Questions about Cape Town/South Africa? Ask a Capetonian!

We'll be taking a cruise from Cape Town on Jan 5, 2017. I'm looking at flights now, and we can get one that will arrive in Cape Town Dec 31/16. That would give us 4 days before we board to explore the area. I have several questions:

1. We are arriving on New Year's Eve. Is that a big event in Cape Town? What about New Year's Day, will anything be open, will tours be available?

2. We have never been to Cape Town, or to Africa, and know little about it. Can anyone recommend the preferred area to look for a hotel for 5 nights in Cape Town? We will not have a car, so would like a hotel in an area where it is safe to walk around, and walking distance to decent restaurants.

3. We will probably arrange a winelands tour to Stellanbosch, visit Table Mountain, and we want to go to Cape Horn. I'm assuming that will fill 3 of our 4 days. Will we find the penguins on our tour to Cape Horn?

4. Can we do a day safari (or possibly an overnight one) from Cape Town? Our cruise also stops at Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, and Richards Bay, just for the day, about 10 hours, in each port. Would a day safari be better from one of those ports? Seeing wild animals in the wild is a priority for me.

Any suggestions or information would be appreciated.

Betty

We'll be taking a cruise from Cape Town on Jan 5, 2017. I'm looking at flights now, and we can get one that will arrive in Cape Town Dec 31/16. That would give us 4 days before we board to explore the area. I have several questions:

1. We are arriving on New Year's Eve. Is that a big event in Cape Town? What about New Year's Day, will anything be open, will tours be available?

2. We have never been to Cape Town, or to Africa, and know little about it. Can anyone recommend the preferred area to look for a hotel for 5 nights in Cape Town? We will not have a car, so would like a hotel in an area where it is safe to walk around, and walking distance to decent restaurants.

3. We will probably arrange a winelands tour to Stellanbosch, visit Table Mountain, and we want to go to Cape Horn. I'm assuming that will fill 3 of our 4 days. Will we find the penguins on our tour to Cape Horn?

4. Can we do a day safari (or possibly an overnight one) from Cape Town? Our cruise also stops at Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, and Richards Bay, just for the day, about 10 hours, in each port. Would a day safari be better from one of those ports? Seeing wild animals in the wild is a priority for me.

 

Any suggestions or information would be appreciated.

Betty

1) New Year's Eve is not a massive single event in Cape Town - there is typically no large, coordinated and central celebration or fireworks display like you may see in other cities. However, there are plenty of localised celebrations in restaurants, clubs, on the beaches etc. Typically restaurants and shops in the big tourist locations will be open on New Year's Day. Some tours will likely not be available, but some will, it depends on the provider.

2) Your best bet for an "all-in-one" place to stay is the V&A Waterfront. It is quite commercialised and geared towards tourists, but that doesn't mean it is low quality - some of Cape Town's best hotels are located there. There is the Cape Grace Hotel, which is superb. Also very good are the Dock House Hotel and Queen Victoria Hotel. All are located in the Waterfront grounds which is safe to walk around with plenty of decent restaurants. It would also be very easy to organise an Uber to other parts of Cape Town, or during the day it is typically quite safe to walk around Cape Town CBD as well. I would suggested looking somewhere like TripAdvisor and seeing what suits your taste and budget.

3) Yes, you will see the penguins on the way to Cape Horn/Cape Point.

4) You can do day safaris from Cape Town, but they are not the best on offer, since the climate and vegetation in Cape Town surrounds are not conducive to big game. Since you have not been to Africa before and seeing wild animals in their natural habitat is a big priority for you, can I make a big suggestion, budget/time willing? Add a couple of days to your trip (and even reduce your Cape Town days if need be), and book a 2 or 3 night safari stay in Kruger Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, or Phinda Private Game Reserve (all in South Africa, accessible out of Johannesburg or Durban) - it will be the experience of a lifetime and provide a much more genuine experience than a "canned" day safari. If this is not possible, your best bet is to arrange for a day safari from Richards Bay.

Hope this is of some help.

