Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 541510 times)

Ergel · « **Reply #20 on:** February 29, 2012, 09:13:07 AM »

Quote from: PlatinumGuy on February 29, 2012, 08:59:06 AM

I don't know what you mean. Just wanted to point out it's outrageously expensive, but they seem to be willing to pay it.

Just pointing out that if that's the case seems like there is not an issue at all with the budget (if there is one at all)

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #21 on:** February 29, 2012, 10:10:52 AM »

Was just recommended this http://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-capetown

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #22 on:** February 29, 2012, 12:41:27 PM »

Namibia is in, either for this trip or for another shortly after

Also, anyone ever stayed here http://www.shamwari.com/propertygalleries.asp

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #23 on:** February 29, 2012, 02:50:25 PM »

Is the Claremont Shul active (on Shabbos)?

yo · « **Reply #24 on:** March 19, 2012, 12:04:45 AM »

the one and only hotel is legit

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #25 on:** March 19, 2012, 01:02:56 AM »

radisson blu waterfront is supposed to be the nicest

BrooklynCPA · « **Reply #26 on:** March 21, 2012, 10:22:46 AM »

I can arrange a great price for the "Radisson Blu Waterfront". PM me if interested.

Expert Flyer · « **Reply #27 on:** March 22, 2012, 11:32:50 AM »

Quote from: PlatinumGuy on March 19, 2012, 01:02:56 AM

radisson blu waterfront is supposed to be the nicest

I though that The Table Bay Hotel (located at the V&A Waterfront) was among the best in CPT

txtmax4 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 27, 2012, 01:04:26 AM »

I spent over a year in South Africa. While there are "safer" places/neighborhoods than others, you should always watch your back and make sure you know where you are.
Capetown feels much safer due to the fact that the streets are way more populated than anywhere else because it is a tourist spot, however, besides for its touristy area it is a regular city so, even by car, you should make sure you know where you are going.
Not to scare you or anything...
Highways are cool, I drove 100's of miles all over the place.

CholentTheTraveler · « **Reply #29 on:** August 23, 2012, 12:57:31 AM »

Quote from: txtmax4 on March 27, 2012, 01:04:26 AM

Highways are cool, I drove 100's of miles all over the place.

Not to scare anyone but the Highway outside Cape Town is the most dangerous in the country. Try and make sure you don't get stuck anywhere near Kayalitcha.

If anyone has questions on South Africa, kashrus and what to see where let me know as I grew up there.

damaxer91 · « **Reply #30 on:** August 23, 2012, 06:55:48 AM »

Quote from: PlatinumGuy on March 19, 2012, 01:02:56 AM

radisson blu waterfront is supposed to be the nicest

Thanks but I'll stay at the One and Only or the Taj

NOOCH · « **Reply #31 on:** March 20, 2013, 08:33:55 PM »

i need to rent a vehicle woth at least 6 seats and Automatic transmission, anyone know where to start?
the regulars (carrentals.com, Priceline) have not helped

txtmax4 · « **Reply #32 on:** March 21, 2013, 12:22:58 AM »

Quote from: NOOCH on March 20, 2013, 08:33:55 PM

i need to rent a vehicle woth at least 6 seats and Automatic transmission, anyone know where to start?
the regulars (carrentals.com, Priceline) have not helped

Try to find out from Lubabs there if "Lisa from Avis" is still around

em0616 · « **Reply #33 on:** March 21, 2013, 02:13:02 PM »

Find a friend to teach you how to drive stick shift. It's really not that difficult, and takes only a few hours to master at the most.

There are also tutorials online.

e.g. see: http://www.stickshiftmasterclass.com/node/2

http://learnstickshift.com/

You will save tons in rental and fuel costs.

Quote from: NOOCH on March 20, 2013, 08:33:55 PM

i need to rent a vehicle woth at least 6 seats and Automatic transmission, anyone know where to start?
the regulars (carrentals.com, Priceline) have not helped

Quote from: txtmax4 on March 21, 2013, 12:22:58 AM

Try to find out from Lubabs there if "Lisa from Avis" is still around

Quote from: NOOCH on March 20, 2013, 08:33:55 PM

i need to rent a vehicle woth at least 6 seats and Automatic transmission, anyone know where to start?
the regulars (carrentals.com, Priceline) have not helped

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #34 on:** March 21, 2013, 11:53:30 PM »

Quote from: em0616 on March 21, 2013, 02:13:02 PM

Find a friend to teach you how to drive stick shift. It's really not that difficult, and takes only a few hours to master at the most.

