dpb

Going in a few weeks for about 10 days and probably wont stretch to an excursion to vic falls and/or Cape town ( well the later will be pretty chilly now anyway id imagine)

Not the best time of year to visit probably - experiences anyone ?

GlesgaKiss

Avoid getting carjacked!

darts_aint_sport

Get a plane out to Durban or Cape Town ASAP

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

You will have plenty to do like avoid being shot at,raped or car jacked. My gf's best mate went there during her gap year working with some Christian charity.
She didn't even get to bring any pictures back because she had 3 cameras nicked while out there

dpb

No its fine, were flying

boxst

Be careful to be honest. Where-as most places in the world have their bad areas, I personally know people that have been carjacked, mugged and seriously hurt in Jo'Burg, but they live there and you ride the probability curve every day.

I've sent a couple of people there in the last few months and they have all had a good time, but have been heavily looked after by the people they were visiting.

I wouldn't recommend the center of Jo'Burg at night, and take notice of what people tell you about where to go and what to do.

If you are sensible you will be fine.

Steve

dpb

Im riding wit someone who speaks the lingo ( fluently) and has the right coloured skin - this *may* help,or not

boxst

The only racism in South Africa is that of money, thankfully colour has little to do with it these days.

Steve

dpb

Know what you mean , and possibly more scary as a result

Sounds exciting Nat - id like to go january , for the windsurfin ( one year,maybe)

dpb

Noobodys been then ?

Spooky Mulder

Plenty have been...


...none made it back

darts_aint_sport

Well, Louis Theroux has been....

Law and Disorder in Johannesburg with Louis Theroux

bigsinky

shark fishing

dpb

Err...so, where are the guys with the guns?" may be your first thought on arriving in Johannesburg. Whilst Joburg has a fearsome reputation and people like speaking about how many times they've been killed there, in reality it's not too frightening. For most people the closest sign of the potential violence are the bricked up walls hiding beautiful residential houses, with electric fences and razor wire above them and a sign indicating "armed response".

Johannesburg, the capital of Gauteng province, is the largest city in the country; and is nicknamed Egoli (place of Gold). Indeed, mine dumps are never far away, rubbing shoulders with the fruits of its labour - shiny modern skyscrapers intermingled with 19th century architecture, Indian bazaars & African muti shops (where traditional healers dispense advice & traditional medicine).


***
Johannesburg is the largest city in the world not situated on a lake, navigable river or by the coast. ***

It is home to Africa's tallest building, the Carlton Centre.

Fat Boy

I've been loads of times ( circa 70 times). Surprsisingly green city even at this dry time of the year. Not a lot to do in Joburg itself unless you have local friends who will take you around as mentioned above. Noth Jo'burg is richer - two edged sword - nicer houses, restaurants etc, = bigger targets, but stay in Sandton and around there and you'll be fine. Stay away from the CBD ( old Central Business district) at night - actually not much to do there during the day either. Carlton Tower is a non descript tower block in the CBD that was inhabited by Transet ( state transportation utility) but pretty much everyone - banks etc moved out of the CBD to Sandton about 10 years ago. All the decent restaurants/ hotels are in the North. Drive yourself every where - just like driving here and no worries about water or malaria anywhere ( even in kruger at this time of year)

Outside Jo'burg there are (all v expensive) game parks to go to - Sun city/ Lost City/ Pilanesberg is Ok if a bit disney - great golf course if that's your thing- but best game parks are either East to the Kruger - 4-5 hour drive or NorthWest to Madikwe reserve 3.5 hour drive away ( past Sun City ( 1 hour drive). Not a lot else to do -as people work/play hard in Jo'burg and then retire early to Cape when they've made their dosh to have fun. Weather in Joburg will be around 20C and sunny just about every single day and single figs at night but dry, Cape Town will be 15-16 and usually fine during the day and 10 or so at night, but you can have a "Cape Doctor" come in at any time off the atlantic - anything that isn't tied down gets blown away for a couple of days and then it clears again. Durban is humid 20+C /12C this time of year. My vote is Capetown - incredible place.

scoob_babe

Depends on how far out you want to drive but don't stop at traffic lights (robots) at night!
Sun City is an odd place to visit. I stayed at the Palace of the Lost City for a weekend whilst working in Jo'burg. Pilansberg National Park is also close by and is great for a day out - maybe do both in one day and eat at Sun City in the evening? Or if you aren't veggie and are very hungry, try Carnivore at Muldersdrift.
Other than that, there isn't a great deal to do in central Jo'burg as Fat Boy as already put.

dpb

Thanks Fat Boy. Not even sure who were staying with presently or where but but probably friends of gfriend - could be Hillbrow for all i know
Mainly going to meet her Mum who she hasnt seen for 8 years (zimbabwean)

The madikwe place looks intresting , i spect we'll hire a car at some point .

