Hi, excellent post Fiona!
We are going to Cape Town in January 2010 then onto safari at Kariega Reserve before driving back to Cape Town via Plettenburg Bay, Arniston and Stellenbosch, finish with 3 nights in Cape Town.

Got to admit i'm a tad worried about the driving around, with the reputation it has, so if anyone can put my mind at rest i'd appreciate it!

There seems to be so much to do in Cape Town that I think we will have to study what we want to do before we fly out there or else we will take a day deciding.

Any advice from anyone on what's best is more than welcome!

Thanks
Pete

Hi Pete and welcome to HT. You have quite an itinery and one I would love to hear a report on. We would love to return to Cape Town either after a safari or to take a car round the Garden Route. I dont think there is a lot to worry about- most folks we met in Cape Town were hiring a car.
With 3 days- Table mountain is obviously a must. Some might say Cape of Good Hope but I would just use the time to see what Cape Town has. Robben Island is good and I would suggest prebooking. The hop on/off buses are great and you could actually spend a couple of days going round their routes. Lots of interesting stops. A boat trip can be done in an hour. Just relaxing on the Waterfront over a long lunch or just a glass of wine and people watching was something I enjoyed. After the hectic time you will probably have beforehand I am sure you would enjoy it too. And really- you have to try South African wine.

Thanks for that Fiona, its always good to hear from people who have been there when they say its not as bad as it sounds!
Will post a report when we get back too.

Hi

I have been to South Africa 3 times now (going back next year). I was terrified the first time because of all the bad things you hear but i can honestly say that i have never seen any trouble.

We have done a lot of driving as well and again I really wouldnt think twice about it now. The first time we flew to cape town and stayed 5/6 nights, we than flew to j'burgh hired a car and drove up to the area around Sun City where we did the safari thing.

Last time we again flew to cape town which was our base for most of the Holiday. On our last week we hired a car and drove throught he Garden Route as far as Knysna.

Please feel free to ask any questions, I really would put by fears aside and go - its an amazing country!!

Thanks StanJan.

I did think it was probably better than its made out to be but its always nice to hear it from people who have been.

It's my girlfriends 30th while we are there, the first day of the safari, but when we get back into Cape Town where would you recommend for a really good slap up meal, money no object (within reason!)

ta
Pete

Hi

I would definately head down to the Camps Bay for the night, its a great place to celebrate. Its very up market with load of great restaurants, two that I would reccomend are 'Blues' which is has great views over the beach and is perfect for watching the sun set and if you like fish you can't go wrong with the 'cape town fish market' restaurant which is also facing the beach in Camps Bay.

Hope that helps - feel free to ask questions - I have a bit of a passion for Cape Town!!

They sound perfect, we are in the Protea President which it says is only 5 minutes away from Camps Bay according to the website.

What would you recommend for carrying cash? Was going to take about 500R and rely on credit/debit cards, does that sound about right?

Hi

Yeah money wise that will be fine, I always use my debit / credit card. Make sure you tell you bank you are travelling or they might block your card, this happened to me the first time, I always let them know now and haven't had any problems since.

If you have a car in cape Town I would head to a place called 'Spier' for the day, its out in the wine region prob about an hours drive.

Jan

Is that the Spier Hotel in Steelenbosch?
If it is we are staying there for 2 nights on our drive back from the safari near Port Elizabeth.

hi

Yeah thats the one - you have picked well!!! There is a restaurant at Spier (the country park bit -just a few mins away from the hotel) called MOYO. We pre-booked the table via their website and asked for a tree top table - basicallt its what it says it is, they have built individual tables up in the trees and the food is like a massive african buffet.

Think I should get a job for SA tourism :

Maybe you can tell me about the rest of the hotels we are staying in too if you have been to them!?

We are in Greenmarket Square Hotel for 2 nights in CT.
3 nights Ukhozi Lodge at Kariega Game Reserve
1 night Protea Plettenburg Bay Hotel
1 night Arniston Spa Hotel
2 night Spier Hotel
3 nights Protea President in CT

thanks
Pete

Hi

Unfortunately Hotels are not my strong point, i have only stayed at the Cullinan and Spier in the Cape Town area as i know somebody who ones a villa so we rent that

Jan

we stayed at Protea North Wharf and would pick that one again and also be happy to try other Protea hotels.

Thanks both.

Can anyone tell me what plug adapter i will need and what the mosi's are like?!

Plugs are big round three pin ones, I had to buy mine at Heathrow on the way out couldnt get one anywhere else, dont know about mossies we went in June

We are just booking Fly drive for Feb 2010
Fly London to Cape Town
Stay 3 Nights Protea Hotel President - Cape Town
Drive to Franschhoek Stay 2 Nights at Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa
Drive to Hermanus Stay 1 Night at Auberge Burgundy Hotel
Drive to Oudtshoorn Stay 1 Night Queens Hotel
Drive to Knysna Stay 2 Nights Knysna Hollow Hotel
Drive to Kariega Stay 2 Nights Kariega Private Game Reserve
(River Lodge)
Drive to Port Elizabeth Return Car at Airport
Fly to Johannesburg SAA 420 15:15 - 16:55
Fly from Johannesburg to London

Anyone any comments

I'll be able to let you know about the Protea President and Kariega, though we are in Ukhozi Lodge, in January.
Sounds like a good trip you have booked!
Pete

Just found this its great do have a look

http://virtualafrica.co.za/virtual-tours-of-south-africa/highest-definition-picture-ever-taken-of-cape-town-how-we-did-it/