Cape Town | ExpatWoman.com
 

Cape Town

77
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 March 2016 - 17:58

Hi Everyone,

Im planning a trip to Cape Town but I need some information if you have any knowledge about the following:

1. Due to my nationality I am required to obtain visa. I checked the website and it's very informative, however I want to know if we can book an appointment now and apply so we can plan ahead for the hotel and itinerary. Also, is it required to have show money and any tips as well prior to applying.

2. Where is the best place to go? We're looking into 5 days stay there after our Safari trip in Kenya. Number 1 in our list is the Shark Diving in Gansbaai. Suggestions are welcome!

3. Any hotel recommendation in Gansbaai? We don't want to wake up early so we want to book a hotel in Gansbaai for our shark diving trip.

4. Hotel recommendation in Cape Town with good location.

5. Lastly, is it really dangerous to go or is it just the media? I heard from others that we should book our trip through an agency because it is safer but I find it very pricey so I would like to do the booking on my own.

Thank you very much in advance!! :)

15
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2016 - 18:57
Yes, definitely carry Unabridged Birth Certificates for minors (under 18 years of age) and if traveling without one of the biological parents then an affidavit document has to be completed and signed by the non traveling parent and then notarised by a lawyer. The document can be downloaded from the SA Embassy website in the UK and all SA Embassy Consulates and Embassy websites I would assume. If there are circumstances such as adoption or a missing or absent biological parent then extra documentation is required. All utterly ridiculous as no other country on the planet requires this from tourists or their own citizens when traveling. And regardless of what the SA Govn. has to say on the matter, the tourism industry knows how seriously South Africa has been affected by these un thought out and impractical rules.
87
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2016 - 22:37
Hi airashiii Glad you have worked this out! My husband and I went to Madikwe River Lodge probably in 2009. I have looked through again and yes, I recognise the suites, pool etc. I have also read the reviews in tripadvisor and there are some very good reviews and some not so good reviews. I note also there are quite a few lodges around in Madikwe itself (75,000 ha), so do shop around until you are 100% sure. But if we ever had the chance to return to a ‘malaria free’ game reserve, would we choose Madikwe River Lodge again? Yes, we would. Have a safe journey. :)
77
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 March 2016 - 17:43
Hi Gunpowder! I just received the email from Madikwe reserve and I think we are going for it instead of Kenya. We saved a quarter of the entire anticipated cost which is great for us! Thank you very much for this. Plus, the lodge is beautiful and they have an offer of Pay 2, stay 3! Im so excited!
87
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 March 2016 - 22:14
Hi goodytwoshoes I endeavour to try to make sure I get my facts right before I write them. The visa problems can be an utter nuisance to visitors but not as much as what we had experienced back in 2010 when we were visiting Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zambesi River, Botswana. Our visas were outrageously expensive! My husband and I only knew this after we landed and had to pay more at customs. It’s all politics. The British had to pay more than the American visitors, All in all, much better now. Hopefully, this will be the same with SA. Safe journey and Bon voyage! bye:
43
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 March 2016 - 17:21
Hi Zdubai Thank you. I have learnt something about the visa. My husband was working then in Cape Town thus a permanent visa, so I thought tourist visas still applies and is straightforward. The only thing I noticed from UK is that from 1stJune 2015, all parents travelling with children, under 18 years of age to/from South Africa must produce an unabridged birth certificate for each child which shows details/names of both parents of the child. Hi debliz Arh, thank you for confirming the whale season. I thought it was from September to December. Yes, everywhere you go there are festivals. Too many wine estates. In Fairview, Paarl, there is also cheese and wine pairing. bye: Believed the cancelled the birth certificate requirement because tourism to South Africa came to an abrupt halt and many, many people were being rejected at immigration and sent home. Can you tell me where you got this information from? Seems from the South African Department of Home Affairs and SA Airways websites this requirement is still in place? Am travelling there soon with kids and will bring the birth certificates anyway, but can't find this written anywhere. Thanks.:confused: Hi goodytwoshoes I am so sorry I should have given out this link with my message. www.dha.gov.za It gives you all the details. Didn't mean to frighten you. :( Thanks gunpowder13 - you didn't frighten me as I was aware of the new requirements. I was asking sheikhandbake because she said she 'believed they had cancelled the requirement because tourism to SA came to an abrupt halt'. But this is not supported by any of the SA government websites. I was wondering where she got that information from because it is misleading and could put future travellers with children in a position where they are turned around at the airport like the story you have mentioned!!!
87
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 March 2016 - 23:04
Hi goodytwoshoes/sheikhandbake Found the following article dated the 7th Jan 2016 in the Daily Mail. [i'>It was supposed to be a dream holiday for Joshua Brookes, but he was turned away by Emirates staff at Manchester Airport on Christmas Eve because his mum wasn’t carrying the long version of his birth certificate……... [/i'> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3381894/Family-s-dream-Christmas-holiday-South-Africa-ruined-schoolboy-barred-boarding-flight-strict-child-trafficking-laws.html bye:
