Topic Wiki

Cape Town

Trip Reports
CbsLink
MarkusLink
shmebebleLink
YaaliliLink
Ponash123Link
YehoshuaLink
Jomaster28Link

UPDATED: Kosher Info from Beth Din in Cape Town (last updated Dec. 2020) http://www.uos.co.za/kashrut/ct_kosher.asp

Kashrus Note According to link above, all meat is glatt however milk is NOT Chalav Israel.

Restaurants

NameTypeHoursContactLocation & 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

Bakeries, Groceries & Ice Cream
Checkers Sea Point- 76 Regent Road - They have a large selection of kosher products including a kosher take out and bakery.
Spar Sea Point - 96 Regent Road - They have a large selection of kosher products including a kosher take out and bakery.

Shuls
Sea point is the main Jewish area.
Green and Sea Point Hebrew Congregation (Marais Road Shul)
Chabad


Hotels with Points near a Shul (Walking Minutes)
Protea Sea Point

Airport Transfer Options
Cab -
Executive Bus -
Public Bus -
Train -

Major Activities
Name
Cost
Distance from CPT
Description and Notes
Boulders Beach
R17035 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 hoursAlso features African Penguins though less crowded than Boulders beach, though further.
Chapman's Peak Drive
R45/car45 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/pp1.5 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 hoursCan 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 hoursPricey 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


Winelands
[Likely way more then listed but those are the few I remember]
(Might be worthwhile to make a trip to the winelands, even if one does not enjoy wine, for the scenery. Only about an hour or two from CPT)
  • Franschoek
  • Kleine Dracken - Kosher
  • Backsberg - Kosher

Johannesburg

Trip Reports
CbsLink
MarkusLink
YaaliliLink
Yehuda57Link
Ponash123Link
YehoshuaLink

Restaurants
http://www.uos.co.za/kashrut/restaurants.asp

http://yeahthatskosher.com/2013/04/kosher-restaurants-travel-advice-for-johannesburg-south-africa-joberg/

Map of Kosher Johannesburg

NameTypeContactLocation & 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


Bakeries, Groceries & Ice Cream
Kosher World - http://www.kosherworld.co.za/

Shuls

Hotels with Points near a Shul (Walking Minutes)

Airport Transfer Options
Cab - Uber
Executive Bus - Shuttle from HLA airport to anywhere in Sandton for R80 per person.
Public Bus -
Train - Gautrain from JNB airport is R135-155 depending on destination. Must purchase gold card before for R13.

Major Activities
Apartheid Museum
Flea Market
Gold Reef City - amusement park, along with other African themed attractions (tribal dancing, old "gold mine tour")
Lion Park - see lions from your car up close, pet lion cubs.
Monte Casino - Casino and shopping mall, with cool "outdoor" Tuscan style
Soweto Tour
Pilanesberg Safari- If you can't make it to Kruger for malaria, time or other concerns,  this is a much smaller park with less wildlife, and not as good of an experience, but definitely well worth it. About 2 hours out of Joburg, it can be done in your own vehicle, but will be a lot better with a guided game drive.
Sun City Right outside of Pilansberg
Elephant & Monkey Sanctuary- About an hour out of Joburg. Get close to elephants, touch, feed and ride them. The monkey sanctuary has a massive enclosure with hundreds of various monkeys and lemurs. No feeding or touching, unless one jumps on you. If you do go to Pilansberg, this can be done on the way.

Kruger National Park

Trip Reports
CbsLink
shmebebleLink
txtmax4Link
Jomaster28Link


Tour Options

Major Activities

Near Kruger:

The Panoramic Route includes a half dozen waterfalls; Lisbon, Horseshoe, Bridal Vail, Mac Mac, Sabie and others; The Potholes, G-d's Window, Wonder View, The Pinnacle, The Three Rondawels and views of the stunning Blyde River Canyon (third largest canyon in the world).

AJK SA trip route planning - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=33867.msg669659#msg669659

« Last edited by mendelk on February 20, 2022, 11:02:13 PM »

Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread  (Read 467375 times)

Offline Saulius

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 671
  • Total likes: 242
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Liechtenstein
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1240 on: May 29, 2018, 03:14:59 PM »
Anyone done Hwange in the past few years?   How does it rate with Kruger?

Hwange was great, till the American dentist killed Cecil.

Offline Dawie

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 1611
  • Total likes: 491
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: KBLM
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1241 on: May 29, 2018, 03:31:21 PM »
Hwange was great, till the American dentist killed Cecil.
and then Xanda got killed by the Africans...

