What would you do?

I'm flying in about noon and don't fly out until the next morning. This will be in August.

I'm not a museum guy. I realize this is not exactly a nature area, but that's where my interest lies.

I was thinking of trying to find a small reserve or something to do a bit of bird watching/photography. My wife was thinking a wood carver's market.

I don't intend to rent a car, so if I find something I like, I'll probably try to hire a local guide for the afternoon.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

They have a couple of pretty nice gun stores, but you would probably be better off to get a room at the hotel across the street, I think its a Holiday..They have a nice resturant..I would be careful where I ventured in Joberg if I didn't know my way around in Africa...

Hide.

We were stranded in Jo'burg for several days when our return flight on 9/11 was cancelled. Our outfitter was kind enough to take us around to a couple of gunstores to get us out of the hotel. That was a lot of fun. Also an opportunity to pick up some shirts and other items that you cannot get here. I cannot remember the names of any of the stores, but seem to recall that one was the Powderkeg or something like that.

You can get a driver to take you on a tour of Soweto. Ground zero for Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and the whole apartheid thing.

Better yet go have dinner at Carnivore restuarant.

Contact http://www.stayinsa.co.za/7016.htm

Would be worth it.

I would suggest contacting Afton House. By the way, where are you going to stay? If there,(at Afton House) they, or whoever you might be staying with will have some suggestions. Contact them by e-mail.

You may want consider visiting the Elephant Sanctuary or Cheetah Project near Hartebeespoortdam. This is about an hour's drive from the airport and there's an Arts and Crafts market over there that your wife might enjoy. You can write to Charl at Hatfield Tours on hatfield.syt@amadeus.co.za for more info.

Joburg is not excactly a tourist mecca (and I spent my entire youth there so I know it well....even back in the 80s it was a lousy town and now it's dirtier than ever, has a bad smog problem, is seething with humanity, and quite dangerous esp for tourists).

I would say Joburg is probably in the bottom 10 cities worldwide in terms of desirability as a tourist destination. Along with Mexico City, some cities in China, and many of the cities in Africa.

The only unique aspect to the city is its gold mining origins. There used to be a defunct mine that was converted into a museum but I don't know whether it's still open. There's really nothing else worth seeing/doing in Joeys.

Take a shower, get a good meal and then a good night's sleep.

i second the Cheetah Project. it is an interesting -place and you will definitely get some great pictures and video of the wildlife(not just cheetahs) up close and personal.

Stay at the Afton Guest House, either eat at the Italian place or the Seafood Place, I forget both names but both have excellent food. Besides that, I don't have a clue, I never stay in Joberg longer than I need to.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:
Joburg is not excactly a tourist mecca (and I spent my entire youth there so I know it well....even back in the 80s it was a lousy town and now it's dirtier than ever, has a bad smog problem, is seething with humanity, and quite dangerous esp for tourists).

I would say Joburg is probably in the bottom 10 cities worldwide in terms of desirability as a tourist destination. Along with Mexico City, some cities in China, and many of the cities in Africa.

The only unique aspect to the city is its gold mining origins. There used to be a defunct mine that was converted into a museum but I don't know whether it's still open. There's really nothing else worth seeing/doing in Joeys.

Take a shower, get a good meal and then a good night's sleep.

+1

And go to the bar

JV,

The Lesedi tour with traditional native lore and dancing is fascinating, but the food is only average.

Also have your host from the guesthouse take you to Cabana's for one stop gift shopping. They do have most everything and prices are reasonable. However if you buy so much you have to ship, it becomes expensive.

Get driven and picked up, do not venture out on your own.

Regards, Fred

Of course a huge metro with millions of people is seething with humanity.

JHB is not a 'typical' tourist city. Th crime stats speak for themselves and it has an edge.
BUT, if you get out here with someone who know's it, or a tour company loads can be seen and done and you might be surprised!

If nothing else follow the advice of some above and get someone to take you to gun shops and just take a look at the city.

I was apprehensive of arriving late at night in Sao Paulo once but after spending the morning walking around one area I had the blinkers taken off a bit...
Look at www.joburg.org.za
Enjoy...

I think the best advise posted is to eat at the Carnavore and stay at the Afton house, then get the hell out of Helltown...

The only thing I would do is, get a room at Afton House and sleep.

The Joburg airport appears to have syndicated gangs that share info, and follow vulnerable tourists, even all the way to their destination, so make sure you are met by a local and taken proper care of!

You don't say what day of the week you arrive, and what time next morning is your flight? Traffic is bad esp. in the mornings, so if your flight is early you MUST stay close to the airport.

I think our gun shops will prove a dissappointment to anyone from the US.

There are a number of active chapters of the various local hunting associations, and if one of them is holding a meeting or happening, that could be very interesting. Let me know precise dates and I'll try look at their programs to see if something is on.

The suggestion by Chris Troskie is a good one if you have the time to do it, but it could be tight timewise.