There are also tutorials online.

e.g. see: http://www.stickshiftmasterclass.com/node/2

http://learnstickshift.com/

You will save tons in rental and fuel costs.

Will be hard though together with the adjustment of driving on the other side.

I once reserved an auto getz which was the cheapest auto, and all they had in auto was a brand new mercedes so they gave it to me for the same price!!

em0616 · « **Reply #35 on:** March 22, 2013, 03:01:34 AM »

Driving on the left is not as hard as it seems. Just shifting with the left hand is the challenge.

Well the typical visitor to South Africa is not driving the streets of Hillbrow, but mostly highway, and is
following the traffic in front.

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #36 on:** March 27, 2013, 10:32:23 PM »

Quote from: em0616 on March 22, 2013, 03:01:34 AM

Driving on the left is not as hard as it seems. Just shifting with the left hand is the challenge.

Well the typical visitor to South Africa is not driving the streets of Hillbrow, but mostly highway, and is
following the traffic in front.

The driving part isn't hard it's getting used to where to turn left and right when there is no one in front of you, as well as calculating the distance between you and the side of the road from an angle you are not used to. Roundabouts aren't that much fun either until u get the hang of it. By now I can easily drive on both sides but it did take getting used to.

nachas · « **Reply #37 on:** December 09, 2013, 02:43:29 PM »

I will be traveling to Cape Town, Zambia, and Kruger Park. Anyone know of a good way to get a US or Canadian number cell that will work in those areas and still be reasonably priced??

txtmax4 · « **Reply #38 on:** December 23, 2013, 11:54:13 AM »

I've had a great time in Kruger twice with a bunch of guys (beers the whole day and BBQ after dawn every night, blind whisky tasting and bonfires) and once with a family I went with (more relaxed style). But I always thought of it as an awesome place to go as a couple and, although I haven't brought my wife there yet, hope to make it there soon. It's just breathtaking, a place the size of Israel basically raw and natural, the only modern infrastructure you have there is the camps, some of them quite rustic, which are gated for obvious safety purposes.
(The real deal would have been Botswana where all you have is one cold shower and two guards with rifles at night, it's done in groups of about 10-12 people and requires advanced reservation).

I honestly don't know much about hiring trackers, we did everything by ourselves and saw the big 5 every time, you do have to have an eye out for it cause any animal camouflages. But basically, you drive drive drive and you'll see tons of animals. There's a max speed limit of 50 KMH so just enjoy the relaxing drive and look out for animals.
The only time we hired someone was for the night tours since it is anyhow forbidden to be out on a private car after 6pm..
Rule #1, whenever you see cars piled up at a certain spot it means there's something interesting going on there.. Make your way over there, FAST!

Early in the morning is when the animals go look for prey. like 5am... Seeing a kill is considered the highlight of a Kruger experience though it's not always easy to spot.
If you're ending your day at 6 you should be in bed 9-10 and start your day early, you can stop at any camp (follow the easy map and directions on roads) for breakfast/lunch/pit stop/ relaxing. There's usually a map in every camp center with people reporting where they've seen what animal.
As an added bonus, you can always see hienas at night near the camps gates since people give them their leftover dinner, which is not a good thing, but you can take advantage of them being there.

The camps I stayed at AFAIR were Satara, Skukuza. Letaba, Olifants. I think they all had AC and for sure hot water shower. They are all distinct, each with it's own style. IIRc Satara was the most basic but still very good conditions. All camps are "cute" each in it's own way.
I also stayed at Pretoriuskop but AFAIR, wildlife there is limited to some impala and bucks, nothing major as it's far from center.
I heard that there are walking tours but never did them, I believe advanced reservation is required.

