I'm thinking about caravanning in S. Africa in December. Any advice?

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Blue sky

You can be in danger as other country has dangerous circumstance.

If you start to drive your car with Caravan on the street in S/A. you will find yourself all the worries were silly. there are so many of them camping with caravan. I am not South African. but I have been in Caravan park. it is sooooo nice and clean. They have great nature. You must detox all your poison from you in few days. OH goah! I envy you to have plan to go to Kruger national park. If you have plan to go do caravanning Kruger Park. It will be GREAT thing to do. you will never forget it entire life. that was one of friend said to me. cuz it is one of most great place to be in the world. I really really really want to go to Kruger park when I have chance again.

Sorry about tip for more detail. I was in Capetown and I start Caravan park from there and most of my time was south part in S/A. and I also lived in S/A almost 3 month for vacation and didn't see a thing like what ppl said about S/A's crime.

I love South Africa. ( at the same time I am sad about thus country.)

Interestingly there is no tension between black and white. very relaxed and nice people and great nature( IT was soooo peaceful. ppl in S/A didn't even need to lock the door before they go to bed not too long ago.) It became quite dangerous nowadays ( and have "Dangerous country" tag on them )cuz little bit F*****UP of coverment by now. that is why there is a lot of troubles and became dangerous country.
DO YOU KNOW WHY? the border of north S/A is no longer exist. goverment think it is unnessasaroly built up which is B/S. so many illigal ppl coming throug for better life. they making troubles. all kind of danger they brought.

Anyway. One more thing about S/A as nunS/A citizen. It is so annoying to know that so many of foreigner don't have any idea of S/A. when they hear about S/A. all they think is Jungles and wild animals. It is really really really frustrating. I want to shout to them WAKE UP.
They don't know anything about S/A and just think of JUNGLE.
AH!!!

I was amazed when I was in S/A. It is so morden and frieldy and beautiful....etc...

After you have a great time plz let other ppl know better about BEAUTIFUL mordern S/A.

Sorry my letter was too long.

Anyway,
Good luck and have fun~! :)

lesley k

It is a dual carriageway nearly all the way from Joburg to the Krugar Park. The road is a toll road and is better then some roads here. You won't be able to drive from the top to the bottom of the Kruger Park in one day but you can go through the bottom section coming out near Sabi.
It is not safe to stop on the side of the road but there should be a caravan park in most of the towns on the way.
Nelspruit has several caravan parks which are clean and safe.
The best route to go to Cape Town is to go back to Johannesburg and take the Toll Road .
You should contact the Krugar Park to try and get a camp site booked as they are often fully booked.
Have a good holiday only wish I was going with you.

africatravelguide

Stay at campsites always, and dont camp out along the road, or somewhere in the bush without protection. There are many campsites along the route so you can easily plot out your drive. In Kruger Park there are some excellent camping sites, so there is no worry there. Near the cities there are also campsites, be sure to book in advance though, December is a busy time of the year.

prospertaruvinga

you can also include victoria falls on your trip i guaratee you will enjoy it

ticklefinger

as a south african who travels in southern africa loads, i wouldnt suggest a caravan, perhaps youd consider a campervan/ jeep type thing instead? i wouldnt chance randomly stopping any old place for the night, however there is a great network of backpacker places all round , not the traditional hostel experience as elsewhere, wonderful campsites, etc, check out the coast to coast website: www.coasting-africa.co.za...
enjoy

gigi

I am sorry you've had negative advise. You just have to be sensible. I am a SAfrican and spent my entire life caravaning over the Christmas holidays. The roads are very busy in December but there are some amazing places to camp. The coastal areas around Cape Town have some BRILLIANT campsites. Suggest you contact the Hermanus tourist office - some great spots around there about 1.5 hours from Cape Town. Not so sure about caravanning in the Kruger - but plenty of little chalets to hire there. Best thing with Kruger is to leave all your stuff at one campsite and travel around the park just in your car. Road from Johannesburg to Cape Town is busy but safe - plenty of stops on the way. Hope you have fun!!!!!!!!

Pretorian

Caravanning is very popular, static ones anyway. I have NEVER seen a touring caravan.

If you go don't stop for broken down vehicles (everyone has cellphones so they can call out assistance) because it may be a hi-jack.

