Travel
I’d like to remind everyone that crime is, unfortunately, a reality. There shouldn’t be any problems, but please be vigilant!!!
Be attentive when withdrawing money at the ATM, avoid leaving valuables in the car, refrain from entering city centers at night and be sure to conceal mobile phones, cameras etc. when out and about. Travel in groups and pairs when possible - strength in numbers.
South African Airways
PLEASE avoid booking flights with SAA! Their future is not looking too bright & we would hate for anyone to forfeit their flights because of bankruptcy.
Ride In Style
Use promo code APPYCOUPLE when requesting your ride. New customers get $15 off your first ride with Uber.
South Africa is a big country and the public transport is not comparable with transport in other countries, therefore a rental car is the easiest way to get around. When going out at night, Uber is easily accessible and affordable. In Cape Town the hop on hop off bus tours serve as a comprehensive and informative means of transport. Alternatively, the MyCiti bus in Cape Town is convenient & reliable:
Cape Town
If you’re looking for a beach holiday, stay in any of the areas on the Atlantic Seaboard:
• Camps Bay
• Clifton
• Bakoven
• Fresnaye
• Bantry Bay
• Sea Point
• Green Point
• Three Anchor Bay
• Mouilli Point
• Granger Bay
Alternatively, some great (affordable) accommodation can be found within the City Bowl:
• Bo Kaap
• De Waterkant
• Woodstock
• V&A Waterfront (Where we will be staying)
• Devil’s Peak
• Tamboerskloof
• Gardens
• Oranjezicht
• Vredehoek
• Higgovale
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Durban, KZN
Owing to their proximity to our wedding venue the following areas are recommended:
• Salt Rock Hotel
• Salt Rock/Shaka’s Rock - anywhere on Ocean drive would be ideal
• Zimbali
• Ballito
• Dunkirk Estate
• Sheffield Beach
• Umhlanga (30-minute drive from wedding)
South Africa is a BIG country, so we couldn’t possibly give recommendations for every province/city. Therefore, we’ve narrowed it down to only Cape Town and Durban. If you choose to visit any other parts of the country and have questions we’d be happy to help however we can.
Cape Town - To do
• Drive along the scenic Chapman’s Peak (a 9km stretch of paradise)
• First Thursdays (On the first Thursday of every month, city sights such as galleries, restaurants and shops stay open late)
• Visit Bloubergstrand - eat/have a drink at Blue Peter and watch the kite surfers
• Day trip to Hermanus which is known for its whale watching from the shore (April doesn’t fall in whale watching season, unfortunately, but it’s not to say you won’t see whales)
• V&A Waterfront (also where the wonderful Two Oceans Aquarium is located)
• Boulders beach in Simon’s Town where a colony of African penguins have made the beach their home
• Cape Point (can be done on the same day as Simon’s Town). Five troops of baboons have made Cape Point their home and can also be seen by visitors.
• Grandwest Casino (considered a Las Vegas scale casino and the largest of its kind in South Africa)
• Hout Bay which is famous for its fish and chips and where seal snorkeling can be done. Also, Bay Harbor Market on weekends which is worth a visit.
• Old Biscuit Mill Market Mon-Fri 10:00 to 16:00 and Saturdays 09:00 to 14:00 the neighborgoods market (*a MUST on Saturdays)
• Root 44 market in Stellenbosch Sat + Sun 09:00 to 16:00 (*MUST)
• Shark cage diving (only place in the world where Great White Sharks breach)
• Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned)
• Table Mountain by cable car or hike (1.5 - 2 hours needed for the hike)
• Hike up Lion’s head (45-60 minutes)
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. There’s also a great treetop canopy walkway called the “Boomslang” that was declared the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa at the 2015 Design Indaba.