May B: Terry' date=' will you be [b']doing a trip report[/b] as you travel to and in Africa? I don't think there's a cruise involved, so not sure where to look for it.

Yes, for May B, I am planning to be doing a Live/Blog in connection with our Silversea Silver Cloud Feb. 2-12 sailing along the South African coast and to tie in our pre-cruise five days in Cape Town and the post-cruise portion in Victoria Falls and the Botswana safari experiences.

Appreciate all of the good info from Zimbo and others for Cape Town.

Here in the "Colonies", this is the headline on the big, BIG story hitting the USA. Here is the AccuWeather headline: "Blizzard to unload 1-2 feet of snow from DC to Philadelphia, NYC". Here is more of their story highlights, plus the graphic you can see below: "The Blizzard of 2016 will continue to evolve and shut down travel through Saturday from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia and New York City, with some areas of the mid-Atlantic receiving 1-2 feet of snow and strong winds. Localized areas could receive more than 2 feet. Snowfall totals have reached a foot across Washington, D.C. and Baltimore by early Saturday morning and will continue to pile up from Philadelphia to New York City through Saturday."

Been busy in the past few days getting final work and trip prep items done. Depart Tuesday afternoon through Chicago to go to Doha/Qatar and Cape Town/South Africa. Why? Below are AccuWeather graphic examples for what the weather will be like in Cape Town for Jan. 28-Feb. 2 and Maun/Botswana near the Delta area where we will do safari efforts, Feb. 15-21. Warmer seems better, right?

Still good to head south of the equator for sunshine and warmer weather?

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 134,304 views for this posting.

Here is the AccuWeather graphic on the snow storm hitting the eastern U.S. this weekend. Fortunately, no added snow here in Columbus as of this morning, but nearby in SE Ohio, they were getting a fairly large amount of that pesky "white stuff".:

Here in both F and C temperatures is how AccuWeather is projecting for Cape Town later this coming week and before we board the Silver Cloud on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Seem better than being in the colder and more challenging Midwest?:

Here is the February weather projections for Maun/Botswana near the famed Delta area for our safari experiences in this region.:

Yes, for May B, I am planning to be doing a Live/Blog in connection with our Silversea Silver Cloud Feb. 2-12 sailing along the South African coast and to tie in our pre-cruise five days in Cape Town and the post-cruise portion in Victoria Falls and the Botswana safari experiences.

 

Appreciate all of the good info from Zimbo and others for Cape Town.

 

Here in the "Colonies", this is the headline on the big, BIG story hitting the USA. Here is the AccuWeather headline: "Blizzard to unload 1-2 feet of snow from DC to Philadelphia, NYC". Here is more of their story highlights, plus the graphic you can see below: "The Blizzard of 2016 will continue to evolve and shut down travel through Saturday from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia and New York City, with some areas of the mid-Atlantic receiving 1-2 feet of snow and strong winds. Localized areas could receive more than 2 feet. Snowfall totals have reached a foot across Washington, D.C. and Baltimore by early Saturday morning and will continue to pile up from Philadelphia to New York City through Saturday."

 

Been busy in the past few days getting final work and trip prep items done. Depart Tuesday afternoon through Chicago to go to Doha/Qatar and Cape Town/South Africa. Why? Below are AccuWeather graphic examples for what the weather will be like in Cape Town for Jan. 28-Feb. 2 and Maun/Botswana near the Delta area where we will do safari efforts, Feb. 15-21. Warmer seems better, right?

 

Still good to head south of the equator for sunshine and warmer weather?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 134,304 views for this posting.

