Cape Town Travel Forum

We are planning a trip to Cape Town for Christmas, 2008. We plan a week exploring in and around Capetown then hopefully Garden route and safari. My questions are
1) We are a family of 4 and luxury safari is so expensive - are there any reasonably priced ways of doing it without chasing the big 5 in a herd of 4x4 - I do realise this is peak period
2)Where are good places to stop on the Garden route for a couple of nights each so we can explore - good not luxury accomodation would be great

Thanks in advance for your advice

Hi
Regarding garden route- personally I enjoy

Plettenberg bay is great! A must - busy but festive over christmans- beaches are great , swimming and nature-

Kynsna (40 min drive from plett) also lovely town to spend a few night

Jeffreys bay - great beaches very popular surf spot- Billabong factory shop

There are so many activities along the garden route - i reckon that even if you stay in plaettenberg bay- you would be central enough to do most visits/tours/activities.

enjoy

The beacon isle hotel in plettenberg bay is lovely- if you can gett accomm

best wishes

regarding a safari-
there are many - just near to port elizabeth-
shamwari may be pricey but all i know who have been have enjoyed it

http://www.shamwari.com/

Also along the garden route - Aquila game farm www.aquilasafari.com



Beacon island hotel plett
http://www.southernsun.com/SSH/VHB/9ddb2ca431699010VgnVCM1000001b3d17acRCRD/55/53

I suggest that you visit the local tourist offices wherever you go. They will have information on the government owned reserves where for a very small entrance fee you can drive yourselves around all day - you won't see lions this way but the rest of the 'big 5' can be seen. Houses to rent where you can self cater are plentiful in South Africa and you can usually get a very good standard for a very reasonable rate, much cheaper than hotels. I suggest you research the places that you would like to visit along the garden route and maybe consider going further inland for example to the Klein Karoo, depending on your main interests - it's a big country!

Hi!
Well, if you don't want to spend a lot of money for safaris in private game reserves it's advisable to choose the stately owned reserves/accommodation, like Addo Elephant park for game viewing or Tsitsikamma Park for walking.
There, the accommodation is cheap but you have to book early for this very high season!
Check out:
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/tsitsikamma/

Other places to stop by on the Garden route are definately Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Oudtshoorn.
Or you can choose Knysna as your base and explore from there... It's quite central and you can reach Tsitsikamma, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness, Mosselbay, Cango Caves.
Enjoy!

Sorry, forgot one thing!...
For Bed and Breakfast accommodations in South Africa check out:
www.portfoliocollection.com
Cheers!

Hi another site for very reasonable self catering accommodation is http:// www.budget-getaways.com they have all you will need! I have a cottage on a wine farm we rent out, sleeps 4, and the rate is R150 per night per person (no meals)!!! Very good value for money. I am in a little town called Bonnievale, and the cottage's name is Buitensorg Cottage, check out the web page, and this will give you an idea of what to expect! Remember too that it is high season, our summer, so BOOK now... the garden route is absolutely magnificent~! Hope you have a wonderful holiday in South Africa!