Question: Should I be concerned about South Africa’s current water shortage/drought?
I plan on booking a two week sightseeing tour of South Africa in November: Capetown, Johannesburg, Swaziland, Kruger National Park, etc.
I’ve never been anywhere in Africa and I’m looking forward to the trip. I’ve heard great things about South Africa and I’m making arrangements to get all my inoculations (including, Typhoid, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, & Malaria) up to date.
I’m concerned because I’ve read that Capetown and other parts of South Africa are currently having a water shortage, and that restaurants are even using paper plates rather than using water to wash their dishes. I’m hoping that the water supply will improve by November after the rainy season has started.
I doubt that the travel agency folks (Gate-1) will give me an unbiased answer about any possible problems with their tours, so I’m asking my friends here at BBI, who’ve been to South Africa, for some advice. Should I book this tour?
Thanks in advance.
It's political and it's ugly. Just don't go, it's really bad.
Go somewhere else. Best of luck to you.
BillT, i took your advice and got Sexaholics Anonymous. Thanks, maybe someones trying to tell me somethin'.
I'd hold off on taking advice from the board, more particularly those who haven't been and maybe reach out to folks you know who have been and or a travel board specifically related to SA.
Colleague had nothing but great things to say about his and families trip.
It's a shame but in the last 3-4 years it really has tanked
Maybe that research will indicate that there is really nothing to worry about. However, this is supposed to be MY vacation. I want to look forward to going, rather than worry about possible problems. Even if nothing bad were to happen during the trip, constantly guarding against possible problems would certainly dampen my enjoyment of the trip.
There have to be lots of places that are more politically stable and have better water and/or health conditions. I'm thinking maybe Bangkok or Barcelona.
The water is an issue in the west. I spent my 3 weeks in the east, in Durban, hiking the Drakes, safari, and the beach. We spent 4 days at Leopard Mountain. Google it - most beautiful place ever!
Don't be scared away by the nonsense on this thread. Have any of these people actually been there?
South Africa is much more dangerous on that front. At least in Barcelona the cars don't keep from coming to a complete stop and try to time the green lights so they aren't stationary.
Every place has some sort of crime. Hell, in Bangkok, you might get roofied by a girlyBoy...
I was in Barcelona for four days and got robbed twice!
The water in South Africa is safe to drink, and their highway system is in better shape than ours.
In a lot of ways it's a first world country. But the new ruling on white owned farms could change that. You should go now before that happens.
First trip was pretty uneventful except that we ended up seeing 3 carjackings in a week's time. Just as an aside, the only other carjacking I witnessed was in Jersey City at 2AM.
Second time I went, a group of three colleagues were walking along a main street in JoBurg and were robbed at gunpoint.
I never traveled anywhere alone, but I dod have one of the best stories to come out of my travels. An Australian colleague was three sheets to the wind and insisted he was going to go back out drinking. So he hopped into a group cab, much to our pleas for him not to, and drives away in a packed vehicle. The next day he told us that he made friends with the guys in the cab because they thought if he was crazy enough to get into that car - they weren't going to fuck with him.
Been to Barcelona countless times as we had a manufacturing facility there. Never had any issues, but knew several people that were pickpocketed.
It keeps moving back. I've seen the dams add significant levels of late. Most people are being cautious and rationing their water to avoid Day Zero, which is great. All the while, they are working on the other things needed like Desalination etc. I've included a link to the live water dashboard.
Critical infrastructure should not be impacted. Hotels and restaurants catering to tourism industry will have some limitations from the City board, but are basically necessary for the economic survival of the area (which has been doing much to develop) and are covered under critical infrastructure like hospitals. So wouldn't worry about that. Restaurants and businesses have been making plans for a long time coming. If it ever comes.
Outside the City you have different sources of water in many cases. For example we have borehole water and do not rely on the Dam out where I am.
The rainy season is soon (and will be well over before November) and the water has been rising through some nasty drought. I do not think water will be an issue for your trip. I left Cape Town on 2/15, the day they swore in Ramaphosa, and have been in Nairobi since. Some of the political hay coming from there is certainly notable. But, I wouldn't avoid a trip re: potential Day Zero in Cape Town.
Cape Town Water Dashboard - ( New Window )
Rico, I have a cousin who used to do ultramarathons. He had hip replacement before he was 50. He claims it had nothing to do with the ultrmarathons. I love the guy, but I don't believe it's unrelated. He's had a lot of health complications due to the transplant materials leaching, etc. Sucks.
Don't want to tell you what to do, but I personally don't think humans were meant to do ultramarathons, unless for a very good reason... like your life or that of love ones depends on it.
Keep an eye on the dashboard and the State Department travellers warnings. They will be your best source of information. The wet season (winter) in the Cape starts around May and goes through about August so I am sure they will replenish some water by the time you go in November and hopefully some of the restrictions should ease. I am sure you will be asked to conserve whenever possible.
Personal safety should not be an issue if you use common sense. For example, don't get into a taxi with someone you don't know. Don't walk down a city street in Johannesburg all by yourself. Don't wander down a dark alley in Cape Town at night. Don't flash your money, jewelry, electronics. I have travelled with maybe 100 college students over the years and we have had no trouble. In fact-the opposite is true. The people in South Africa, white or black or whatever, have been very friendly and helpful.
For your meds, etc-not much worry there either. Consult your personal physician and make your health decisions with him/her. Follow CDC guidelines. Most of your destinations are non-malarial or low risk but in November you should expect some mosquitoes. Probably a few snakes and scorpions too.
I am going back in May-June to visit Johannesburg, Kruger, Swaziland, KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, Drakensbergs, the Cape. Let me know and I'll give you an update when I get back. Also let me know if you want me to give you names of providers you can trust.