 

 

Here is the AccuWeather graphic on the snow storm hitting the eastern U.S. this weekend. Fortunately, no added snow here in Columbus as of this morning, but nearby in SE Ohio, they were getting a fairly large amount of that pesky "white stuff".:

 

 

 

Here in both F and C temperatures is how AccuWeather is projecting for Cape Town later this coming week and before we board the Silver Cloud on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Seem better than being in the colder and more challenging Midwest?:

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the February weather projections for Maun/Botswana near the famed Delta area for our safari experiences in this region.:

 

Hi Terry,

You mentioned you will be going to Botswana/Maun and I thought of you when my sister (who lives in Botswana) sent me this newspaper article from the "Botswana Footprints" (Maun) yesterday. You may be interested in this article:

As you may be aware the water levels in the Delta are dropping fast and furiously this season. Boating and mokoro activities are being stopped in most areas as either there is no more water left, or it’s packed with crocodiles and hippos who are holding on to the last bit of wet that is available out there, which means: we really don’t want to place our guests in the middle of it all on a boat or mokoro.

The Okavango has gone through wet and dry spells as long as time. Local rainfall, Angolan rainfall, small seismic shifts in the underlying tectonics, it all makes for a rather involved and very unpredictable miracle of nature. For the past years, we could all lean back, almost guarantee water activities for most of the year in lots of areas and have our clients looking forward to gliding across the delta on a mokoro and zooming through the papyrus lined channels.

Currently we are looking at a totally different scenario, the Okavango is at its driest since a long time. I’m sure some clients will be a bit disappointed about missing out on their water experience. Did the Okavango cheat us? Maybe we have to change our approach in how we present it? The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s last wildernesses. There is no regulating its flows, it’s left to nature, the water comes and goes and the animals adjust to whatever comes along. The delta has hundreds of different faces. Wetter ones, drier ones, and lots and lots in between. Every single season has its very unique upsides. Sure the bush is thick and rather impenetrable in the rains, but it also makes for wonderful lush background, for happy and relaxed animals, lots of babies everywhere, for dramatic skies, and it is all dotted by the summer migrants who come visit.

The dry months are more dramatic, the animals are bound to being close to water, there is high competition for food and the air vibrates around the hot spots. The lines between dry and wet months have started becoming rather blurry, climate definitely has changed. So maybe we should wave good bye to trying to predict the next season as clearly as possible and prepare our travellers as meticulously as we can on what exactly to expect. Let’s rather convey a message of being open minded for anything that nature and the Okavango have up their sleeves for us. In average years it might be this and that, but we cannot know exactly, we can only guarantee that it will be wild, untamed, untampered with, that it will be “the real thing”.

We need to focus on that Miracle of Nature and understand that change brings new opportunities in the Delta. The game is more concentrated as the water levels drop, and the sightings can be more varied and exclusive. This is the reality of our “Backyard” and rather than missing a water experience, you are part of one of Wildest Africa’s greatest natural events.

Terry,

I see you will be visiting Maun/Botswana and I thought of you when my sister (who lives in Botswana) sent this article out of yesterday's paper - Botswana Footprints, an article on Maun: …………………..

"As you may be aware the water levels in the Delta are dropping fast and furiously this season. Boating and mokoro activities are being stopped in most areas as either there is no more water left, or it’s packed with crocodiles and hippos who are holding on to the last bit of wet that is available out there, which means: we really don’t want to place our guests in the middle of it all on a boat or mokoro.

The Okavango has gone through wet and dry spells as long as time. Local rainfall, Angolan rainfall, small seismic shifts in the underlying tectonics, it all makes for a rather involved and very unpredictable miracle of nature. For the past years, we could all lean back, almost guarantee water activities for most of the year in lots of areas and have our clients looking forward to gliding across the delta on a mokoro and zooming through the papyrus lined channels.

Currently we are looking at a totally different scenario, the Okavango is at its driest since a long time. I’m sure some clients will be a bit disappointed about missing out on their water experience. Did the Okavango cheat us? Maybe we have to change our approach in how we present it? The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s last wildernesses. There is no regulating its flows, it’s left to nature, the water comes and goes and the animals adjust to whatever comes along. The delta has hundreds of different faces. Wetter ones, drier ones, and lots and lots in between. Every single season has its very unique upsides. Sure the bush is thick and rather impenetrable in the rains, but it also makes for wonderful lush background, for happy and relaxed animals, lots of babies everywhere, for dramatic skies, and it is all dotted by the summer migrants who come visit.