Offline mmb

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Sep 2015
  • Posts: 177
  • Total likes: 9
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1242 on: June 04, 2018, 06:14:57 PM »
Do any PP lounges in JNB have kosher food?

Offline Saulius

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 671
  • Total likes: 242
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Liechtenstein
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1243 on: June 04, 2018, 06:31:18 PM »
Do any PP lounges in JNB have kosher food?

Bidwest Lounge at both JNB and CPT have a variety of kosher cheeses (like blue cheese), crisps, and crackers with the Beis Din of Johannesburg symbol.

Offline mmb

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Sep 2015
  • Posts: 177
  • Total likes: 9
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1244 on: June 04, 2018, 06:34:54 PM »
Bidwest Lounge at both JNB and CPT have a variety of kosher cheeses (like blue cheese), crisps, and crackers with the Beis Din of Johannesburg symbol.
Ty. Is that in the Bidwest Lounges in both terminals in JNB?

Offline Saulius

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 671
  • Total likes: 242
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Liechtenstein
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1245 on: June 04, 2018, 06:53:40 PM »
Ty. Is that in the Bidwest Lounges in both terminals in JNB?

Yes...

Offline Danlover111

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 1457
  • Total likes: 166
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jackson
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1246 on: June 06, 2018, 09:14:15 AM »
i plan on going from tlv to jnb cpt...
is it true that i need  to get shots and medication...? thats what a friend told me, but hes one of those who  dosn't  always know what hes talking about...!
im leaving my baby behind, if that changes the answer
thanks

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1247 on: June 06, 2018, 09:26:29 AM »
i plan on going from tlv to jnb cpt...
is it true that i need  to get shots and medication...? thats what a friend told me, but hes one of those who  dosn't  always know what hes talking about...!
im leaving my baby behind, if that changes the answer
thanks
Only of you're going to a malaria zone like Kruger.

Offline Saulius

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 671
  • Total likes: 242
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Liechtenstein
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1248 on: June 06, 2018, 11:00:06 AM »
Only of you're going to a malaria zone like Kruger.

Now are the Winter months in South Africa, which are the cold & dry months, and Malaria is classified as Low Risk and Drug Prophylaxis is NOT recommended.
In the Winter months, the virtually non-existent risk of Malaria is actually lower than the very minor, but higher risk of very serious complications from taking
the prophylactic drugs.

Malaria-causing mosquitoes (Anopheles Mosquitoes which are nocturnal) are cold-blooded and are hibernating for the Winter.

An interesting study of note:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3828393/

Offline damaxer91

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2008
  • Posts: 3182
  • Total likes: 64
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1249 on: June 26, 2018, 01:36:38 PM »
Anyone have a reliable operator who can arrange kosher food in Tanzania?

Offline nafnaf12

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 4192
  • Total likes: 251
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 79
    • View Profile
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1250 on: June 26, 2018, 11:29:10 PM »
Anyone have a reliable operator who can arrange kosher food in Tanzania?
at last 84pages after starting the thread he returns!
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

Offline moko

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 4568
  • Total likes: 1485
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: BOS
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1251 on: July 02, 2018, 07:26:10 AM »
Anyone have a reliable operator who can arrange kosher food in Tanzania?
http://subarandco.com/about-us/

These guys travel the world
You can also try pavillion 39...
Any quality kosher caterer should be able to to do it.

Offline Danlover111

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 1457
  • Total likes: 166
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jackson
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1252 on: July 12, 2018, 09:34:02 AM »
what airports are there near Kruger park other than szk phw?the timing at these airports dont work out for me
thanks
 

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1253 on: July 12, 2018, 10:09:18 AM »
MQP

Offline Danlover111

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 1457
  • Total likes: 166
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jackson
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1254 on: July 12, 2018, 11:53:47 AM »

Offline jomaster28

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Feb 2016
  • Posts: 397
  • Total likes: 23
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1255 on: July 12, 2018, 01:16:56 PM »
what airports are there near Kruger park other than szk phw?the timing at these airports dont work out for me
thanks

HDS

Offline Elelem

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2017
  • Posts: 24
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NJ
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1256 on: July 14, 2018, 01:52:42 PM »
Zambia Zimbabwe Botswana Victoria falls Chobe park three day trip

