South Africa sacked, Ferry Booked (4 Viewers)

[Dazzlin]

Arrived yesterday in Camps Bay just outside Capetown for the last month of our SA trip.
Bèen from the winelands of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch along Route 62 to Addo and Scotia game parks, then back along the coastal roads.
Visited over 30 wine estates, two game reserves and more restaurants than healthy. Been on 8 high wires/ziplines over rivers, walked numerous steps along fantastic coast walks and boardwalks, 4 suspension bridges, a couple of different penguin beaches. Stayed on an ostrich farm, seen numerous wild animals and eaten wildebeeste, crocodile, ostrich, warthog and kudu. Watched 'Grease' at an open air cinema in a botanical garden on Table mountain! (Last night)

Never felt threatened or seen any trouble. Been thru a few townships and driven past loads. It is the same as travelling in any country where you just have to use best judgement and common sense.

All self (well-Lynne) planned and booked, all in touristy spots and a couple of small towns.

Highly recommend the whole experience to anybody.
It was our first visit and will not be our last.

But still looking forward to maroc again next year!!!

 

[funflair]

Driving along isnt the problem.....stopping at red lights is...
Carjacking is, or at least was, rife in RSA cities.
Windows up and doors locked ?????? You may still get a gun pointed at you through the window.

I was going to let Mrs funflair read this thread as there were/are some really good suggestions but I might have to filter this post out

Thanks for the warning anyway.

Martin

 

[jongood]

Arrived yesterday in Camps Bay just outside Capetown for the last month of our SA trip.
Bèen from the winelands of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch along Route 62 to Addo and Scotia game parks, then back along the coastal roads.
Visited over 30 wine estates, two game reserves and more restaurants than healthy. Been on 8 high wires/ziplines over rivers, walked numerous steps along fantastic coast walks and boardwalks, 4 suspension bridges, a couple of different penguin beaches. Stayed on an ostrich farm, seen numerous wild animals and eaten wildebeeste, crocodile, ostrich, warthog and kudu. Watched 'Grease' at an open air cinema in a botanical garden on Table mountain! (Last night)

Never felt threatened or seen any trouble. Been thru a few townships and driven past loads. It is the same as travelling in any country where you just have to use best judgement and common sense.

All self (well-Lynne) planned and booked, all in touristy spots and a couple of small towns.

Highly recommend the whole experience to anybody.
It was our first visit and will not be our last.

But still looking forward to maroc again next year!!!

Hi Daz and Lynne. Sounds like your having a fab time there. We're also having a fab time hear in NZ - but like you guys looking forward to Maroc next year as well - sundowners at Tafroute anyone??

Jon & Sue

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[Dazzlin]

Hi Daz and Lynne. Sounds like your having a fab time there. We're also having a fab time hear in NZ - but like you guys looking forward to Maroc next year as well - sundowners at Tafroute anyone??

Jon & Sue

Look forward to hearing about NZ.

It's another one on our list!

 

[Wicketter]

We're doing the Camping & Caravanning Club tour to Southern Africa in October including 3 days in the Kruger. The escorted tour was fully booked, so we're going on our own booked through them and following their route, so all the campsites are booked for us. We have booked a 4 X 4 with roof tent as we know the roads can be a bit "ify" in places. Starting in Jo'Berg ( we have relatives there) up through SA to Kruger, Botswana, Namibia and back to Cape Town, 35 nights, We have been to Africa before, so we're not real novices but not for so long and not on our own. So excited.

 

[GeriatricWanderer]

We're doing the Camping & Caravanning Club tour to Southern Africa in October including 3 days in the Kruger. The escorted tour was fully booked, so we're going on our own booked through them and following their route, so all the campsites are booked for us. We have booked a 4 X 4 with roof tent as we know the roads can be a bit "ify" in places. Starting in Jo'Berg ( we have relatives there) up through SA to Kruger, Botswana, Namibia and back to Cape Town, 35 nights, We have been to Africa before, so we're not real novices but not for so long and not on our own. So excited.

I'm a game park addict and have visited most of those in SA.
I'm not an expert photographer but I do like my animal photos and my camera sits on my lap when driving in the parks but even so, there are times when the animals appear quicker than I can lift my camera.
What I have found very effective in recent years is to take my dash cam with me - many times it's captured images I would have missed.
So, if you have a dash cam, take it with you. If you don't have one then I believe it would be worth buying one just for that.
Even clips of driving through the bush will bring back pleasant memories.
Also worth packing a couple of spare SDs too.