The dry months are more dramatic, the animals are bound to being close to water, there is high competition for food and the air vibrates around the hot spots. The lines between dry and wet months have started becoming rather blurry, climate definitely has changed. So maybe we should wave good bye to trying to predict the next season as clearly as possible and prepare our travellers as meticulously as we can on what exactly to expect. Let’s rather convey a message of being open minded for anything that nature and the Okavango have up their sleeves for us. In average years it might be this and that, but we cannot know exactly, we can only guarantee that it will be wild, untamed, untampered with, that it will be “the real thing”.

We need to focus on that Miracle of Nature and understand that change brings new opportunities in the Delta. The game is more concentrated as the water levels drop, and the sightings can be more varied and exclusive. This is the reality of our “Backyard” and rather than missing a water experience, you are part of one of Wildest Africa’s greatest natural events."

Terry, I see you will be visiting Maun/Botswana and I thought of you when my sister (who lives in Botswana) sent this article out of yesterday's paper - Botswana Footprints, an article on Maun: …………………..

"As you may be aware the water levels in the Delta are dropping fast and furiously this season. Boating and mokoro activities are being stopped in most areas as either there is no more water left, or it’s packed with crocodiles and hippos who are holding on to the last bit of wet that is available out there, which means: we really don’t want to place our guests in the middle of it all on a boat or mokoro. The Okavango has gone through wet and dry spells as long as time. Local rainfall, Angolan rainfall, small seismic shifts in the underlying tectonics, it all makes for a rather involved and very unpredictable miracle of nature. For the past years, we could all lean back, almost guarantee water activities for most of the year in lots of areas and have our clients looking forward to gliding across the delta on a mokoro and zooming through the papyrus lined channels."

Appreciate this added, interesting information in connection with our upcoming Africa adventure. Was aware of this dryer period, but understand in the camps they will "adjust" to these conditions. Will be doing a live/blog for this combination of five days in Cape Town, the ten-day cruise along the South Africa coast and safari time in Botswana. Will post here a link to that live/blog. Join in and ask any questions.

Very good story summary point on which to focus: "Miracle of Nature and understand that change brings new opportunities in the Delta".

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 193,145 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Appreciate all of the help from those earlier posters. Yes, super loving Africa, especially Cape Town, etc. For those in locations where the winter season is getting kind of old/cold, here is a live/blog link for our current travels in South Africa and Mozambique. We have just completed visiting Durban as we are now sailing back towards Cape Town. First time in Africa!!

Here is the link to a series of posts/pictures from my live/blog as we sail and travel. Lots of great visuals from dramatic and scenic Africa!! Much more to come as we are next visiting Victoria Falls and Botswana after Cape Town and Johannesburg. Feel free to post any questions, comments, suggestions, etc. on this live/blog. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Feel free to skip through to see the various, interesting pictures. Many more posts from Cape Town, of African animals and birds, etc., to be posted during the next couple of weeks.

Below are two quick visual samples for what we have seen most recently during our first visit to Africa.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

If Venice is one of your future desires or past favorites, look at this earlier posting for many options and visual samples this city that is so great for "walking around", personally seeing its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 57,467 views.

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

Here is one picture where I needed a little "help" to be "soaring like an eagle"! My secret? It's riding in a helicopter to travel around Cape Town, the nearby mountains, being south of the town, going along the beaches, over the Winelands, etc. Like the views? Table Mountain is clearly so dominate in the way it towers over Cape Town and the nearby areas. Recognize the Cape Town Stadium? Our pilot said it has a nickname down here and they call it the "Giant Toilet Bowl"!! Does kind of have that look!!:

From Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth, we saw several ostriches, including the adult male and female, both with very different colorations/coats. But, I also managed to get several shots of just of their three “babies”. This one view is a top favorite as their three heads are aligned in special and very interesting angles. Agree that this one picture is a “super keeper”?

Zimbo - if you still follow this thread, we'll appreciate your advise.