• Paragliding off signal hill
• Helicopter flips over the city
For a more comprehensive list see:
www.capetownmagazine.com/bucket-list/amp/
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Durban - To do
There aren’t as many tourist attractions as in Cape Town, but there is still more than enough to do - consider this the more relaxing part of your trip. The public beaches in the area are great and the promenades that run along the beaches make for a scenic stroll/run.
• Ushaka Marine World (Water park & Aquarium)
• Learn to surf
• Walking tour in Durban city centre
• I heart market at Moses Mabida stadium (1st Saturday of each month)
• Wonder Market in Umhlanga (1st Saturday of each month)
• Karkloof canopy tours (150km from Salt Rock)
• Shakaland Zulu cultural village
• Big swing at Moses Mabhida Stadium
www.mmstadium.com/attractions/big-swing/
• Sibiya Casino
• The Litchi Orchard (mid month market/night market)
• Microlight flights in Ballito
• Gateway Theater of Shopping
• Oribi gorge 200km from Salt Rock
www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/kwazulunatal/bysuburb/oribi-gorge/
For a more comprehensive list see:
A highlight for anyone visiting South Africa is going on safari and seeing the wildlife in their natural habitat. Game drives are a wonderful way of doing this. They can be done either with an own vehicle or with a ranger in an open jeep. There are also many opportunities to interact with animals (especially the big cats), but I URGE everyone to do proper research before participating in such activities as many animals are being exploited and bred to eventually be hunted!
To read up a bit more on this:
www.thecrowdedplanet.com/5-animal-activities-avoid-south-africa-responsible-alternatives/
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The nearest Big Five game reserve to Cape Town is Aquila Private Game Reserve which is a two-hour drive from the city. For more information on Aquila and other game reserves located around Cape Town:
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In the Durban area more game reserves can be found. Located only 2 hours from Salt Rock lies the Hluhluwe Imfolozi park:
In addition to Hluluwe Imfolozi there are also a number of Private game reserves in KZN. Just to mention a few:
• Nambiti
• Phinda
www.andbeyond.com/destinations/africa/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/phinda-private-game-reserve/
• Thula Thula
• Thanda
Wine farms
The Stellenbosch wine route boasts more than 200 wine farms. Most of the farms have lovely on site restaurants and accommodation for those that would want to spend more than a day there. Most farms can be visited for tasting without making a reservation, but check websites beforehand to double check. Some farms also offer picnics which can be booked online.
Many of the farms can be viewed (and tours booked) on TripAdvisor:
www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g312673-Activities-c36-t132-Stellenbosch_Western_Cape.html
Some unique wine tasting experiences:
Black Elephant which offers a silent disco wine tasting (reservation required)
Tuk tuk stellies
Wine tours on a Thai Tuk Tuk
Vergenoegd
Famous for its duck parades
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Gin
For those that prefer gin, there are over 50 gin distilleries in South Africa.
Gin distilleries in and around Cape Town:
www.getaway.co.za/travel-ideas/things-to-do/gin-experiences-cape-town/
www.capetownmagazine.com/gin-distilleries-cape-town/amp/
Places to get your gin fix in the Durban area:
What and where to eat
WHAT TO EAT
Our cuisine is diverse and is influenced by the different waves of immigration and colonization.
Some typical food, dishes and drinks, that are worth trying:
South Africans love meat, so many of these are for the carnivores (sorry veggie friends): Braai (bbq), biltong, droëwors, Boerewors, pap & sous, Bobotie, Bunny chow (curry stuffed into a hollowed out loaf of bread), pies, koeksisters, malva pudding, melktert, ostrich, potjiekos, vetkoek, Savanna, Amarula Don Pedro.
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WHERE TO EAT
Cape Town & surrounds
Since your visit coincides with Easter making bookings in advance comes highly recommended!!!
