I’ve been to the Europe, the middle east, the far east, Mauritius etc , but the most amazing place I’ve been so far has to be South Africa. If you have a negativity on AFRICA, get rid of it cause for Scenic Beauty nothing can touch the south of the African Continent. Never mind the Apartheid and all. ( Indians are the most racist people on the planet, go to any Indian five star hotel when there are foreigners around and they won’t bother about you (ie any 5 star in Goa, also read the matrimonials if you don’t believe me), that’s been abolished.
I booked my tour in South Africa itself. Thomson Tours. The only difference is that I had to pay in dollars and Rands on arrival out there. Besides most of the time you get a white guy as a guide.( Even the drivers of these tours to the airport were white). Since I don’t eat Indian food in India itself , would never go abroad and have the same. Besides you are flexible on your holiday. You get a Car and guide for your full holiday. All Indian tours have that Indian meals (HATE INDIAN tours). South African food is great and cheap too.
Johannesburg (JB) is the main point of entry and will be the center point if you travel by plane in SA. There’s nothing to do in JB so spend as little time out there. There are some gold mines and stuff, but I don’t like mines. Full stop. Becarefulll if you do venture out.
On landing in JB, I took a flight to Port Elizabeth, which is the starting point of the Garden Route. There an dolphin park in PE, check that out. Besides we checked out the cricket ground and there and the other sites in PE to see. Its more European out here with all the sea facing apts and all. We drove to Knysa and stayed there. On the way there are lots of sites to be seen. I would take me forever to write them down. Next stop over was at George. If you love golf, the town has two golf courses both being world class. My hotel King George had one of them. Remember to book in advance if you wanna play a round. With the end of the Garden route at Capetown. The vegetation during the journey should be checked out, so is the Ostrich farms, the Knysa gorge ( eat fresh oysters out there ). I did the garden route in 7 days. Infact if your not interested in knowing the countryside better, you can skip the whole garden route and fly directly to Cape town.
Capetown is most famous for the table mountain. No use booking in advance to go there cause its weather permitting (most of the time clouds cover the mountain, so no use going up the mountain, cause once u reach there u will only see clouds – do that in Matheran). Infact the mountain can be seen from any part of capetown. So as soon as u see a clear mountain, grab a taxi and go up there.( we asked the Police and they ordered a taxi for me on their wireless – I luv this country). Most important is to carry some woollens up there, cause its cold and the wind makes its really cold. There’s a restaurant up there too, The cable cars are exactly like the one’s in Mt.titlis, Switzerland. However it is essential to book in advance to Nelson Mandela’s jail, this I missed cause I didn’t book in advance. ( now u know better). Finally a one day excursion incl trip to the 12 apostles mountains and Cape of good hope along with seal island and all. Don’t book this trip from bbay, cause the local taxis are much cheaper.(sometimes incl. table mountain in the fare). Forget the botanical gardens unless u like plants, infact at the botanical gardens they have live performances (Jazz concerts etc )chk that out and ask your hotel to pack you a picnic basket, will have a great evening there. The main shopping is a Victoria Wharf, (chk out the BMW outlet outside – u’ll go car crazy). Always concerts in the evening out there. There also a shopping mall which has like 2000 + shops, but closer to the airport. Don’t know the name and didn’t go there. Spend arnd 4 days in capetown. Again chk out the cricket stadium.
Durban as people say has a high concentration of Indians. So if u ain’t happy with the 1 billion back home, can always see some more out here. Didn’t go to durban but heard from locals that it has some great beaches, but so does the rest of SA. So I skipped it.
With the end of the garden route, u can take a flight back of JB and then drive to SunCity from JB, be carefull as this is a dangerous road with a lot of road accidents. SunCity mainly comprises of 4 hotels – each with different price ranges, the most expensive being the Palace hotel. There’s also an RCI resort out there. I stayed at the Main Hotel. It has its own Casino, Auditorium, Golf course (18 hole ) etc. Facilities with respect to any hotel does not make a difference cause u can use the facilities of any hotel. (Except the pool of the Palace Hotel – if u’re not staying there.). Spend atleast 3 days in SunCity. I stayed for 4 and a half days. Totally enjoyed the experience. Also the added attraction of SunCity is that it has its own Game Reserve, do this only if you’re not proceeding to Kruger National Park or any of the game reserves surrounding the Park cause then its not worth it. If you do go, go for the early morning game ( 5.30 - best time to spot animals ).
Again back to JB, and a flight to a small airport next to the Kruger Park. If you are a big animal buff, u can stay at the Kruger National Park itself, else stay at one of the many small reserves surrounding the Park. I did this. Get to see all the big six animals. Did have some close calls with the elephants. Don’t expect tent staying accomdation or no electricity ( I thought it would be like this ), my room had split AC, with all the facilities. Even a Swimming pool.
My holiday will be updated, over a period of time so do come back and read more of it, will try and write when time permits. If you want info. urgently Mail me. Because the best time to visit SA is now between nov and feb for us as the weather is lovely. One more reason to chk out SA is that there are more BMW’s over there than B’bay has taxis’. It’s a Beemer Country.