Your thoughts on my 14-day South Africa itinerary for a senior traveler (page 2 of 3)

Such wise advice! Definitely worth considering.

Attila Rjulie Voyajou It’s party time!!!!!

Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛

Likewise! But I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock Soulfull out. Hope he bounces back faster than Michel, who still hasn’t recovered from his unfortunate run-in with a sausage tree. 😏

Attila Rjulie Voyajou It’s party time!!!!!

Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛

Shared pleasure, but I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock out Soulfull. Hope he recovers faster than Michel, who still hasn’t bounced back from his unfortunate collision with a sausage tree. 😏

A man with a "full soul" won’t take offense that old acquaintances are catching up in his thread and will forgive our slip-ups 😊. Hello everyone, so happy to see you all again after this long imposed silence. I’m still sorting out some IP address issues with the new site owner, but I hope to keep exchanging tips. And thanks to Soulfull for his kindness.

Ah, Bruno is back too 🙂

Just needed him back! Welcome back! !

The 4x4 is almost full !😉

Hello Agnès, Welcome back! For the 4x4, you’ll just need to leave a little space for Soulfull and her mom ;)

Attila Rjulie Voyajou It’s party time!!!!!

Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛

Shared pleasure, but I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock out Soulfull. Hope he recovers faster than Michel, who still hasn’t gotten up after his unfortunate collision with a sausage tree. 😏

No, not at all! Thanks for checking in on my health. I just need to catch up since I’ve been traveling recently!😛

Attila Rjulie Voyajou It’s party time!!!!!

Yes, thanks Michel. Great to see the regulars again 😛

Shared pleasure, but I wonder if the regulars didn’t knock out Soulfull. Hope he recovers faster than Michel, who still hasn’t gotten up after his unfortunate collision with a sausage tree. 😏

A man with a "full soul" won’t take offense that old friends are reuniting in his thread and will forgive our slip-ups 😊 Hi everyone, happy to see you all again after this long imposed silence. I’m still having some IP address issues to sort out with the new site owner, but I hope to keep exchanging. And thanks to Soulfull for his kindness.

My pleasure, and no, quite the opposite—it’s even better when veterans chime in and reconnect. Everyone’s welcome here!🙂

Thanks for your understanding, though I’m not sure “veterans” will be a hit with everyone 😄. Anyway, you’re in good hands here—well, except for mine, since I’ve only been to this amazing country once so far!

You can be a veteran traveler and still be quite young!

What a lovely community here with such a warm welcome 😎.

My mom’s birthday is in early November. She’ll receive her paper guides (Michelin 2025 and *Petits Futés Carnets* 2025) and "officially" her tickets then, but I’ll need to advise her (thanks to you all—thank you 😉) and leave her some flexibility to choose "her" activities .

I have non-refundable Accor points that need to be used (=booked) before December 5, 2024

Cape Town seems like the best option. Nelspruit has no appeal. Johannesburg—well, I wouldn’t stay there for two nights (am I wrong?)

As many accommodations as possible will be booked using Air France air miles

There doesn’t seem to be a huge selection in South Africa, right?

Not driving to JNB will help avoid traffic and the stress of returning on the last day!

Coming back from the east (Blyde Canyon), we’ll skip the city. 😉

At worst, other reserves or the Karoo if it fits naturally into this itinerary

I’m not a big fan of Addo, but it’s the only Big Five reserve in that area.

Karoo NP has diverse wildlife and much prettier landscapes, but no Big Five. The park fits well into a Cape Town circuit with an arrival from the west (the vineyards) and, in a shorter version, a return via the south through Swartberg Pass and the coast.

I don’t know the Blyde River Canyon

It’s nice, but I don’t see the point of making a round trip just for that area… The Drakensberg has more to offer.

So, why not push on to the nearby Kruger, which would make a small loop around Cape Town without an animal park, then another loop from Nelspruit Airport including Kruger and Blyde.

Pilanesberg is out—it’s not the best anyway.

Arrival: JNB - Visit Johannesburg - Night in JNB

Flight to Cape Town Loop

Flight to Nelspruit Loop

Return by car to JNB or by plane - Last night in Pretoria

Not tiring except for the domestic flights, very few nights in animal parks, but still the best: Blyde, Cape Town, the vineyards.

Two Mercure hotels in Jo’burg (affordable for 2 nights with 2 rooms) and 1 in Nelspruit, 1 Pullman in Cape Town (way over budget for the three of us with 2 rooms ), and 2 or 3 Mantis lodges (even more over budget elsewhere). If there’s nothing interesting in Johannesburg for 2 days, worst case, the Accor points will be used for a wedding in Belgium in July 2025. For Flying Blue hotels (2 rooms - 3 people), availability is much better (well, depending on the dates). Why do you recommend staying in Pretoria (over Johannesburg on the return)?

So, you two are suggesting two loops around Cape Town and Kruger? Loops are great because renting a car costs less. No Garden Route or Drakensberg, then. How should the time be split between the two loops? 50/50? I think one park is enough, and if Kruger is possible and available with the Big Five, that’s great. What’s the ideal duration to enjoy it as a first-time visit? And which area(s) should we go to?

Good evening, I’m replying to Attila’s message because I largely agree with their opinion.