Below are some restaurants worth trying:
• Gigi Rooftop (Gorgeous George hotel’s rooftop)
• Our local on Kloof Street (breakfast)
• Anywhere on Loop/Bree street
• Chef’s warehouse
• Kloof Street House
• Grand Africa Café (Beach bar and restaurant)
• La Petite Colombe (Franschoek)
• Le Coin Francais (Franschoek)
• Spice Route - beer, wine, gin and chocolate tastings (Paarl)
• Test Kitchen - named one of the world’s top 50 restaurants (booking essential)
• Pot Luck Club
• Jason’s Bakery
• The Kitchen
• Mount Nelson Hotel (High tea)
• The Foodbarn Noordhoek
• il Leone Mastrantonio
• Olympia cafe Kalkbay (for breakfast)
• Hussar grill (steak)
• The butcher shop & grill (steak)
• Pierneef Franschhoek
• Willoughby’s (sushi)
• Obi (sushi & ramen)
• Millers Thumb (fish)
• Fireman’s Arms (Pub quiz night on Thursdays- starts at 20:00)
• Hudsons (Burger; various locations & good happy hour deals)
• El Burro (Mexican)
• Jerry’s Burger Bar
• Royale Eatery (Burger joint)
• Woodlands Eatery
• Hesheng (Chinese)
• Clarkes
• Live Bait (Muizenberg)
• Bardelli’s (Italian in Kenilworth)
• Gibsons (Burgers)
• Nobu (Sushi)
• Whole Earth (Scarborough)
• Societi Bistro
• Bombay Bicycle Club
• 95 on Keerom
• Carne (Steak)
• Black Sheep
• Starlings Cafe (Breakfast)
• Myoga
• La Parada (Various, tapas)
• Fish On The Rocks (Hout Bay)
• La Tete
• Café 4 and 20
• CABO Beach Club
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Durban & surrounds
• S43 Brewery in Durban (nice market on Sundays)
• The Oyster Box (a must) for high tea or their famous curry buffet
• Waterberry Cafe
• The Galley Beach Bar & Grill
• Canelands
• Chef’s Table
• Old Town Italy (Umhlanga)
• Mo-zam-bik
• Beach Bums (Restaurant on the beach)
• Siggi’s German Restaurant
• Sage Cafe
• Bel Punto
• Living room at Summerhill Estate
• Al Pescatore Italian
• 45 Eat Street (Ballito)
• Afro’s Chicken Shop
• Beira Alta (Portuguese)
• Bird & Co.
• Concha Cafè & Bakery
• Fiamma Grill
• Jack Salmon Fish House (Seafood)
• Kelly’s Eatery (breakfast & lunch)
• Lupa Osteria (Italian)
• Nikos Coalgrill Greek
• Peron Peron (Argentinian grill)
• Salsa Mexican Grill
• Salt Café
• Toast
• The Village Table
• Yoli’s bakery
• The Hops
• Olive and Oil
• Zaras Café
• Impulse by the sea (Indian)
• Moyo Ushaka (African)
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Popular restaurant & fast food chains that are reasonably priced:
Nando’s
Steers
Dros
Spur
Mugg & Bean
Ocean Basket
Wimpy
RocoMamas
Cape Town
• Asoka
• Yours Truly
• The Orphanage
• Caprice
• Beerhouse
• Tjing Tjing
• The Power & The Glory
• The Art of Duplicity
• Chinchilla
• The Athletic Club & Social
• Red roof at the Radisson Red
For a more comprehensive list see:
insideguide.co.za/cape-town/bars/
Durban
• Lucky Shaker (Umhlanga)
• The Lighthouse Bar (at Oyster Box)
• Dropkick Murphy’s
• Beach Bums
• Alchemy
• The Shed Salt Rock
• The George (Umhlanga)
You won’t be missing any food from back home in South Africa. You’ll be spoilt for choice!
Our biggest supermarkets are:
• Spar
• Pick & Pay
• Checkers (Shoprite)
• Woolworths - a premium food retailer with everything one could need including a vast selection of fresh prepared/convenience meals. The Creme de la Creme of groceries in South Africa!