Topic Wiki

Cape Town

Trip Reports
CbsLink
MarkusLink
shmebebleLink
YaaliliLink
Ponash123Link
YehoshuaLink
Jomaster28Link

UPDATED: Kosher Info from Kosher SA https://www.koshersa.co.za/

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

Restaurants

NameTypeContactLocation & Description
The Press (Sea Point)
Meat
+27 21 434 7724
Website
176 Main Road - Restaurant and Bar (many craft beers on tap)
Coffee Time (Gardens)
Milk
+27 21 461 8414
Website
20 Breda Street, Gardens, Cape Town- 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 lasagna, sandwich, salad, quiche or smoothie. Early-morning special between 8am and 11am. 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. Ten minutes from Table Mountain.

Café Riteve (Gardens)
Milk
+27 (0)21 465 1594 Website
88 Hatfield Street, Gardens - 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 omelet, 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. Also have a full takeout deli:Takeout Link

Crumbs and Cream (Sea Point)
Milk
+27 674462352 Website
126 Main Road, Sea Point, Cape Town - Cute ice cream store with a great selection of milchig and pareve flavors.

Goldies Deli and Diner (Sea Point)
Meat & Pareve
+27 21 439 3008 Website
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 (Gardens)

Milk
+27 21 461 1100
9 Gorge Road, Highlands Estate - Coffee and light snacks. Located in a Jewish retirement home. Ten minutes from Table Mountain Cable Car.

Jean's Kitchen
@ The Kaplan Centre
(University of Cape Town)

Milk
+27 21 650 3064 Email
Located on Cape Town University campus in The Kaplan Centre - University of Cape Town - Tea, coffee, sandwiches, gourmet salads, falafel etc.

Bakeries & Groceries
Checkers Sea Point- 76 Regent Road, Sea Point - Kosher bakery, deli, chicken, fish, meat, wine, and more
Spar Sea Point - 94 Regent Road, Sea Point - Kosher bakery, deli, chicken, fish, meat, wine, and more
Pick 'n Pay Sea Point - Artem Centre 127 Main Road - Kosher bakery, deli, chicken, fish, meat, wine, and more
Pick 'n Pay Claremont - Corner of Main Road & Campground Road - All of the above with Pas Yisrael bakery
Pick 'n Pay Milnerton -Corner Koeberg Road & Loxton Road - Kosher bakery, deli, chicken, fish, meat, wine, and more

Shuls
Sea point is the main Jewish area.
Green and Sea Point Hebrew Congregation (Marais Road Shul)
Chabad
Ohr Somayach (They have links for arranging Shabbos meals and lodging, as well as kosher establishments in Cape Town)

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
Website
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
CLOSED IN AUGUST
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

The Garden Route

One of the nicest road trips in the world. You can drive east from Cape Town (or fly into George) towards Port Elizabeth (renamed Gqeberha). Or fly into Port Elizabeth and drive west. The official route is along Route 2 from Mossel Bay to Storms River. Between the Garden Route and Cape Town, you can stop along the way in Hermanus for shark diving and near Sir Lowry's Pass for kosher wine tasting (Cape Jewel). There is kosher food in the Pick 'n Pay Walmer Park in Port Elizabeth and in Checkers in Plettenberg Bay, about halfway through the route. Along the route, there is lots to do: AfriCanyon (canyoning), Monkeyland sanctuary, the famous Bloukrans Bungy (the highest bridge bungee in the world), Robberg Reserve in Plettenberg Bay, Knysna Heads, Storms River, St. Francis Bay, Wilderness, and much more. There is also a semi-active shul and Jewish Museum in Oudtshoorn, which is also the ostrich farming capital of the world. There is an Israeli coffee shop called Baruch's Coffee in Mossel Bay (he really appreciates if you bring him Bamba), as well as lots of whale watching boat companies. A one-way rental from any of the airports mentioned is probably the best idea (Europcar has the cheapest rates for an automatic).

National Geographic Article about the Garden Route

Johannesburg

Trip Reports
CbsLink
MarkusLink
YaaliliLink
Yehuda57Link
Ponash123Link
YehoshuaLink

Shuls
"Glenhazel" is the main Jewish area (15 mins from the airport), and definitely the biggest in South Africa. Sandringham, Fairmount, and Savoy are all nearby Jewish areas. There is also the "Sandton" community about 20 minutes away, near the Sandton City Mall.

