For seven years I’ve been dreaming about Africa. Then one day I decided that I’m doing something about it. I’ve been working really hard the last couple of years to make this happen. For a student money is always an issue.
For a long time it looked like I had to go on my own. None of my friends wanted to join. Time and money was always a problem. Then my American friend came to the rescue. In March he offered to join me, and since then I’ve been planning this trip. Down to every detail as far as it’s possible. Yet it’s also important to have room for changes. You never know how things will actually turn out.
I made a post about this trip ages ago, but now that the trip is starting to take shape I thought I’ll give you all an update. Maybe it’ll help other who’s planning the same thing too.
The flightI booked the flight early. The sooner you book, the cheaper flight you’ll get. I got my roundtrip ticket for 6909NOK which is about $987. That’s from Oslo to Cape Town. My friend who’s joining had to pay almost twice as much I think, but he’s also coming to Norway two days before we leave. The only change we’ll have to do is in London. Meals are of course included.
The budgetA clever thing to do before you book anything at all is to make a budget. My budget is on about $3860, that’s included everything. Flight, accommodation, safari, rental car, meals etc.
If you try to stick to the budget you’ll get most out of your money, plus you’re not broke when you get back home.
Rental carFor a while we were considering the BazBus. But after doing some calculating it’s not actually the cheapest way to go. Since we’re both photographers we were looking for a way to get around without having to do a lot of waiting. Rental car is the way to go. Yes, it’ll cost a bit more than other options, like Greyhound buses and such, but then again, you’ll get the full freedom to go wherever, whenever. I checked prices for a long time, looking for the best offer. And I think I’ve found it. Aroundaboutcars.com offers rental cars for $27 a day. That’s included insurance. No fees for crossing borders to Swaziland, Lesotho or Namibia either.
AccommodationSince we’re both on a tight budget hostels seem to be the way to go. It’s more comfortable than tents and a lot cheaper that the hotels. Hostels offer both single rooms, double rooms and dorms. Most of them also have a self-catering area, so you can cook your own meals. That way you also save money. It’s not needed to out every day.
The planWe’re arriving Cape Town on the 21st of January. We’re planning on staying here for a few days, I’m thinking about 4 days or so, that way we can relax after a long flight, plus see and explore the city. After seeing Cape Town we’ll rent a car and drive along the Garden Route where we’ll see the beautiful beaches. Then we’ll continue along the Wild Coast with more beautiful beaches. Then we’re driving towards the Drakensberg, where we probably will do some hiking. After that we’ll drive through Swaziland on our way to Kruger for the safari.
In Kruger we’ll book a 6 day safari through Viva Safaris. They offer good prices. $570 for 6 days. That’s including accommodation, night drives, two meals a day and all transfers. Plus you get to see the most known things in Kruger.
After the safari we’re planning on renting a house in Marloth Park, near Kruger to have a couple of days where we just relax.
Then we’ll drive through Pretoria towards Kimberly and Upington, before we’re heading back to Cape Town.
All in all we’ll have 39 days to complete this trip. And I do believe we’ve got enough time to see what we really want to see.
Some of the things we most likely will see/do:Cape Town: Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, the Waterfront, Robben Island, different markets, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Good Hope, the penguins etc.
Oudtshoorn: Cango Caves
Port Elizabeth: Addo Elephant Park
Upington: Kalahari Tour
Sites you could check outSafari:
http://www.bundusafaris.comhttp://www.vivasafaris.com/http://www.wagontrails.co.za/Rental car:
http://www.arguscarhire.comhttp://www.aroundaboutcars.comhttp://www.sa-venues.com/travel/wc_carhire.htmAccommodation:
http://www.hostelworld.comhttp://www.visitafrica.co.zaDiscounts:
http://www.vipbackpackers.com/So.. if you guys have any questions, or tips for this trip, don’t keep your mouth shut
