{{cta(‘0a3da74a-3b14-4ecc-9bbb-895ad6eab165’)}}Why is a road trip through south Africa so good for your Instagram?
South Africa is a country where people keep returning for new experiences. The great diversity of landscapes and cultures makes every trip unique.
South Africa is also called the world in one country and with good reason! This hugely diverse country is a true spectacle. Being face to face with the Big Five in the Kruger Park, enjoying delicious wines in Stellenbosch, strolling through the impressive Cape Town or Johannesburg, who wouldn’t want that? Stay in beautiful lodges in the middle of a vineyard, on an ostrich farm or in one of the many game reserves. A unique experience where you really get value for money!
In this blog we take you to the trip of a lifetime according to all the travel stories. We will try give you all the information so you can orientate and to plan your journey to this beautiful country.
Which hotspots do I have to visit?
-Cape Town
The famous Table Mountain defines the face of Cape Town. Wherever you stand in the city, you will always see the imposing steep mountain walls rising. Often there is a ‘tablecloth’ over the mountain; a thin blanket of clouds or patches of mist. An easy and fun way to get transported up is by cable car. Beautiful walks have been set out on top of Table Mountain and the real hiker can walk down in three hours.
There is a lot to see in the city. The Grand Parade, the drill field of the Dutch in the 17th century, leads to the old fort. It is also the place where major anti-apartheid demonstrations were once held and Nelson Mandela addressed the crowd after his release.
By taxi, on foot or by public transport you can visit the Compagnies Gardens and Castle of Good Hope, relics from the Dutch era. On Loop en Kloof Street you will find many cozy antique shops and on Green Market Square there is a lively market every working day.
The boat to Robben Island, long the prison of Nelson Mandela, leaves from the old harbor: the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The colorful Victorian houses on the water have been restored and now house numerous restaurants, jazz cafes and other entertainment options. There is a lively atmosphere here, especially on weekends.
Harco van Uden about Cape Town:
We just landed after an eleven hour flight. At the airport I “smell” the warmth and the familiar African scent. I am home again, I am in Cape Town. I never thought that this African city would be at the top of my list. I love ambitious New York, the relaxed vibe of San Francisco, the conviviality of Amsterdam and I find the hectic and bustle of Hong Kong and Mexico City impressive, but in the end nothing beats Cape Town.
-Stellenbosch / Paarl / Franschhoek: the Coastal Region Wine Route
When Simon Van der Stel settled near the Eerste River in 1679 and founded Stellenbosch there, he probably never imagined that South Africa would become one of the largest wine producers in the world. Partly due to the arrival of the first French Huguenots in 1688, the foundation of the South African wine industry was laid very early. Today during their trip to South Africa, one can visit and taste dozens of wine estates; the name alone of many domains makes you want more: eg Allesverloren, Altydgedacht, Fleur du Cap, Le Bonheur, Twee Jonggezellen, Morgenster, Rust & Vrede.
-Pretoria
Pretoria was long regarded as the bastion of Apartheid, but since the arrival of Nelson Mandela, the city has become the standard bearer of shared power and tolerance. Large Victorian-style buildings stand harmoniously next to parks and squares decorated with statues and Jacarandas. Since 2005, this political capital has been called Tshwane, which means “we are the same”. However, most people still use the name Pretoria.
Church Street
Church Street is the longest street in the world. Many of the city’s well-known attractions line this long street, including the cathedral and the Palace of Justice. Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Palace of Justice in the 1960s.
The Union Buildings
The official seat of the South African government and the offices of the president were designed by South Africa’s most famous architect, Sir Herbert Baker. He designed this building in 1913 and it is one of the most beautiful in the country. It is not for nothing that it is national heritage!
Palace of Justice
At Church Square you will find the Palace of Justice. Extra special for the Dutch: the building was designed by the Dutch architect Sytze Wierda and dates from the 19th century.
–Johannesburg
Johannesburg is not the capital of South Africa, but it is the economic center of the country. Originated during the gold rush of the 19th century and affectionately called Jo’burg or Jozi by locals. This vibrant city has many unique places and fun things to do.
Apartheid museum
De apartheid heeft zó lang een stempel gedrukt op Zuid-Afrika (en eigenlijk nog) dat een museum gewijd aan die donkere dagen volkomen terecht is. Indrukwekkend en geen ‘leuk’ museum, maar met een positief slot: in de laatste zaal staat trots de nieuwe Grondwet van Zuid-Afrika.
Strong Fountain Caves
In the caves at Sterkfontein remains of humanoids more than four million years old have been found. This is the birthplace of humanity. The visitor center provides extensive information about the finds.
