DIY Safari Bliss: Unraveling Cape Town for Less than ₱150,000 from Manila

After four years stuck at home, I found an unbeatable deal: a roundtrip ticket from Manila to Cape Town for just P35,000 via Singapore Airlines. South Africa, my dream destination, felt like the perfect escape.

I used to think Africa required Small Laude's budget, but Cape Town proved me wrong. It's surprisingly affordable, from restaurants to delightful experiences like my 180-peso wine and cheese tasting at Fairview Wine and Cheese.

Perfect for families, Cape Town's warmth makes it ideal for bonding. Plus, it's budget-friendly without compromising on the fun.

Cape Town's a haven for budget-friendly adventures, from meals to cool wine tastings. Fairview Wine and Cheese was just the beginning.

In my top 3 of 30 countries, Cape Town offers more than wildlife—it's culture, food, and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Cape Town is more than a destination; it's where budget meets adventure. Pack your bags for an affordable escape. It's like Australia, but with safari magic. Ready for the journey? 🌍✈️🦓

Insider Tips:

1.Skip the Safari in Kruger National Park; there are equally amazing ones just a 2-hour drive from Cape Town.

2. Don't want to drive on the "other" side of the road? Rent a private chauffeur via the Viator app for $200 a day. It's a game-changer, trust me.

3. Private safari lodges won't break the bank; they come with full board, including meals and game drives. Plus, consider visiting two lodges for diverse safari experiences.

4. Cape Town's food scene won't empty your pockets; it's cheap and oh-so-delicious. And hey, it's a cashless city—plastic is your best friend.

5. Good news for Manila to Cape Town travelers: no need for a yellow fever vaccine.

Itinerary (Cost in PHP):

• African Visa Single Entry via VFS: 2,000
• 50GB Internet for Pocket Wifi: 2,500

Day 1: Depart from Manila

• Departure: 35,000

Day 2: Arrive Cape Town

• Hotel for 4 days (P30,000 for 2): 15,000
• Dinner in Cape Town Waterfront: 1,500
• Sunset Cruise with Champagne: 900
• Groceries and Snacks: 5,500

Day 3: Cape Town City Tour

• Private Chauffer: 5,500
• Table Mountain Cable Car: 1,200
• Kirstenbosh Botanical Garden: 300
• Mocca Museum, Bo-Kaap, etc.

Day 4: Cape Peninsula Tour

• Private Chauffer: 5,500
• Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape of Good Hope, etc.

Day 5: Cape Town Winelands Tour

• Wine and Steak Lunch at Fat Butcher: 2,000
• Drakenstein Lion Park :350
• Wine and Cheese Tasting: 300

Day 6-7: African Safari at Aquila Game Reserve

• Transfer to Aquila: 3,500
• Aquila Game Reserve (Full Board P30,000 for 2 Pax): 15,000
• Game Drive,
• ATV Quad Bike Safari: 700

Day 8-9: African Safari at Buffels Drift Game Lodge

• Transfer to Buffels Drift: 8,500
• Buffels Drift Game Lodge (P32,000 with 2 Game Drive for 2): 16,000

Day 10: Buffels Drift to Cape Town

• Private Transfer: 15,000

Day 11: Check in at Best Western Cape Town

• With free breakfast and Free Airport Transfer: 5,000
• Cape Town to Manila

Total Cost: 145,981 PHP

This itinerary proves that a dream safari in Cape Town is within reach without breaking the bank. Pack your bags; the wild awaits! 🦓🌍✈️

A Day Trip to Hidden Valley Springs, Calauan Laguna

Hidden Falls

A day trip to this place which is just a 2 hour drive
from Manila is a must. I never knew or heard about of this magical place because I don’t see that much it’s social media presence. When I saw it i felt amazed. They have the same vibe as The Farm at San Benito but the plus points about this place is that they serve meat because I’m not a vegetarian and I love meat.

A day trip will cost you 2,500 per head which already include a lunch buffet and afternoon snacks. I recommend you go here on a Sunday so that there will be no traffic and just go here for a day trip because if you want to stay here for an overnight trip it would cost you 15,000 per night for 2 persons and the rooms I think are old and are quite pricey and may not be worth it.

For More Information:

How to visit Hidden Valley?:
You must bring a car. It’s hassle to commute here.
Search in you Waze App: Hidden Valley Springs (Calauan)
Directions: Just an hour and a half drive from Manila towards SLEX take Exit 50 towards Batangas and Laguna and head towards Batangas. Take Left Lane when you reach Y intersection. When you reach Y intersection Take lane heading to Alaminos, look out for the caltex station on the left side of the road. Approximately 200 meters from the left side of the station, take the left lane in the Y intersection. From this point follow the road signs going to Hidden Valley springs.

Day Trip Rates: Includes Lunch Buffet and Afternoon Snacks note that you can’t bring any food inside the resort
Adult: 2,500 per person
Senior Citizen/ PWD: 1,786 per person
Children below 12 years old: 1250 per person

Overnight Stay Rates
1 Room for 2: 14,500

Contact Person: +6328184024 ; +6328121510 ; +63917 5747736

How to Pay:
Acct. Name: Heirs of Eugenia V. Roxas, Inc.
Acct. Number 2485 7000 2648
Bank: PNB(San Pablo branch)
Please fax the deposit slip including your name, date of reservation and contact number, email add or fax number.
Fax number 812 1609

The true cost of going to Coachella Festival from Manila

Coachella Crew

Sunday Service

Here's my Coachella experience: My phone got stolen on the first day, lost my friends while I was phoneless, and eventually found them by meeting new friends.