We're taking SA cruise from Cape Town and have a choice of going on the safari overnight to Phinda Game Reserve or Thanda Tented Camp from Durban. Can you compare two reserves and probably recommend one over the other.

Thank you in advance

Thanks for all the great comments & suggestions! We'll be visiting Port Elizabeth and Cape Town in April 2017 on a cruise ship (Queen Elizabeth).

In Port Elizabeth, we're thinking about Addo Nat'l Park and possibly Schotia Safaris also.

In Cape Town, like to do another safari on our 1st day, then on 2nd day do Table Top Mountain and Cheetah Outreach Project in Somerset West.

Any comments about our plans?

Thanks!

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Thanks for all the great comments & suggestions! We'll be visiting Port Elizabeth and Cape Town in April 2017 on a cruise ship (Queen Elizabeth). In Port Elizabeth, we're thinking about Addo Nat'l Park and possibly Schotia Safaris also. In Cape Town, like to do another safari on our 1st day, then on 2nd day do Table Top Mountain and Cheetah Outreach Project in Somerset West. Any comments about our plans?

We super loved the time with our private guide at Addo National Elephant Park. Great location with so much to see and experience there. Doubt that you can do both that park and Schotia, too! See some of my photo "evidence" as proof below.

Yes, going up, UP, UP to the top of Table Mountain can be wonderful. BUT, weather can be a "variable" for doing that trip. At times the winds are too strong and/or there could be visibility limitations. Aim for doing that exciting trip up and back down. BUT, be flexible depending on the conditions.

Check for my ideas, tips, visuals, etc., from my live/blog. Happy to answer any added questions!! Best to post on the live/blog as I check that location more frequently.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from my latest live/blog at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 19,030 views for this reporting and visual sharing that includes Cape Town, all along the South Africa coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

Here is just one of many spectacular views from riding the Cable Car up to the top of Table Mountain. You can see Lion's Head mountain that peaks at 2,195 feet above sea level. This peak forms part of a dramatic backdrop to the city of Cape Town and is part of the Table Mountain National Park. Amazing views all around. This day was rated as a top 10% viewing day with the clearness and ability to enjoy such sights. The Table Mountain Cableway was Swiss designed and officially opened in 1929. It has been extensively upgraded and new cars now carry 65 instead of 25 passengers. The new cars give a faster journey and rotate through 360 degrees during the ascent and descent. The highest point on Table Mountain is 3,563 feet above sea level.:

Here is another one of my pictures where I needed a little "help" to be "soaring like an eagle" when riding in a helicopter to travel around Cape Town, the nearby mountains, being south of the town, going along the beaches, over the Winelands, etc. Like the view? Table Mountain is clearly so dominate in the way it towers over Cape Town and the nearby areas. If possible, consider the helicopter tour option.:

When the park is called an “elephant park”, what would you expect there? Yes, elephants!! Here are two different elephant visuals from Addo National Park. Don’t you just love these baby elephants, especially how they are posing and looking at the camera?:

Super loved our views of these kudu animals at Addo. Got to be amazed totally by their unique, twisted horns and the colorations on their coats.:

Thanks Terry (TLCOhio)!

For Port Elizabeth, we'll sign up for a full day 12 hour tour covering both Addo Nat'l Park and Schotia private reserve. Our ship is not scheduled to leave until around midnight.

For Cape Town, how much was the helicopter tour? We may be interested doing that.

Have you gone to the Cheetah Outreach Project in Somerset?

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It's me again Terry,

If you did a safari in Cape Town, can you recommend a safari tour company?

Just started reading your port review...looks like we'll definitely have to stop by the restaurant Den Anker!

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Thanks Terry (TLCOhio)! For Port Elizabeth, we'll sign up for a full day 12 hour tour covering both Addo Nat'l Park and Schotia private reserve. Our ship is not scheduled to leave until around midnight. For Cape Town, how much was the helicopter tour? We may be interested doing that. Have you gone to the Cheetah Outreach Project in Somerset?