Cape towns another time i reckon , but i suppose we may just get to Vic falls ( have to go to the Zambian side cos shes not allolwed into Zim ) - possibly cheaper booked there with pounds in our pockets

Dr.No

Take a quick drive out to Palazzo Montecasino - go inside the casino, it's more like Vegas than Jo'burg!

There's a 'Meat Company' in there, which I'd recommend if you like a good steak (and good biltong, they'll even vacuum pack it for you ) - there's another at Melrose Arch (a nice "secure" area with good restaurants / bars for dinner in Sandton... you can just wander around freely without worry). There's also a 'Moyo' in Melrose Arch which is quite a novel experience - go and see the wine cellar...

If you want to see something of central Jo'burg, then go to the Market Theatre area - which is very safe though also very "local". I wandered around there during the day, and had a few (too many) beers in a local bar - and certainly saw some interesting sights - but felt a little uneasy once the sun had set. I'd left my Rolex and the bulk of my wallet content in my hotel safe though...

I'd steer clear of the CBD at all times - although it is MUCH safer than it used to be. Seeing signs that say "Leave all firearms here" when you walk into office buildings that have airport style metal detectors can be a little un-nerving!

Anyway - I've loved my many trips to Jo'burg, and feel more at home there than I ever do in the US (you see Rovers on the road and EVERYTHING!). However, whilst many people there that I know have never had any sort of violent experience they all know someone that has - so it's forever present.

A tip that I was given - which hopefully won't need to be a consideration for you... If you get ANY sort of confrontation / problem / mugging - don't look at whoever it is (look down at the ground) and just do whatever they ask without question...

Anyway - enjoy! (and if you can, get to Cape Town - VERY different and fantastic!)

DN

David Lock

I lived in J'burg, started in Hillbrow - - and then northern suburbs just south of Kyalami. But this was many years ago in the bad old "whitey" days. Still have friends there but it really is a nightmare now. I'd keep out of the centre but maybe take a chance with some of the out of town restaurants.

If they still do them there are some tourist trips to game parks which have the edge on Longleat and we had a great day flying out to see, and go down, a working gold mine. Now you don't get many opportunities to do that.

I'd choose Cape Town over Durban every time. I wonder if they still do trips up to Victoria Falls? Bit of a way but a fantastic sight.

Have a good trip. dl

dpb

,
Shes suggested letting her maintain the wallet, for safe keeping

dpb

Well its mainly a lot of cack - had no troubles at all ,Hillbrow inc

If Park station is in Hillbrow :chin: ( and the only beggar was a 20 something Africaans )

Seen a lot more trouble at kicking out time backin Blighty - maybe its the way you portray your self

Id hate to be one of the natives in the back of a hilux when an accident occurs - theyre not at all fussy which side they overtake from and the traffic as bad as London in the mornings

Didnt really have as much time as deesired in Joburg surrounds ( looking after Gogo ) but we had a few days up in the mountains N.E. transvaal .
( five car pile here - Joburgs elite dont waste time getting up here on a Friady night)

Steve vRS

Can you still play basketball insid ethe Sndon sports Cafe?

We used to drink pints of long island ice tea there in '96 whilst building a stainless steel mill in Middelburg

Steve

dpb

Couldnt say Steve

We were staying with friend of girlfriend in Randfontein next out from Soweto , same road as Middlelburg possibly (and Kimberly)

ScoobyDriverWannabe

YouTube - District 9 Origins - Alive In Joburg HD

stay alive

StickyMicky

Avoid getting raped
Avoid getting mugged
Avoid being made pregnant
Avoid getting stabbed
Avoid any eye contact with anybody


are all good things to do while in the `burg