Insider Tips for your Epic South Africa Trip & Community Travel Tips
Hey there, Travellers,
We're back with September's Community Edition of The Detour! One of my favourite things about Jack's is that I know exactly where to go for tips and inspiration, and this month is no different. From tongue-tickling street food recommendations to picturesque South African road trips and the reminder that I still haven't visited China, I'm practically hovering over the 'book now' button as I type.
But I want to make sure you're getting as much out of being part of the Jack's Flight Club Community as me, so I've put together a quick survey to gather your opinions, suggestions and feedback. I'd really appreciate if you could take 5 minutes to answer these questions, so we can keep adding value to your Jack's membership.
Happy travels and safe landings,
Katy - Editor of The Detour
Cape Curious? Here's Our Insider's Guide to Cape Town
By Akasha
With journeys spanning more than 30 countries and ten years, Akasha's best memories live in the pages of her passport. She always consults her tarot (and her cats) before any big trip. Currently based in Ireland, when she isn't travelling, she’s probably drawing in a café somewhere.
Known for Table Mountain, penguins, and a ridiculous amount of flowers, it’s Cape Town!
Enter: Traveler Joanne from our Facebook community, who’s just about to pull the trigger on flights to the Mother City. And with all the great fares we’ve been spotting there recently, can you blame her?
“Hi all. I’m considering booking a trip in January to Cape Town. Any recommendations of what to do and see, any areas to visit or avoid? What are the best bits?
Also are there any nice coastal towns for a chill beach few days?”
Of course, there’s nobody better to help plan her trip than the Jack’s crew. In this insider's guide, we’ve rounded up the best tips on Cape Town and beyond from the Jack's Flight Club Community, as well as some insights from our very own Navigators - including some real local perspective.
Ready to hit the Cape?
What to See & Do
The Promenade Walk
Jenny recommends walking the city’s promenade from Green Point all the way to Camp's Bay:
“Their beach is gorgeous with the mountain backdrop and I saw lovely views and beaches in Clifton.”
The walk is a little under 5k with sweeping views of the Atlantic and the slopes of Lion’s Head - perfect if you’d rather take it in from below instead of tackling the full hike!
Day Tours:
Franschhoek’s Wine Tram was a highlight for Travelers Yvonne & Niren. You’ll hop aboard a vintage, air-conditioned bus, taking your pick of 5 different routes that loop through the vineyards of the Franschhoek Valley:
“If you are into wines and artisanal products, spend a day on the wine route tram and then spend a day at the Spice Route Destination.”
Jenny crammed heaps of day trips into her latest visit, with zero regrets about visiting the penguins on Boulders Beach (she wasn’t the only one) and taking a drive through Chapman’s Peak.
But if you’d rather watch these tuxedoed waddlers with less of a crowd, Windmill Beach, Froggy Pond, and Seaforth are popular hangouts for locals of both species.
If one activity stood out the most, however, it was the overnight safari:
“We did an overnight safari tour through Hotspots2c at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. We got to walk with their 3 elephants and had an incredible game drive at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve.”
GOLD Restaurant
A massive group fave, Yvonne and Terry swear this is one of the best of Cape Town’s dining scenes.
“GOLD Restaurant in Cape Town offers a popular interactive djembe drumming lesson combined with a multi-course African meal - great night - short taxi ride in and out.”
The menu offers 14-course “taste-safaris” of dishes spanning the entire African continent. Remember to book a table in advance!
Beyond Cape Town
Once you’ve seen the city’s top sights, Navigator Will suggests stocking up on biltong and gas and hitting the open road on South Africa’s famous Garden Route.
“As you travel from the Western to the Eastern Cape, dotted along the journey are stops as remarkable as the last. Kicking off with the harbor town of Mossel Bay, the official start of the route and home to enough charming seaside eateries and idyllic beaches that you might consider just staying here for the whole trip instead.
Tear yourself away to Wilderness, where lush forests, plunging waterfalls and a kaleidoscope of avian colours are only a paddle away. Then it's off to Knysna, with indomitable sandstone cliffs framing the spectacular lagoon.
Drive on to the Robberg Nature Reserve by Plettenberg Bay, and have your breath taken away by dramatic views of a sprawling ocean, only eclipsed by the possible spotting of breaching dolphins and giant whales.
Finish your adventure at Storms River, with the swaying suspension bridge offering panoramas as close to the water as you can get, or a 2-hour zipline tour providing a slightly different perspective.”
What to Reconsider:
Robben Island
Once the prison of Nelson Mandela, the island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but opinions about visiting are split. Yvonne recommends it and suggests booking ahead, but Terry warns, “It was a bit underwhelming, felt very touristy and rushed.”
Peak Summer Heat (January-February)
As Traveler Wendy pointed out,“it will be very hot in January. September and May are good times to go.” However Tim advised on bearing it for the cricket season! "SA v Eng at Newlands 3-7 Jan" is a "lovely place to watch."
Tip: Temps do spike to 30°C+, but don’t let that put you off. Tidal pools and beaches are never too far. Niren’s fave was Hout Bay.
Second Opinions From a Local
Jack's Navigator Jo
Our Head of Member Experience Jo hails from sunny South Africa and loves sharing her top tips for escaping the tourist crowds. When she's not busy helping our members, Jo can usually be found watching Barbie or playing Fallout (again).
As someone who firmly identifies as a Jo'burger and had never visited Cape Town before making the move to the Mother City (so-called because it takes 9 months to get anything done here, according to the local standing joke), I came here with a romanticized version of the place.
Expectation does not match reality; it seldom does.
I give you full permission to clutch your pearls at what I am about to say with my whole chest: I am not the most outdoorsy person, I don’t love hiking and biking, and, most egregiously, I do not drink or enjoy wine - even though I live on the Wine Route.
So, while some of the majorly hyped suggestions in and around Cape Town were even better than expected, most fell short for me. I have to agree with some of the recommendations above, though (as a now experienced local), and I've also found some seriously incredible places that get little-to-no buzz.
Keep reading for all Jo's must-visit spots in and around Cape Town...
Where You've Been and Where You're Going: Community Postcards
As always, we've loved receiving your Postcards from around the world this month. But even more exciting were the number of you telling us about the awesome Flights you managed to grab in the end-of-summer sales!
Here's a little taster of where the Jack's Community has been and where you're looking forward to next!
Have you been on a fantastic summer adventure or bagged a cheap winter getaway recently? Share the good news by sending us a Postcard!
Pick of the Community Clicks
All the important (or silly, or strange) news from around the Jack's Community this month.
- Short and stressful or long and boring: Which layover would you pick?
- Rainy season in Phuket - our Community says it's definitely worth it for those cheap off-season prices.
- Hot take from Navigator Lauren: China is the next hot spot we'll all be adding to our travel list.
- According to Jack's Travelers, Southeast Asia is the ultimate tastemaker when it comes to street food. Join the conversation to share your recommendations.
- And finally, even when they're surrounded by some of the world's most beautiful landscapes, some people are never happy. Here are our absolute favorite salty reviews of the USA's National Parks.
- P.S. FAT BEAR WEEK IS BACK! Voting is now open for Round 2, with the final winner crowned on Tuesday. Who will take 32 Chunk's crown?