Appreciate this added info and your quick follow-up. YES, being in Port Elizabeth until midnight allows much more flexibility to see both Addo and the other private reserve. Good luck with that adventure.

For the helicopter, the rates vary depending on the length of time for the trip, number traveling together, etc. Also, your body weigh can affect the pricing rates that they will quote. In checking my credit card account, it cost me $182 for this trip. Worked well and definitely worth it, especially with the perfect weather we had when flying. Fortunately, we were in South Africa at a time when the currency rate was very favorable for those from the USA.

Sorry, have no knowledge on Cheetah Outreach Project in Somerset.

Added questions? Other info needs?

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 42,209 views for these postings.

It's me again Terry, If you did a safari in Cape Town, can you recommend a safari tour company? Just started reading your port review...looks like we'll definitely have to stop by the restaurant Den Anker!

Yes, Den Anker has an excellent location and very good food/service. We enjoyed that meal so much. On safari tour/guide options, I would do a Google and/or TripAdvisor search and see what results/potential you get. Then write to two or three top options, ask specific questions, see what responses you get back, etc.

Keep reading and asking such good questions!! Happy to share more!!

Also, you could write to Clive that we used for a couple days of tours. From the Travel Section of the London/UK Telegraph in mid July, they have this headline: "perfect holiday in South Africa" with these opening highlights: "Cape Town needs no sales pitch. Established as a kitchen garden in 1652 to restock ships en route to India, it still replenishes, with picturesque coves carved into a mountainous peninsula, slopes carpeted in an astonishing floral biodiversity, and vineyards that produce the New World’s most underrated wines."

This writer profiles two weeks in and around Cape Town. Lots of great ideas and options to consider. Check this story for added ideas. Their profile included details about an excellent experience she had with a guide that we used and super enjoyed for two different days. Here is what she and the London Telegraph wrote about using Clive:

"Explore the peninsula on a tour with Clive de Bruyne (capetowntourguide.co.za; ZAR 3,800/£201 for two). A circular drive takes you south along the east-facing False Bay coast to Cape Point, then back north along the west-facing Atlantic seaboard, finally snaking along the cliffs of world-famous Chapman’s Peak drive. Clive will tailor the itinerary to your interests. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a seamless integration of the manicured and the indigenous, is definitely worth including, and a visit to the penguin colony at Boulders is virtually obligatory. Lunch is usually at a seaside table at Harbour House."

YES, this basically was what we did on one of the wonderful day/tours that we had with Clive in going down the peninsula, seeing those gardens, the penguins, etc. Worked so well for us!! Below are three added pictures with Clive that I had not posted previously on the live/blog.

Full Cape Town area Telegraph story at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africa/south-africa/articles/ultimate-south-africa-how-to-have-perfect-holiday/

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 202,756 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Here are three added visuals featuring Clive. First is Clive pointing out attractions to my wife at the location above the Public Gardens where key museums are located and with Table Mountain in the background. Second is Clive stopping to show us a turtle as we traveling down the coast. Third is Clive and our waiter at Harbour House where we enjoyed great seafood treats. Look good??:

Terry, which helicopter tour company was it?

And thanks so much for all the info! Harbor House food looks real good too!

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Terry, which helicopter tour company was it? And thanks so much for all the info! Harbor House food looks real good too!

Here is the name of the company that we used: Cape Town Helicopters. They get good and high marks from TripAdvisor. They are at: 220 East Pier, Breakwater Edge, V&A Helipad, Cape Town. Their website:

http://www.helicopterscapetown.co.za

We made arrangements at their sales office in the main shopping/dining area of the V&A Waterfront and then they transport you down to the heliport. There are a couple of companies there offering helicopter flights.

