One day in Johannesburg

[toomuchicecream]

We are flying in overnight, arriving early morning and transfering to Pretoria first thing the next morning. DH wants to spend the day sitting by the hotel pool, recovering from the journey, but I'm wondering if there's something we can do for a few hours so we see more of the city than the inside of a corporate hotel. Bonus points if it doesn't involve much walking! Thank you

no, its really really not safe to wander around stay at the hotel

You could book a tour

If you do nothing else have a drive around and go to a mall - Rosebank and Sandton are nice for shopping.

Be very careful on where you choose to go. Johannesburg is known for violent crime. I've been there twice (overnight stay waiting to catch connecting flight) and both times I just stayed in the hotel as I didn't want to risk going out. To be fair I didn't actually WANT to be there, it was just because of the flights, and I've been to Cape Town before (out and about by myself, just being wary) so didn't feel I was missing out on seeing any of South Africa.

Of course people do visit, but I would suggest taking an organised tour so at least you are in a group.

What hotel / area are you staying at? The red bus tour is fun, and you can get off at points of interest. Or perhaps a tour of Soweto.
It’s winter here so you’ll be shivering by the pool!

We also have huge power issues so bring battery packs for your phones and a torch!

It’s fine to walk around, if you are in a tourist or business area (Sandton, Rosebank, Montecasino) just ask at the hotel if you are not sure. Uber will collect from your door.

hi there we had this in september last year. we booked a day tour and had a wonderful day. Although some of it was v sad. we saw nelson mandellas house the prison the courthouse
we went to Soweto and very sadly went to the shanty town - i did feel like some kind of voyeur but was able to secretly slip cash to a young woman - while my husband dealt with the well dressed "advocate " man who showed us around. Whether she got to keep it was another story of course.
if you are interested message me and i'll find her details. It was sobering but i think it's good to try and direct some tourist cash towards local people

Thank you everyone- that’s really helpful. It’s taken me this long to find out from DH where the hotel is. Apparently it’s the Four Seasons Westcliff, which looks like it’s very close to the zoo. Is it safe to go out in the day round there?

I’m liking the idea of a bus tour - maximum viewing of sights for minimum effort!

The Westcliff is a stunning hotel, if you want some exercise go run and down the steps, it’s quite popular! it’s on a busy road so fairly safe.

The green bus tour stops at the zoo, so hop on there and go to constitution hill, thats worth a visit, it’s a historical prison site where Ghandi was imprisoned, then change for the red bus tour to go round the city centre. I would recommend a stop at the apartheid museum, but check it’s open. But if you wanted to relax just sit on it and listen to the commentary.

Have fun and don’t forget your torch!

Oh and you can do a Soweto tour add on to the red bus route, I think you change for it at gold reef city and they take you in a smaller van.

Torch???

Aha - just re-read you’d previous message! Will bring battery packs - thank you for the warning!

Definitely a tour so you feel like you have seen something. If you don’t fancy navigating the bus tours, it’s very easy and affordable to organise a private tour so you can tailor it to your interests too.

I’d also plan dinner in advance as Jozi has loads of good restaurants.

As an aside, why aren’t you going directly to Pretoria if you’re not that bothered about seeing the city?

Thank you. Pre-booking a restaurant is an excellent idea (although I suspect DH is planning to eat in the hotel as that's easy). A private tour is also a good idea as I have MS so I'm slightly apprehensive about being able to walk far enough to get from the hotel to the zoo to pick up a bus tour (especially as @MsNorris mentioned steps..)

The reason we're staying is because we're taking the Rovos train to the Victoria Falls, so it's something to do with the arrival time of the flight from London and the departure time of the train - I think if we caught a later flight and then it was delayed, we'd run the risk of missing the train. As to why we're not doing the overnight in Pretoria - no idea! It's what the travel agent booked for us.

I definitely want to see something of the city which is why I'm gathering the evidence to persuade DH it's a waste to spend the day in the hotel! I just need to plan ahead quite carefully to make sure I don't end up sitting on the pavement in an undignfied heap while I wait for my legs to recover...

Just seen you have MS, ok definitely don’t walk to the zoo, get an Uber (or hotel can arrange a lift) to constitution hill and pick up the bus tour there if you want to do that.
The Westcliff is quite aptly named, its built on the side of the cliff and there are a lot of steps, maybe mail them and ask for an accessible room or one near a lift. It’s a beautiful hotel, with stunning views but that comes at a price with all the stairs.
The hotel has wonderful restaurants but they are very posh (expensive).

Thought I’d also mention that johannesburg is also very high altitude, 1700m above sea level, so many people feel a bit out of breathe if they do too much the first few days until they are used to it. Is that something that might affect you?

the escorted trip we did involved very little walking we were in the woman's car.
the apartheid museum was really sad and interesting.

Thank you again - that’s so helpful! Especially about the altitude as I easily get out of breath when walking.