Check out a restuarant named O'patio's. Awesome seafood. Don't know if they are still open though.

Jeff

I've got an overnight in SA this summer and asked an SA PH friend a similar question recently. He said to walk out the front of the airport, go straight into the hotel and don't leave until I catch my flight the next day.

He noted that traveling in the mini-buses / vans that some use for transporting tourists is particularly dangerous as those vehicles are the primary targets for car-jacking. Apparently they are in high demand as taxis in rural areas.

Right or wrong, he got my attention.

Thanks for all of the reply's and PM's!

I appreciate all of the advice.

To answer a previous poster's question - I arrive about 1:00 PM on August 31, depart on the morning of Sept 1.

The phrase that comes to mind is "poes plaas". Once in my youth (seems like yesterday...) I was surfing off one of the Cape beaches. It was one of those special days where the wind was light offshore, the tides were right for the beach break, and the waves were peeling like bananas. The sea was emeral green and the foam was white as snow. A guy was watching me having a blast, but the beach was otherwise deserted. After an hour or so, the tide began to go out and the break got faster and faster until it closed out. I got out and struck up a conversation with the guy on the beach. He was just coming out of the army, I was just going in having just graduated from college. I was looking forward to a change of pace so we talked about his experiences on the border. His comment was that the army was a "poes plaas". Plaas is a farm in Afrikaans. The other word I will leave to your imagination.

JV,

Thats a Sunday afternoon, and what with checking through customs (I assume you are bringing a rifle) and other possible delays, I think it would be inpractcal to plan any great tour to Hartebeestpoort etc. and our weather can be windy & miserable at that time. It's always a good night for a fine dinner and our great wine

I suggest you rely on your overnight accomodation establishment for the day, and take it easy.

Some of our comments here make it sound like a "war zone" but it's not so bad if you use common sense.

a) Have a local meet & greet if possible.
b) Know exactly who and how you are travelling to and from the airport with. Lock car doors.
c) Don't flash any cash, wallets, cards or valuables in public areas. Save the photography for prettier parts of our country.
d) Be highly intolerant of any local who is over zealous to help you carry, push or load luggage. Learn a few Afrikaans swear words before you come
e) Keep an eye on each other and your stuff, in a manner that others can see you are aware.

I think if you stick to this it will be a positive start to a great trip here. Hope this helps.....

quote:

d) Be highly intolerant of any local who is over zealous to help you carry, push or load luggage. Learn a few Afrikaans swear words before you come

In ten years of almost constant travelling around I have NEVER found that 1) being intolerant and 2) swearing at people works well...

I have found that being CLEAR and ASSERTIVE is an asset i.e. not being a push over. Being rude seldom wins points and the advice above is not something I would spread to visitors to SA..

Is this the message of BASA to visitors?

quote:

Originally posted by Buckshotaz:
The only thing I would do is, get a room at Afton House and sleep.

That is what I do when I pass through this lovely town.

Call Cindy her nr is 555-73732 she will show you what to do

quote:

Originally posted by kayaker:

quote:

d) Be highly intolerant of any local who is over zealous to help you carry, push or load luggage. Learn a few Afrikaans swear words before you come

In ten years of almost constant travelling around I have NEVER found that 1) being intolerant and 2) swearing at people works well...

I have found that being CLEAR and ASSERTIVE is an asset i.e. not being a push over. Being rude seldom wins points and the advice above is not something I would spread to visitors to SA..

Is this the message of BASA to visitors?

Kayaker,
I sometimes wonder why this forum bothers to have all the nice little "character" smileys available! Did you see THE BIG GRINNING ONE right by my comment? Obviously a "tongue-in-cheek" suggestion regarding the swearing part.

However, the general message I was trying to get over relates to a highly potential circumstance which could occur if some gang of thugs tries to take advantage of JV and his wife when they step out of customs. In this instance they will not be needing to "win points" but rather focussed on getting rid of the "attack" for this is exactly what it is, and frankly, the word "VOETSEK" could be quite CLEAR & ASSERTIVE at that moment.

Given the current crime stats in South Africa, and the fact that The Airports Company is not very convincing on morning TV lately when they assure us they are going to fix the crime problem at OR Tambo International, I think that the chance JV offends some actual good samaritan who is genuinely trying to be of assistance, is a chance worth taking by treating such an approach with aggressive distrust.

Generally I tend to agree with your advice re. being Clear & Assertive in almost all places in SA, but frankly, that airport on that day (Sundays are very busy) in these times, might just require a bit more.

As to your low blow re BASA, please note that I am a member on AR in my personal capacity. I interact here in my own name, unlike so many who hide behind aliases. BASA as an association can be of interest to many other AR participants, and I accordingly use their URL as a footer.

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Palos:
JV,

Thats a Sunday afternoon, and what with checking through customs (I assume you are bringing a rifle) and other possible delays, I think it would be inpractcal to plan any great tour to Hartebeestpoort etc. and our weather can be windy & miserable at that time. It's always a good night for a fine dinner and our great wine

I suggest you rely on your overnight accomodation establishment for the day, and take it easy.

