Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread

[Yehuda57]

Biltong to USA? packaged maybe but even that i dont think i allowed , i've had friends get it taken away though, YMMV
Last flight i was on they stopped everyone from the SA flight at customs
they took one look at our pile of suitcases and said "ag man, voetsek" (in english)

You can't bring it in no matter how it is packaged. It's not uncommon for customs agents (in JFK at least) to specifically ask about biltong. A relative had a dog sniff out the biltong in his bag, and he pulled out a baby bottle and said it must be sniffing the milk and got it through 

You are correct. Dried meat is also a problem.

Dried fruit, however, IS allowed.

[mijo]

Kosher food in Johannesburg that would deliver food to the airport lounge

Also Looking for kosher shabbos food delivered to my hotel in cape town

Uber eats has worked for me to get deliveries at JNB airport but only to the land-side

CPT shabbat deliver Goldies (as mentioned before) and Avrons do Shabbat packages - check out their FB pages.
Avrons and the Press (co owned by Goldies, 2 shops down the road) do deliveries all over CPT - contact them directly.
However monitor their social media as the lockdown rules are forever changing.
Also as mentioned before, if you can, go to Checkers or Spar in Sea Point - they have lots of take out all day, every day

The One and Only hotel in CPT is great, located in the V&A waterfront however, far from any shul.
Due to the virus, many shuls are closed or only having quick outdoor minyanim -  also forever changing
I actually like the President Hotel in Bantry Bay (end of Sea Point) walking distance to Chabbad - 20 mins - 5 mins to Spar for food. Sea Point beaches are rocky, your closest are Clifton and Camps Bay - Altantic Ocean=cold. Warmer are Muizenberg - Indian Ocean. HOWEVER all beaches are currently closed.

The best biltong variety of Biltong (cuts, wet/dry, spices etc.) is at Moishes Butchery in Fairmount, Joburg - must be vacuum packed for travel.
You can also get it in Pick n Pay, Checkers (CPT and JNB) with Kosher butcheries.

Another tip is the QuickShop (Engen Glenhazel Service Station, 21 Northfield Ave, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa) - they have Kosher pies in the refrigerator, biltong packs, kosher (and some Israeli) snacks, crackers etc. - open 24/7 - diagonally across from Ohr Sameach

[KSMH]

Uber eats has worked for me to get deliveries at JNB airport but only to the land-side

CPT shabbat deliver Goldies (as mentioned before) and Avrons do Shabbat packages - check out their FB pages.
Avrons and the Press (co owned by Goldies, 2 shops down the road) do deliveries all over CPT - contact them directly.
However monitor their social media as the lockdown rules are forever changing.
Also as mentioned before, if you can, go to Checkers or Spar in Sea Point - they have lots of take out all day, every day

The One and Only hotel in CPT is great, located in the V&A waterfront however, far from any shul.
Due to the virus, many shuls are closed or only having quick outdoor minyanim -  also forever changing
I actually like the President Hotel in Bantry Bay (end of Sea Point) walking distance to Chabbad - 20 mins - 5 mins to Spar for food. Sea Point beaches are rocky, your closest are Clifton and Camps Bay - Altantic Ocean=cold. Warmer are Muizenberg - Indian Ocean. HOWEVER all beaches are currently closed.

The best biltong variety of Biltong (cuts, wet/dry, spices etc.) is at Moishes Butchery in Fairmount, Joburg - must be vacuum packed for travel.
You can also get it in Pick n Pay, Checkers (CPT and JNB) with Kosher butcheries.

Another tip is the QuickShop (Engen Glenhazel Service Station, 21 Northfield Ave, Glenhazel, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa) - they have Kosher pies in the refrigerator, biltong packs, kosher (and some Israeli) snacks, crackers etc. - open 24/7 - diagonally across from Ohr Sameach

