Has anyone travelled on the Shosholz Meyl Train --PREMIER CLASS.. from Johannesberg to Capetown? Was it comfortable, safe, how was the food, was it enjoyable and relatively on time? This would be for travel in November.
Please could those with knowledge of the area give their opinion on the following itinerary
Day 1, 2 & 3 Capetown and its environs
Day 4 drive via Betty's Bay, Kleinmond,Hermanus,Stanford,Gansbaai,Elim,Bredasdorp,Cape L'Agulhas to Arniston
Day 5 drive to Knysna
Day 6 Knysna
Day 7 drive to Storms River Mouth
Day 8 drive on Route 62 to Oudtshoorn
Day 9 drive to Montagu or Robertson
Day 10 drive to Robertson
Day 11 drive to Franschhoek or Stellenbosch
Day 12 drive to Capetown
Day 13, 14, 15 Capetown
Depart Day 16
All of the above will take place during the last half of November. Do you think some of the journeys are too long...want to stop and take pictures, see some animals and visit interesting spots en route. This journey is for an older couple and their neice.
Thank you for your help.
Your itinerary looks fine and the distances are O.K. but you forgot to visit Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape.
I suggest you book a 1 way car hire start in Cape Town and return it to Port Elizabeth, the one way charge is about 400 Rand, this works particularly well if the international flights are from Johannesburg.
Make a point of visiting the Addo National Park, there are lots of accommodation options within the park ranging from the park accommodation at 300 Rand per night to Gorah which is a 5 star private concession At 4,500 Rand per night.
They should also consider one of the adjoining private reserves, Schotia is the cheapest option and very good for 1,200 Rand which includes all meals and game drives and allows you to get very close to the lions.
Shamwari is the best option but very expensive again at 4,500 rand per night.
There are other places along the Garden Route which have game where you can see animals but the Eastern Cape is the best option.
South African Tours and Safaris
Your route looks well planned. and can easily be done, with time to take photos. Its great that you are driving the coastal route enroute to Knysna. Most people shoot along the N2, which is just a boring national highway - you get to see so much more by doing the coastal route. A good idea would be to head towards The Strand and Gordans Bay and start the coastal route that way. The drive between Gordans Bay and Rooi Els is spectacular & similar to Chapmans Peak Drive.
At Elim, you might find a quaint coffe shop, but don't bother with Bredasdorp. Cape Agulas has a really nice & friendly Backpackers there. Arniston is a prettier town, but more expensive than Cape Agulas.
Personally, I would rather stay in Wilderness than in Knysna. You can visit Knysna on your way to Storms River. On the way to Storms River, do a slight detour by taking the Bloukrans pass - it is really spectacular and you skip the Toll Gate.
The Route 62 to Oudtshoorn is great, with some amazing passes. The Route 62 is really great and shouldn't be missed, especially if you are doing a circular route back to Cape Town.
Montagu is like a Brookie Lace, Biggie Best Grannies town. I would rather stay in Robertson, there is much more to do there. Robertson is in a stunning valley, right in the middle of wine country. Besides wine tasting/tours, there is river rafting, boat cruises and it is the only place where I went horse riding, and the woman took us swimming in the river with the horses - a really great experience.
Good luck and hope you enjoy your travels
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