We will be connecting in Johannesburg for our safari and need to spend the night before and after. I have heard it is not very safe and was wondering if we should stay in the hotel in the airport or shuttle to one in the area. Prior to the safari we will basically be stuck in the hotel from late morning until the next morning. On the return we will just have the evening until early the next morning. TIA for any advice/recommendations.
Posted by
Virginia
506 posts
I did a South Africa tour last year and spent several days in Johannesburg. The tour company (OAT) put us up at a nice hotel in the suburb of Sandton. It was the Garden Court, but there are plenty of others. Sandton is not too far from the airport, is safe to walk (unless you get too far off the beaten path at night), and has lots of convenient shops and restaurants. It’s basically the upscale business center of the city now since the original downtown is depressed and dangerous. Since OAT picked us up at the airport I don’t have recommendations on how best to get there on your own but I think it’s not difficult. OAT also used Sandton for travelers on another safari tour which, like you, just had one night layover. If you have some time you won’t necessarily be stuck in the hotel. Some of us had most of a day free so we had the hotel concierge arrange for a van and driver to take us on a tour to the apartheid museum, a botanic garden, and another suburb near Sandton called Rosebank which also had some nice shops and such. It was a day well spent and the price reasonable, I think about $60 US pp (six people) for a full day with excellent guide and driver in a good vehicle. If you don’t have as much time as that I’m sure you could arrange something shorter, such as just the apartheid museum (which is about a 40 minute drive from Sandton, depending on traffic). In Sandton I especially recommend a good Greek restaurant called Pappas that is right on Mandela Square. Johannesburg has a bad reputation but if you do your research and stay in the right area it is fine and a very interesting place to visit.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2524 posts
Last year, our group of three stayed at Sunrock Guesthouse, which is about ten minutes from the airport and offers shuttle service to and from. The woman who planned the trip had stayed there the year before and is staying there again this year.
Posted by
Connecticut
776 posts
The hotel that I stayed in offered airport hotel and drop-off. I don’t remember whether or not that service was complimentary. The hotel which was near the airport was within a gated and guarded compound. For sightseeing I used tour guides offering pickup and return service into Johannesburg and surrounding points of interest. I felt quite safe because the guides were quite clear about what, when, and where to explore safely.
Posted by
new york
979 posts
I'd not stay in the hotel for a full day. There is so much to see in J'Burg. I'd just take taxis (if you are nervous, take a hotel taxi) from place to place. I'm a single female and I went out quite a bit during my visits to that city--pre- and post-safari.
If you are interested in African handcrafts, I highly recommend the Kim Sacks Gallery.....it's almost a museum of beautiful hand-made articles from all over the continent. And it's easy to ship things home!! Your taxi can wait for you or the gallery can phone a taxi when you are ready to leave. OR, you can call your hotel and ask them to send a taxi to pick you up....
The quality of the crafts at Kim Sacks is a world away from the usual tourist tat you will find at the typical "African markets" in the city.
It's fairly interesting to visit Soweto, but be sure to drive around the various areas of that township, not just the "fancy" ones.... I felt totally relaxed wandering around the Main Street alone and having lunch.
I never made it to the Apartheid Museum.....but it's on my list for next time.
I wanted to see the CBD, after reading so much about it---so we drove through in a taxi and I got out and walked a block or two....I'd hesitate to recommend doing that, however.
The only hotel I know of at the airport is the Intercontinental, just across from the terminal. We took a day room there once, but I would not recommend an overnight as prices are way out of line with city hotels. I've stayed at three other hotels for 1-3 days; if you want recommendations let me know..
Posted by
46 posts
Hi Stacey,
Jhb is lovely and often gets a bad wrap for being a large machine of a city. It is, but also what city of over 5 million is not. Yes, it has safety issues, but again, it is a metropolitan city. Contrary to this, Jhb also has some 10 million trees. It can be beautiful!
I might suggest booking an extra day or two on the front end to see some of what the city has to offer and not spend all the time in your hotel. The airport can be around 45 minutes from the city centre. Plenty of time to visit some things, however. I would suggest making a visit to the Apartheid Museum. Book an Uber or Bolt from your hotel - in my experiences in SA, these have been the best way to get around, especially for such a short time. If you may also consider booking a tour at Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct. This tour sheds light on justice and history of a rather new democracy. Again, take an Uber or Bolt.
There are lovely restaurants across the city, notably in the suburbs. Linden is lovely, as well as Sandton. 44 STANLEY is a nice area to visit with restaurants and shops which you may find interesting. There is so much to do! Hope these suggestions help!