We arrive in Joburg and leave from Joburg. From CT, you can fly to Hoedspruit or Skukuza. Or Nelspruit (now called Mbombela), but there’s only one flight per day, and it’s quite late. Connections from PE or George all go through Joburg. So logically, it makes sense to keep Joburg as the entry/exit point and Hoedspruit or Skukuza as bases. I’d skip Joburg and head straight to CT. I’d explore around CT: Peninsula Penguins Table Mountain Whether or not to visit the vineyards I could go to West Coast NP Or even make a quick trip to Cederberg Return via Mossel Bay Basically, I’d spend a good amount of time in a fairly small area (more relaxing). Then I’d fly from CT to Hoedspruit or Skukuza.

From Hoedspruit, I’d visit Blyde. And... Either I’d limit myself to the KNP at Orpen, Satara, or Mopani. Or... I’d consider a private reserve (oh, Ms. Attila might not agree). In Manyeleti, like Honeyguide (more relaxing). In Timbavati, like Shindzela (more complicated timing, so Honeyguide is better—it’s one of the examples I know). I think both can pick you up. And I’d fly out of Hoedspruit. Or I’d arrive at Skukuza (fewer flights, car rental possible, heart of Kruger). It’s not the wildest camp, sure, but in this case, it’d be practical. I’d stick to Skukuza, Berg-en-Dal, Lower Sabie. Then I’d drive back... to Joburg via Blyde, with Graskop or Sabie as a base. It’s not difficult at all. We arrive from the east, so few cities. It’s doable from Graskop, but if you want to be very relaxed, You can stop overnight in Dullstroom... There you go. These last three years have been in South Africa. (Don’t laugh, you old-timers!) In the eastern part, from north to south, And in the west, around CT. The patients will have to wait for a summary travel journal to come...

Thank you so much for this detailed response. Airlink has direct flights from PE to Nelspruit. Same question about the stay distribution—any advice? All these names inside and outside the parks have me lost—I’ll look them up one by one—but clearly, the Panorama Route from your journal is a real draw. Unless the Drakensberg is possible in one of your many combinations. Do your two loops differ from your friend Attila’s 😉? Which place or park with the Big Five should we visit?

I keep seeing issues with booking in Kruger—isn’t it too late if we book in mid-to-late November? Thank you for your triple journal—exactly the info and recommendations I need right now—I’m eagerly waiting for the rest 🙂

Good evening, Late May—just a heads-up, it can get chilly around Joburg. A beanie and a thick fleece aren’t overkill for a game drive.

Personally, the sooner you leave Joburg, the better. Why spend a night on the way back in Joburg or Pretoria? You can find flights to skip that. Pretoria’s safer and has history, but it’s not worth it for such a short stay.

Yeah, I’d go with two loops of equal length. Keep it simple—enjoy instead of rushing.

With that in mind, stick close to Cape Town (CT) without venturing too far. Take a flight straight east to Joburg, then drive to the Panorama Route. Book a reserve in Manyeleti and return via Hoedspruit by plane to Joburg for your flight back. Simple and efficient.

I keep seeing issues with booking in Kruger—is it too late if I book mid-to-late November? 🙂

Hi there, We’re heading out around the same time for a month, including 20 days in Kruger. Bookings are getting tough for that period, especially in the bush camps and popular spots like Lower Sabie. In my opinion, you shouldn’t wait too long to reserve.

While I’m at it—does anyone know a good place to stay overnight halfway between Marakele and Mapunggubwe?

Thanks in advance

Hi Yep Seems to still work Basic guesthouse Madhi has Thava near Louis Trichardt

I found another place but it doesn’t bring you much closer Lindani in the Waterberg

Thanks Michel, That does sound good, but I’m straying from my route via Lephalale, Marken, Baltimore, and Alldays. I should’ve mentioned in my question that it could be either camping or a lodge. For now, the only accommodation I’ve found is near Marken (Ehlathini Lodge), but we’ve already stayed there and wanted to try somewhere new—especially since it seems the service has gone downhill. And the meals weren’t great to begin with.

Route via the west—there used to be *tons* of potholes. I have no idea what it’s like now

I did it last year. There’s indeed a stretch of 30 to 50 km with potholes, but even driving slowly, it’s faster than taking the N1 to Polokwane.

Why do you recommend staying in Pretoria (over Jo'burg on the way back)?

Just for a change...😛

Personally, I wouldn't go to either, but since the brief includes air transfers, no tiring circuit, and no road travel before the return flight, I adapted!

Pretoria is just as accessible as Joburg from the airport.

So you (both) recommend two loops around Cape Town and Kruger?

Yes

No Garden Route or Drakensberg then

The loop around Cape Town can be longer or shorter depending on your preferences, so you can include a bit of the Garden Route or the Great Karoo—or even both.

Skip the Drakensberg, though, if you're going with the Kruger/Blyde duo.

How should I split the time between the two loops? 50/50? I think one park is enough, and if Kruger is available with the Big 5, that’s great. What’s the ideal duration for a first-time visit? And which zones should I go to?

I’d only dedicate 4 nights to the Kruger-Blyde loop:

Arrive for 2 nights in Kruger—so 3 days in the park—then 2 nights in Blyde, arriving in the late afternoon, giving you a day and a half there.

A combo of Olifants and Satara (central part of the park)

Or two nights in Lower Sabie (south).

If you’d like to do some walking, one of the park’s organized walking safaris is a fun activity (pre-book through SANParks, like the accommodations). Departure before dawn.

Hi Hdj,

Could you share your route with us? Maybe in another thread?

Thanks

Hello, Since it’s their birthday, have you looked into the option of a private reserve? It’s not the same as Kruger on your own. But for a short stay for a 70-year-old who won’t be going back? Less tiring, all-inclusive, game drives in an open vehicle, and almost guaranteed to see **lots** up close. Sure, the budget isn’t the same