South Africa (1 Viewer)

Nov 19, 2013
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Flying in to Cape Town in a few weeks and have hired a motorhome.

Planning to drive along Garden Route and have booked a site at Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth. Found various resource on web including iOverlander which is very good.

Any personal recommendations? Thanks
 

Ivory55

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It was on the weather, and they said it could be the first metropolitan area to have the taps run dry.

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pappajohn

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Can't recommend sites but you picked the perfect tour in the Garden route.
The Addo park is fantastic and unless it's changed they have a campsite at the entrance.
Also worth a visit to the Kango caves at Oudtshoorn a few miles inland from George.
Easy access and no climbing.
I believe the main chamber is used for orchestral concerts as it's so big and the acoustics are perfect.
The cafe at the entrance has some good views and the head of an adult rogue killer elephant hangs on the wall.
Booking essential.

http://www.cango-caves.co.za/
 
Last edited:

faraway

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I think you’ll encounter water restrictions almost everywhere along your route. Port Elizabeth also has them in place but not as severe as Cape Town at present. If you are looking for another stop along the way, try the Tsitsikamma, Nature’s Valley, Storms River Mouth Areas. Campsites around there and motorhome access should be fine as long as a reasonable size.

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Last edited:
Jun 10, 2010
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We ve just left Addo ( by car) we stayed in a rondavel overlooking the waterhole and even saw a pair of Rhino one night. There is a pride of lions between 29 and 30 in the south of the park atm. And lots and lots of elephants, Kudu,buffalo even saw a secretary bird which is a first for us.

We ve not done a camper in SA but have previously seen them at Storms River and Addo, they look a bit like Kiwi campers, overcab with rear lounge? or demounts a bit crude looking IMHO.

Great country

Jon
 
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Thanks for all the replies. I am aware of the drought but not a lot I can do about that! Except not washing.

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GeriatricWanderer

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I'm no longer an active member of this Forum but still have a few weeks subscription left and do pop my head in every now and then to see what's happening, when I have internet. I just couldn't resist adding my two pennyworth about my favourite place in the world. I did try sending a PM to you @50 but not sure it went.

Anyway - this is my contribution:

Greetings

I don't post now on the MHF Forum but I do watch the threads and had to respond to yours.

I know that part of the world very well. Lived in PE for many years and have visited Addo more than 50 times (no exaggeration).

Not sure how much you know about the place or what info you might be looking for.

As far as Addo is concerned (my favourite place in the world and I've been around) - there are just a couple of things you need to know.

When you leave PE on the coast road, not very pretty to start with but once across the Swartkop River it gets better and the road is superb all the way.
You will shortly see a sign for an Addo turn off - ignore it - trust me. Continue along the main dual carriageway - up a long gentle rise and then down a very long descent eventually crossing over Sundays River. There is a crossroad a mile or so past the bridge, take the left turning and follow directions to the Addo entrance - signposted from the turn off but the signs could be bigger. You can't really go wrong as there's nowhere else on this road. Addo is about a mile or so from that turn off.

Once through the first auto gate you will need to park up and go into reception - form filling including passport number.
They will give you some pamphlets - be sure that one of them if a map of the park.
You will now be at the very south end of Addo. the main camp and campsite is at the very top end of the park.

Lots of roads in the park, mostly gravel with tarmac closer to the main camp and on the steeper hills.
Watch out for the humps on the gravel roads (to stop rainwater washaways).
You can either follow the main road and/or take some of the side loops.
Addo is quite big and the game is free to roam and is not fed - I bet there will be a time when you wonder if there are any animals and then, all of a sudden you will come face to face with a herd of elephant.
If you go on a chosen route and see not much then it's very easy to fix that - you have to go round again - and maybe again. So many times you will miss animals by a few seconds and it's amazing how quickly a herd of elephant can disappear into the bush like magic.
The very best chance of seeing elephant in numerb is at Hapoor Dam which is fairly close to the main camp but we've been to Hapoor and witness 300+ elephant at the waterhole and returned an hour later and the place is deserted, not one in sight.

I'll stop rambling now as I could go on forever.

Let me know if you want any other info.

I'm also off to Cape Town on Feb 3 to visit my family there - a tortuous journey from here.
 
May 30, 2012
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We did a self drive to Africa last Oct/Nov and had a brilliant time. South Africa, Botswana and Namibia finishing in Cape Town. We had it all booked by the Camping & Caravanning Club, World Wide Tailor Made. We didn't do the escorted tour but went on our own in a Toyota Hilux with a roof tent. We had been to Africa before so really wanted a 4x4 as we knew what the roads were like. We thought a motorhome would be slightly bumpy but we met another UK group who were on the escorted tour and they coped. Great fun can't wait to go back!! Lots of pics and web cams on our blog for anyone interested. We took 5 weeks, challenging driving at times but we can't wait to go back. Next year hopefully!
 

faraway

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For those going to Cape Town, please be VERY careful about hiking around/on the Table Mountain area, yet another couple has been attacked and the husband was stabbed to death (yesterday 29/1/2018).

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-af...y-suspect-posing-as-a-security-guard-12989871
Interesting report, notice the attacker was dressed as a security man. We had a similar problem in SA although without series consequences. I went to a cash point because there was a man stood next to it in a security uniform and I assumed it safe, as I entered my card and waited for the money he stepped away and two guys stepped in and mugged me, thereafter no sign of the security man. I should have known better as I had travelled there many times and that brings its own dangers - complacency.
 