87
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 March 2016 - 22:11
Hi Zdubai Thank you. I have learnt something about the visa. My husband was working then in Cape Town thus a permanent visa, so I thought tourist visas still applies and is straightforward. The only thing I noticed from UK is that from 1stJune 2015, all parents travelling with children, under 18 years of age to/from South Africa must produce an unabridged birth certificate for each child which shows details/names of both parents of the child. Hi debliz Arh, thank you for confirming the whale season. I thought it was from September to December. Yes, everywhere you go there are festivals. Too many wine estates. In Fairview, Paarl, there is also cheese and wine pairing. bye: Believed the cancelled the birth certificate requirement because tourism to South Africa came to an abrupt halt and many, many people were being rejected at immigration and sent home. Can you tell me where you got this information from? Seems from the South African Department of Home Affairs and SA Airways websites this requirement is still in place? Am travelling there soon with kids and will bring the birth certificates anyway, but can't find this written anywhere. Thanks.:confused: Hi goodytwoshoes I am so sorry I should have given out this link with my message. www.dha.gov.za It gives you all the details. Didn't mean to frighten you. :(
43
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 March 2016 - 10:23
Hi Zdubai Thank you. I have learnt something about the visa. My husband was working then in Cape Town thus a permanent visa, so I thought tourist visas still applies and is straightforward. The only thing I noticed from UK is that from 1stJune 2015, all parents travelling with children, under 18 years of age to/from South Africa must produce an unabridged birth certificate for each child which shows details/names of both parents of the child. Hi debliz Arh, thank you for confirming the whale season. I thought it was from September to December. Yes, everywhere you go there are festivals. Too many wine estates. In Fairview, Paarl, there is also cheese and wine pairing. bye: Believed the cancelled the birth certificate requirement because tourism to South Africa came to an abrupt halt and many, many people were being rejected at immigration and sent home. Can you tell me where you got this information from? Seems from the South African Department of Home Affairs and SA Airways websites this requirement is still in place? Am travelling there soon with kids and will bring the birth certificates anyway, but can't find this written anywhere. Thanks.:confused:
77
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 March 2016 - 09:54
You are welcome airashiii We were in a 16 seater Cessna, approximately 45 minutes from Johannesburg to Madikwe, passing Sun City We were only there for two nights as it's luxurious and quite expensive actually. Besides, you can go out three times a day (if you wish) with the guide. You will need an anorak or warm clothes as it can be chilly first thing in the morning. But there are blankets in the jeep. I think the first trip is at 0600. You get tea or coffee with biscuits before heading out with the guides in the 4 x 4 (some times longer and higher trucks) and when finished, you have breakfast in the bushes including proper toilets. A very pleasant surprise. Don't worry, all very safe. We manage to see all the Big Five! Before I forget, there's plenty of drinks and snacks at sundown if you choose the last trip of the day. :) Hi Gunpowder, I just sent them an email for inquiry. If it fits the budget we'll go for this one, otherwise we'll go to Kenya for the 5 day safari trip. :) Thank you all for your tips and advices! Much appreciated esp regarding the visa. We're scared that we might get rejected as we really want to go there.
409
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 March 2016 - 07:58
Hi Zdubai Thank you. I have learnt something about the visa. My husband was working then in Cape Town thus a permanent visa, so I thought tourist visas still applies and is straightforward. The only thing I noticed from UK is that from 1stJune 2015, all parents travelling with children, under 18 years of age to/from South Africa must produce an unabridged birth certificate for each child which shows details/names of both parents of the child. Hi debliz Arh, thank you for confirming the whale season. I thought it was from September to December. Yes, everywhere you go there are festivals. Too many wine estates. In Fairview, Paarl, there is also cheese and wine pairing. bye: Believed the cancelled the birth certificate requirement because tourism to South Africa came to an abrupt halt and many, many people were being rejected at immigration and sent home.
87
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 March 2016 - 22:32
Hi Zdubai Thank you. I have learnt something about the visa. My husband was working then in Cape Town thus a permanent visa, so I thought tourist visas still applies and is straightforward. The only thing I noticed from UK is that from 1stJune 2015, all parents travelling with children, under 18 years of age to/from South Africa must produce an unabridged birth certificate for each child which shows details/names of both parents of the child. Hi debliz Arh, thank you for confirming the whale season. I thought it was from September to December. Yes, everywhere you go there are festivals. Too many wine estates. In Fairview, Paarl, there is also cheese and wine pairing. bye:
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 March 2016 - 13:03
We visited RSA in late September last year, staying in Stellenbosch, and went to Hermanus at the end of the last week of September when there was a sort of festival to celebrate the start of the whale watching season.
