it;s been a couple years (or maybe a few decades) since i spent any time in/near joberg but. my son in law is an international type musician/professor and he is scheduled in mid may to do series of concert in joberg. he has a couple days free and is looking for a bit of help. #1 a good safe place to stay (he's thing pretoria)
#2 - stuff to go see and do in his free time

no place better than here for me to find him help(unless biebs suggests bringing a baser) so suggestions please

I can't help with a safe place to stay except for maybe one of the bed and breakfast places that are recommended like Africa Sky Guest House.

Here are a few things that our group did last year. For wildlife related things that aren't hunting, Ukutula Lion Park and do the walk with lions and other tours and the elephant sanctuary to do the elephant interactions. There is also a monkey sanctuary there as well.

Non wildlife stuff, the Lesedi Cultural Village, which was not my favorite at all but others in my group loved it.

Beyond that, I have nothing other than the main tourist attractions like the cradle of humankind, apartheid related things, etc.

For real life monkey interaction I understand San Francisco beats anywhere else!

There's a lot of history on the Rand, but my suggestion would the the Pilanesberg. I would recommend staying at a lodge in the park called Kwa Maritane, and when you get tired of game viewing, &c., there's always Sun City next door. It's only an hour or so's drive from Johannesburg.

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
it;s been a couple years (or maybe a few decades) since i spent any time in/near joberg but. my son in law is an international type musician/professor and he is scheduled in mid may to do series of concert in joberg. he has a couple days free and is looking for a bit of help. #1 a good safe place to stay (he's thing pretoria)
#2 - stuff to go see and do in his free time

no place better than here for me to find him help(unless biebs suggests bringing a baser) so suggestions please

I am 2.5 hours away from JHB on the Mpumalanga Escarpment.

It an easy drive down the N4 Highway and a great place to relax after a few days in JHB.

You are welcome to send me a message and we can maybe work something out for him.

quote:

For real life monkey interaction I understand San Francisco beats anywhere else!

+1
Years ago, I spent considerable business time in SF and often felt as in another world. From what I hear, some of the natural beauty and wonderful places to eat and visit are now degraded by the debris and odor of homeless people.
SAD.

If in Pretoria I would stay at City Lodge at Lynnwood. I stay there regularly on my trips. Good security, breakfast and nearby good bistro. Also Safari gun shop!

Pilanesberg is about two hours from there. Good place to visit for animals. Madikwe is further but also good. I ve not been to Kwamaritame lately but was at Sun city in October. They just had some bad floods affect8ng the lodges and golf course. The Cradle of Mankind May be of interest. Stay out of Joburg.

If he has a day or 2 free and would like to do some birdshooting, I can arrange, all within an hour or two of his hotel. The season starts 1 May so from waterfowl to francolin over dogs or even pigeon, or a combination of the above.

One of the places I might suggest is about 2 hours or less out of Jo'berg. It's called Misty Hills, a 4 star resort and the restaurant they have is called "Carnivores". Outstanding experience and the food is great. Big open pit inside the place with meat on Masai spear blades cooking for them to serve. Some domestic meats but mostly game meat. Eat as little or as much as you want.

What is the concert venue? That would be a good starting point. If downtown JNB, that is going to be a challenge since it's now a S###hole of the highest order (apologies to Pres T). So he would need to commute in, some place in Sandton might be the best place to stay during the concert.

As for his days off, get as far away from Joberg as possible. Sun City is a Las Vegas version of Africa, unless he's into that it would be better to go to a private game farm for a bit of real hospitality and lay low.