Some of our comments here make it sound like a "war zone" but it's not so bad if you use common sense.

a) Have a local meet & greet if possible.
b) Know exactly who and how you are travelling to and from the airport with. Lock car doors.
c) Don't flash any cash, wallets, cards or valuables in public areas. Save the photography for prettier parts of our country.
d) Be highly intolerant of any local who is over zealous to help you carry, push or load luggage. Learn a few Afrikaans swear words before you come
e) Keep an eye on each other and your stuff, in a manner that others can see you are aware.

I think if you stick to this it will be a positive start to a great trip here. Hope this helps.....

Sound advice Stephen. I have been to Jo'berg numerous times and do pretty much everything that you have suggested, so far so good.....
However take my advice and do not drop your guard and be constantly vigilant, you can actually feel the hate in some of those eyes that are staring at you!!!

You say you are not a museum guy, but a nice stop is the Military Museum in Saxonwold - a very interesting show of a lot of unique weapons and some aircraft from WWII including an ME262.

Russ, there is one, and only one army unit that can lay claim to the dubious moniker of "Poesplaas" and that is the Technical Services Training School in Voortrekkerhoogte.

What a dump. It has to be the worst army basic training unit in the WORLD. Built by REMFs, staffed by REMFs, churning out REMFs.

I know, because I was there. While you, you lucky shit, were probably posted to Engineers School in Kroonstad.

Sorry, hijacked the thread. But we South Africans are good at that.

Stephen,
I realize it was a bit tongue in cheek but it none the less concerns me that we create the notion that everyone is out to get you and that swearing at folks as you arrive through customs is the only way to go. I am all for vigilance and making prior arrangments with a meet and greet to ensure better safety.

Interestingly the biggest airport 'scare' I have ever been given is flying into Lima, Peru and had to carry a codeword to give to a taxi driver so I wasn't scammed, along with many dire warnings - hell, I was a river bum with a backback and paddle bag with $100 in my pocket!).

Interestingly I read last year in the Edmonton Journal of a Montreal based journo who took her family on a self drive holidy in SA. She wrote about her initial fear from all the war stories as well. Upon arrival her husband goes to the ATM to draw cash and doesn't retun for some minutes. She heads off to investigate and see's the ATM with a few folks standing around her husband, she panics, thinks the worst and then finds out that they are offering their cell phones for him to call the bank because of a problem - her tone of her whole trip is one of SA folks being being very pleasant (and no I am not naive or stupid, I am quite aware of the unfortunate reality)

I made no low blow to BASA at all. However you have identified your affliliation to them more than once here and thus it may be difficult to divorce yourslef from that position.


I realize that you offer advice but I feel we should be more thoughtful in our delivery of war stories to visitors, but of course not hide the truth. Just my opinion, no offence was intended.
Cheers

If you're going to be in Jo'burg for just one afternoon then there's not much you can do. I'd just stay in your hotel and try to catch up on some sleep.

I was met at the airport by the Afton Guesthouse staff when I arrived and was taken back to the airport when I left the next morning. They made my coming and going very comfortable.

One of my hunting buddies who has never been out of the U.S. gave a baggage handler a tip of US$10.00! Needless to say, all the baggage boys and everyone else who saw him tip the handler for a simple 15 seconds of bag carrying came running over to us like flies attracted to sh--. Please do not over-tip. One rand is enough.

Namibiahunter

Kayaker... cheers to you too

JV, Pete's suggestion to visit the war museum is a good one. The place is VERY interesting, and it's well located to make it do-able if you're out the airport quite quickly.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Gould:
Joburg is not excactly a tourist mecca (and I spent my entire youth there so I know it well....even back in the 80s it was a lousy town and now it's dirtier than ever, has a bad smog problem, is seething with humanity, and quite dangerous esp for tourists).

I would say Joburg is probably in the bottom 10 cities worldwide in terms of desirability as a tourist destination. Along with Mexico City, some cities in China, and many of the cities in Africa.

The only unique aspect to the city is its gold mining origins. There used to be a defunct mine that was converted into a museum but I don't know whether it's still open. There's really nothing else worth seeing/doing in Joeys.

Take a shower, get a good meal and then a good night's sleep.

Good advice. It's been a while since I stayed overnight there, but my aircrew used to stay at the Holiday Inn across the street from the terminal bldg. Great restaurant.

There was also a restaurant named the Mediterranian which was good. Used to take the hotel bus over there and have them pick us up. But Joburg is not a tourist destination. I'll be very interested to see what happens to the unsuspecting masses that show up for the World Cup in '09. Muggings galore, I'd say, and a few fatalities to boot.

Jetdrvr,

If the masses pitch up in '09, bully for us, we get one year early extra to rip them off.

World Cup is 2010, boet!! LOL!!

Let the masses come. We are used to muggers and we'll sort them out when they get here...