Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for some advice on whether or not it's a good idea for my boyfriend and I to travel around South Africa for two weeks without doing a paid tour??? We're hearing mixed reviews from travel agents ... some say its a great thing to do, others are telling us we'd be crazy to take "such a chance"! We're getting a little frusturated with the mixed messages so I thought I'd see what other backpackers have done ... we'd like to be there for about two weeks and also make a trip to Victoria Falls ... has anyone else done this without going through a tour company???
If you have, a few questions you can hopefully answer:
1) Did you feel safe??? This is a big one for us ... we've heard that Johannesburg is the most dangerous city in the world ?!?!
2) Were you able to go with the flow (ie: just stop by a hostel and spend the night without prebooking, take a bus to see some sights, etc)
3) Did you find it reasonable cost wise???
Hopefully someone can help a bit!!! Thank you!!!
Reply to this I know a few people have done this, I did africa with a tour but there were parts of the trip when I was alone. It's fine just be sensible, you know? You wouldn't go wandering around in New York on your own at night, same with Jo'burg, just stick together. The Baz bus is probably the best way to get around an most of the back packing lodges can arrange transport for you and have information on side trips etc. The only thing I would say is be careful about tax's in Jo'burg and wear a money belt, no valubles on display, just the normal commen sense stuff. You guys will be fine and have a blast, just have fun hey!
Gee Gee x
Reply to this Yeah Jo'burg is pretty dangerous, I heard this one time they quite literally ate a tourist.
It's messed up man.
Reply to this I agree with Gee Gee. You have to be sensible and never fall into a false sense of security. The public transport there isn't very good and most people use cars. The intercity bus services (Interkaap, Translux, Greyhound) are very good and cheap but you'll need to pre-book tickets at busy times. Being from SA myself I would recommend renting a car for you entire stay. This is the best and safest way of getting around, although not the cheapest. In SA half the journey is getting there so by driving yourself you'll get a true sense of the culture and flavour the country has to offer. If you want to get the ''Township experience'' you should do this through a tour operator because IT IS NOT SAFE to go it alone. If something doesn't feel right, say no, doesn't matter if you offend somebody. This isn't Europe, it is Africa. The criminals know how to play the 'emotion card' with tourists and they use this polital correctness against you.
Other than that you should be fine. Remember to do the Bloukrans bungee!
Reply to this I was at Victoria Falls in 2005. We flew into the Zambia side, and then crossed the border nearby into Zimbabwe where our lodge was. We felt fine within the confines of the tourist areas, which is basically the falls (in the daytime, mind you), and the lodges. The town shut down at dusk though, and after that we did not venture outside of our lodge. That wasn't a problem because it had a great restaurant and lots of live entertainment there. But I wouldn't recommend walking around town at night. You are also best off avoiding any kind of political discussions while there too. That place is a political hot pot.
Reply to this Jo'burg is not all that messed up. Stick to the basic rules as lined out by Gee Gee and you'll be fine. There are tourist information centres at all airports and towns frequinted by tourists. They will gladly give you all the information on backpacker accomodation, transport, routes, safety guidelines etc. Thousands of tourists backpack through South Africa every year, never heard of anyone been eaten up. Vic Falls is great but also try to pay a visit to the St Lucia Wetlandpark and the Mpumalanga province. If you want to visit Soweto township use a tour operator!
Hennie
Reply to this I would say you'll be fine - Johannesburg is a dangerous place whether you backpack or drive your own car but many of the smaller towns are very safe. The Baz bus is perhaps the best option
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