Travelling and staying in South Africa!

I am going to South Africa on the 17th December 2008 untill the 9th January 2009. Can some one please tell me the best place to stay and the cheapest please? I will be there for three weeks so can you please let me know the best plan of action to take. There is two of us.

Thanks,

Lisa

Big place South Africa! Where are you starting from? Are you staying in one place or touring around? By car? If you are looking for an itinerary, what sort of things interest you most? I can reccommend quite a few backpackers in various places, just give me an idea of where and I will do my best to help.

well there are a few factors you must take in for sure. Safety, comfort, location, and surroundings. My parents are both South African, so i've been back there about 5 times already, and going again next December (or else I'd try to meet up!). My mother's from Cape town while my father's from Johannesburg. I've never been to Johannesburg before and although I will go at some point in my life, it's not a place of major interest. I recommend that you try and stick for Capetown as it's the most inviting city there by far. It's the southern coast line city which will give you an awesome view all the time, and the people are great! Hostels are fairly common around there as well. If you get a chance please check out Table Mountain. It's an amazing site to see and be on top of!
Enjoy the trip!
Sorry I did not answer your question directly, but I hope I still gave some good info.

In terms of getting around, check out the Baz bus, it's not the cheapest option but it's safe and will get you to hard to reach spots...
Baz Bus

There are plenty of places to recommend...tell me, what do you like doing? interested in sports stuff, hiking or more culture/history or animals??! it will be easier to answer your questions then!

mim

Yes, South Africa is a big place and it depends on where you would like togo and what you wouldlike to see. Bazbus is one option for transport or you can perhaps look at Wicked Campers. They started up in Africa now and you can rent a camper from any of the main centres in Southern Africa. Check their site www.wickedafrica.com. They will be able to assist with ideas on where to stay as well and offer their clients discounted rates at all the National Parks of South Africa and Namibia.

Lathita.

In most cases, Greyhound is actually cheaper then Bazbus. Bazbus is nice because it will pick you up from convenient locations, and you can by week or 2 week passes for on-off bus ridding anytime you like within that time span.

Try out Coast to Coast - http://www.coastingafrica.com/ for some good backpacker info.

I wouldn't only focus on Cape Town, get out and about... check out the wonderful wild coast (Transkei), don't miss out on the Garden Route, see if you can get to the Drakensburg, St Lucia and KZN midlands, and obviously Kruger!

If you are on a budget but want to travel with like minded people try a Overland trip, there are loads of options - look up Nomad, Drifters, Sunways, and Africa Overland.

Baz Bus is the best way to get around, just from a conveniance point of view, as they have drop offs at certain Backpackers

Remember to bring sunscreen, it is going to be summer after all.

Anyway good luck and ejoy....

if you want a cheaper but also great park got to Addo Elephant Park in Port Elisabeth instead of kruger.