gorgeous and has plenty to do in the area. I'd recommend the Livingston Island tour, bungee jumping and/or zip line over the falls. If you want to spend a bit more, a helicopter tour is cool too.

Don't miss out on Devil's Pool ! - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-561261/Is-ultimate-dangerous-infinity-pool-world-The-natural-water-hole-perched-edge-Victoria-Falls.html

Yaalili · « **Reply #948 on:** May 01, 2017, 05:33:07 PM »

Quote from: Saulius on May 01, 2017, 04:44:22 PM

Don't miss out on Devil's Pool ! - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-561261/Is-ultimate-dangerous-infinity-pool-world-The-natural-water-hole-perched-edge-Victoria-Falls.html

Wasn't open when we were there in march.

as2 · « **Reply #949 on:** May 01, 2017, 05:43:36 PM »

Quote from: Yaalili on May 01, 2017, 05:33:07 PM

Wasn't open when we were there in march.

+1 It's closed for the rainy season. I believe the white water rafting is as well.

Saulius · « **Reply #950 on:** May 02, 2017, 01:42:25 AM »

Quote from: as2 on May 01, 2017, 05:43:36 PM

+1 It's closed for the rainy season. I believe the white water rafting is as well.

As far as whitewater rafting, it's open all year, just in the rainy season only rapids
11 to 23 are rafted.

http://www.zambezirafting.com/livingstone-zambia/zambezi-river-rapid-guide.html

madhatter349 · « **Reply #951 on:** May 08, 2017, 12:20:01 PM »

Any recommendations for a budget/quality trip to kruger national park? A Friend and I will be in Johannesburg for 4 days and we are looking to do a 2 day / 1 night or a 3 day / 2 night in kruger national park.

Saulius · « **Reply #952 on:** May 08, 2017, 12:34:37 PM »

Rent a car and book accomodations at one of the Kruger rest camps. You can book game drives through the park, as well as self-drive.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/

Quote from: madhatter349 on May 08, 2017, 12:20:01 PM

Any recommendations for a budget/quality trip to kruger national park? A Friend and I will be in Johannesburg for 4 days and we are looking to do a 2 day / 1 night or a 3 day / 2 night in kruger national park.

madhatter349 · « **Reply #953 on:** May 08, 2017, 01:52:28 PM »

Quote from: Saulius on May 08, 2017, 12:34:37 PM

Rent a car and book accomodations at one of the Kruger rest camps. You can book game drives through the park, as well as self-drive.
https://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/

I can surely look into that, thank you for the suggestion. Is there a base camp you recommend staying at, do you recommend if doing 2 nights, do 2 different camps, and do you have a preferred car rental company in Johannesburg?

Saulius · « **Reply #954 on:** May 08, 2017, 03:23:10 PM »

Quote from: madhatter349 on May 08, 2017, 01:52:28 PM

I can surely look into that, thank you for the suggestion. Is there a base camp you recommend staying at, do you recommend if doing 2 nights, do 2 different camps, and do you have a preferred car rental company in Johannesburg?

Well definitely do two nights, and the camps I prefer are Lower Sabie, Skukuza or Tamboti. For such a short trip, be aware it would be a 4-5 hour drive from JNB. You can also fly into the Kruger park, e.g. Nelspruit Airport. If your return departure flight is early, you can stay in e.g. Berg-en-Dal camp. I don't have any preference as far as preferred car rental, I just book whichever one gives the best rate, usually Avis or Hertz. Car rental is fairly cheap, as long as you rent a manual.

madhatter349 · « **Reply #955 on:** May 09, 2017, 09:23:38 AM »

Quote from: Saulius on May 08, 2017, 03:23:10 PM

Well definitely do two nights, and the camps I prefer are Lower Sabie, Skukuza or Tamboti. For such a short trip, be aware it would be a 4-5 hour drive from JNB. You can also fly into the Kruger park, e.g. Nelspruit Airport. If your return departure flight is early, you can stay in e.g. Berg-en-Dal camp. I don't have any preference as far as preferred car rental, I just book whichever one gives the best rate, usually Avis or Hertz. Car rental is fairly cheap, as long as you rent a manual.

Thank You, I Will look into those 3 base camps. Is it possible to book game drives in advanced, which would you recommend?

Saulius · « **Reply #956 on:** May 09, 2017, 09:46:22 AM »

Quote from: madhatter349 on May 09, 2017, 09:23:38 AM

Thank You, I Will look into those 3 base camps. Is it possible to book game drives in advanced, which would you recommend?

You should reserve your accommodations in advance as that sells out fast. As far as game drive, you can also book that in advanced, and the best would be morning and sunset game drives, but you can also self-drive. The advantage of the game drives is that you are in an open safari vehicle; Plus they depart 30 minutes prior to when the camp gates officially open in the morning, and the sunset drive, they can return to the gate well after sunset. (Self-drive, you can only leave when the camp gates open at 6am, and you must be back in the camp at 5:30pm for the month of June). Plus in the safari vehicles, you are higher up, so you have better visibility, professional guide, etc. but other than that, I prefer to drive myself, and often the game drive vehicles are just following me.

http://latestsightings.com/ should be of interest

jomaster28 · « **Reply #957 on:** May 09, 2017, 05:20:29 PM »

I went on a 3 week Honeymoon to South Africa & Mauritius in January. I was about 3/4 way through an amazing and detailed trip report when of course my computer crashes and I loose everything.

I will be writing up a much more brief TR without all the details but if anyone has any questions at all about Cape Town, Safari, Joburg or Mauritius please DM me.

Saulius · « **Reply #958 on:** May 09, 2017, 06:14:29 PM »

I live in South Africa, and been countless of times in Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Ethiopia, Angola, Rwanda, Egypt, etc, and drove the entire South Africa backward and forwards. Glad to help anybody as well

Quote from: jomaster28 on May 09, 2017, 05:20:29 PM

I went on a 3 week Honeymoon to South Africa & Mauritius in January. I was about 3/4 way through an amazing and detailed trip report when of course my computer crashes and I loose everything.

I will be writing up a much more brief TR without all the details but if anyone has any questions at all about Cape Town, Safari, Joburg or Mauritius please DM me.

Saulius · « **Reply #959 on:** May 09, 2017, 07:10:11 PM »

The joys of living in South Africa: You don't have to go to the Kruger to see big 5, we have a big one right here in Johannesburg, the Parktown Prawn - This disgusting cricket is enormous and is fairly common in the gardens in and around Johannesburg. Getting rid of them is torture, they squirt foul black fecal matter & jump over a meter high if they feel threatened. They hiss at you whilst you are trying to kill them. If you flush them down the toilet they crawl back up unscathed.

The other picture is a Green Mamba which I recently took after one of the Jack Russels killed it. Bite from one of these can cause life-threatening paralysis and can be fatal in as little as 30 minutes.

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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 473492 times)