Oct 2, 2008
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If anyone is looking at not motorhoming can recommend Glen Afric Lodge , its where they filmed Wild at Heart , and an Elsa film . Stayed there a few years back and excellent service and facilities. You can also get hands on with some of the animals , they do rehab etc for them . I have pics of my daughter playing with a couple of Lion Cubs :) . feed the Giraffes in morning off the room balcony .
Its not far to the De Wildt Cheetah centre (18miles) http://dewildt.co.za/
If your tastes are a bit different then SunCity resort is about 2 hours up the road .

https://www.glenafric.co.za/
 
Jun 2, 2010
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I'm no longer an active member of this Forum but still have a few weeks subscription left and do pop my head in every now and then to see what's happening, when I have internet. I just couldn't resist adding my two pennyworth about my favourite place in the world. I did try sending a PM to you @50 but not sure it went.

Anyway - this is my contribution:

Greetings

I don't post now on the MHF Forum but I do watch the threads and had to respond to yours.

I know that part of the world very well. Lived in PE for many years and have visited Addo more than 50 times (no exaggeration).

Not sure how much you know about the place or what info you might be looking for.

As far as Addo is concerned (my favourite place in the world and I've been around) - there are just a couple of things you need to know.

When you leave PE on the coast road, not very pretty to start with but once across the Swartkop River it gets better and the road is superb all the way.
You will shortly see a sign for an Addo turn off - ignore it - trust me. Continue along the main dual carriageway - up a long gentle rise and then down a very long descent eventually crossing over Sundays River. There is a crossroad a mile or so past the bridge, take the left turning and follow directions to the Addo entrance - signposted from the turn off but the signs could be bigger. You can't really go wrong as there's nowhere else on this road. Addo is about a mile or so from that turn off.

Once through the first auto gate you will need to park up and go into reception - form filling including passport number.
They will give you some pamphlets - be sure that one of them if a map of the park.
You will now be at the very south end of Addo. the main camp and campsite is at the very top end of the park.

Lots of roads in the park, mostly gravel with tarmac closer to the main camp and on the steeper hills.
Watch out for the humps on the gravel roads (to stop rainwater washaways).
You can either follow the main road and/or take some of the side loops.
Addo is quite big and the game is free to roam and is not fed - I bet there will be a time when you wonder if there are any animals and then, all of a sudden you will come face to face with a herd of elephant.
If you go on a chosen route and see not much then it's very easy to fix that - you have to go round again - and maybe again. So many times you will miss animals by a few seconds and it's amazing how quickly a herd of elephant can disappear into the bush like magic.
The very best chance of seeing elephant in numerb is at Hapoor Dam which is fairly close to the main camp but we've been to Hapoor and witness 300+ elephant at the waterhole and returned an hour later and the place is deserted, not one in sight.

I'll stop rambling now as I could go on forever.

Let me know if you want any other info.

I'm also off to Cape Town on Feb 3 to visit my family there - a tortuous journey from here.

Priceless information 50, bet your glad you asked(y)

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pollensabob

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Alas not my favourite destination anymore beautiful country but spoiled by endemic corruption and crime, be very streetwise if travelling around solo.
 

pappajohn

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Alas not my favourite destination anymore beautiful country but spoiled by endemic corruption and crime, be very streetwise if travelling around solo.
How things change......
We drive many hundreds of miles in a 17 year old beach buggy,
Garden route as far as PE.
Up the coast from CT to St Helena.
Down to Cape point
Through a lot of the winelands.
Just about everywhere on the lower cape around cape town.

Never had any trouble with security but we were extra vigilant in Cape town itself.

Why a beach buggy ?

Girlfriends dad wouldn't lend us his Jag, but did lend us the buggy and gave us R500 for unseen expenses.
1 puncture....dynamo pulley fell apart....fuel tank retaining strap broke.
Couple of Rand for the puncture, R8 for a new pulley and a luggage strap for the tank.
Rest went on fuel and campsites.
Exchange rate back then was R5 to £1... beer = 1/2ltr = R2
 

GeriatricWanderer

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Another lovely day down here in Cape Town.

Everyone talking about the water shortage but most are doing their bit to reduce the amount they use - all in good spirits about the situation - even had a few drops of rain recently. It's surprising how little you can manage with if you really have to.

Still high summer here with the usual influx of foreign surfers, kite boarders, wind surfers and suppers. Sadly for some the wind is also in short supply so a sad sight to see them sitting on the beach forlornly looking for some sign of a blow.

It's also braai (bbq) season and the supermarkets are well stocked with chunks of meat rarely seen on the likes of Asda. Whole beef fillets are quite a common sight in trolleys already loaded with more beer than I consume in a year.
It's Sunday, it's summer, it's braai day - we'll get back to the water issue......... tomorrow.

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Jun 10, 2010
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We ve spent the past 3 weeks in SA, diving ourselves in a hire car from PE up the wild coast, drakenburg, St Lucia etc. and now up at Klaserie in a private reserve close to Kruger just waiting for breakfast.

Yes you do have to be careful particularly at night but fantastic trip and great value for money. Their main roads are as good as ours but a lot quieter. The driving skills of the locals are a bit hazardous.

For first timers I would recommend sticking to Garden Route hire car)and maybe flying from PE to a Kruger park like we did first time.

South Africa has a lot to offer.

Jon
 

cruiser

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As my family would say leave all your items of value at home. And keep all cars door locked and windows shut. and beware at traffic lights. other wise have fun.

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Emmit

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https://www.earthtrekkers.com/garden-route-south-africa-road-trip-itinerary/
might be of help , I know more about Joburg Pretoria area :)

Make sure you lock doors when traveling , sometimes when parked at malls etc you might be asked to hire "guards" for the vehicle not unusual . IIRC you pay for fuel before you fill.
Signs saying "Robot" means traffic lights :)
That last sentence takes me back.
Traffic lights were called robots (with a silent 't') in my childhood in Leeds.
 

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