SANParks.org Forums

Hello everybody,
I am new here and i need your help
I am planing a two weeks trip to South Africa and i'm a bit concerned about where can i store my suitcase while traveling. I will be staying in a different B&B\inn every night so can't store it there and i wonder what kind of solution is there for the suitcase..?
Is it possible for me to store the case at every park before traveling there?
Is it acceptable? is there even such a service?

any solution would be welcomed




p.s I'm not renting a car but traveling via public transportation and cubs so i can't store it there to...

Hi emi
SANparks does not offer this kind of service
but do not understand why BBs do not accept your suitcase
I never had any trouble with accepting suitcases
If i understand correctly you will not be travelling with your suitcase each day

hi bert, first of all thank you for replying
i can't store my bag at the B&B's because i won't be coming back to the same place. The plan is to keep moving on to the next spot.

get it

dont think there is a easy solution to this one
except using a bagpack
emi, i suspect you are not from SA?

true

Hello Emi and welcome.
Are you travelling alone????
Public transport ..... whats that in SA .. ?? but have you thought of the Baz bus..
My SO and I travel a lot and we have a backpack between us and another small rucksack . Thats all you need and it can be carried anywhere.( and its only for two weeks)
Where do you hope to stay in the Sanparks parks .? Dont forget if you have no car you will have to do an organised tour or stay outside the park and take the morning or evening rides from the park gate .

Hello Hugh,
I'm traveling in a group of four... right now we are still planing the trip so we are not sure which of the parks we will be visiting, Any recommendations?
I would like to ask for some advice- is escort really necessary in the parks/nature trips?
and is it better to rent a car than take the baz-bus or travel by cabs?

Hello emi,

If you are travelling in a group of 4 it may well be cheaper (and more convenient) to hire a car.

Depending on where you are going, a car is really necessary to visit most of the parks. And it is not necessary to hire an escort for the parks -- you can drive yourselves. An escort is only required for sunset drives, walks and other 'extra' activities.

Suggestions ? Everyone will have a different idea, but Kruger should be on your itinerary as should Cape Town.
And they are opposite ends of the country

If you give us more details, such as when you plan to visit, we can make more suggestions.

Hi emi and Welcome!

All the SANParks are designed for self-drive visitors, your do NOT need an escort. But you DO need a rental car, and with four of you that should be quite affordable. The parks offer a wide range of accommodation, from budget huts with shared ablutions and cooking facilities to en suite chalets with fully equipt kitchens. Many parks/camps also have restaurants. Many also offer some escorted drives so that you can enjoy a mix of self-drive and guided drives. Lots of options!

As for which park, on a first visit (you will return!) Kruger is likely your best option. Enjoy your planning and have a great trip!

As P@m suggests Cape Town and surrounds .. a must . climb the mountain or take a cable car up to the top, visit the penguins in Simonstown, go to Cape Point. Visit Hermanus to see the whales . Go up the west coast to drive through the West coast National park .. and of course there are the mountain passes and wine farrms !!! fly to Johannesburg then hire a car and drive to the Kruger .Cannot do Kruger without a car . buy a map as you enter the Park and you cant get lost .
Cabs .. in South Africa ... very expensive and the minibus taxis .. are another story .. not for the faint hearted .
Dont try to see to much at first otherwise you will be exhausted and not enjoy yourself You will need at least a week in CT and another week in the Park .. as a first visit I suggest only one park (KNP)and book at two camps ... maybe Lower Sabie and Satara but all the camps are great .
Book early as the accommodation can book up quickly .

P@m and Arks thank you for your reply.

As for our trip. we plan to arrive at march 1st for two weeks. Starting with the area of Durban, then taking a flight to port Elizabeth and head out towards Capetown (not closed).
Do you think that in that area (port Elizabeth to Capetown) there might be a problem arriving the parks by cab\bus?
We prefer not to rent a car but travel in a more backpacking style by public transportation, and we are not costumed to driving in the left side.
We can walk some distance if necessary.

Unfortunately, we decided not to visit Kruger park and visiting a private park in the area where we will be instead due to short time we have to spend in the area.

thanks in advance

Hugh, thank you very much

In case we decide to rent a car and arrive to one of the SANparks, leave it there and go hiking for one day or more, how can we return to our car?

Eish, you just walk back to your car!

I would leave out Durban ... March is hot and humid and unpleasant and well not the first place i would visit on a first trip to SA. ( lived there for 33 years ) Port Elizabeth to Cape Town can be beautiful but public transport...if you can find it. you will see nothing as they just rush through and anyway you cant just walk or hike through the Sanparks Hire a car and within minutes you will get used to the left side of the road.. Most places in South Africa dont have public transport .. and to travel between towns is a no no as the beeg buses just rush along and dont really even slow down at interesting sights .
A private Game park is nice but also very expensive.. a visit to SA and not visit Kruger is a reall pity as thats where you get the feel of the bush. if not Kruger try Addo near Port Elizabeth thats also super .
If you want to hike through the bush try a wilderness trail like Bushmans or Wolhuter in the kNP , then you onle need to get a taxi from Nelspruit airport to Berg n Dal camp. You get taken in an open Safari vehicle into the bush , for three nights and during the day you hike with two armed guards All meals are included but not drinks .
Just thoughts ... remember this is Africa.. and public transport is not like that in Europe or the USA where there is always a bus or train waitng for you