OT: Recommedations for a visit to South Africa

[dogscoff]

Hi,

About two months from now, I'll be going to South Africa.
Me, the wife and my in-laws will be spending a few days in Port Elizabeth to attend a wedding, and then about a week in some kind of Safari lodge nearby.

Anyone know the area? Anything in particular I should see/ do/ avoid/ eat/ drink?

[Atrocities]

DON'T DRINK THE WATER.... and use a lot of Elephant Dung in the fire!

[dogscoff]

DON'T DRINK THE WATER

Beer only then. Good advice, thanks At=-)

[Karibu]

dogscoff said:

Beer only then. Good advice, thanks At=-)

Oh, no. No beer. South Africa is well known of its quality wines. I would definately taste those wines if I would go there. [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img]

[EvilGenius4ABetterTomorro]

South Africa use to make a really nice and intimidating wheeled APC called "The Buffalo" Put those other SUV's in their place.
Wine, Beer, Diamonds (from DeBeers!) APC; Have fun in South Africa!
Seriously, there is a very nice first class coach train that runs across the country. My wife is a travel agent and she says it's kinda pricy but beautiful and they serve wine throught the trip with motorcoach side tours to the vinyards.

[Starhawk]

Okay my advice

1. ALWAYS lock your car doors when stopped at a red light, or parked, or getting in your car.....hell just lock it PERIOD they have a HUGE kidnap and car theft industry over there....assuming they don't kill you when they steal your car.

Remember SA is where they invented the pedal operated flamethrowers to "deter car thieves" heh.

That brings me to advice #2: WHen asking for directions stay OUTSIDE OF FLAMETHROWER RANGE!

#3: DON'T go bathing in the local rivers/lakes whatever they have this nasty bug in Africa that swims up your.....ahem....manhood? And attaches spikes inside your testicles to hold on. (this is from the INSIDE BTW)

#4. Don't eat anything made with local water or plantlife it'll give you the runs at the very least.

#5. DO NOT travel after dark it's a great way of getting mugged/kidnaped/eaten by a lion.

#6 If your an American and are asked where your from say your Dutch or British and fake an accent do NOT say American. They don't like us. (oddly enough same rule for when your visiting CHina these days) Then again there are places in Africa where being white might get you into trouble so just be careful.

#7 Have fun but not too much fun

[Renegade 13]

South Africa's a fairly stable country politically (at least, compared to the surrounding countries...) so I wouldn't think you'd have trouble with that particular facet of your visit.

Have a good trip!

[Atrocities]

Bring back some SA Diamonds and send them to me!

[Kana]

Renegade 13 said:
South Africa's a fairly stable country politically (at least, compared to the surrounding countries...) so I wouldn't think you'd have trouble with that particular facet of your visit.

My dad just got back from a trip to SA about 3 months ago, and he did mucho research...including some goverment websites that tell you any current problems in the geo-political region, and what to expect while your there, and how best to go about things in your travels. Of course the one interesting story was that he went to a restaurant with some friends, before dark, near the 'compound/hotel' were they were staying, and came out after dark, and there was a security guard with a shotgun in the parking lot...make your own assumptions on stability and security from that...

Kana

[Oversway]

I've heard that South Africa has a very bad problem with crimes and gangs - stories like the shotgun security guy and worse. However all that is 3rd, 4th, 5th hand. I would be very careful, however.

A safari is the typical thing to do, and sounds really fun. You could also visit old aparteid buildings if you are interested in the history of the country.

One thing that you might not think of when you hear South Africa is that the fishing is really good. If you really want an uncommon experience, you can look into shark cage diving.