Ohr Somayach 10 Kingswood Rd, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa
• Shaarei Chaim 1 Corbel Cres, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa
• Adas Yeshurun 5 Summerway, Fairmount, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa
Maharsha Corner Sandler & Elray St, Fairmount, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa. They have a Men's Mikvah (70 rand, no soap or towels)
Chabad 27 Aintree Ave, Savoy Estate, Johannesburg, 2090, South Africa
• Ohr Somayach Sandton Shingwetzi St, Gallo Manor, Sandton, 2191, South Africa
Chabad of Sandton 1 Chabad Weg, Woodmead, Sandton, 2191, South Africa

Hotels near a Shul (Walking Minutes)

Genesis Hotel:
Hotel with 1 to 3 bedroom suites with kitchenettes and a pool.
Located in central Glenhazel, a few minutes from many shuls and above a shopping center with lots of kosher food.

Website

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).
Moishes Butchery (Glenhazel)
Meat
+27 11-485-4513
3 Birt Street, Raedene Estate, Johannesburg. A wonderful butchery with amazing prices and wonderful biltong. Their WhatsApp number for orders is +27 82 342 2179. Their email is orders@moishes.co.za. They can vacuum pack your order and will even attach "par-cooked" stickers to pass through customs. Delivery available to Cape Town if you order one week in advance. Slightly cheaper than Norries in Cape Town (listed above). Just to give you an idea of their prices: Aufschnitt in America charges $9.99 for 2 oz of biltong. Moishes has it for $11 per POUND. Rib steaks at Evergreen are $32.99/lb. In Moishes it's $8.50. Price List 2024 in USD The price list has live conversion rates.
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 or 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)
Milk
+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.
Frangelicas (Glenhazel)
Milk
+27877019909 Website
2 Long Ave, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - A wonderful dairy restaurant in the heart of Glenhazel. Wonderful baked goods and amazing breakfasts.
RTG (Ready to Go)
Meat
+27 11-483-3375 Website
5 Long Ave, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - A fast food place that moved next to KosherWorld in "Downtown Glenhazel." They offer great steaks, a Chinese menu, and an extensive burger and hot dog menu.
Burger & Brew
Meat
+27 87-150-1522 Website
53 Ridge Rd, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa. - A fantastic burger and beer place with amazing burgers, wings, and dirty fries. They also have their own beer.
SoSushi (Glenhazel)
Pareve
+27820869631 Website
Located in the KosherWorld Shopping Center, 1 Long Ave. WhatsApp: +27  82 086 9631
JoziBlue (Glenhazel)
Milk
+27-66 522 3797
Located in the KosherWorld Shopping Center, 1 Long Ave. They have Cholov Yisroel, which they will serve on disposables upon request.
Bagel Zone (Fairmount)
Milk
+27-79-317-8230 Website
3 Bradfield Dr, Fairmount, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - A cheap and tasty bagel place located in Genesis shopping center offering bagels, premium coffees, salads, and muffins.
Phat Larry's (Fairmount)
Milk
+27-63-411-6655 Website
3 Bradfield Dr, Fairmount, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - Also located in Genesis, Phat Larry's offers pizza, focaccia, salads, and pasta.
Segell's Deli (Glenazel)
Meat
+27-11-640-4693 Website
17 Northfield Ave, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - Typical deli featuring sandwiches, salads, poke bowls, burgers, and steaks.
Maxi Butchery (Sandringham)
Meat
+27-11-485-1485
74 George Ave, Sandringham, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - No frills butcher with decent prices and biltong.
Shwarma Bar & Chana's Deli (Sandringham)
Meat
+27-11-640-4693 Website
10 Bradfield Dr, Fairmount, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa - Typical Israeli fare.


Groceries
KosherWorld 1 Long Ave, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192
Checkers Neighborhood Corner Of Club Street & Linksfield Rd, Edenvale, Johannesburg, 2192
SPAR Sandringham 70 George Ave., Sandringham, Johannesburg
Kosher Deli at Spar Norwood 71 Grant Ave, Norwood, Johannesburg

Cell Phones
In the airport, right after customs on the right side, are stores for the two main cellphone companies. Vodacom has prepaid eSIMs and will help you set it up. Really solid rates. ($32 for 40 GB of service)

Airport Transfer Options
Cab - Uber, Bolt (cheaper) or contact Dixon (WhatsApp) +27 82 686 8559. Uber is located in the parking structure across the road from the airport exit, two flight up.
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).

A highly recommended place to stay near Kruger is Hazyview Cabanas. They offer a private chalet with a heated pool for only about $100/night, and can arrange game drives through their partner, Leap Adventures.