Only stay in approved sites with security NEVER settle down at the roas side ANYWHERE.

Always have a hidden wallet / cellphone & a public set.If you are threatened give them the public ones.

Why not hire a car (cheapish) & just visit the rondvals/cottages in the National Parks. SA is a great place but it is getting increasingly violent & there is a move to seize white owned land as in Zim.

roobies mam

Be careful and stay safe!!!!!!!!!

Hector

Hey howzit.... i know im like a week late but.... i live in a small town called tzaneen.. which is about an hour from the kruger.. and about 4 hours from jo-burg... the road down is pretty safe... i travel the jo burg tzaneen route about 3 x a month.. the toll gates will cost you roughly R90-00... and with a caravan its more than safe.. i dont think it will be too wise to camp next to the road though... when you in the kruger there is zero problems... your conservation fees are R30 per day and camping will be around R50-00... if you plan on going to cape town after the kruger you have a very very very long road... its about 2000kilos.. and a hellova lots of toll gates.... if you need any more info dont hesitate to send me a note... and dont worry about a gun and that ****... wen you on the n1 south.. nothing will happen...

Cichlid

There are camping areas in the Kruger. They are surrounded by fence so it is safe from animals...now people....that is another story. Do not leave the caravan unattended unless it is in a caravan park or you might loose it and/or everything in it. Buy an AK47 at the start of your trip to ensure you can take care of unwanted guests. Don't feel bad, remember they will have an AK47 or 6, so you are just leveling the playing field. Just ask at any Shebeen, they all sell them.

Seriously, SA is the most beautiful scenic country in the world. If you stay vigilant and keep safe it will make for an unforgetful trip.

david m

I don't know if you can still tow a caravan around the Kruger Park or not. I doubt it.
The drive from the Kruger to the Cape is very safe, the roads are pretty good, and you should look at maybe planning a stop over in somewhere like Bloemfontein, Colesburg, or any other mid way point. Failing that, stop over at Pilansburg (next to Sun City), which is a very good game park: a recent visit there by me & the family showed all the game that's there, except lepard. There is a camp site where you can put the caravan.
For interest sake, you could then go from Jo'berg via the N12 through Kimberley, view the 'big hole' and then on to Cape Town. This gives a decent break in the journey.
In the Cape region, try & get to the Bontebok park (just outside Swellendam about 2 hours away from Cape Town), where again you can park the caravan & view some of the more 'gentle' game. If you're going in the summer months then the Brede River runs through the park, which is great for swimming & fishing.
There are plenty of places to camp / caravan in the Cape area, go online to the Cape Tourist Board & they should be listed.
Happy holidays!

blu.boy

bloody caravans,they should bomb them all,you are just a lot of traffic jamming pest,bloody tin tenters..

Alf Garnett

I can think of nothing more unsafe than travelling around South Africa in a caravan. If you were to look at the latest crime stats released by the Police ( which most feel are understated) you wouldn't even bother asking the question. There are more than 50 murders per day, a woman raped very 10 minutes ( and Rape Crisis say that only 1 out of every 10-15 cases is reported), car jackings involving guns,serious assaults with weapons etc.etc. The Tourist Industry are desperately trying to delude would be visitors for fear of losing money and you would be best advised to visit somewhere safe. The British Foreign Office and the Tourist Authorities of the US,Canada,Australia and New Zealand are all issuing warnings to their citizens. At least 3 gates to the Kruger Park have been the subject of armed attacks by robbers in recent months and there have been cases of motorist being robbed at gunpoint along the so called quiet roads. As a Tourist you will be a prime target from the minute you depart the Aircraft whether that be having your luggage rifled or being targetted by one of the spotters roaming the Airport Buildings who inform the awaiting criminals by mobile phone. A number of tourists have been violently attacked by gun wielding robbers on the exit roads from Airports. For your own safety stay away lest you become another victim of South Africa's out of control violent crime.

Brad M

Bring a gun.

Bob H

My advice having friends from S. Africa that have moved out !!
DON"T GO!! Too many implications if I were to go into it to much...

Be safe visit elsewhere. Do Europe it's that much safer, or Australia Much better & plenty of your own nationals to found there to, they'll give advice of where to go for best- anything..

Good Luck

R o t a x 1 0 0 u k

Yeah best advice, keep you wits about you and dont trust anyone!

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