South Africa
South Africa
Hiya Guys :)
My mate and I want to go to South Africa in the summer. We would like just to have a look around and will be able to stay with her Uncle in Houtbaai near Cape Town. We also plan on doing some biological plant studies while we are out there, and possibly help in a school if we are able to. I'm just scanning the net to get an idea of what the country is like, cultures etc, anything in particular we will need to know for travelling there. Also any sights we may be interested in. If anyone can help, I would be very grateful :)
Cheers
Sebs
x
Answers:
I've been to South Africa twice in the past 6 months - it's so beautiful!
We spent most of our time in and around Cape Town. There's a beautiful botanical gardens with Table Mountain as it's backdrop called Kirstenbosch.
Other things you must do whilst in Cape Town - visit Boulder to see the penguins on the beach, drive up to Hermanus to go whale watching, have afternoon tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel (yum!), take the cable car or hike up Table Mountain (do this on a clear day!), go to the nature reserve at Cape Point and hike up to the top of Cape Point for an amazing view.
:D
Answers:
Hello :wave:
First off, congrats - South Africa is an amazing place to go!! :jealoussmilie: I've lived and worked out there, and my partner is South African, so ask away with the questions. Serendipity (Senior Content Monitor) is also wise on all things South African..... :)
It's a long (12-13 hours) flight, but no jet-lag (only 2 hour time difference).
Healthwise, your biggest risk is probably the sun! Take sunscreen and make sure you drink lots (of water ;) ). Cape Town is less hot than the Northern Provinces, but it's certainly hotter than the UK. When are you going? The seasons are the other way around, being Southern hemisphere......
Malaria only really affects the Northern Provinces/Mozambique borders, so you don't need malaria tablets. There are no compulsary vaccinations for tourist stays, especially short term and in Cape Town (I worked out there, and had several, but more due to the area and the fact I was doing healthcare work).
I like this site and this site for travel health queries......
OK, the more interesting parts!
I found it really helpful to learn a couple words/phrases of local language. While English is pretty widely spoken, it is only one of 11 official languages...... :faint: I'm sure a couple words of afrikaans (a dutch-like language) will go a long way - although German and Dutch also seem to get by (they are obviously quite similar to afrikaans....)
As for things to do? How long do you have there? Going into Cape Town, it is framed by table mountain and the coastline. Definitely go up table mountain (cable car, walking - climbing!!), go into the bay. There are many moving sites relating to the countries troubled past - in Cape Town, try the gold museum, the jewish museum, the bo-kaap museum, one of the many walking tours......also, as the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, go to Robben Island - out in the bay.
The V&A is ok - busy, lots of shops - but pretty overpriced and touristy! Maybe your thing....?!
Also definitely worth a trip is the train ride through the suburbs to Simonstown - home of the penguins (the biggest home of penguins outside the south pole, don'tcha know.... ;) )
If you carry on down, you get to the Cape wildlife reserve and Cape Point - the Southernmost point of Africa, and where the atlantic and pacific oceans meet...... *gorgeous*
For day trips out, try hermanus (whale watching!!) to the east of the city (maybe a couple hours tops), the winelands (north of the city - hic!) or one of the many safari parks.
Sorry for going on - I totally :throb: the place........ tot siens!
x
Answers:
Wow thanks guys!
Reading your posts has made me lots more excited!!
We plan to go in June for about a month and a half I think so we will have lots of time! All the activities suggested sound just the kind of thing we like to do - the mountains, gardens and whale watching! Ace!
I have a friend living out there who speaks Afrikaan and he has said he will help me to learn a few helpful phrases, may try to buy a phrase book or something too if I can find one! Thanks for the idea!
I'm relieved there will be no vaccines and I'm really looking forward to the trip! My friend lives in Pretoria and I'd really like to visit him as well, but I think it is about 13hours away from Cape Town? So I'm not sure how possible it would be.
One last thing, is there anything different culture/ettiquette (sp) wise that may be helpful to us when we go?
I am SO excited! hehe!
Sebs
xx
Answers:
Hi,
I am originally from South Africa and agree that it is a lovely part of the world! (obviously) In terms of things to do around Cape Town, I think you've already had some great suggestions. But I would add that its definitely worth visiting the wine regions around Cape Town (places like Paarl and Stellenbosch). Its an easy day trip and it would be worth visiting a couple of wineries and perhaps have lunch in Franschoek, which is a lovely town along the way.
If you're feeling adventurous, take one of the organised (there are some very reliable companies who do these) township tours. It does give you a glimpse of how a lot of people live there and shows a different side to life. I really enjoyed that, it keeps things in perspective.
Also the drive along the coast towards Port Elizabeth (known as the Garden Route) is lovely. Knysna and the Tsitsikamma National Park are beautiful places along the way. Even though I come from there, Port Elizabeth is not really worth the visit! The only thing that I really like around Port Elizabeth is the Addo Elephant Park...
The only other thing I would advise, is to be fairly aware of personal safety there. No need for paranoia but just be aware, ok? Take advice from the locals.
