So I'm thinking of taking a buddy (first timer) to Africa on an upcoming trip. Have the option of staying in Johannesburg for a full day. If I arrive lets say around 10am, and the flight leaves the next day at 12noon. Anything worth doing for those 24 hours? Any must-stay hotels? Will not be travelling with firearms, so that should simplify things a bit.

Any suggestions? thanks!

Well, Stay at either The Intercontinental Airport or City Lodge Airport. From there you can take the train to Sandton, Rosebank and Pretoria. Have fun.

Try Afton House. I think they can set up day trips for you, but double check with them on this.
I like Afton because it is a family run business, not a large corporate structure. Nothing against big business (I used to work for a major construction/engineering firm but am now retired). I like to do business with family run businesses when I can.

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There tends to be two opinions when it comes to Joburg 1/ don't leave the airport - you will get mugged, raped, robbed or worse !!!! And 2/ go and have a great time!

There are some great guesthouse that will help with visits etc or the larger hotels - they are all there too. Michael Angelo Hotel in the centre of Sandton to the Westcliff, all good. An insider tip is the Inanda Polo Cub, great rooms, reasonably priced, great bar and rooms can be booked by non members, it's also smack in the center of Sandton.

Must sees - Apartheid Museum, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Voortrekker Monument ( out by Pretoria so a bit of a haul ), Sandton City Mall - if you want shopping and the Mandela statue. There is a cool knife shop in the mall too, Sharps.

Turn n Tender is a super steak chain that also has fish and great SA wines. But there are hundreds of other good restaurants. Master Antonia at Illovo is a great Italian and there is a fun fly fishing store next to it if you go there for lunch. Melrose Arch is also a fun part of the city for eating out.

Sure you will find something great to see and do and somewhere great to stay. Just common sense when you walk about as regards cameras and phones etc but that's no different to any big city.

Cheers

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If you make it out to Sandton dinner at The Butcher Shop Grill is good. After dinner order a Don Pedro, one of the nicest after dinner drinks I've ever had.

bobby,

Stay at the City Lodge (cheap) but have dinner at Quills next door in the Intercontinental. So good and so cheap w/the exchange rate. Arrange a day tour in Jo'berg ahead of time with your travel agent or hotel. You'll see much more and you'll be safe.

Have fun!

Mark

The Joberg military museum is worth seeing. The gift shop is a privately owned militaria store with some really good books and bush war collectibles. If you venture into Pretoria the Voortrekker Monument is great. I stay at the Birchwood hotel, they have a shuttle from the airport and there is a Spur's Streakhouse next door. They are very secure with golf cart service to the rooms and steakhouse. Staff is very helpful in arranging safe travel etc.

thanks for the info guys. I decided to increase our layover in Dubai to 19 hours, and try to take in some of that city instead. We will still stay the night in Johannesburg, so all of the advice on where to stay is appreciated. thanks again

If you going to be in Dubai go and watch a Falcon show with Royal Shaheen.
Its worth the effort and can be combined with a dune dinner etc.

The desert is worth the effort.

that sounds wonderful, but we get in to Dubai at 7:30pm, and then leave around 2pm the next day. probably not enough time. Plan on having a nice dinner and maybe take in a nice view of the city from the sky bar.

Has anyone stayed at either

Aero Guest Lodge
Sunrock Guesthouse

?

Both are very close to the airport and seem to have excellent reviews.

Back in my drinking days, a friend took me to Teasers. That was a lot of fun, but not very family-oriented.

BH63

Stayed at the City Lodge a few months back and though I was in Vegas.