Day 1.
-Flew from joburg to Livingstone, Zambia Tuesday at 11:00am
-Got the Kaza Visa for $50 when we arrived at Livingstone. It enabled us zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana
-we found a taxi driver Steve (+260975378280) who agreed to take the five of us from airport to hotel to falls to hotel for $400 kwacha = $40.00
-we dropped our stuff at Gloria's bed and breakfast. We found for $108 for three nights on booking.com- payment is cash only.
Steve took us to Victoria Falls. Ask the locals whether to go to Zambian side or Zimbabwe side based on where the mist is.
Zimbabwe side is $30 for the falls park, Zambian side is $20.
You want the mist to blown away from the side you go to ideally. You'll get soaked from the mist- rent or buy ponchos and wear appropriate footwear.
Spent a few hours there and made sure to be at border crossing at 5:45pm as it officially closes at 6pm. We didn't get through until 6:30pm, they were understaffed... Gotta be pushy to get through quickly.
Steve took us back to hotel, then we walked 15 min to Shoprite in town and it was already dark when we walked back.

Day 2. Got picked up at 6:50 am by driver of pre-arranged private tour of Chobe National Park Safari by Big Sam Hubber http://www.bigsamhubber.co.bw which we got for $145 each.
This driver took us to border of Botswana, arranged our Visa, took us to Chobe River to a boat, we crossed the river and met our guide 'Obi' of Sam's who took us to an open top 4x4. Our amazing guide Obi drove us to the Sam's office where we paid. Contact them few days before to say you don't need lunch, maybe it can get the price down even more. Depending on the weather or conditions, they either do 3hr river tour first or 3hr game drive (land tour) first. We did river first- started slow and we got excited when we saw an eagle, an elephant and impalas on the river bank.... But pretty quickly we saw tons of hippos, water buffalo, alagators, elephants in the water.
After 2hrs on the river, we saw as many animals as anyone would see in 3hrs, so Obi took as back to the office to embark on a four hr land game drive.
We got into the vehicle and started the tour. Also slow in the beginning, but quickly we saw countless impalas, kudu, elephants, giraffe, and even got to see ten lions and cubs which is definitely not a guarantee on a one day tour. About 2.5 hrs in we stopped for bathroom break and the tour for the next hour was back in the direction of the office.
We were at office for three minutes before heading back to the river, Obi drove us across in boat, and our the driver from morning took us back to Gloria's.

Day 3. We arranged with Steve before hand that he'll do the reverse route as first day-
So woke up, packed, and were met by Steve at Gloria's at 6:45. We packed all our belongings into Steve's vehicle and drove to the Zambian side of Victoria falls. We paid the $20 for park, trecked down to the Boiling Pot for beautiful view and pics, trecked back up, quickly hiked to knifes edge bridge for views of the falls, and headed to the victoria falls bridge to register for bungee jumping at the bungee office at the foot of the bridge. You could tell border that you are just bungeeing and they'll take your passport and give you a slip to exchange for your passport when you come down. (That early in the morning, there were people that went in and out without stopping to get passport stamoed.)
We were in a rush to make our 1pm flight back to Johannesburg so we made sure to be at the office by 8:40 so that we can be first on line. They let us register at about 8:50am, we paid the$160 each, and at 9:10 told us we can head to the middle of the bridge to bungee. We jumped at about 9:35- had a friend video it. The next jumper goes before you are back on the top of the bridge, so plan ahead to have someone else video.
The bungee company itself gets great footage and pics (especially if you take their GoPro), but I didn't want to spend another $60 for their footage.
We hurried back to border and Steve picked us up to take us directly to airport. We had plenty of time in the priority lounge before the flight.

*Others on this forum did the same safari tour as we did for much cheaper...
** T-Mobile has crazy charges in Zimbabwe
« Last Edit: July 14, 2018, 02:11:17 PM by Elelem »

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1257 on: July 15, 2018, 01:08:26 AM »
Zambia Zimbabwe Botswana Victoria falls Chobe park three day trip

Day 1.
-Flew from joburg to Livingstone, Zambia Tuesday at 11:00am
-Got the Kaza Visa for $50 when we arrived at Livingstone. It enabled us zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana
-we found a taxi driver Steve (+260975378280) who agreed to take the five of us from airport to hotel to falls to hotel for $400 kwacha = $40.00
-we dropped our stuff at Gloria's bed and breakfast. We found for $108 for three nights on booking.com- payment is cash only.
Steve took us to Victoria Falls. Ask the locals whether to go to Zambian side or Zimbabwe side based on where the mist is.
Zimbabwe side is $30 for the falls park, Zambian side is $20.
You want the mist to blown away from the side you go to ideally. You'll get soaked from the mist- rent or buy ponchos and wear appropriate footwear.
Spent a few hours there and made sure to be at border crossing at 5:45pm as it officially closes at 6pm. We didn't get through until 6:30pm, they were understaffed... Gotta be pushy to get through quickly.
Steve took us back to hotel, then we walked 15 min to Shoprite in town and it was already dark when we walked back.