There is a Marriott with tiny rooms in the Jewish area https://www.google.com/travel/hotels/Cape%20Town/entity/ChgIy83Gz_K13t5mGgwvZy8xcHR6Nmh2eHcQAQ?g2lb=2502548%2C2503770%2C2503788%2C4258168%2C4270442%2C4306835%2C4317915%2C4328159%2C4371334%2C4401769%2C4419364%2C4428793%2C4463263%2C4463666%2C4464463%2C4474861%2C4482194%2C4482437%2C4270859%2C4284970%2C4291517&hl=en-US&gl=us&un=1&ap=SAEwAVrZAQoFCK8BEAAiA1VTRCoWCgcI5Q8QAhgQEgcI5Q8QAhgRGAEgArABAFgBaAGaARkSF0NhcGUgVG93biwgU291dGggQWZyaWNhogEVCggvbS8wMXlqMhIJQ2FwZSBUb3duqgELCgIIEhIDCJsBGAGqAQoKAggcEgIIURgBqgEGCgIIJRgAqgEOCgIIERICCEASAgg4GAGqARwKAgguEgMIgAESAgg7EgIIPRIDCIIBEgIIJxgBqgEMCgMIqQESAwiqARgBqgEPCgIIUBIDCIQBEgIITxgBkgECIAFoAA&q=cape%20town%20hotels&rp=ELK-8OmI9KLv5QEQ48Cs9taxmddeENXMzuTh-I_LuQEQ0aysg9Pb58PxATgBQABIAqIBF0NhcGUgVG93biwgU291dGggQWZyaWNh&ictx=1&utm_campaign=sharing&utm_medium=link&utm_source=htls&hrf=CgUIrwEQACIDVVNEKhYKBwjlDxACGBASBwjlDxACGBEYASACsAEAWAFoAZoBGRIXQ2FwZSBUb3duLCBTb3V0aCBBZnJpY2GiARUKCC9tLzAxeWoyEglDYXBlIFRvd26qAQsKAggSEgMImwEYAaoBCgoCCBwSAghRGAGqAQgKBAglGAEYAKoBDgoCCBESAghAEgIIOBgBqgEoCgQILhgBEgUIgAEYARIECDsYARIECD0YARIFCIIBGAESBAgnGAEYA6oBDAoDCKkBEgMIqgEYAaoBDwoCCFASAwiEARICCE8YAcIBAhAGkgECIAE&ved=0CAAQ5JsGahcKEwjY_tjigYfuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg

[mijo]

There is a Marriott with tiny rooms in the Jewish area https://www.google.com/travel/hotels/Cape%20Town/entity/ChgIy83Gz_K13t5mGgwvZy8xcHR6Nmh2eHcQAQ?g2lb=2502548%2C2503770%2C2503788%2C4258168%2C4270442%2C4306835%2C4317915%2C4328159%2C4371334%2C4401769%2C4419364%2C4428793%2C4463263%2C4463666%2C4464463%2C4474861%2C4482194%2C4482437%2C4270859%2C4284970%2C4291517&hl=en-US&gl=us&un=1&ap=SAEwAVrZAQoFCK8BEAAiA1VTRCoWCgcI5Q8QAhgQEgcI5Q8QAhgRGAEgArABAFgBaAGaARkSF0NhcGUgVG93biwgU291dGggQWZyaWNhogEVCggvbS8wMXlqMhIJQ2FwZSBUb3duqgELCgIIEhIDCJsBGAGqAQoKAggcEgIIURgBqgEGCgIIJRgAqgEOCgIIERICCEASAgg4GAGqARwKAgguEgMIgAESAgg7EgIIPRIDCIIBEgIIJxgBqgEMCgMIqQESAwiqARgBqgEPCgIIUBIDCIQBEgIITxgBkgECIAFoAA&q=cape%20town%20hotels&rp=ELK-8OmI9KLv5QEQ48Cs9taxmddeENXMzuTh-I_LuQEQ0aysg9Pb58PxATgBQABIAqIBF0NhcGUgVG93biwgU291dGggQWZyaWNh&ictx=1&utm_campaign=sharing&utm_medium=link&utm_source=htls&hrf=CgUIrwEQACIDVVNEKhYKBwjlDxACGBASBwjlDxACGBEYASACsAEAWAFoAZoBGRIXQ2FwZSBUb3duLCBTb3V0aCBBZnJpY2GiARUKCC9tLzAxeWoyEglDYXBlIFRvd26qAQsKAggSEgMImwEYAaoBCgoCCBwSAghRGAGqAQgKBAglGAEYAKoBDgoCCBESAghAEgIIOBgBqgEoCgQILhgBEgUIgAEYARIECDsYARIECD0YARIFCIIBGAESBAgnGAEYA6oBDAoDCKkBEgMIqgEYAaoBDwoCCFASAwiEARICCE8YAcIBAhAGkgECIAE&ved=0CAAQ5JsGahcKEwjY_tjigYfuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg

Stayed there once, location is good for shabbat but noise from Main Road and tiny rooms = no thanks. Corner rooms have "partial sea view"

[KSMH]

Stayed there once, location is good for shabbat but noise from Main Road and tiny rooms = no thanks. Corner rooms have "partial sea view"

I once double booked 2 hotels. For 1 night might be a good trade off vs walking.
Also many APT's available via bookings.com.

[yg99]

Any reviews on the Westin, Hyatt or the One & Only hotels in Cape Town?

Is Cape Town considered safe to walk around in? Like from Westin to Kosher Restaurants?

[Dan]

Any reviews on the Westin, Hyatt or the One & Only hotels in Cape Town?

Is Cape Town considered safe to walk around in? Like from Westin to Kosher Restaurants?

Or the Marriott Sea Point?

[mimb]

Or the Marriott Sea Point?

If you're talking about the Protea Sea Point- I would classify it at the very best, as a 2* hotel. The ONLY benefit is that it is right next to all the restaurants, shul, checkers. Otherwise it was a pretty bad hotel in my experience. Also the water pressure in all of Cape Town is abysmal so be prepared for that lol.

