Expert: Ruard Ganzevoort - 5/8/2008

Question
Hi,

I am looking to plan a 17 night trip to South Africa. My ideal itinerary would be to spend begin in Cape Town for almost a week and then make my way by car to Port Elizabeth, stopping at places like Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay along the way.  I would like to do some whale watching and great white shark watching and would like to finish the tour with a safari not far from Port Elizabeth.  Do you think this is a realisitc itinerary and would October be a suitable month to do this. If not October when would be the best time of year to fit in all I want to do.  

Many thanks

Becky

Answer
Becky

1)Good timing, week in Cape town is enough to see all. October and September is spring in SA (normally - the weather did some funny things lately).
2) Hermanus is good for whale watching.(July - October).
2) Hermanus or Gansbaai(50km from Hermanus) is probably the best place for sharkcage diving.
3) Close to Port elizabeth  There is a Addo Elephant Park.(http://www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/). There is other private reserve - but they are expensive! I would suggest rent a car in Cape town and deliver it back in Port Elizabeth(PE).
4) The sites in Cape town would be Table mountain(go up early in the morning to avoid the long queues. You can also do a walk from Kirstenbosch (botanical gardens) to Table mountain. Very nice walk and not to tough. Cape Point(Cape of Good Hope) a must.--- Pick a nice sunny day. Robbenisland also nice and interesting palce.
5) A very nice place to stay on the garden route is Storm river Tsitsikamma(Book early)http://www.sanparks.org/parks/tsitsikamma/ ....   Probably the most beautiful site in South Africa.

If you planning to visit more of the national parks such as Tsitsikamma, Addo and Cape of Good Hope --- buy a 'Wild Card' the first time you visit the park, it is cheaper. Do buy it over the net -  you can buy it at the entrance.

If you need more information please feel free to contact me again.

Hope this was helpful.