I got to see my favorite artists like Kanye West, Ariana Grande, Justin Beiber, John Mayer, Kid Cudi, DJ Snake and Whiz Khalifa.

I also learned to appreciate artists I never thought I would love like Black Pink, J Balvin, Tame Impala, Khalid, and The 1975. Once I saw them perform live, I immediately loved all of them.

I would totally recommend that you would do it at least once in your life. Even though my phone got stolen the experience was worth it. I never knew being off the grid would be that much fun. 

Coachella 2019 was definitely one for the books.

Joshua Tree National Park

Coachella Tips

1. Plan your outfits in advance. One of the most fun parts of Coachella was planning our outfits with my best friend, 3 months before and stressing out what we will wear on the 3 days.
2. Bring a Bandana or buy a disposable surgical mask from Wallmart. The festival grounds can be dusty. Make sure to wear it while walking so that you will not get sick the weekend after.
3. Bring a portable charger / power bank.
4. Coachella Weekend 2 is better than weekend 1 since the people who go to weekend 2 are more chill and it is actually easier to get tickets.
5. If you plan to drive from your nearby Airbnb/ hotel to Coachella, do not purchase anymore the any line shuttle pass. It’s a waste of money.
6. If you parked your car far away and are lazy to walk there are a lot of pedicabs which cost 10USD per person. One way. I spent about 30USD a day for pedicabs because my friends were too lazy to walk. You must bring cash because these drivers don’t accept credit card.
7. Bring cash because some establishments don’t accept  credit card. You can also bring your American Express credit card if you want to get discount on merchandise.
8. Bring a water bottle. There are a lot of water refilling stations on the festival grounds. If you are lazy to bring one you can buy water which will cost you 2USd per bottle.
9. If you are planning of going to weekend 2, you can just buy your tickets at stub hub it’s cheaper by 100usd.
10. Book your hotel / Airbnb 3 months ahead of time.
11. Bring shades.
12. Wear sunscreen
13. Have your friends contact number printed in case you get lost.
14. Bring a light jacket or a kimono. It really gets colder at night time.
15. If it’s your first time to go to Coachella, you have to try car camping. If you’re too old for camping then you can just rent an Airbnb nearby with your pals.
16. Drink at least 1 bottle of pedialite or hydrite before you go to the event.
17. Take some vitamin C/ Berocca  before the event.
18. Wear comfortable shoes like sneakers.
19. I don’t advise you to stalk and look for celebrities. There are so many people walking to different stages. It’s just a waste of time. Don’t stress yourself out and just enjoy your weekend.
20. Bring small snacks. Lines can take up to 30 minutes just to get some food and drinks.
21. Book your plane tickets from Manila in Advance, you alert your apps like sky scanner or Momondo for the desired dates that you want. You can also save a lot if you like to earn miles from your credit card. I got my roundtrip tickets from Manila to LA for just 300 USD because of my miles. You can also book via, China Airlines, Hongkong Airlines, JAL and EVA Airlines. It’s usually cheaper than Philippine Airlines.
22. Coachella has 6 stages. Plan ahead of time on which stages you will go to. Have a buddy system.
23. Bring at least 100USD a day and your credit card.  
24. Bring wet wipes.
25. Make a side trip to Joshua Tree National Park after your Coachella Weekend. It’s only a 30 minute drive from Indio, California.
26. You can easily rent a car from the airport. Our PH Driver’s License can be valid to use in the United States 30 days upon entry. Make sure to purchase insurance. You can book cheaper rates via price line. 
27. If you have extra vacation days, you  can spare a day or 2 for shopping in outlet malls in  LA. You can also find stores like Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, Burlington, Ross and Marshalls for cheaper deals of branded clothing. 

Day	Details	Price in USD
Day 1
	US Visa	142
	Travel Tax	31
	Depart Manila to Los Angeles	500
Day 2
	Arrive Los Angeles
	Sleep in Los Angeles (airbnb)	50
Day 3
13:00	Drive to Coachella Rent a car for 5 days (400USD/ 3 persons)	133
	Buy groceries at Wallmart (180/6)	30
	Rent an Airbnb (400USD/ Night x 4 Nights) / 7 persons	228
	Rest and Relax
Day 4
	Coachella Tickets General Admission	400
12:00	Lunch at your Airbnb (groceries)
	Dinner in Coachella Grounds	20
	Water and Alcoholic Beverages	50
	Miscellaneous Cost ( Merchandise and Pedicab Rides)	30
Day 5
	Lunch at IN and Out	10
	Dinner in Coachella Grounds	20
	Water and Alcoholic Beverages	50
	Miscellaneous Cost ( Merchandise and Pedicab Rides)	30
Day 6
	Dinner in Coachella Grounds	20
	Water and Alcoholic Beverages	50
	Miscellaneous Cost ( Merchandise and Pedicab Rides)	30
Day 7
10:00	Breakfast
12:00	Checkout from your Airbnb
	Drive up to Joshua Tree National Park
14:00	Check in at Harmony Motel (120 per night x 2 nights / 3 pax)	80
	Dinner somewhere near Joshua Tree	15
Day 8
	Joshua Tree Park Entrance Fee	10
	Hiking in Joshua Tree
12:00	Lunch	10
19:00	Dinner
Day  9
3:00	Wake up early in the morning to watch the Milky way galaxy
	Lunch	10
12:00	Check out the hotel
	Drive Back to LA
	Dinner at the Airport	30
17:00	Arrive LOS Angeles Airport
19:00	Depart LAX
Day 10
14:00	Arrive Manila
	Total Cost	1979