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[funflair]

We're doing the Camping & Caravanning Club tour to Southern Africa in October including 3 days in the Kruger. The escorted tour was fully booked, so we're going on our own booked through them and following their route, so all the campsites are booked for us. We have booked a 4 X 4 with roof tent as we know the roads can be a bit "ify" in places. Starting in Jo'Berg ( we have relatives there) up through SA to Kruger, Botswana, Namibia and back to Cape Town, 35 nights, We have been to Africa before, so we're not real novices but not for so long and not on our own. So excited.

That's another idea and Mrs funflair said "ooo that sounds interesting" so something to work on Thanks

Martin

 

[Wicketter]

Yes we have a dash cam we used on our last Africa trip which worked really well, except we haven't managed to finish the editing yet. The other thing I would highly recommend is Tracks for Africa for the satnav.

 

[jongood]

I know 'Kruger' has become the byword for game viewing, but we found that it was a bit of a free for all; everyone dirves around the public roads looking for game to pounce upon. When we saw a small pride of lions they were totally surrounded by cars and coaches, where the lions were having to weave through. Yes it was close but natural? It was a bit like the crowd at the boxing day sales.

We had a much nicer experience at one of the private game reserve s attached to it. We stayed in a treehouse with eating on an elevated deck and went for game drives in an open land cruiser with a tracker sat on the front bumper. We saw more and it was lots more natural. Pricey but you only need 2/3 nights.

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[MC 55 FUN]

I know 'Kruger' has become the byword for game viewing, but we found that it was a bit of a free for all; everyone dirves around the public roads looking for game to pounce upon. When we saw a small pride of lions they were totally surrounded by cars and coaches, where the lions were having to weave through. Yes it was close but natural? It was a bit like the crowd at the boxing day sales.

We had a much nicer experience at one of the private game reserve s attached to it. We stayed in a treehouse with eating on an elevated deck and went for game drives in an open land cruiser with a tracker sat on the front bumper. We saw more and it was lots more natural. Pricey but you only need 2/3 nights.

This is where we stay : Link Removed

 

[jongood]

This is the one we stayed at

http://pondoro.co.za/

 

[jongood]

That's another idea and Mrs funflair said "ooo that sounds interesting" so something to work on Thanks

Martin

It does doesnt it.

Not sure about the 4x4 with roof tent though. The Couple who had been on the Seabridge one said they were in rented Daily based coachbuilts. If enough people wanted to go it would surely be possible to get Seabridge to do one with an english speaking guide.

https://www.seabridge-tours.de/html/mobiltouren.php?language=english

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[Wicketter]

We used these http://www.bobocampers.co.za/ you can also rent from Avis.

 

[DavidG58]

but what about the Europe options M + J what are your current thoughts

I am with Robert, pop up to Norway and do a look around for us

 

[funflair]

but what about the Europe options M + J what are your current thoughts

I am with Robert, pop up to Norway and do a look around for us

Yes Norway is on our list of "to do" but not in under 3 weeks, some friends fancy doing it next year and have asked if we would like to join them, we might do a bit of France possibly Brittany but it might depend on weather, then up to Netherlands and do Keukenhof and possibly Gouda again as we liked it, we do like to stop a while and become "caravanners" so we can get all settled and get the bikes out and explore.

Martin

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[DavidG58]

Yes Norway is on our list of "to do" but not in under 3 weeks, some friends fancy doing it next year and have asked if we would like to join them, we might do a bit of France possibly Brittany but it might depend on weather, then up to Netherlands and do Keukenhof and possibly Gouda again as we liked it, we do like to stop a while and become "caravanners" so we can get all settled and get the bikes out and explore.

Martin

when we went last time I was given a link to bulb fields in Brittany, will try and look that up, didn't think anybody apart from the dutch grew them

 

[DavidG58]

not the same link I was given, but this looks the same, La Torche near Quimper

your new mission to check out for us should you decide to accept

 

[nicholsong]

Martin, sorry about your disappointment but I think you were right to pull out.

I have not read every post in the thread.

I used to work on a casual basis for a company called Titan Hi Tours. It was family owned but quite big. We offered all clients a free lift to the airport/ferry port from all of England and Wales in minibuses which I drove. At one stage we had 150-175 VW T5 Caravelles. We went as far as Cumbria for some passengers.

