Travel Options in South Africa ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Travel Options in South Africa

Replies: 16 - Last Post: 12-Mar-2007 04:06 Last Post By: shmulb

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Posted
09-Mar-2007 14:11
by: Scatterling

Posts: 12
Registered: 14/06/05

Travel Options in South Africa

I am meeting up with my daughter who is at school in Cape Town and we plan to do some traveling during her break from March 31 through to April 10. I grew up in South Africa but haven't been back for 20-odd years ... I know things are very different and travel is not as easy as it once was. My daughter would like to see some game and I am happy to wander wherever the wind blows - particulary if it is blowing up the East coast / Garden route area! Back to being realistic, we will be two women traveling alone - regardless of where we travel. Plan is to rent a vehicle and drive .......... we would like to travel at a grass-roots level so any suggestions and ideas from anyone who has done something similar would be welcomed. Thanks.

Scatterling ........

Posted
09-Mar-2007 22:04
by: RudiK

Posts: 3,533
Registered: 12/03/05

1

Bear in mind that during the school holidays it can get rather busy. However, the following is an (slightly adjusted) extract from a reponse I gave some-one else recently. Just a few thoughts about possibilities along the Garden Route and on to Durban:
From Cape Town take the very scenic coastal road through Gordons Bay to Hermanus. Stop to view the penguin colony at Stoney Point in Betty's Bay. Hermanus, although there will be no whales, is quite picturesque. Then continue via Gans Baai and Elim to Bredasdorp and Cape Agulhas - the southernmost point of Africa. From there to Swellendam and where you could visit the Bontebok National Park. On through Riversdale to Mossel Bay where you could stop to have a look at the Post Office Tree and the Maritime museum with its replica of Da Gama's boat. Then to George where I suggest you spend a night or two, to use it as a base for a day trip over the mountains to Oudtshoorn for a visit to the Cango Caves and lunch at Highgate Ostrich farm where you can also ride on an ostrich.
From George catch the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe to Knysna and back - a narrow guage train running between the two towns on a daily (??) schedule along a very scenic route. (It may have been stopped for repairs due to washaways along the route last year). Thence drive via Plettenberg Bay to Storms River. If you can, take the old road going through the Grootrivier and Boukrans River passes instead of taking the new road. Stay overnight at the very beautiful Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park.
I am personally not terribly keen on Addo Elephant Park, but you may well find it worth while spending a night there. While on a day visit we saw the biggest herd of elephants I have ever seen. An interesting day outing is a visit to the Dune Fields (which must be pre-arranged), which is near Alexandria. I found it a very different, interesting outing. From there drive to the interesting historic little settlement of Bathurst and the U-bend in the river which folds round a lovely, hidden picnic area. Thence to Grahamstown – a university city with a great deal of historical significance and back on the highway to East London.
The Transkei is lovely, but rather difficult to see properly as the N2 runs far from the sea and the “roads” going to the sea are not connected with one another. One has to come back the same way. You may want to take one or two of them – to Qolora Mouth and Wavecrest or to Coffee Bay. The only road that one can take and not do the return trip on the same road is the one from Umtata to Port St Johns from where you could head north via Lusikisiki to Port Edward.
Once you get there you are on the Natal south coast - Blue Flag beaches, Oribi Gorge, The Banana express (may not be running though),
Croc World. In Durban have a look at Ushaka Marine World, and visit the Sharks Board, the Victoria St Market, the Promenade.
Have a lovely trip.
And - welcome home.

Some people make things happen; others watch things happen; still others don't even know that things have happened.

Posted
10-Mar-2007 09:33
by: Scatterling

Posts: 12
Registered: 14/06/05

2

Thank you so much for all that helpful information - I was instantly transported back 25 years!! Now to find a reliable vehicle and look into a few lodgings along the way.
Another couple of questions ....
1. I heard there is an internal airline called Orange that makes the runs between CPT and JHB - and I'm sure other places. Is this the most reasonable option - if not, what are others?
2. I have relatives still in Zim - and a hairbrained idea of finding some way to make a quick visit. Is this feasible in your opinion? FYI - I am traveling on a US passport - having been 'relieved' of my own nationality for having 'lived too long outside the country' to retain SA citizenship (another possible trip to PTA to plead my case).
opinions and options welcomed! thanks

Posted
10-Mar-2007 13:12
by: RudiK

Posts: 3,533
Registered: 12/03/05

3

The less expensive internal airlines are Mango, Nationwide, 1time, and Kulula. Their web-sites may be accessed here:
http://www.flynationwide.co.za/
http://ww5.flymango.com/
https://www.kulula.com/Default.aspx
https://www.1time.aero/aqueduct/1time/Booking

No it is not a hair-brained idea, although you do not have much time at your disposal. How you go about it would to a certain extent depend on where they are located. You must know of the political and economic turmoil there, but the fuel shortages may be a determining factor. Why not contact them telephonically and ask their advice.
I believe that Zim visa's for USA citizens are a bit pricey, but others on Thorn Tree would be able to help you with that one.

Some people make things happen; others watch things happen; still others don't even know that things have happened.

Posted
10-Mar-2007 18:55
by: ElGuapo

Posts: 339
Registered: 17/03/01

4

Maybe you should check if your US passport will suffice.
From US consulate site:

In terms of the South African Citizenship Amendment Act of 2004 which came into effect on 15 September 2004, it is now an offence for a major South African citizen to enter the Republic or depart making use of the passport of another country.

Furthermore, it is also now an offence for such a citizen, while in South Africa, to use his or her foreign citizenship or nationality to gain advantage or avoid a responsibility or duty.

Essentially, the Amendment Act provides that a South African citizen, who has dual citizenship or nationality, can freely use his or her foreign passport outside South Africa. However, they must use their South African passport to depart from or enter South Africa.