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

« Last edited by enjayp3 on August 18, 2024, 01:28:53 AM »

Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread  (Read 555223 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1620 on: December 27, 2019, 03:47:56 PM »
You should really do this on the day your driving in. If your missing the Safarfi that afternoon anyway you might as well stop here and get to the lodge a little later.

https://www.elephantwhispers.co.za/
Won't make it there on time for 16:00
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1621 on: December 27, 2019, 03:49:07 PM »
Now that i remember, this was the reason why I didn't do Victoria Falls. The way our flights worked out w shabbat it wasn't doable to do it.
Flight times are indeed brutal, but Devil's pool is a bucket lister for me.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline KSMH

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1622 on: December 27, 2019, 04:21:37 PM »
Flight times are indeed brutal, but Devil's pool is a bucket lister for me.
I think your missing out by not doing more in vic falls. I'm not sure what's "your style sports" but there is so much to do there of which you cant do anywhere else.

Also I feel like VF is a once in a lifetime thingy where as SA can be done multiple times.
Always praying for delayed baggage.

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1623 on: December 27, 2019, 04:33:00 PM »
Such as?
The problem is the time constraint. Staying another day means 5 safaris goes to 3.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1624 on: December 28, 2019, 10:14:21 PM »
https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/victoria-falls-activities.html

Look at it , and decide if anything interests you.

To highlight a few stuff

Chobi safari and river experience is a unique experience that you won't find in other areas in Africa. Its considered the capital of Elephants and has many other fascinating animals such as hippos and giraffes.

Zambia White Water Rafting is not to compare to Colorado rafting.

The local experience is way more fascinating then anywhere in South Africa, it's the real Africa.

You can view, and potentially visit, an intrestesting meeting point. See attached pic.


See some attached pics of my recent trip.

If you do end up staying for 1 night then check out the Vic Falls Hotel during supper time. They have a great local show.
Always praying for delayed baggage.

Offline points baki

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1625 on: December 31, 2019, 07:45:37 PM »
I stayed at the Shiduli lodge in the Karongwe Portfolio. I believe it's a private game reserve but we saw all the Big 5 and had a great time. I picked up kosher food in JNB and brought it with us there and the chef heated it up for us every night.

Offline points baki

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1626 on: December 31, 2019, 07:45:56 PM »
Can you share some more info about the game drives on the reserve? Some people have noted that game drives on a fenced in reserve can be/feel limited. Did you experience that at all?

Thanks!

Offline Dawie

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1627 on: December 31, 2019, 10:37:36 PM »
Can you share some more info about the game drives on the reserve? Some people have noted that game drives on a fenced in reserve can be/feel limited. Did you experience that at all?

Thanks!
depends on the reserve
some are like glorified zoos some are like being in the wild

Offline points baki

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1628 on: January 01, 2020, 08:27:31 AM »
depends on the reserve
some are like glorified zoos some are like being in the wild

How about karongwe? any personal experience?

Offline Dawie

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1629 on: January 01, 2020, 09:03:41 AM »
How about karongwe? any personal experience?
Dunno and no
looks to be on the smaller side

Offline mimb

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1630 on: January 01, 2020, 09:46:51 PM »
How about karongwe? any personal experience?

The reason we did Karongwe was primarily b/c it fit our budget best. It is still an absolutely massive game park and I think we saw the fence maybe once the entire time. The animals have all the space in the world to move around, it is completely open. Not a zoo feeling in the slightest bit. It probably makes it even easier to see all the Big 5 since the rangers know the park so well. We also had a great tracker and guide so I really enjoyed my experience there.

Offline DrGanseOilum

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1631 on: January 02, 2020, 10:55:57 PM »
Car rental/car hire from Cape Town/CPT: has anyone been able to waive CDW and/or make use of primary car rental insurance benefit on a Chase card – or secondary car rental insurance on AmEx?

- Budget website for CPT airport says CDW is mandatory and can't be waived.

- AVIS website for CPT airport says CDW is optional.

- Any other suggestions? Worth it to just splurge on car rental company's insurance?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1632 on: January 02, 2020, 10:59:59 PM »
Car rental/car hire from Cape Town/CPT: has anyone been able to waive CDW and/or make use of primary car rental insurance benefit on a Chase card – or secondary car rental insurance on AmEx?

- Budget website for CPT airport says CDW is mandatory and can't be waived.

- AVIS website for CPT airport says CDW is optional.

- Any other suggestions? Worth it to just splurge on car rental company's insurance?
I couldn't get it waived, but it was still very cheap for the rental even with it included.