3
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 March 2016 - 11:06
Hey, I've applied for a visa multiple times & you don't need an appointment. You just show up. You do have to show your bank statements to show you have enough money for traveling & if you're on a work visa then they'll particularly look at your salary income - not the amount but just that you've got a salary coming in every month. The hotel you mentioned is in Greenpoint which is a pretty good central area & Safe. You can book yourself & definitely don't have to go through an agency. I always book my hotels online on booking or agoda. But i would just suggest look up the areas you're booking hotels in as there are some areas you don't want to be coming or going out at odd hours to. Just be careful as you would in any other country with your belongings & not flashing expensive jewellery or cameras & also have your bag on you. As for wine tasting just book a wine tour with one of the travel agencies if you're interested in seeing a few. We did that the first time we went as its a easy way visiting a few vineyards in one day. If you're not renting a car then definitely use Uber. They're cheaper & much safer. Hope this is helpful :)
87
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2016 - 16:20
You are welcome airashiii We were in a 16 seater Cessna, approximately 45 minutes from Johannesburg to Madikwe, passing Sun City We were only there for two nights as it's luxurious and quite expensive actually. Besides, you can go out three times a day (if you wish) with the guide. You will need an anorak or warm clothes as it can be chilly first thing in the morning. But there are blankets in the jeep. I think the first trip is at 0600. You get tea or coffee with biscuits before heading out with the guides in the 4 x 4 (some times longer and higher trucks) and when finished, you have breakfast in the bushes including proper toilets. A very pleasant surprise. Don't worry, all very safe. We manage to see all the Big Five! Before I forget, there's plenty of drinks and snacks at sundown if you choose the last trip of the day. :)
77
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2016 - 15:47
Thank you very much gunpowder! Will definitely check out the non-malarial safari. :)
87
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2016 - 12:32
Oh, I forgot, you can have wine tasting in Constantia. Not too far to drive from Cape Town. www.theconstantiawinetour.co.za From here you should be able to choose your restaurant. Some of them are within the wine estate itself. Best to book as if it is weekend, you will not be able to get a space as most Capetonians are out dining! Re accommodation in Gansbaai. Try www.aatravel.co.za If these are too expensive I can look for others. x :cool:
87
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2016 - 12:12
Hi airshiii Sorry for the delay. I am so slow in my reply! I think it is about right for the amount for your total budget. About AED1000 per day. The non-malarial safari is http://www.madikwegamereserve.co.za/accommodation/madikwe-river-lodge/ You have to take a very short flight from Johannesburg straight to Madikwe. You start your journey as soon as you land as you will be met by the professional guide as soon as you touch down. All the 4 x4 jeep for guests will be waiting for all flights coming in. Have not come across DysArt Hotel near the V &A Waterfront but it’s a great place to be for everything. Restaurants, bars, souveniers, bookshops, cafes. Some lovely coffee bars. My husband and I are certain that whale watching are mostly from September but we could be wrong. Strangely enough, I celebrated my birthday in May too! Both our birthdays are in May! Enjoy your trip. bye:
77
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2016 - 09:56
Hi Gunpowder13! Thank you for the reply. My husband and I are planning to go in May for our birthday celebration. Thinking of 5 days in Kenya and 5 days in Cape Town - from May 21 - 31. To be honest I didn't know there is non-malarial safari. I only do research in tripadvisor and africansafari website and we're looking into Wildebeest Safari company for our safari trip. I don't know if $1250 each for five days is costly but this is a private safari with own driver, 4x4 jeep and mid range tents and lodges plus full board meals. My budget is around 20K dirhams for safari, flights, hotels and other sight seeing tours. Do you think this is enough or too much? I want to go to Table Top mountain in Cape Town and do the wine tasting as well. We found DysArt Hotel near the V&A Waterfront, through Booking.com, that costs around 2K for 5 nights. But we later on decided that we want to book 2 nights in Gansbaai since there is no assurance that there will be shark sighting during our trip so we figured to stay nearby so we can re-book again the next day just in case this happens. Also, we might do whale and penguin watching.
87
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 March 2016 - 22:05
Hi airashiii When is it you are thinking of going to Cape Town and Gansbaai? Are you thinking of going now that is autumn or waiting when it’s summer again? My husband and I have been to Gansbaai to stay at a guesthouse along the seaside but not for shark diving. There is also Hermanus nearby. Can you give me an rough idea of budget? How far are you prepared to travel? Paarl or Franschhoek (50/55km to Cape Town) is in the Cape Winelands and is a much better place to stay. You should be able to do day trips into Cape Town. Franschhoek is famous for its culinary restaurants. Wine estates everywhere that is if you like wines. These places are in the Western Cape and is considered to be much safer than the Eastern Cape. How you go each day, when and where determines your safety. Would you prefer a non-malarial safari instead of Kenya? :)
 
 

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