At night, lay on the grass and look up at the stars, it's the clearest sky I ever remember seeing, even got a glimpse of the milky way...
Bonus: Hearing the lions roar at night loud enough you'd think they are right next to you

Camps aren't always well lit at night so don't freak out if you encounter an animal as some camps have loose buck and impala IN the camp.
Also, baboons can enter the camps (a monkey is a monkey), watch out for those.
Some camp units you rent have the kitchen area outside the unit, outdoors. Don't leave any food out there cause you might wake up to it all ransacked by the baboons..

This is all info based on my experience about 10 years ago, so excuse me if things have changed since then and are not exactly like I'm describing here.

If you really want to go with someone and don't want to do it on your own look also into kosher tours, where they feed you kosher food and arrange the whole shebang for you.
But the Kruger experience as I know it is grab a car, some beer and some biltong and drive your behind around a whole day and ENJOY!

yare · « **Reply #39 on:** December 23, 2013, 01:30:50 PM »

Quote from: txtmax4 on December 23, 2013, 11:54:13 AM

I've had a great time in Kruger twice with a bunch of guys (beers the whole day and BBQ after dawn every night, blind whisky tasting and bonfires) and once with a family I went with (more relaxed style). But I always thought of it as an awesome place to go as a couple and, although I haven't brought my wife there yet, hope to make it there soon. It's just breathtaking, a place the size of Israel basically raw and natural, the only modern infrastructure you have there is the camps, some of them quite rustic, which are gated for obvious safety purposes.
(The real deal would have been Botswana where all you have is one cold shower and two guards with rifles at night, it's done in groups of about 10-12 people and requires advanced reservation).

I honestly don't know much about hiring trackers, we did everything by ourselves and saw the big 5 every time, you do have to have an eye out for it cause any animal camouflages. But basically, you drive drive drive and you'll see tons of animals. There's a max speed limit of 50 KMH so just enjoy the relaxing drive and look out for animals.
The only time we hired someone was for the night tours since it is anyhow forbidden to be out on a private car after 6pm..
Rule #1, whenever you see cars piled up at a certain spot it means there's something interesting going on there.. Make your way over there, FAST!

Early in the morning is when the animals go look for prey. like 5am... Seeing a kill is considered the highlight of a Kruger experience though it's not always easy to spot.
If you're ending your day at 6 you should be in bed 9-10 and start your day early, you can stop at any camp (follow the easy map and directions on roads) for breakfast/lunch/pit stop/ relaxing. There's usually a map in every camp center with people reporting where they've seen what animal.
As an added bonus, you can always see hienas at night near the camps gates since people give them their leftover dinner, which is not a good thing, but you can take advantage of them being there.

The camps I stayed at AFAIR were Satara, Skukuza. Letaba, Olifants. I think they all had AC and for sure hot water shower. They are all distinct, each with it's own style. IIRc Satara was the most basic but still very good conditions. All camps are "cute" each in it's own way.
I also stayed at Pretoriuskop but AFAIR, wildlife there is limited to some impala and bucks, nothing major as it's far from center.
I heard that there are walking tours but never did them, I believe advanced reservation is required.

At night, lay on the grass and look up at the stars, it's the clearest sky I ever remember seeing, even got a glimpse of the milky way...
Bonus: Hearing the lions roar at night loud enough you'd think they are right next to you
Camps aren't always well lit at night so don't freak out if you encounter an animal as some camps have loose buck and impala IN the camp.
Also, baboons can enter the camps (a monkey is a monkey), watch out for those.
Some camp units you rent have the kitchen area outside the unit, outdoors. Don't leave any food out there cause you might wake up to it all ransacked by the baboons..

This is all info based on my experience about 10 years ago, so excuse me if things have changed since then and are not exactly like I'm describing here.

If you really want to go with someone and don't want to do it on your own look also into kosher tours, where they feed you kosher food and arrange the whole shebang for you.
But the Kruger experience as I know it is grab a car, some beer and some biltong and drive your behind around a whole day and ENJOY!

how many days do you need for a good trip to kruger?

Cbs	Link
Markus	Link
shmebeble	Link
Yaalili	Link
Ponash123	Link
Yehoshua	Link
Jomaster28	Link

Name	Type	Contact	Location & 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.

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	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 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

Cbs	Link
Markus	Link
Yaalili	Link
Yehuda57	Link
Ponash123	Link
Yehoshua	Link

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).
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.

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Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 541510 times)