We get asked a lot of questions when it comes to travelling to South Africa. There are emails, messages and comments on social media and of course in person when having a pint in my local. Questions come from all over the world and closer to home, from strangers and from friends. Having spent over thirty years traveling to KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, I can answer most questions from my first-hand knowledge and experiences. And more often than not my answers will come with me asking some questions. It is how I get the best understanding of what people want from their travel experiences.
I thought here I would run through a few questions that crop up. However, if you have a question, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I really do enjoy answering them and helping people with their planning and bookings.
Q: When is the best time of year to travel?
A: I have been in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, in almost every month of the calendar year. There is never a bad time to be there. However, it also depends on what you want from your holiday and safari. The summer months can be hot and humid with late afternoon storms whereas winter is generally dry and warm with little rain. Because of the diversity of the province there will always be exceptions to the rule. The best of these being in the Drakensberg Mountains where high altitude makes for unpredictable weather conditions. What I always say is that you cannot plan your travels based on the weather. I will ask you what you want to see if you are including a safari, which the majority of people do. If there is a particular animal you want a chance of seeing, like wild dogs, I will guide you to the best reserves for this. Maybe if you want the chance of seeing elephants and whales then you need to travel July and November. There is no best time to travel in general there is just a best time for you.
Q: Is it safe to drive and what are the roads like?
A: I have spent a huge amount of time on road trips driving and exploring KwaZulu Natal. The highways (motorways) are generally in very good condition. At the other end of the scale, you will every now and then find yourself on a dirt road. These can be variable but if leading to a well visited hotel or lodge they should be reasonably well maintained. In the middle are the tar roads which vary hugely in condition. Based on my most recent first-hand knowledge of driving various routes I will point out the best way to get from A to B. I will also take advice from friends and relatives who live and work in the province. I will not always plan you the most direct route, but the best route in my opinion. One that keeps you on a main roads with service stations for fuel, snacks and rest stops. My main advice is to be aware at all times when driving. Other motorists on occasion will drive too fast and undertaking is common practice. Highways, particularly around Durban and Richards Bay can be packed with trucks and lorries, as these are the major ports. Coal carrying trucks can cause slow moving traffic and patience is required. On all routes there is the chance of seeing school children walking to and from school. Livestock often can be seen grazing the grass verges, even alongside the highway, and on more rural routes wildlife can be encountered. All route planning is done with clients, and I try to be as specific as possible even giving warning of where you may encounter potholes.
Q: What is the food like?
A: Be prepared to be very pleasantly surprised by the variety and standard of the food. South Africans are big eaters so you will find portion sizes to be on the large size. Contrary to popular belief South Africans do not just eat meat. There are always vegetarian options and great vegetables, including butternut & gem squash, spinach and madumbies, plus locally inspired food such as chakalaka and mealie pap. When it comes to meat, I am a big fan of mutton, rarely seen here in the UK, along with beef and various game. I also have to mention the fruit in KwaZulu Natal as the pineapples grown here are second to none. My question to you when talking food is do you like curry? I founded World Bunnychow Day after developing a love for the dish. It is simply a Durban curry served in a hollowed out uncut loaf of bread. My tips would be, for breakfast, try the spicy mince, on a game drive sample the biltong with a cold beer and if you want a bunnychow ask me for recommendation.
Q: Can we book our whole trip with you?
A: The simple answer is yes, you can book through www.safarikzn.com. How we work is that I answer all inquiries and do my best to find out what you want from your travels. What I want is not what everyone wants so it is important that I get to know your interests. From here I will offer a rough plan that is always open to discussion. I will say again, it is all about you. Our speciality is bespoke, tailor made, holidays and safaris. These can be for couples, honeymooners, families of all sizes and ages, small groups, etc. Once we have a plan in place Emma our travel partner, who offers a full travel agent service including IATA and ATOL protection, will produce a fully costed price. This will include everything you want from international and domestic flights, car hire and all accommodation. We are of course flexible and if you want to book your own flights, or you are not flying in and out of the UK, we can just plan and book what you need when in South Africa. We specialise in South Africa and that can include other provinces and locations such as Cape Town and Kruger National Park.
These are just a small sample of some of the many questions we get asked. Are you ready to ask me some questions and start planning your next travel adventures?
