South Africa, Swazi & Lesotho

[JLS13]

Hey,


Some of you guys know of my planned trip to Namibia but I had the idea of staying on a little longer in South Africa. I've heard the routes through Lesotho are outstanding but never anything about Swaziland or the rest of South Africa. Any suggestions?

[JamesF]

Hi,
Spent a week or so in Lesotho whilst overlanding to Cape Town.
www.womblingafrica.blogspot.com
There are indeed some great and scary tracks in the mountains in Lesotho. Most notable was a donkey track now a 4x4 route in the centre of the country near a place called Semonkong. There is a campsite by the river in Semonkong and here they have a list of local 4x4 routes together with levels of difficulty, well worth a visit if you're in the neighbourhood.

James

[K&S]

When will you be here? There are great routes to cover in South Africa. There is everything from semi-desert to lush mountains to thick bush veld all with great drives. Time of the year will dictate whether to include the semi-desert areas or not but then if you're coming over from Namibia it'll probably be better to include some different areas. There is such diversity of countryside here a lot will depend on your choices. If you can give an iea of your time constraints we can put together some advice for you.

[JLS13]

The plan is to come over in Sept. and rent a Landy in South Africa and drive up and back through Namiba. Just relaxing and going anywhere our hearts should take us. ( As I mentioned before this is a retirement gift for the Old Man). However, I'd like to take a month or so out and don't know whether the entire time would be spent in Namibia so I thought I check on the options in South Africa because I heard it was amazing. Also, I saw some pics in a LRO Mag of Lestho and that looked well worth a look too. Let me know what you think. Cheers, James

[Marc Lurie]

James, Lesotho is quite magnificent in it's own way. It is stark, harsh and beautiful, and a tough country. I'd certainly recommend it for the adventurous-at-heart, but not if game viewing is your interest.

There are many great places to visit in South Africa, and amongst those places I can highly recommend:
1) The Kruger National Park
2) The Wild Coast
3) Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park (World Heritage site)
4) Zululand and the northern Natal coast.
5) The pub near my work where I'll buy you a beer or two. ;)

If you have a whole month, there's a BOAT LOAD of stuff to do.

1) What are your (and your Dad's) interests? Wildlife? Museums? Culture? The bush? etc.
2) What are your accomodation requirements? 5 star? Camping? etc.

Marc

[JLS13]

The plan is to keep it as basic as possible. We'll be camping as much as we can and the rest will be spent in cheap accomodation. As for intrests, scenary and wildlife primarily followed closely by local beer testing. :rolleyes:

I'd like to do some of the national parks but they can get pretty expensive can't they? But the some of the trails and whatnot would be more then enough to entertain us.

I've got some friends heading over for a wedding in Jo'burg in a couple of months. They can check it out a little for me as well.

[Marc Lurie]

As for intrests, scenary and wildlife primarily followed closely by local beer testing. :rolleyes:

I can certainly make recommendations on this subject... :D

South African National Parks are not particularly expensive. Kruger National Park is the best known, and is a great place to visit. Entrance fee is R120 for foreign nationals, and camping is R105 for the site and 2 adults, and R36 per additional adult. That means that 4 people camping will cost R657 (about $50 for all 4 people).

There are also four 4x4 trails INSIDE the Kruger National Park (book now, they're VERY popular, and only 6 vehicles are allowed on each trail at any time) The trails cost R460 (about £35) per vehicle regardless of the number of occupants.

Of course, Kruger isn't the only park that's worth visiting. There are many National Parks that are very affordable. It's the private parks that are crazy expensive.

Have a look here (http://www.nationalparks.co.za) for all the info you need on National Parks.

Marc

[Marc Lurie]

I've got some friends heading over for a wedding in Jo'burg in a couple of months. They can check it out a little for me as well.

Are they first-time visitors? If so, they are more than welcome to contact me if they need any advice or assistance. I'm always happy to help people visiting my country. It's me doing my bit as an ambasador I guess. :D

If they arrive at a convenient time, I'll even offer to meet them at the airport and deliver them safely to wherever they're staying. I'll even throw in my complimentary quick tour of Johannesburg if they're interested. :D

Before their paranoia sensors start workng overtime :rolleyes: , I wouldn't dream of asking for money or any form of payment. I just enjoy helping people enjoy themselves in my country. I am a regular contributor at a Usenet group rec.travel.africa and I've often done the "meet-and-greet" thing for complete strangers. I like meeting people, but more than that, I like to see people enjoying this country, because they'll be ambasadors when they return home.

Cheers,
Marc

[Spysmys]

Are they first-time visitors? If so, they are more than welcome to contact me if they need any advice or assistance. I'm always happy to help people visiting my country. It's me doing my bit as an ambasador I guess. :D

If they arrive at a convenient time, I'll even offer to meet them at the airport and deliver them safely to wherever they're staying. I'll even throw in my complimentary quick tour of Johannesburg if they're interested. :D

Before their paranoia sensors start workng overtime :rolleyes: , I wouldn't dream of asking for money or any form of payment. I just enjoy helping people enjoy themselves in my country. I am a regular contributor at a Usenet group rec.travel.africa and I've often done the "meet-and-greet" thing for complete strangers. I like meeting people, but more than that, I like to see people enjoying this country, because they'll be ambasadors when they return home.

Cheers,
Marc

Marc, you're a top guy !!!:beers:

[Marc Lurie]

Marc, you're a top guy !!!:beers:

Howzit Spys,

You're making me blush... :blush:

:roro:
Seriously, the country gets such negative press from morons like:

http://www.crimexposouthafrica.co.za
http://www.southafricaiscrap.blogspot.com
http://deathofjohannesburg.blogspot.com

that I feel I have to counter their hysterical, racist, and reactionary c**p. I'm not a fool with my head in the clouds who believes that all is well here, but at least I try to do something POSITIVE about the situation insteead of sprouting doom-and-gloom all the time.

Another thing... If South Africa is so terrible:
a) Why don't they leave?
b) How is it possible that they can use the Internet to propagate their rubbish? Had the internet been what it is today, under the apartheid government of the 70's and 80's, you can bet that they'd not be allowed to criticise the country and the government the way they do today.

Anyway, enough serious stuff, let's get back to Landys.
:roro:

BTW, I got your PM, and I'll be plonking a copy in the mail for you. You owe me a beer. ;)

Marc

[JLS13]

Hey Marc,

Thanks so much for the offer I'll let them know next time I see them and see what they think. That's really nice of you to offer.

As well, don't ever feel that you'd be boring me ranting about Africa. I'm in love with the continent, albiet a little concered with some of it's darker aspects. But nevertheless, whenever someone says "why, would you want to go there?" or "No way, I'm going to Ibiza on my holiday.." and can't but feel sad that they'll never be able to see and understand what beautiful places, peoples and cultures it holds. Jaded b******ds that they are. *Ahem*

And don't worry I'll be over as soon as I can. I'll get the round in.:D

Thanks again,

James

[Marc Lurie]

I'm in love with the continent, albiet a little concered with some of it's darker aspects.

Me too James. :(