Offline KSMH

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1633 on: January 02, 2020, 11:30:09 PM »
Car rental/car hire from Cape Town/CPT: has anyone been able to waive CDW and/or make use of primary car rental insurance benefit on a Chase card – or secondary car rental insurance on AmEx?

- Budget website for CPT airport says CDW is mandatory and can't be waived.

- AVIS website for CPT airport says CDW is optional.

- Any other suggestions? Worth it to just splurge on car rental company's insurance?
I rented  hertz and bidvest, non airport locations and got it waived.

Always praying for delayed baggage.

Offline mijo

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1634 on: January 03, 2020, 05:59:26 AM »
Car rental/car hire from Cape Town/CPT: has anyone been able to waive CDW and/or make use of primary car rental insurance benefit on a Chase card – or secondary car rental insurance on AmEx?

- Budget website for CPT airport says CDW is mandatory and can't be waived.

- AVIS website for CPT airport says CDW is optional.

- Any other suggestions? Worth it to just splurge on car rental company's insurance?
Rented from Avis, Hertz and Europcar in 2019 - got CDW waived with Chase from all 3 but they did put a "hold" on my card at Europcar.
However it depends how you book the rental. If you booked with CDW included at time of booking you'll have a hard time revising the rental.

Offline mimb

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1635 on: January 03, 2020, 09:28:02 AM »
Car rental/car hire from Cape Town/CPT: has anyone been able to waive CDW and/or make use of primary car rental insurance benefit on a Chase card – or secondary car rental insurance on AmEx?

- Budget website for CPT airport says CDW is mandatory and can't be waived.

- AVIS website for CPT airport says CDW is optional.

- Any other suggestions? Worth it to just splurge on car rental company's insurance?

For some reason when I told them I wanted to waive CDW, they interpreted that to mean I wanted zero liability and ended up paying $100 more for the car rental which I was not happy about. Just FYI

Offline DrGanseOilum

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1636 on: January 04, 2020, 09:00:50 PM »
Rented from Avis, Hertz and Europcar in 2019 - got CDW waived with Chase from all 3 but they did put a "hold" on my card at Europcar.
However it depends how you book the rental. If you booked with CDW included at time of booking you'll have a hard time revising the rental.

Thank you @cdlaz ! For AVIS, did you book at the counter, or online? (I have a reservation online in advance of upcoming travel - not prepaid, no option to waive CDW online, but booked through AVIS Preferred and next to CDW reservation says "FREE.")

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1637 on: January 04, 2020, 09:53:20 PM »
Whats the best cell phone plan to get for travel to SA? I have an AT&T iphone with a sim card slot. Do ppl add a travel plan to their existing plan or rent a phone/sim just for the trip?

Thx!

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1638 on: January 04, 2020, 10:37:14 PM »
Lol, sounds like MCDs in EZE

@Dan I tried to bring back some Nandos,  but never made it out of our hotel room ;)

But the Kosher Nando's is pretty easy to spot and it's right across from the Chabad compound.

Had a wonderful time with Yossi, Nando's משגיח

On a side note,  Cell service in the Glen Hazel ~ Savoy Estates with both Google Fi (Moto G phone used as wifi a Hotspot) and T-mobile Int'l 2G (as well as Yossi's local mobile phone carrier - is spotty at best and you may have to walk to get LGTE signal to hail an Uber (I used Open signal app to walk in the direction of the strongest tower).




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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1639 on: January 04, 2020, 10:45:38 PM »
Whats the best cell phone plan to get for travel to SA? I have an AT&T iphone with a sim card slot. Do ppl add a travel plan to their existing plan or rent a phone/sim just for the trip?

Thx!

My personal experience last month In ZA used 14.8GB of LTE  (Google Fi and T-mo Int'l) in CPT/Jo'burg/and the Bush. 

Signal is hit or miss even in Urban areas an even moreso in suburban and rural tourist area's without adding load sharing (brown-outs - the cell tower have battery/solar backup - but not developed world consistency or uptime).

Jo'burg (Jewish community) Cell service in the Glen Hazel ~ Savoy Estates with both Google Fi (Moto G phone used as wifi a Hotspot) and T-mobile Int'l 2G~4G (as well as Yossi's local mobile phone carrier - is spotty at times or non-existent and you may have to walk to get LTE signal to hail an Uber (I used Open signal app to walk in the direction of the strongest tower). I also download Offline Google maps for Cape Town region/Jo'burg/and Rustenburg/Pilansburg (Bush area NW of Joburg).