Soweto
The black township of Soweto is nowadays a much-visited tourist spot. Get to know the life of the black population, visit a typical bar, and see the homes of Nobel laureates Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.
Now that we told you the most important hotspots for your trip to South Africa let’s move on to the package tours that offer you the most complete experience of the country.
South Africa tour 15 days
- Amsterdam – Cape Town
- Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope
- Cape Town
- Cape Town – Stellenbosch – Hermanus – Swellendam
- Swellendam – Oudtshoorn
- Oudtshoorn, Cango Caves
- Oudtshoorn – George – Knysna – Plettenberg Bay
- Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park
- Plettenberg Bay – Addo Elephant National Park – Port Elizabeth
- Port Elizabeth – flight to Johannesburg – Greater Kruger National Park
- Greater Kruger NP, game drive by jeep
- Greater Kruger NP – Panorama route – Kruger NP area
- Kruger NP area – Pretoria
- Pretoria – Johannesburg – Amsterdam
- arrival Amsterdam
Included in the trip:
-Direct flights with KLM
-All flight charges Domestic flight Port Elizabeth – Johannesburg –
-Dutch / Afrikaans speaking speaking tour guide
-Transport by comfortable coach
-Hotel / chalet nights
-Excursion Cape of Good Hope
-A drive on Chapman’s Peak Drive
-Visit to Simon’s Town and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach
-Visit to the Stellenbosch wine region
-Excursion to Tsitsikamma national park
-Visit Addo Elephant national park
-Excursion to the Cango Caves
-Visit to an ostrich farm
-Drive the Panorama Route past beautiful views such as God’s Window and the Blyde River
-Canyon Game drive with open vehicle in Manyeleti Game Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park
Travel essentials
Documents
- E-ticket. You will receive more information about the flight approximately 2 weeks before departure.
- Passport that is valid for at least one month after departure from South Africa.
- When traveling with minor children (up to the age of 18), a birth certificate is not required if the child is traveling with both biological parents.
Money matters
In South Africa, payments are made with the South African rand. Look for the current rates on oanda.com.
ATMs: ATMs are everywhere.
Cash: euros can be exchanged at various places.
Credit cards: can be used frequently.
Food
Many dishes in South African cuisine have their origins in India or Malaysia. However, there are also many typical African specialties on the menu, such as bobotie, mieliepap and biltong. Bobotie is a delicious minced meat mixture with yellow rice and coconut. Biltong is mainly eaten as a snack or snack in between. It is in strips or pieces of dried meat, made from a wide variety of animals – from buffalo to ostrich.
A favorite activity of South Africans is holding a braai, our barbecue. During the nights in a chalet you can prepare your own braai dish: a braai is never missing.
Fruit can be found in abundance in South Africa thanks to the mild climate. Fresh fruit and fruit juices are therefore available everywhere.
Breakfast is often a choice of eggs with bacon or boerewors, sandwiches with jam or cheese and the traditional mielie porridge made from cornmeal. When it comes to alcohol, not only the local beers are certainly recommended, South African wines are also of very good quality and very affordable.
Health
For this trip it is recommended:
- vaccinations against DTP and hepatitis A
- malaria tablets. In the period from September to May, only the Kruger Park is malaria area.
Travel and Covid-19
Of course we also travel in corona time and we are convinced that with the necessary adjustments we can travel safely and responsibly. We always follow the advice and guidelines of the RIVM and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The journey will continue if the destination code is green or yellow, so we are not traveling to a country or area with negative travel advice (code orange: “only necessary journeys”).
Available dates
- 24 Apr – 08 May G Guaranteed Departure This trip starts in Pretoria. The journey is carried out in reverse order. limited availability € 2,295
- 01 May – 15 May G Departure guaranteed still places available € 2.295, –
- 12 Jun – 26 Jun V Departure information This trip starts in Pretoria. The journey is carried out in reverse order. sufficient € 2,195
- 13 Jul – 27 Jul V Departure information sufficient € 2.295, –
- 17 Jul – 31 Jul Departure information This trip starts in Pretoria. The journey is carried out in reverse order. sufficient € 2.395,-
- 24 Jul – 07 Aug G Guaranteed departure This trip starts in Pretoria. The journey is carried out in reverse order. Flights with Swiss / Lufthansa sufficient € 2.395, –
- 09 Aug – 23 Aug V Departure information i sufficient € 2,295
- 21 Aug – 04 Sep G Guaranteed departure This trip starts in Pretoria. The journey is carried out in reverse order. sufficient € 1,995
- 04 Sep – 18 Sep sufficient Participants € 2.095, –
Already warmed up? The best way to learn more about this trip is from the people who experienced it. To read the best travel blog you can click {{cta(‘31581e02-3afb-4acc-b0e0-f7165680c3e0’)}}
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