The Department has received a number of enquiries from our ports of entry on whether or not South Africans who arrive at border posts with foreign passports may be refused to enter or depart from the Republic.

The Department is obliged to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act. However, we acknowledge that many affected South Africans may not yet be aware of the amendments to the Citizenship Act and the implications for themselves.

We have therefore decided that affected South Africans departing or arriving through our ports of entry, attempting to use a foreign passport, will be issued with a warning giving them three months to obtain a South African passport. They will be allowed to depart or enter South Africa.

Accordingly, we would like advise all South Africans who have a dual citizenship and do not have South African passports to apply for their South African passports at their earliest opportunity. Distributed by the Department of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs.

Should you have any questions in this regard, feel free to contact the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate in your area.

Posted
10-Mar-2007 19:00
by: ElGuapo

Posts: 339
Registered: 17/03/01

5

make that the SA consulate in NY. Dual citizenship

Posted
10-Mar-2007 19:31
by: Scatterling

Posts: 12
Registered: 14/06/05

6

Thanks to you both for your advice. Since I do not have a valid SA passport, I am not committing any offence in entering the country on an American passport. According to the South African authorities, I am no longer a citizen of the country. When it came for me to renew my passport a few years ago, I was advised that I had lived outside the country for too great a length of time and was denied my right to continued citizenship. Thus I was left no choice but to apply for US citizenship - as a stateless refugee! I have had much experience with the SA consulate in NY, who defers all passport matters directly with Pretoria. I have been advised that all roads lead back to Pretoria for me if I wish to pursue the matter further, I need to do so in person.

Posted
10-Mar-2007 21:53
by: RudiK

Posts: 3,533
Registered: 12/03/05

7

I am very surprised at your not being allowed to renew your passport. Were you born in South AFrica, or had you adopted South AFrican citizenship by choice, or (when a minor) by your parent's choice?

Some people make things happen; others watch things happen; still others don't even know that things have happened.

Posted
10-Mar-2007 23:25
by: Scatterling

Posts: 12
Registered: 14/06/05

8

I was born in SA - 2nd generation I believe. I was adopted by British nationals but never allowed to be granted British citizenship due to that country's stringent laws at the time. I actually have copies of both my original birth certificate as well as the abridged version. I have my ID book and several issues of SA passports that I have had through the years - the original one being green! I have heard of others having had a similar situation happen to them. At one point I was extended a 'temporary' passport (valid for one year) in order for me to travel to a funeral but once that expired, I was refused and declared no longer a citizen of SA! I ended up traveling to and from UK (another funeral) on an emergency travel document - status "stateless refugee". One gets used to rejection after a while:)
but then I haven't given up quite yet .... just been biding my time ....

Posted
10-Mar-2007 23:33
by: Scatterling

Posts: 12
Registered: 14/06/05

9

oh - and thanks to RudiK for those links. I'm checking them out - as well as the Zim option. Zim Visas can be obtained at a point of entry - for some strange reason the cost appears to be half the price than if one applies for a visa in advance. $30US to enter (single entry) and $30US to exit. Who knows about the 'inflation' factor-of-the-day though. Air fares are not too bad either (Air Ninja) Thanks again for the help.

Posted
11-Mar-2007 00:12
by: Bosch

Posts: 174
Registered: 05/06/03

10

It's quite weird to hear from someone who's been a stateless refugee! Just out of curiosity, if you've got US citizenship, why still go to the trouble of trying to pursue SA citizenship?

Photos: West Coast National Park
Photos: Kruger National Park

Posted
11-Mar-2007 08:42
by: Scatterling

Posts: 12
Registered: 14/06/05

11

I take pride in being different - what can I say:-) ... at least I was also a 'legal alien'at the time!

To answer the more important question - because it's my birthright and it was wrongfully taken away from me. Because for 20 years I chose to not take the citizenship of another country even though that option was available to me. Because I was proud to consider myself a South African - and still am one regardless of the travel document I hold.

No-one has the right to withhold anyone's birthright from them. I obtained US citizenship as a direct result of having had my own birthright removed from me. I now have visible proof that I gained US citizenship AFTER my SA citizenship was removed making my arguements that much more valid - all of which need to be made in person in order for the case to be given any consideration. It would be a shame for me to make this trip and not make the effort to regain my birthright if it's that important. I suppose it's just a travel document and I accept that I may quite well be unsuccessful in my endeavours however, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Posted
11-Mar-2007 09:53
by: Bosch

Posts: 174
Registered: 05/06/03

12

Good luck then!

Photos: West Coast National Park
Photos: Kruger National Park

Posted
11-Mar-2007 11:44
by: ElGuapo

Posts: 339
Registered: 17/03/01

13

Scatterling: Probably you already know all the ins and outs but here is a lawyer who specializes in this sort of thing and apparently has been heavily involved at a fairly high level with the government agencies and the people who make the decisions. I don't know him but I have corresponded with him in the past. Julian Pokroy

Posted
11-Mar-2007 12:46
by: ElGuapo

Posts: 339
Registered: 17/03/01

14

Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe : Great views but I recommend only taking the train one way (2 hours) and take a taxi back (40 minutes) as the return trip almost bored me to death.
Garden Route: In Knysna be sure and see The Heads and have a meal at the Oyster Bar (they have other fish). Nice (fake Tudor) pub with excellent food and locally brewed beer on George Rex drive. Monkeyland is worth a visit. Not much to Plett except some nice beaches, holiday homes, some formerly best beach areas are pretty grubby.
On weekends there are art/food fairs along the Garden Route. The is/was one at Sedgefield and another between Knysna and Plett. Good chance to stop, talk, eat breakfast or a wors roll, home made melktart, koeksisters, etc.

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