8/10 day holiday in SA or Cape Verde?

Lara

OH would like some winter sun late February, early March. I’ve come up with Cape Verde or South Africa. Yes a bit of difference and verging on preferring SA. Although long flight the SA time difference of only 2 hours, appeals to me!

However I would appreciate any advice you would share if you’ve been to either please. Many thanks.

Teahfc

South Africa every time, flights will be more expensive though if flying into Caod Town direct. Enjoy it’s the most wonderful place ����

PeacefulWaters

Cape Verde only has a one hour time difference.

And not much else.

Lara

Teahfc wrote: »

South Africa every time, flights will be more expensive though if flying into Caod Town direct. Enjoy it’s the most wonderful place ����

Thank you! We have a lot of Avios so may try and see if we can off load some. Where else would you suggest we look at flying to - J’burg? I need to up my geography on SA! Lol.

Voyager2002

You need to decide what kind of holiday experience you want...

The charter flights to Cape Verde go to islands that have beaches, holiday resorts, strong winds and little else. Great to relax and enjoy the AI experience, but if you feel like leaving the resort and going into town for the evening you're out of luck.

The islands with long-established settlements have great music and nightlife and I long to visit, but getting there is not going to be cheap.

South Africa is a large and diverse country, and within its borders you can find more or less any holiday experience that anyone could want. Most cheap flights will arrive at Jo-burg, which is far from being the world's most attractive city but is close to the Kruger National Park in case you fancy a safari. Or of course there are beaches (not quite tropical beaches since the coasts have a sub-tropical climate and the tropical parts of the country are inland). And mountains.

sandsy

You will need to fly to Jo’burg or Cape Town, or into one and out of the other. Look for multi-city option on the airline’s website to do this. Very unlikely to be able to use Avios on CT Route at short notice. Direct flights tend to be pricier than indirect - price vs convenience!

Lots to do in CT and along the Garden Route. You could also do a safari for 3 or 4 nights. Be aware that the Kruger area is malarial but there are other non-malarial reserves. Best way to get around is to hire a car. Their roads tend to be in bettter condition than ours!

CT is in the midst of an awful drought at the moment with everyone, including tourists, being asked to be mindful of water restrictions, take extremely short showers etc.

It’s a great place!

stiggy70

It seems to be a love it or in my experience hate it.
The love it people seem to have limited travel experience.
At the airport coming back 6 years ago, all people in the queue before and behind me within earshot were not happy travelers and would never return.
The island I stayed on had nothing to do, the 4 star hotel was fine accommodation wise but the restaurant had really poor hygiene standards - never been so ill in my life and not right for nearly 3 weeks after getting home.

Beenie

We have been to both places. They are totally different. If all you want is a beach and AI experience, then Cape Verde is fine (but expensive for what it is).

SA has a beautiful and reliable climate, lots of interesting places to visit, excellent standards of accommodation and food hygiene, and the costs are very inexpensive by European standards.

The times we visited both were in February - the SA climate was balmy and a joy at all times; the CV climate was windy and cool in the mornings and evenings. People were wearing puffa jackets at breakfast for instance. If the weathervis poor, then there is nothing to do in CV so you are taking a chance.

I think SA is better value because costs are lower and nearly everyone speaks excellent English. Just my opinion.

Lara

Thanks Beenie. We went to RAK for a week, arriving home last Friday evening. Missed all the snow, thankfully I say! We flew into Dubai with Emirates, even though a Virgin holiday. They have to be the best airline we have ever travelled with. RAK was an hours drive from Dubai. Stayed in the Hilton Hotel which was fine but the weather was very cloudy for several days off and on and we also had 3 days or so of rain. Still it was a nice break. Sitting under the umbrellas in the rain wasn't that bad! lol

We wouldn't go to Cape Town due to their water shortage but possibly in a couple of years once its all sorted out and for three weeks we think. Cape Verde we had several say it wasn't worth going to.

Thanks to everyone for their comments over the past couple of months.

LadyL2013

If you go to Cape Verde, choose Boa Vista over Sal, much prettier and less spoilt. BUT if you like a lot to do, then CV isn't for you. CV has quite literally breathtaking scenery, the most unspoilt beaches you will ever see and very friendly locals, but that's about it.


Great if you want to chill out, do a bit of an island tour, some fishing and whale watching, but if you like a busier holiday with a more modern way of living, then it's not for you.


CV tends to be a love it or hate it place. I'm very well travelled and I loved it (went to Boa Vista), BUT I knew what to expect. It's rustic and not of the same standard of say Mexican 5*, but that's kind of why I liked it. I like places that are a little rough around the edges, rather than always perfectly polished. There is stuff beyond the resorts, and it's easy to access through the various independent tour operators. If you go through TUI, you'll see the very touristy stuff only.

mgdavid

LadyL - the OP was in January. They've made their decision, plumped for the Middle East, been and returned!