I was advised not to venture around too much at night at Cape Town so we stuck to the main road when going to/from dinner.

[Dan]

If you're talking about the Protea Sea Point- I would classify it at the very best, as a 2* hotel. The ONLY benefit is that it is right next to all the restaurants, shul, checkers. Otherwise it was a pretty bad hotel in my experience. Also the water pressure in all of Cape Town is abysmal so be prepared for that lol.

I was advised not to venture around too much at night at Cape Town so we stuck to the main road when going to/from dinner.

That's a pretty big benefit, especially when bookable with Marriott certs. Are the rooms clean? What was bad about it?
Are there better options close to those things?

[mimb]

That's a pretty big benefit, especially when bookable with Marriott certs. Are the rooms clean? What was bad about it?
Are there better options close to those things?

Off the top of my head, I remember the rooms were small but fairly clean. It is definitely a dated hotel. The attention to detail just wasn't up to par IMO, for example a couple of towels in my room had holes in them. From what I remember that was the best points option close to restaurants and shul but that was 2 years ago at this point.

All in all, since you'll be going out for meals often and you can also walk to Checkers to buy a lot of kosher food it's probably your best bet. Just better to go into it with the right expectations.

[Dan]

Off the top of my head, I remember the rooms were small but fairly clean. It is definitely a dated hotel. The attention to detail just wasn't up to par IMO, for example a couple of towels in my room had holes in them. From what I remember that was the best points option close to restaurants and shul but that was 2 years ago at this point.

All in all, since you'll be going out for meals often and you can also walk to Checkers to buy a lot of kosher food it's probably your best bet. Just better to go into it with the right expectations.

Are there better paid options nearby?

[mimb]

Are there better paid options nearby?

Sorry can't help you there. You'd have to ask a local. If you're not planning on spending much time in the hotel, just book it and forget about it.

[Yehoshua]

That's a pretty big benefit, especially when bookable with Marriott certs. Are the rooms clean? What was bad about it?
Are there better options close to those things?

We loved the Protea Sea Point. No, it wasn't the PH Tokyo or even the Andaz Maui, but it was clean, nice and the location was perfect. We didn't feel like it was old, falling apart, disgusting, etc.

[moisheyb]

Or the Marriott Sea Point?

I had a very positive experience and stay there about 3 years ago. The hotel is a solid 3 star in my opinion. We did get upgraded to the Jr suite for a few nights and the top suite for the other nights.
The staff was extremely nice and helpful for trip planning and shabbos.
Solid option, nothing that'll blow you away but the location is second to none in cpt.

[moisheyb]

We loved the Protea Sea Point. No, it wasn't the PH Tokyo or even the Andaz Maui, but it was clean, nice and the location was perfect. We didn't feel like it was old, falling apart, disgusting, etc.

+1

[mimb]

I had a very positive experience and stay there about 3 years ago. The hotel is a solid 3 star in my opinion. We did get upgraded to the Jr suite for a few nights and the top suite for the other nights.
The staff was extremely nice and helpful for trip planning and shabbos.
Solid option, nothing that'll blow you away but the location is second to none in cpt.

Not disagreeing on location, that is definitely where it shines. But I think it makes sense to have realistic expectations when going into it. That was my main point

[moisheyb]

Not disagreeing on location, that is definitely where it shines. But I think it makes sense to have realistic expectations when going into it. That was my main point

I would come classify it as a solid stay.
The impression I got from you is a more slum like Stay which I think is not correct.

[Dawie]

Are there better paid options nearby?

Radisson? may be a drop better
Look into some of the boutique hotels (i have no recommendations)
if you aren;t tied down to Sea Point
there is the Gardens neighborhood on the other side of the Table Mtn
there is the Belmond Mt Nelson a short walk from Cafe Riteve and the Gardens Shul (not sure if any of it is open) 15 on Orange is A Marriott Property
I believe Yehoshua talked about this above
Shlep to get to Sea point from there though

ETA was Cdlaz, Joe4007 and mijo

[moisheyb]

Radisson? may be a drop better
Look into some of the boutique hotels (i have no recommendations)
if you aren;t tied down to Sea Point
there is the Gardens neighborhood on the other side of the Table Mtn
there is the Belmond Mt Nelson a short walk from Cafe Riteve and the Gardens Shul (not sure if any of it is open) 15 on Orange is A Marriott Property
I believe Yehoshua talked about this above
Shlep to get to Sea point from there though

Many options for airbnb and such if you feel comfortable.

[Yehoshua]

Radisson? may be a drop better
Look into some of the boutique hotels (i have no recommendations)
if you aren;t tied down to Sea Point
there is the Gardens neighborhood on the other side of the Table Mtn
there is the Belmond Mt Nelson a short walk from Cafe Riteve and the Gardens Shul (not sure if any of it is open) 15 on Orange is A Marriott Property
I believe Yehoshua talked about this above
Shlep to get to Sea point from there though

ETA was Cdlaz, Joe4007 and mijo

Don't worry, I agree it's a schlep.