Hiya Guys :)
My mate and I want to go to South Africa in the summer. We would like just to have a look around and will be able to stay with her Uncle in Houtbaai near Cape Town. We also plan on doing some biological plant studies while we are out there, and possibly help in a school if we are able to. I'm just scanning the net to get an idea of what the country is like, cultures etc, anything in particular we will need to know for travelling there. Also any sights we may be interested in. If anyone can help, I would be very grateful :)
Cheers
Sebs
x
Answers:
I've been to South Africa twice in the past 6 months - it's so beautiful!
We spent most of our time in and around Cape Town. There's a beautiful botanical gardens with Table Mountain as it's backdrop called Kirstenbosch.
Other things you must do whilst in Cape Town - visit Boulder to see the penguins on the beach, drive up to Hermanus to go whale watching, have afternoon tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel (yum!), take the cable car or hike up Table Mountain (do this on a clear day!), go to the nature reserve at Cape Point and hike up to the top of Cape Point for an amazing view.
:D
Answers:
Hello :wave:
First off, congrats - South Africa is an amazing place to go!! :jealoussmilie: I've lived and worked out there, and my partner is South African, so ask away with the questions. Serendipity (Senior Content Monitor) is also wise on all things South African..... :)
It's a long (12-13 hours) flight, but no jet-lag (only 2 hour time difference).
Healthwise, your biggest risk is probably the sun! Take sunscreen and make sure you drink lots (of water ;) ). Cape Town is less hot than the Northern Provinces, but it's certainly hotter than the UK. When are you going? The seasons are the other way around, being Southern hemisphere......
Malaria only really affects the Northern Provinces/Mozambique borders, so you don't need malaria tablets. There are no compulsary vaccinations for tourist stays, especially short term and in Cape Town (I worked out there, and had several, but more due to the area and the fact I was doing healthcare work).
I like this site and this site for travel health queries......
OK, the more interesting parts!
I found it really helpful to learn a couple words/phrases of local language. While English is pretty widely spoken, it is only one of 11 official languages...... :faint: I'm sure a couple words of afrikaans (a dutch-like language) will go a long way - although German and Dutch also seem to get by (they are obviously quite similar to afrikaans....)
As for things to do? How long do you have there? Going into Cape Town, it is framed by table mountain and the coastline. Definitely go up table mountain (cable car, walking - climbing!!), go into the bay. There are many moving sites relating to the countries troubled past - in Cape Town, try the gold museum, the jewish museum, the bo-kaap museum, one of the many walking tours......also, as the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, go to Robben Island - out in the bay.
The V&A is ok - busy, lots of shops - but pretty overpriced and touristy! Maybe your thing....?!
Also definitely worth a trip is the train ride through the suburbs to Simonstown - home of the penguins (the biggest home of penguins outside the south pole, don'tcha know.... ;) )
If you carry on down, you get to the Cape wildlife reserve and Cape Point - the Southernmost point of Africa, and where the atlantic and pacific oceans meet...... *gorgeous*
For day trips out, try hermanus (whale watching!!) to the east of the city (maybe a couple hours tops), the winelands (north of the city - hic!) or one of the many safari parks.
Sorry for going on - I totally :throb: the place........ tot siens!
x
Answers:
Wow thanks guys!
Reading your posts has made me lots more excited!!
We plan to go in June for about a month and a half I think so we will have lots of time! All the activities suggested sound just the kind of thing we like to do - the mountains, gardens and whale watching! Ace!
I have a friend living out there who speaks Afrikaan and he has said he will help me to learn a few helpful phrases, may try to buy a phrase book or something too if I can find one! Thanks for the idea!
I'm relieved there will be no vaccines and I'm really looking forward to the trip! My friend lives in Pretoria and I'd really like to visit him as well, but I think it is about 13hours away from Cape Town? So I'm not sure how possible it would be.
One last thing, is there anything different culture/ettiquette (sp) wise that may be helpful to us when we go?
I am SO excited! hehe!
Sebs
xx
Answers:
Hi,
I am originally from South Africa and agree that it is a lovely part of the world! (obviously) In terms of things to do around Cape Town, I think you've already had some great suggestions. But I would add that its definitely worth visiting the wine regions around Cape Town (places like Paarl and Stellenbosch). Its an easy day trip and it would be worth visiting a couple of wineries and perhaps have lunch in Franschoek, which is a lovely town along the way.
If you're feeling adventurous, take one of the organised (there are some very reliable companies who do these) township tours. It does give you a glimpse of how a lot of people live there and shows a different side to life. I really enjoyed that, it keeps things in perspective.
Also the drive along the coast towards Port Elizabeth (known as the Garden Route) is lovely. Knysna and the Tsitsikamma National Park are beautiful places along the way. Even though I come from there, Port Elizabeth is not really worth the visit! The only thing that I really like around Port Elizabeth is the Addo Elephant Park...
The only other thing I would advise, is to be fairly aware of personal safety there. No need for paranoia but just be aware, ok? Take advice from the locals.