Yes, the Harbour House food was good. Below is more on Den Anker, their beer, etc. Keep asking such good questions.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Super loved Dubrovnik!!! See more details and lots of great visual samples/examples at this link. Have had over 32,811 views on this posting and appreciate those who have tuned-in and dropped by.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

You mentioned Den Anker. Did you ask if they have beer? Yes!! Here's some proof below. Plus, an example of the dessert we super enjoyed. Beer, dinner, dessert? All for $30 for the two of us!! Very enjoyable!!:

Here are a couple more helicopter views that I had not previously posted. This includes in the second shot, flying over the harbor/shipping area as we dropping down to land at the heliport near the V&A Waterfront.:

Thanks again Terry, you are full of info!!! [emoji106]

Looks like, about $140pp for 25 min flight (over two oceans), $276pp for 45 min (full peninsula).

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Thanks again Terry, you are full of info!!! [emoji106]

Looks like, about $140pp for 25 min flight (over two oceans), $276pp for 45 min (full peninsula).

Glad that you are continuing to do your research and creative planning. Lots of great options in and around Cape Town. So many wonderful and interesting options there. Let us know any added questions. For us, we were so happy that we allowed for five days in Cape Town prior to our cruise and going north to Victoria Falls and Botswana.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from my latest live/blog at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 19,125 views for this reporting and visual sharing that includes Cape Town, all along the South Africa coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

From the London/UK Express earlier this past week, they have this headline: "CHEAPEST long-haul destinations for your next holiday" with these highlights: "Using prices of typical tourist purchases such as meals, drinks, snacks and sunscreen, a shopping basket of the 34 leading destinations have been compiled together. Coming in at the top as the world’s cheapest long-haul destination is South Africa’s mother city, Cape Town."

Lots of nice pictures as to why South Africa is no nice, but details on other popular location that might be more affordable for many Brits.

From the large newspaper publisher, Fairfax Media, in Australia and New Zealand, they have this story headline: "South Africa: The amazing destination no one cares about". Here are some of the story highlights: "There's this amazing destination, and it's far closer than London or New York. It's somewhere you will find a mix of cultures; a mix of landscapes. It's a destination that feels completely foreign, and yet strangely recognisable. And it's so cheap. You can swan about in fancy hotels there, or you can camp out under the stars. You can eat at some of the world's best restaurants, or you can cook your own food over a fire. You can surf, or hike, or drive, or cycle, or jump off high things, or just hang out at a bar. It's great. This amazing place is southern Africa. Though you, like most, are probably not interested in going there, or maybe even hearing about it. I had to trick you with the headline of this story just to make you read it. What gives? We just aren't big on travelling to countries like South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique. Stories on those destinations don't get half as many reads as places like New York or Bali. And those destinations never go anywhere near the top 10 destinations that we like to visit. It seems crazy to me. These are legitimately some of the best destinations on the planet, and we don't visit. They're affordable and accessible. There's no language barrier."

This author goes on to note: "The only explanation I can come up with for travellers' lack of a care factor over southern Africa is that it has an image problem here." Clearly many in certain part of Europe know that great potentials in southern Africa, but the author views that many in his "down under" area do not fully appreciate South Africa and other nearby options that worked well for us and many others.

Full stories at:

http://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/712848/REVEALED-The-CHEAPEST-long-haul-destinations-for-your-next-holiday

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/africa/84556890/south-africa-the-amazing-destination-no-one-cares-about

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 156,452 views for this posting.

From the Architectural Digest magazine earlier this week, they have this headline: "Discover South Africa's Under-the-Radar Wine Destination—Franschhoek" with this sub-head: "The 17th-century town has been perfectly restored."

Here are some of the story highlights: "In a part of the world not exactly lacking for scenic road trip options, Franschhoek in South Africa’s Cape Winelands region is one of the most beloved destinations. The storybook village, originally settled in the late 17th century by French Huguenot refugees, has experienced a surge of new energy this year. Make sure you dedicate at least one languid afternoon to strolling down the town’s main road—a clutch of chic hotels, restaurants, and boutiques will make you want to linger."

Lots of food, shopping, lodging, etc., tips, plus a number of pictures that brought back nice memories from our visiting wine locations in this area.

Full story at:

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/franschhoek-south-africa-travel-guide

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 44,269 views for these postings.

