Is September a good month to go? Would like to hear from anyone who has been before or considering it now. Chris

As you will see from another post on this subject, I have booked to go on this trip on 27th September. I picked this date based on what the guide books and internet said about it. September is Spring in SA and is supposed to be fantastic for the wildflowers, whale watching as well as being the end of the dry season and therefore being good for seeing the wildlife. Temps are warm without being too hot.

As regards to creepy crawlies, although this is my first visit to SA I have previously been on safari in Kenya and Tanzania. I'm not a fan of the little beasties (especially spiders) but have never had problems before. The hotels used are generally of a very high standard, I know hotel staff are always happy to deal with any unwanted visitors you may be unlucky to encounter.

The last time I checked with JY there were ten people booked for this trip, it would be great for you both to come along too.

Sally

Hi Chris, yes I'v already booked 27th Sept this year, my first JY hol, all the feedback is so positive so really looking forward to it.

Yvonne

Cheers,

Bob

Hi folks, I did this tour in Sept last year and it was a great time to go, great temperatures (low 20s in Cape Town, up to mid 30s elsewhere). No problems with insects, I found a big black wasp in my room while on safari and dealt with it by giving it a good whack with my book! You'll need to DEET up from Swaziland onwards and take Malarone from then on too, but this isn't a problem and no one got badly bitten by mozzies either. It's a fantastic holiday, my favourite so far and the game drives were the most exciting experience. Hope you all book and have a fantastic holiday!

Cheers,

Bob

Bob - have also done this trip and loved it so much am going again this November!

Jackie

J

I spent 34 years in South Africa and have looked at the format of the trip = wonderful! It definitely will not be too hot. It is a vast country, so expect temperature changes. Durban and north into Zululand will be warm/hot as it is tropical. The Game Parks you are going to visit there are fantastic and with the dryer weather, expect to see a lot of game. Don't forget your binoculars.

As far as *creepy crawlies* = don't worry too much. Mosquitoes can be annoying and I would recommend that you wait until you get to SA and then buy a TABARD Stick or spray and that will keep them away. Remember they are more prolific at dusk and dawn.

You will have a fantastic time and will be amazed at the level of hospitality in SA - have lots of fun.

Sue

Hi Chris, yes I'v already booked 27th Sept this year, my first JY hol, all the feedback is so positive so really looking forward to it.

Yvonne

Hi Yvonne, Sally & Chris & any others, I did this holiday in Feb. a couple of years ago. All I can say is don't worry a bit about anything, it was all fabulous. Simply LOVED glorious beautiful Cape Town. Ask them to take you to Bloomfontaine beach for photos of Table Mtn. - brilliant place to see the whole Mtn. instead of bits of it which you do driving around the city. Be sure to go back to The V&A Waterfront in the evening -a highlight.

Stopped at a bakery for coffee once we left Cape Town - our S. African tour guide told us about the Pan Au Chocolate there-buy one!!!! Wine there was EXCELLENT value, much better wine & price than vineyards we visited. We all bought several bottles.

Loved best Cape Town, Knysna & once we got on safari. Each safari & lodge was so different.

Sellers by the roadside had fab. bargains - barter a bit.

You'll have a thrilling holiday.

No bugs, crawlies etc. take Malaria pills I think from around Durban on.

Helenj

Hi fellow travellers. I am thinking of going on the South African Explorer trip this year in September. It will be a an opportunity of a lifetime for me and hope it will fulfil a childhood dream. Went on the Classic Cities of Italy with Just You last year, great experience but did go with a friend. This one will be totally not knowing anyone.

Is September a good month to go? Would like to hear from anyone who has been before or considering it now. Chris

I think you would have a better holiday going on your own. My experience, South African Explorer Jan 2012, was that you get more from your fellow travellers if you don't travel with someone you know. Otherwise you may be tempted to stick to the one person that you already know and not get the full benefit of the tour. The Vic Falls add on is brilliant but September might not be the best time for that because Zambezi water levels might be a bit low.

Hope this helps!

Bob

Could I be cheeky and add my own question. I too am considering this holiday in September, but I really hate 'creepie crawlies'. Is this a problem whilst on safari?

I'm delighted you've booked this tour, it's the best holiday I've ever been on! To answer your questions, I packed enough clothes for approximately two weeks and brought some travel wash and used it a couple of times when we were staying in a place for two nights. We also had the opportunity to get clothes washed in a laundrette about half way through the trip - very cheap about £5 if I remember right! Wear whatever you feel comfortable in, don't worry about short sleeves, skirts or shorts as the mossies can bite through clothes anyhow! Get 50% DEET and you will be fine, I also used the DEET impregnated wristbands for extra protection. You will need to start taking Malarone the day before you hit Swaziland and take it after a meal. I did all the optional excursions in Zambia, except the museum. They were all fantastic and well worth it. The day trip to Botswana (Chobe National Park) and the chopper ride over the Falls were the highlights for me. Go on the helicopter ride over the Falls if you want to take photos as it would be dodgy trying to do so on the microlite! I brought 5000R (the max you are allowed to bring into S Africa) and got another 5000R while there from an ATM. Brought $1000 for Zambia for the excursions. Used rand while in Swaziland, but don't hand in big notes as you will get your change in Swazi money, which you can't change back (you won't really need to spend any in Swaziland anyhow). It was an expensive trip, but so worthwhile. I brought two wallets to fit all the cash as we couldn't pay for the excursions until just before we went on them, but it all worked out fine. Don't go to an ATM by yourself, just to be on the safe side. But none of us felt intimidated at any stage. Hope you see lions and a leopard in Kruger - we did and it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life! Any more questions and I'd be happy to answer them!

Cheers,

Bob

Great to hear you are joining Yvonne and myself on this trip. I booked this a while ago now and so have spent ages trawling through previous posts to get all the advice I could on this trip.

With regards to money I plan on taking a Cash Passport (from Travelex but there are others out there) pre-loaded with 5000 rand and then a further 5000 rand in cash. I'm going to do most of the excursions so will need a fair amount. It sounds very easy to go to ATM's to top up if needed. The recommendation is to exchange money for Zambia before you leave South Africa as the fees are lower (someone said that you can use dollars, rand or pounds).

It would appear that your South African plug adaptor can be used in Zambia.

Don't forget your mozzie spray and Malaria tablets (needed from Durban onwards).

As regards clothing, I generally wear trousers anyway, but I think the main thing to remember is comfort over style. My experience of these holidays is that people rarely comment on (or even notice!) what each other is wearing - after all we're all in the same boat with luggage allowances. If you bring a small amount of travel wash, you can generally rinse things out and dry them overnight if necessary.

Hopefully if I've got anything wrong, someone will put me right. Any other advice would be gratefully received. So far there are 18 of us for the main tour with 8 going on to do the extension. Just over five months to go and I am sooooo excited!!!

Sally

Is anyone else now booked for 13th Sept trip or only 27th Sept - I know that to date there is a Julie, Rosemary & Gaynor - so excited to this trip even though it is my first JFY hol.

If anyone from the West Midlands???

Looking 4ward to meeting you

Julie E