Are you thinking of going to South Africa???

[LoveLife123]

Hi girls,

Just want to give some advice for anyone going to South Africa. We got married at the end of August and when we were pricing around honeymoons earlier in the year I was appalled by the prices being charged. People seem to accept €8k - €10k as normal for a honeymoon but it needn't be so.

We wanted to spend 2 weeks in SA but not have to spend a fortune to get there as we just didn't have it.

My dad booked our flights directly on-line (which anyone can do) €1,800 for 2 of us.

He then contacted a travel agent in SA who I cannot recommend highly enough to organise a good trip for us. This is what he organised -

Arrival in Cape Town - 3 nights at Table Bay Hotel
Car hire delivered on 2nd day

On to Franschhoek in the winelands for 2 nights at Cape Vineyard Guest House

On to Oudshoorn for 2 nights where we stayed at De Opstal which is a working ostrich farm but its is like a little 5 star mini village of beautiful bungalows.
We went on a 54km bike ride down the Swartbeg Mountain pass and visited the Crocodile Ranch and Cango Caves

On to Knysna for another 2 nights where we stayed in a Luxury Apartment overlooking the waterfront.

Then on to Port Elizabeth for one night stay in a hotel called Fifth Avenue Beach House and headed onto Shamwari Private Game reserve for 2 nights (which included 4 game drives and all meals/drinks)

We also did a township tour in Port Elizabeth which was a big eye opener.

The trip also included a return flight from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town (rather than driving all the way back) and all airport transfers.

It was an amazing holiday and the grand total was €4,000 (this INCLUDED the flights!!).

Here is the contact details of the SA agent if you are interested they can arrange any type of holiday you fancy. They are an English couple who have been living in SA for years so they know exactly where is good and where is not. Hope this helps

http://www.eastcapetours.com/

Colin and his wife couldn't do enough for us and even when we left our camera there by accident (total disaster!) they arranged for it to be posted back to us and made a copy of the prints just in case anything happened the camera in the post.

[mrsb09]

miss ryan thks so much for that. not decided on honeymoon but sa is def on out list and we too do not want to spend a fortune. sounds like you had brill time!!!!!!!well done and hope married life is treating you well

[LoveLife123]

Hi Jacinta, it really was amazing everywhere we stayed was so beautiful and driving over there was a pleasure. I would highly recommend it. We are going to save up to go back again asap. Once you get there the food us unreal absolutely top quality and so cheap its incredible - eg. 3 course meal for 2 people plus bottle of wine in top restaurant = €35

[mrstobe09]

Thanks for all that missryan123, I going next year, delighted you had a great time there.

Do you mind me asking which accomodation you stayed in in Shamwari Private Game reserve, we're going there for 2 nights

[LoveLife123]

Hi Mrs2b09

We stayed in Bayethe which consists of about 8 luxury tented chalets. They are amazing inside. It was just coming into their spring time when we were there so they air conditioning/heating and even had electric blankets on the beds for when we came in from the game drives. There was a jacuzzi bath and it was all beautifully decked out. They would have your bed turned down at night and your robe and slippers waiting. The staff were excellent and Mushy our game ranger was brilliant. Hope you enjoy

[mrstobe09]

Thanks again we have a choice of them or long lee manor

Can't wait to go - We're getting married near cape town

[TullinaglugBride]

Hello THanks for that we are going to SOuth Africa on Honeymoon next July cant wait, staying 3 night sin Cape town, 4 nights on the Gardern Route, then going to Botswana, VIctoria Falls and ending up in Mauritius, I cannot wait...You did very well for 4000K.

[walli]

Thanks so much for that. We're getting married in exactly one year and are hoping to go to SA. I was starting to despair at the prices being quoted by some travel agents and some people I've spoken to seem to think that anything around 10k is a standard honeymoon price - Scary! We just can't justify that amount of money especially since we are planning to build a house as well!

I've just had a look at www.eastcapetours.com and it looks fantastic. Our SA honeymoon looks like it could turn into a reality
Thanks missryan123

[LoveLife123]

Hi Walli,

Glad it has helped someone coz we were in the same situation last year we had just bought a house and couldn't afford OR justify spending €10k on a honeymoon - its great if you have it but we didn't! So I hope you get the honeymoon of your dreams if you email Colin and tell him what your budget is they will plan a trip to suit you

[colind]

I have just read the post, excellent I really appreciate the recommendation.



The good news is that the South African Rand has fallen 30% against the Euro in the last month so it is even more affordable.

South Africa is a wonderful country and a great choice for a honeymoon

Many thanks

Colin

[eileenf99]

Hi colin

We are thinking of going to SA on our HM ,we havent looked into it in great detail yet so i was wondering if maybe you could suggest possible itinery for the time of year and length of trip.

We are planning to go on HM around the 30th of June 09, for 14/16 days.
We were thinking of maybe splitting our time between SA and Mauritus if the weather is not good at that time of year as we would like some time in the sun.

What type of itinery would you suggest for the above times,i would like to do a Safari while here,visit cape town i am open to suggestions for the rest.

Look forward to hearing from you

Eileen Faherty

[eileenf99]

Sorry Colin meant to Private mail you that!

[colind]

I would take advantage of the Shamwari off season special which gives a much reduced price and 2 or 3 nights free accommodation at a choice of top hotels in Cape Town.

You could then fly to Mauritius via Johannesburg from Port Elizabeth.

For fights you may be able to fly to J’Burg then towards the end of your honeymoon fly to Mauritius and then directly back, Air France often have some good offers on this route.

Alternatively book a package to Mauritius from South Africa, which is aimed at the South African market and will be a lot cheaper than you can get in Ireland.

If I can help further please send me an e mail colin@nmbtours.com