What's "under the radar" about Franschhoek? It's always been a key and well-known part of that big wine region near Cape Town.

That story is probably more a sign that the magazine doesn't know what it's talking about - a bit like its Sydney story you posted elsewhere.

Does anyone have personal recommendations for a guide/tour company in Cape Town. (Clive de Bruyne is not available).

Thanks.

Does anyone have personal recommendations for a guide/tour company in Cape Town. (Clive de Bruyne is not available).

Thanks.

We contacted Clive as well but he wasn't available, but he did recommend us PG TOPS (and we ended up booking with them for a 2 day tour next year)

Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app

Try Escape to the Cape. http://www.escapetothecape.co.za/

We took an all-day tour, for two, in a Mercedes sedan. The tour included Clifton & Camps Bay - the trendiest & most expensive suburbs in Cape Town, Hout Bay (boat trip to the Seal Colony), Scenic Drive via Chapmans Peak, Cape Of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Cape Point, the Penguin Colony and Simon's Town. We substituted the Groot Constantia Wine Estate instead a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Our driver was outstanding and very flexible. Towards the end of the tour, we wanted to but some spices, so he took us spice shopping in an area not frequented by tourists. The spices made wonderful souvenirs for the folks back home. Highly recommended.

Email Shaheed: shaheed@escapetothecape.co.za

From News24 in South Africa last week, they have this headline: "Cape Town ranks as Lonely Planet's 2nd best city worldwide" with these highlights: "Cape Town racked up yet another award in second place under the world-renowned travel guide’s category, Top 10 Cities, with Bordeaux, France in first place. Lonely planet praised the Mother City and said, “Cape Town’s deceptively laid-back folk have been working hard to add cultural and culinary cred to the Mother City’s famous natural charms, cementing its reputation an as African city with a global outlook”."

Congratulations to Cape Town for being high on this top list. Lonely Planet's full top ten cities for 2017: 1. Bordeaux, France; 2. Cape Town, South Africa; 3. Los Angeles, USA; 4. Merida, Mexico; 5. Ohrid, Macedonia; 6. Pistoia, Italy; 7. Seoul, South Korea; 8. Lisbon, Portugal; 9. Moscow, Russia and 10. Portland, Oregon. For countries, Canada was ranked number one this year with Colombia, Finland, Dominica, Nepal,. Bermuda, Mongolia, Oman, Myanmar and Ethiopia following on the list of top countries. Lonely Planet's Top 10 Regions 2017: 1. Choquequirao, Peru; 2. Taranaki, New Zealand; 3. The Azores, Portugal; 4. North Wales, UK; 5. South Australia; 6. Aysén, Chile; 7. The Tuamotus, French Polynesia; 8. Coastal Georgia, USA; 9. Perak, Malaysia and 10. The Skellig Ring, Ireland.

Here are some other key points and highlights from Lonely Planet for that famed city: "Culinary tourism is becoming more and more a growing trend and it goes to show with the mention of Cape Town’s historic wine estates, hip markets and inventive restaurants in Best in Travel 2017. The Mother City, home to soaring Table Mountain, golden beaches and bountiful vineyards, is an old pro at capturing people’s hearts. Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and traditional African beliefs coexist peacefully in this proudly multicultural city. Table Mountain National Park defines the city. The flat-topped mountain is the headline act, but there are many other equally gorgeous natural landscapes within the park’s extensive boundaries.”

More details from Lonely Planet about Cape Town at:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-africa/cape-town/introduction

Full stories at:

http://traveller24.news24.com/Explore/cape-town-ranks-as-lonely-planets-2nd-best-city-worldwide-20161027

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/themes/adventure/85787457/best-in-travel-lonely-planet-names-south-australia-los-angeles-among-is-best-destinations-for-2017

http://www.iol.co.za/travel/south-africa/western-cape/mother-city-voted-no2-in-top-cities-to-visit-in-2017-2083669

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from my latest live/blog at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 22,347 views for this reporting and visual sharing that includes Cape Town, all along the South Africa coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.