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Holiday in the planning stages and all a bit vague but I'm planning a break for next year. I need to be in Walvis Bay in Namibia and will spend a 'few' days seeing some of Namibia from there. I can only fly in to Walvis Bay from either Cape Town or Johannesburg so would plan to stay there and see some of SA for a 'few' days too.
Assuming time of year (weather) is relevant it will be end-April/early-May.
I'm reasonably well-travelled but have never been to Africa. I like doing/seeing stuff rather than lounging around the pool. I'm not planning on MTBing while there in fact I'm more likely to hire a motorbike than a mountain bike.
So... should I go to Cape Town or Johannesburg? And what should I see/do while I'm there?
If you want a pleasant time, Cape Town by a billion miles.
If you only have 'a few' days around Walvis Bay, keep expectations down, getting anywhere in Namibia takes a long time. I'd just go to Swakopmund, there is a lot of cool stuff to do there.
I really liked Cape Town. Was only there for a few days before working our way along the coast east but really liked the culture, food and so on. And close to get to other nearby attractions like Boulders Beach to see the penguins, Chapman’s Peak drive and Stellenbosch for the wine (Tokara was a stand out vineyard for me at least).
Having said that, you could look into hiring a Hilux with rooftop tent in Swakopmund for a week, and then you could venture further and see Etosha, Sossusvlei etc.
Cape Town. All day everyday. Have spent a few weeks in both and felt that the cape region had so much more to offer.
Yep Cape Town is lovely and has loads to see and do. Just be self aware / streetwise, especially I wouldn't walk around after dark in the city (ask accommodation where is safe), know where the townships are that you shouldn't enter, and know the scams to watch out for. But otherwise I would hire a car to see the penguins, peninsula, etc. It's also very good for food & wine at very affordable prices for us.
If you can, get down to Kalk bay. Swim in the open sea swimming pool, have fried fish and chips by the beach and a beer or two to watch the sun go down. That was my honeymoon bliss.
I jumped on the the thread to say Cape Town. I think that is still my call, however....
Jo'Burg, out to Sun-City and then book an early morning Safari. Sun-City itself is Thorpe Park/Blackpool crossed with a Casino (or 5), but the Safari (if you have not done one) is fantastic. I may be biased as I was working with someone who was a certified guide and he offered to take me out in his own car/jeep, so it was a personalised tour.
Cape Town, hire a car and spin out to Boschendal and Fransheok (sp? For both) for food and wine
Haven't been to Joburg, but Cape Town was pretty awesome when I was there in 2015. We only spent a few hours in the centre though, and were based in Camps Bay so visited the beach time there a couple of times, shadowed by table mountain. We went up Table Mountain and visited Kirstenbosch gardens on one day. Drove down to Boulders Beach and the Cape on another. And did a daytrip to Franschoek for wine tasting. We got an Uber driver to drive us 1 hour there, wait around all day and drive us back for about 37 quid. Probably more expensive now, but apparently that was a good day's earnings for him.
Thanks all.
Looking like Cape Town (or nearby) then.
As bentandbroken says, if you are interested in wildlife, with 3-4 nights extra you could do a 'safari'. Either as an extension to Etosha or in SA. You can fly in to Kruger NP or nearby and self drive very affordably, imo one of the most affordable ways to do it. But it does need a few days. Cape Town and area is a very nice, easy place with lots of things to do (sea kayaking, snorkel with seals, hiking. mountains, penguins, wildlife like ostrich around Cape Point, winelands scenery and food, gorgeous coast)
Joberg is interesting and has some good history. You might be able to split your journey home there for a day.
That said, cape town is ace, so I'd pick that first
a few days you need a few weeks, preferably 6+ ..
cape town is a far nicer experience, such a magnificent setting., i've flew into joburg 2003, but stopped in pretoria for a few days, it seemed ok, if you were sensible , barbwire everywhere and security booths and uniform with guns on the street of our hostel.
cape town: cocktails/drinks at camps bay, penguins, robben island home to Nelson, table mountain hike,
skydive is 3,150 SA Rand (£135) amazing..
ive been to a lot of countries and cities around the world with work. Johannesburg was definitely one of the least safe feeling places I've ever visited. Been thee a couple of times now. When driving about to various meetings, I asked my driver about visiting Pretoria and he laughed heartily at me for suggesting it! I’m sure there are lots of wonderful reasons to visit Joburg, but I wouldn’t be rushing back.
On the other hand, I’ve heard so many glowing recommendations of cape town. I’d love to go there.
Johannesburg was definitely one of the least safe feeling places I’ve ever visited.
We got talking to a barman in Cape Town who said that he'd moved away from Jo'burg when his flat was burgled by a group of armed men who took the floorboards up in the flat above and basically dug down, while he was in bed. That was his last straw.
We stayed at a marina resort quite a way from Cape Town but visited the city a few times, along with Stellenbosch, Paarl, Cape Point, Robben Island, Table Mountain, the normal tourist stuff. It was absolutely gorgeous, but there was a very obvious feeling of unease. Being told not to go here or there, or drive through Cape Town after dark, etc. It was a long time ago - over 20 years now - but I said then that I wouldn't go back.
a few days you need a few weeks, preferably 6+
If only... I'd quite like 6 months to to work my way slowly back to the UK but that's not going to happen.