Day 2. Got picked up at 6:50 am by driver of pre-arranged private tour of Chobe National Park Safari by Big Sam Hubber http://www.bigsamhubber.co.bw which we got for $145 each.
This driver took us to border of Botswana, arranged our Visa, took us to Chobe River to a boat, we crossed the river and met our guide 'Obi' of Sam's who took us to an open top 4x4. Our amazing guide Obi drove us to the Sam's office where we paid. Contact them few days before to say you don't need lunch, maybe it can get the price down even more. Depending on the weather or conditions, they either do 3hr river tour first or 3hr game drive (land tour) first. We did river first- started slow and we got excited when we saw an eagle, an elephant and impalas on the river bank.... But pretty quickly we saw tons of hippos, water buffalo, alagators, elephants in the water.
After 2hrs on the river, we saw as many animals as anyone would see in 3hrs, so Obi took as back to the office to embark on a four hr land game drive.
We got into the vehicle and started the tour. Also slow in the beginning, but quickly we saw countless impalas, kudu, elephants, giraffe, and even got to see ten lions and cubs which is definitely not a guarantee on a one day tour. About 2.5 hrs in we stopped for bathroom break and the tour for the next hour was back in the direction of the office.
We were at office for three minutes before heading back to the river, Obi drove us across in boat, and our the driver from morning took us back to Gloria's.

Day 3. We arranged with Steve before hand that he'll do the reverse route as first day-
So woke up, packed, and were met by Steve at Gloria's at 6:45. We packed all our belongings into Steve's vehicle and drove to the Zambian side of Victoria falls. We paid the $20 for park, trecked down to the Boiling Pot for beautiful view and pics, trecked back up, quickly hiked to knifes edge bridge for views of the falls, and headed to the victoria falls bridge to register for bungee jumping at the bungee office at the foot of the bridge. You could tell border that you are just bungeeing and they'll take your passport and give you a slip to exchange for your passport when you come down. (That early in the morning, there were people that went in and out without stopping to get passport stamoed.)
We were in a rush to make our 1pm flight back to Johannesburg so we made sure to be at the office by 8:40 so that we can be first on line. They let us register at about 8:50am, we paid the$160 each, and at 9:10 told us we can head to the middle of the bridge to bungee. We jumped at about 9:35- had a friend video it. The next jumper goes before you are back on the top of the bridge, so plan ahead to have someone else video.
The bungee company itself gets great footage and pics (especially if you take their GoPro), but I didn't want to spend another $60 for their footage.
We hurried back to border and Steve picked us up to take us directly to airport. We had plenty of time in the priority lounge before the flight.

*Others on this forum did the same safari tour as we did for much cheaper...
** T-Mobile has crazy charges in Zimbabwe
Nice TR! T-Mobile is introducing a lot more countries in the coming weeks that are included in the normal plan. I believe Zimbabwe is on the list.

Offline mijo

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jan 2014
  • Posts: 357
  • Total likes: 49
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel, Cape Town, New York
  • Programs: UA: 1K, HHonors: Dia, IHG Plat
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1258 on: July 16, 2018, 04:53:40 AM »
Do any PP lounges in JNB have kosher food?

They all have nuts, some crisps (only the ones with BD ie. SA Beth Din symbol) drinks fruit.
Bidvest in CPT and JNB often have crackers and cheese marked Kosher.  NOTE: the cheese can be from the same manufacturer as non Kosher cheese so make sure it has the BD symbol for the special Kosher batch

Bidvest JNB International lounge has large pans of Hot Kosher food for LY pax before their flights.  Eg. fried meat, rice and roasted vegetables.  However it is marked only for EL AL Kosher Passengers.  Wait until the LY flight boards and then enjoy.

Offline Danlover111

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 1457
  • Total likes: 166
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jackson
Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1259 on: July 22, 2018, 07:13:49 AM »
any body ever stay in the Four Seasons Hotel  Westcliff, Johannesburg?

my sister would like to go there
is it safe?
is it worth $280?
thanks