I'm looking at a 11 hour layover in Joberg on the way to Namibia. If I check my bags all the way through do I have to claim them in Joberg? Thinking about getting a room at City Lodge just to shower and rest.

I would claim them, if you are bringing firearms you may well be required, SAPS and all

If they have your baggage that long they will steal everything worth taking out of it for sure

quote:

Originally posted by Gale Johnson:
I would claim them, if you are bringing firearms you may well be required, SAPS and all

If they have your baggage that long they will steal everything worth taking out of it for sure

Best advice on AR today.

A day room at the City Lodge is a great way of getting away from the crowd, grab a shower and get some rest.

Get your bags and take them with you to your room.

Enjoy your trip.

quote:

Originally posted by KMG Hunting Safaris:
A day room at the City Lodge is a great way of getting away from the crowd, grab a shower and get some rest.

Get your bags and take them with you to your room.

Enjoy your trip.

Problem is your bags will most probably not have everything in them.

Joberg airport crimes are getting worse.

I have absolutely, positively, no doubt the government does not want to do anything about it.

In fact, any crime in a specific location like an airport going on for so many years, must be supported by the government!

I would avoid Joberg like the plague!

quote:

If they have your baggage that long they will steal everything worth taking out of it for sure

Sage advice and very true, not only will they steal but may well destroy your suitcases (as they did with both my wife’s and my luggage in September). City Lodge is close and what ever the costs for a room for your layover would be money well spent.
And complaints to SAPS and airport operator are ignored,

Check them to JoBurg and claim them. Probably kind of a hassle but as has been said, your bag will be rummaged through and anything of value will be stolen. It's a big airport that could be beautiful and safe but it is a shit hole.

Thanks, I sure will take the advice.

Great advice offered here.

I hate that airport. Workers there can be jerk. I finally had to get ignorant after the so many solicitations for money, from employees.

It’s amazing how they can screw up a good thing

Are your tickets already booked?

There must be some way to avoid South Africa altogether.

I've been through that airport approximately 32 times. Eons ago, when it was the Jan Smuts Airport, it was a dingy place and not too bad. Then they changed the name to O.R. Tambo and subsequently a few years later remodeled it for the World Cup. For a couple of years it was beautiful and still the theft was minimal. But, for the last number of years it has become a total den of thieves and no one in authority cares. And, as to what Jason said above, I finally took note of what the Europeans and white Africans were telling the airport employees who solicited bribes or 'tips', and started using the same phrase when I was approached for the same. It is the universal phrase" "F-ck Off!". It seemed to work everytime!

quote:

Originally posted by jjbull:
Are your tickets already booked?

There must be some way to avoid South Africa altogether.

No, I'm going to wait a couple of months. Atlanta - Joberg - Windhoek is a pretty easy route from here in Alabama. Not sure about going through Ethiopia right now.

quote:

Originally posted by Bama15:

quote:

Originally posted by jjbull:
Are your tickets already booked?

There must be some way to avoid South Africa altogether.

No, I'm going to wait a couple of months. Atlanta - Joberg - Windhoek is a pretty easy route from here in Alabama. Not sure about going through Ethiopia right now.

I understand that. Ethiopia became very iffy recently.

I was think more along the lines of Atlanta--Frankfurt--Windhoek.

Just a thought. I'm no travel agent.

With an 11 hour layover I would claim my luggage and get a room at city lodge.

On another note o travel through JNB on average 3 times a year and have no issues with theft......

quote:

Originally posted by Bama15:

quote:

Originally posted by jjbull:
Are your tickets already booked?

There must be some way to avoid South Africa altogether.

No, I'm going to wait a couple of months. Atlanta - Joberg - Windhoek is a pretty easy route from here in Alabama. Not sure about going through Ethiopia right now.

Lufthansa has direct flights from ATL to Frankfurt to Windhoek. Just FYI.

There are also flights from.

Denver to Frankfurt to Windhoek
Chicago to Frankfurt to Windhoek.

And, J dollar has the Atlanta to Frankfurt to Windhoek covered.

Plus, there are others if you so chose to look.

I have been doing my research for next year on how to avoid Joberg.

When are you headed to Namibia next year? The later the better as there will be more flight options open to avoid Jberg.
Qatar pre covid 19 had direct flights to Windhoek from Doha.
That would be my pick

I've avoided it like the plague if at all possible.
Don't think I've been through that airport since 2004 or 2007. That's dated information, but at the time, you needed a lot of 20 dollar bills in your pocket. You'd need them. And never roll them together so they can see you have more. And then, they'd get pissed off at you for passing the bribe openly and not concealing it. t