South Africa: from the Cape to Kruger Reviews
1 South Africa: from the Cape to Kruger reviews from past travellers that booked with Global Journeys.
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This tour covers the history, culture, geography, culinary and wildlife diversity of South Africa. After a walking tour of the historical landmarks of Cape Town, we rode the Cable car to the top of Table Mountain for breathtaking views of the city. In the afternoon, there was a Peninsula tour which travelled through coastal towns to the Cape of Good ...read more Hope, the southwestern most part of the African continent.
The optional tours were on day 3 to Robben Island or wineries but we opted to take the Hop On Hop Off Bus (stop was around the corner from the hotel ), and visited the Kirstenbosch Gardens, World of Birds (also has animals) and the V & A Waterfront.
Along the Garden Route, attractions visited included a colony of African penguins at Stony Point, the limestone formations of the Cango Caves, an ostrich farm at Oudtshoorn and a chance to try ostrich meat for lunch and retail therapy in the shop, and oysters and champagne on a lagoon cruise in Knysna. Shakaland gave an insight into the lives of the Zulus and we enjoyed an energetic dance performance. The first game drive was in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and a chance to see the wildlife. Many hippos sighted on the Lake St. Lucia Estuary cruise. In Swaziland, stops at the Swazi-Candle and Ngwenya Glass factories was a chance to buy some wonderfully crafted items and support local artisans.
Unfortunately, we were not advised that we would not be doing any safaris in the Kruger National Park, as stated in the itinerary, which was a great disappointment to everyone. Instead, we went to the Bongani Mountain Lodge, which had excellent accommodation in separate huts and BOMA dinner each night. We went on two morning and two evening safaris and saw three of the Big 5-rhinos, elephants & Cape buffalo, as well as giraffes, zebra, wildebeest and several species of antelope. No big cats sighted, which we would have seen in Kruger. During the drive along the Panoramic Route, we stopped to view the dramatic landscapes of the Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Lisbon Falls. Last day was a drive back to Johannesburg via Pretoria.
This tour has a maximum of 20 people but as there were only 14 of us, our transport was a 19 seater minibus, which was uncomfortable, with things missing or broken inside. Not the deluxe motor coach, as stated in the brochure. Our two drivers were excellent though. Due to British Airways changing our flight to Durban to an earlier time, we did not go to the Tsitsikamma National Park. This was only the third tour, so Cosmos will hopefully take note of the feedback we all gave and improve some aspects of this new 2018 South African tour.
Our tour guide, Taki, was a sight to behold in his ‘lucky safari pants’, but a more experienced and humorous guide you couldn’t wish for. His commentary ranged from historical & social events, points of interest to his concern for rhino poaching, Always helpful, Taki went out of his way to add extra experiences for some or all of us. Everything was seamlessly organised by him, which made this tour enjoyable.
This may be a budget priced tour but you will experience many of the same places as the more expensive tours. Most of the hotels are very good and comfortable with lovely staff. There are no clocks in the rooms, so take a travel clock, and very few have a fridge but ice is available. Best time to go is in the Winter months as the animals are moving about or in Spring, when the wildflowers are blooming. We went in July and it was pleasantly warm. You will certainly get a good overview of South African on this trip.
The optional tours were on day 3 to Robben Island or wineries but we opted to take the Hop On Hop Off Bus (stop was around the corner from the hotel ), and visited the Kirstenbosch Gardens, World of Birds (also has animals) and the V & A Waterfront.
Along the Garden Route, attractions visited included a colony of African penguins at Stony Point, the limestone formations of the Cango Caves, an ostrich farm at Oudtshoorn and a chance to try ostrich meat for lunch and retail therapy in the shop, and oysters and champagne on a lagoon cruise in Knysna. Shakaland gave an insight into the lives of the Zulus and we enjoyed an energetic dance performance. The first game drive was in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and a chance to see the wildlife. Many hippos sighted on the Lake St. Lucia Estuary cruise. In Swaziland, stops at the Swazi-Candle and Ngwenya Glass factories was a chance to buy some wonderfully crafted items and support local artisans.
Unfortunately, we were not advised that we would not be doing any safaris in the Kruger National Park, as stated in the itinerary, which was a great disappointment to everyone. Instead, we went to the Bongani Mountain Lodge, which had excellent accommodation in separate huts and BOMA dinner each night. We went on two morning and two evening safaris and saw three of the Big 5-rhinos, elephants & Cape buffalo, as well as giraffes, zebra, wildebeest and several species of antelope. No big cats sighted, which we would have seen in Kruger. During the drive along the Panoramic Route, we stopped to view the dramatic landscapes of the Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Lisbon Falls. Last day was a drive back to Johannesburg via Pretoria.
This tour has a maximum of 20 people but as there were only 14 of us, our transport was a 19 seater minibus, which was uncomfortable, with things missing or broken inside. Not the deluxe motor coach, as stated in the brochure. Our two drivers were excellent though. Due to British Airways changing our flight to Durban to an earlier time, we did not go to the Tsitsikamma National Park. This was only the third tour, so Cosmos will hopefully take note of the feedback we all gave and improve some aspects of this new 2018 South African tour.
Our tour guide, Taki, was a sight to behold in his ‘lucky safari pants’, but a more experienced and humorous guide you couldn’t wish for. His commentary ranged from historical & social events, points of interest to his concern for rhino poaching, Always helpful, Taki went out of his way to add extra experiences for some or all of us. Everything was seamlessly organised by him, which made this tour enjoyable.
This may be a budget priced tour but you will experience many of the same places as the more expensive tours. Most of the hotels are very good and comfortable with lovely staff. There are no clocks in the rooms, so take a travel clock, and very few have a fridge but ice is available. Best time to go is in the Winter months as the animals are moving about or in Spring, when the wildflowers are blooming. We went in July and it was pleasantly warm. You will certainly get a good overview of South African on this trip.
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