TravelingTinkerbell, Victoria Falls is absolutely breathtaking! You thought Niagra Falls was cool...this is a great side trip if you can do it. Getting there from Jo'berg is best by flying. I did know some college girls that hitched hiked down here from Victoria Falls, but not sure that is for everyone!
As for airlines that we use while here, kalula is a great one and also Mango. Mango is a subsiderary of South African Airways, so if your using them to fly from the USA you may be able to use frequent flyer miles. Both are great, and although, are basic and no frills, get you where you need to go and are very reputable!
One of the best all around travel centers that I could recommend for checking on prices and side trips is Flight Center here in South Africa. Do a search on google for flight centre, South Africa. They also have a travel center in every mall here in Cape Town and around the country and actually beat out any USA prices we were looking at the last time we flew to the States! They are great to work with too....and will do any conversions for you. So if you are looking to book while here, check your flights with them for side trips...they up to the minute on country specials too.
"What are some experiences and sites you would suggest for us to do? "
While you are here in Cape Town, I know Disney has your itinerary pretty much spelled out for you, but there are a few places that locals love that you would enjoy seeing. Kirstenbosch gardens are a beautiful and rare treat to see...especially if you're into local fauna and flora. It is a beautiful place that sits at the foot of Table Mountain....you can even hike up the side of the mountain to the top (takes about 2 hours). Also, just outside of Cape Town, if you hire a car, there are beautiful wine farms and little towns that are withing a few hours drive of the city....places like Franschoek (famous for it's cheese) and the Breede River Valley, where taking a trip down the breede river on an outside dinner cruise (they will cook you an authentic spread of African fare right on the boat as you cruise the river)...its a beautiful relaxing experience! Those are just a few things we love to do as a family who lives here....
"Should we hire a private guide to help us visit these sites?"
Yes...me! Ha! No, seriously, my take on private guides (since I live here) is that they are too expensive and limiting...but I totally understand that if you don't know where to go then a guide can be helpful. I once joined a group of ladies that came to Cape Town and did a tour of the area with a tour guide. They invited me along - so I spent the day with them. Several times I had to "convince" the guide to take the ladies a few places I knew they would want to see (we were already in the area, but he had his "schedule" to stick to)...afterwards, and even though it erked the guide that we were a bit "late" to the lunch place he had reserved, the ladies thanked me for insisting that we stop at these places and they got to see some sights they wouldn't have if I hadn't of pressed the guide when I realized where he was taking them. So, my advice? Make sure if you get a guide, that you tell them EXACTLY what you are wanting to see.....they live here, and what they think is everyday and wouldnt be anything special, you might find the opposite as an American.
Im sure Disney will make sure you see the best stuff though.....
Let me know how long you think of staying for sidetrips....hey, you could come to my house for a side trip...he,he...if you really WANT to see local stuff!
WeLoveABD, as far as getting here from San Diego, we flew out from LA using United, then took South African Airways from D.C. to JoBerg and then to Cape Town. Now, since this past June, Delta flys direct from New York or DC straight into Cape Town (with a small stop in Dakkar half-way to re-fuel, but you don't get off the plane). We did this just recently this July. Now, if you can find a good deal to get to either of those places, it really cuts your traveling time down to get a direct flight into cape town....I can tell you that going from International to domestic in Jo'berg is NO fun at all, especially when you have already been traveling for 18 hours or more. We like to get on a plane (in NY or DC) and know that when we get off, we are here in Cape Town and don't have another airport or flight to try and get to! Just my two cents.....but everyone is different. So, check on Delta, South African Airways and British, but keep in mind the direct flight routes are a bit easier on the body! Hope this helps a bit....