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3 Kids, 2 Dogs and 1 Old House

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Starting To Plan Our Campervan Itinerary

1 February 2018
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You guys have no idea how wonderfully freeing it is to have shared our big plans on here.  And yes, to be honest it’s also kind of terrifying – I’m a little scared.  In fact just thinking about it happening in real life makes me feel a little bit queasy.

Why?  Well, the pressure is on!  Now that we have put it all out there, not doing it is going to be a massive fail.  But it’s why I wanted to share it now and not wait till the day before we leave.  I need to write about the journey to work through it for my own self.  And so much of what we are doing and thinking revolves around planning for it and it’s felt like I’ve been living a double life not sharing it here.  Maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but it’s nice to have what’s on here being a true reflection of what’s really going on at home too.  But also I need pressure to get my butt in action.  And now I have it.

In bucket loads.  So…

Time for action!

Aside from getting Optimus transformed into his prime (sorry, I don’t know when those puns or throw backs to how excellent his name is, will ever get old for me).  Yes, as I was saying.  So aside from his transformation, getting our house packed up and rented out, finding a solution for our dogs and getting the home school stuff sorted, the most important thing is getting our itinerary in some kind of order. (Hot damn that’s a lot of important stuff to get sorted.  Eeek).

Basic Itinerary goals…

We’ve chatted about it at length and our initial plan was to go up country and down again for 3 months, stay in Cape Town for a week and head out again.

So for example we leave in July and head up the East Coast.  (Because you guys up there don’t really get cold Winters and I’m all about that life.)  Up the Garden Route, Jeffrey’s Bay, Durban, um…  other places.  End up in Mozambique (I’m on the right side of the continent hey?), spend a couple weeks there and then go back down but this time slightly more inland.  So um.  Uh…  Those places.  You know.  That are slightly more inland.  The game reserves and Lesotho.  I think those are the ones.  Then come back to Cape Town for a week before heading out again.  This time even more inland.  Like the places that lead to Joburg.  And stuff.  (Can you tell I need to spend more time on this?)

Why was the plan to come back so “often”?

We don’t want to deprive our kids from the company of their grandparents who they usually see every single day.  And obviously we really want to see our friends and family that we’ll be leaving behind.

I suddenly had a moment after I shared our post the other day.  It was when I realised how much we are really leaving behind.  And even though this is an exciting adventure, we still want to maintain our relationships along the way.

Slight change of plans

But then we found out that Seth’s sister, brother in law and their two adorable kids (that I am dying to get to know) are probably going to be visiting for 6 weeks in December.  From Australia.  So it’s not like it’s something that happens often.  I mean we’ve looked at going out there but tickets for the five of us are R100 000 and that’s without food or accommodation.  Crazy!

That throws a slight spanner in the works right?  We don’t want to miss them.  Which means that now we are thinking through the option of not coming back until December for a visit but then staying in Cape Town longer.

Where would you stay when you are in Cape Town?

Obviously we won’t be able to stay in our house that we are renting out, so we would need to find a place to stay in Cape Town.  Luckily Cape Town has places like that in bucket loads.  SA Venues also has a pretty comprehensive list of camping places to visit in the area.  And staying there we can explore the parts of Cape Town that we wouldn’t usually have been in but still be close enough to cuddle my niece and nephew until they can’t take it anymore.

I think that a good 6 weeks here before heading out again will be a nice way to fill up the tanks.  All of them – heart, social and family tanks.  It will also be an opportunity to properly check in at the office.  Plus go on what I am sure will be a much needed date night haha.

With all that in mind, we will definitely be heading up the East Coast in the first 3 or 6 months.  Any recommendations of the best places that you have ever seen in that general area?  I’m thinking iconic spots, rich history or just must see things along the way.

 

This post is powered by SA Venues

 

Starting To Plan Our Campervan Itinerary was last modified: January 31st, 2018 by 321Blog
Cape Townplaces to stay in cape townSouth Africatraveltravel cape townTravel South Africa
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29 comments

Jo 1 February 2018 at 9:52 AM

Kenton on Sea/Bushmans River Mouth (campsite is there) – two beautiful rivers and amazing beaches (lots of rock pools for little kids too!). Eastern Cape about 20km before Port Alfred.

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321Blog 1 February 2018 at 1:53 PM

Brilliant – noted!! Thank you!!

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Tara Midgley 2 February 2018 at 10:41 AM

YES Kenton-on-Sea is a hidden gem. AMAZING beaches!

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Simone 1 February 2018 at 10:24 AM

I have so many questions about how this is going to work but I think you guys are super brave to do something like this. Good luck with the planning!

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321Blog 1 February 2018 at 1:53 PM

I would LOVE to hear all your questions – the more other people bring out things that we need to think about, the better!

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Canny 1 February 2018 at 11:36 AM

Definitely do Storms River Rest Camp at Tsitsikamma, its a national park and there are camp sites right in front of the sea, it has the suspension bridge, deer roaming around, a pool, a little beach, restaurant and shop, hikes and the most breathtaking sunsets.

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321Blog 1 February 2018 at 1:54 PM

That sounds like EXACTLY what we are looking for – thank you!!

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Beth 1 February 2018 at 11:58 AM

KZN – Durban/Midlands Menander/ Drakensburg :-), Good luck with everything its going to be such an awesome adventure.

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321Blog 1 February 2018 at 1:54 PM

Those are great places – thank you!!

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Kate strydom 1 February 2018 at 12:26 PM

If you’re in the eastern cape and keen for a real Karoo farm experience, head over to my folks place in fish river near cradock. Lowlands country house. Peaceful, safe and lots to see and do. (Also learn and is super chilled!) I know they’d love to have you stop by. What an incredible experience awaits you all. Always wanted to do a trip like that. Guess we’ll do that in New Zealand now!