The owner was getting on a bit and sold to Saga, who probably eyed the elderly client base not just for holidays, but insurance etc.

It had been a well-organised and happy company with a very loyal client base, many of whom had been on 10s of holidays.

As soon as Saga took over one felt a change, and I and lots of other drivers who were retired professionals(teachers, police, firemen, ambulance personnel etc.), but enjoyed the job while it was a friendly company, decided it was time to go.

A 'Sad Saga'

But your experience does not surprise me.

There are other ways to enjoy things - good travelling whatever you do.

Geoff

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[funflair]

Martin, sorry about your disappointment but I think you were right to pull out.

I have not read every post in the thread.

I used to work on a casual basis for a company called Titan Hi Tours. It was family owned but quite big. We offered all clients a free lift to the airport/ferry port from all of England and Wales in minibuses which I drove. At one stage we had 150-175 VW T5 Caravelles. We went as far as Cumbria for some passengers.

The owner was getting on a bit and sold to Saga, who probably eyed the elderly client base not just for holidays, but insurance etc.

It had been a well-organised and happy company with a very loyal client base, many of whom had been on 10s of holidays.

As soon as Saga took over one felt a change, and I and lots of other drivers who were retired professionals(teachers, police, firemen, ambulance personnel etc.), but enjoyed the job while it was a friendly company, decided it was time to go.

A 'Sad Saga'

But your experience does not surprise me.

There are other ways to enjoy things - good travelling whatever you do.

Geoff

Hi Geoff

Thanks for backing me up it was a Titan tour that we originally wanted to do as they are still selling tours under the Titan banner as well, of course we were a bit last minute OK a lot last minute. Anyway we cross the North Sea tomorrow and will leave SA for another time but I have to say the Caravan Club self drive motorhome tour looks good but b----y expensive.

Martin

 

[funflair]

OK it's not guess the bill GTB as that burnings to Robert SO GTP as in guess the place. We couldn't decide right or left or straight on for that matter so where are we?

And while you are guessing, which is my drink

Martin

 

[DavidG58]

Not a lot to go on Martin, guessing you landed this morning in Zeebrugge

Have you got past Bruges ? It doesn't look like the Bruges aire though

so maybe Ghent if you went straight on

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[funflair]

Not a lot to go on Martin, guessing you landed this morning in Zeebrugge

Have you got past Bruges ?

David that's a question not an answer, but we didn't go far, and there were no road closures so it was easy.

The next one is guess where we are going tomorrow, coz I don't know, @jonegood might get it though.

Martin

 

[canopus]

You are in Belgium - give away flag in the background.

Have you ever seen the Boat Lift at Strepy Thieu Martin. Quite a spectacular piece of Engineering and there is a free spot downstream from the new lift, quite close to the old lift - can be found in Campercontact.

Alternatively I believe you can park overnight close to the new lift.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attra...Lift-Le_Roeulx_Hainaut_Province_Wallonia.html

 

[DavidG58]

still don't recognise it but going back to Bruges based on the bar you are sat in mainly, that does look familiar

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[funflair]

You are in Belgium - give away flag in the background.

Have you ever seen the Boat Lift at Strepy Thieu Martin. Quite a spectacular piece of Engineering and there is a free spot downstream from the new lift, quite close to the old lift - can be found in Campercontact.

Alternatively I believe you can park overnight close to the new lift.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attra...Lift-Le_Roeulx_Hainaut_Province_Wallonia.html

Thanks Ken but the flag is on a boat oh go on then I will give you Belgium

Thanks for the link will look it up later.


Martin

 

[funflair]

still don't recognise it but going back to Bruges based on the bar you are sat in mainly, that does look familiar

David I should have just posted the picture of the bar straight away

Martin

 

[canopus]

Or perhaps the Inclined Plane Boat Lift at Ronquieres



Strepy Thieu

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[canopus]

Thanks Ken but the flag is on a boat oh go on then I will give you Belgium

Thanks for the link will look it up later.

Martin

I don't think its flag etiquette to fly a flag when stationary at full mast if its not in the country of that flag - if that makes sense.

 

[funflair]

="canopus, post: 2282894, member: 14552"]I don't thinks its flag etiquette to fly a flag at full mast if its not in the country of that flag - if that makes sense

It makes sense so you can share the spoils with David, it Belgium and its Bruges.

We saw an inclined ship lift at Saverne.

Martin

 

[Floydster]

That is the Aire at Bruges.

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