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321Blog 2 February 2018 at 9:21 AM

You can totally do that in New Zealand and probably safer and cheaper too! (We follow quite a few who just bum on the side of the road! We could never do that here.)

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Monique 1 February 2018 at 1:03 PM

Please, please, please can you find the Wines made in Plett. havent heard about vines growing there until I completed my Certificate in Wine last year.
It sounds soooo exciting.
OH also – you HAVE TO do the market in Sedgefield. BEST

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321Blog 2 February 2018 at 9:19 AM

Adding them to my list!! Thank you so much!

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Claira 1 February 2018 at 2:26 PM

Sodwana and St Lucia and Kosi Bay up towards Mozambique. Whole iSimangaliso Wetland Park in that area-magical. And Hluluwe Umfolozi is amazing. Suggest checking out the options for malaria tablets (especially in terms of the kids) and where and when it’s necessary. I know there are a few normally “malaria free” areas that ended up having malaria in 2017 with all the extra rain up country. The travel clinics at the Medicross are great (we usually go to Dr Vincent at Tokai Medicross, but have been to the Kenilworth one too). Worth getting the expensive one if possible (and your medical savings allow) as you only need to take it 1 day before entering a malaria area and 7 days after leaving (whereas the cheaper ones you have to take for much longer on both sides-and my brother swears the really cheap ones made him hallucinate!) Also ask if you need Yellow Fever vacs to enter Mozambique. Really jealous of this adventure! Oh and Addo Elephant Park outside PE is the best – and really decently priced as it’s a SA national park and not a private game reserve. 🙂

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321Blog 2 February 2018 at 9:19 AM

Thank you for this Claira! We have heard the same about the malaria pills, but wow, for 5 of us and 2 weeks it’s going to be a killer! I’m also really sensitive to meds so I would probably have all the issues on the cheap ones haha!

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Bronwyn 1 February 2018 at 5:50 PM

Two places that you cannot miss:
Nature’s Valley (near Plett) I see someone has already suggested Storm River, but Nature’s Valley camp is in the forest and totally magical!
Kosi Bay (all the way up North).

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321Blog 2 February 2018 at 9:17 AM

Tank you Bronwyn! I’m loving all these places!

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Hayley 1 February 2018 at 6:12 PM

A stop in the Kruger Park has to be included. I have some great tips there for you – if needed 🙂

I have heard Coffee Bay in the EC is incredible!

And i am busy planning a trip through the Hogsback. They do a Christmas in July – the whole town goes all out. But it usually snows a bit later on in Winter. But spring is also amazing there.

The Midlands are amazing. Feels like you are in England. We love doing Winter there.!

Im so jealous…cant wait to follow along 🙂

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321Blog 2 February 2018 at 9:11 AM

I love all those ideas – thank you! Midlands and Hogsback were on my list, but I had no idea about the Chritmas in July – that’s awesome. And yes, please send me your tips for Kruger! I’d love to read more about it and make it work for us

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Tara Midgley 2 February 2018 at 10:43 AM

Hogsback YES! Snow isn’t common unless a REALLY big front comes through, but go anyway…it’s magic

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Melissa Javan 2 February 2018 at 5:42 AM

Woooohooo. This is going to be so much fun

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321Blog 2 February 2018 at 9:07 AM

I really hope so haha

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Tara Midgley 2 February 2018 at 10:40 AM

“Ebb and Flow” have amazing campsites on the Wild Coast (SANParks). Speaking of SanParks, definitely look into getting a wildcard. You’ll save on visiting the national parks because you won’t pay daily conservation fees and in some cases, you get discounts on accommodation. Addo is lovely and very accessible. Tsitsikamma as well.

Further up the coast, Port St. Johns (plan to go hiking around…stunning views) and Hole in the Wall and/or Coffee Bay. far north, St Lucia, Kosi Bay (though you may need 4×4) and iSimangaliso. Ndumo and Tembe parks are incredible.

Inland: Well you have to explore the Berg. It’s truely phenomenal! Rhodes (especially in winter for the probable snow!) and lots of stunning little towns. Clarens for beer and their art festival. Sandstone Estates (near Clarens think eccentric multimillion who collects full-size trains!) Midlands Meander and all the arts and crafts type things near Howick/PMB.

Further west, Kimberly (big hole and the really cool reconstructed town). There are some interesting Karoo-type parks around. further north, the Kgalaghadi Transfrontier Park. The if you can West cost for flower season! Spectacular.

WOW I’m so envious! What a fabulous time you’re going to have!

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Maz 3 February 2018 at 6:42 PM

I still think you are insane, but mostly I am envious AF. If you are ever around Upington/Kakamas/Keimoes or find yourself in Pella, give a shout. There are epic camping spots around the river and I am sure my parents can show you the must-visits!

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321Blog 7 February 2018 at 8:49 AM

I would absolutely love that!! Thank you!!

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Trudie 11 February 2018 at 9:50 PM

We have a few campervans just like yours and I’m too scared to show my husband your plans…he might just want to do the same. Look forward to see all your adventures. Yellowwood Forest in Morgans Bay is pure magic.

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321Blog 12 February 2018 at 9:38 AM

LOL Trudie! I’d love to see pictures of your camper!

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Trudie 12 February 2018 at 2:44 PM

Here you go…
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be0yOQxHfqO/?taken-by=elusive_trudie
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbcSkGxnWoS/?taken-by=elusive_trudie

Reply
321Blog 13 February 2018 at 9:44 AM

Oh my goodness they are twins! I love the canopy extension that you have – did you install that yourselves?

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