Johannesburg advice

[Stompythedinosaur]

We have a few days in Johannesburg at the end of a safari, and I've just started thinking about what we might want to do. Has anyone been and have any advice about must do activities or sights?

I definitely want to see the caves at the Cradle of Humankind, but other than that I'm open to ideas!

Not stay in Joburg! Go somewhere else for a few days!

Where would you go? I think there's some interesting things there to see but I guess I'm open to other options.

Victoria Falls??

I absolutely love Joburg but it can be very dangerous (especially for tourists who have no idea about the city).

We will definitely see Victoria Falls before we arrive in Johannesburg, really looking forward to it!

But our safari (which starts in Vic Falls) ends in Johannesburg, and we'd like a few days of luxury I think.

It seems like there are definitely things worth seeing in the Johannesburg area, I was wondering if anyone had personal recommendations of what they'd enjoyed.

Any advice about particular things to do?

I've read a fair bit about how to stay safe and am quite used to adventurous travel, so I'm not too worried. We're staying in a decently secure hotel and will stay in the advised safer areas.

Agree Victoria Falls.
Its only a short flight and worth seeing one of the wonders of the world or fly to Cape Town.

We will have already been to Vic Falls.

Is Cape Town somewhere you'd recommend? I'd love recommendations about things to do if you have them.

I admit, my inclination was to see the city we were naturally arriving in, but if others have really not enjoyed Johannesburg I guess we can consider other options.

Is it just the safety concerns or are there other reasons people haven't enjoyed holidaying there?

Not sure if luxury and jo'burg go together 😀
We visited the Apartheid museum which was interesting. Also consider the voortrekker monument in Petoria or the cheater park.

Vic Falls, try 3 Monkeys restaurant, high tea at Victoria falls hotel, organised bike ride tour, crocodile farm,
Most activities can be booked yourself through Wild Horizons or Shearwater, both of which have am office in the town. Visit the markets. You will be withered but they are polite and give up in the end. Definitely recommend Bona Drum Dinner. Sunset cruise on the chobe.

Takes lots of low denominator dollars for tips or souvenirs as they struggle for change. Credit cards widely accepted, pre payment cards not so.

Cape Town, so much to do. City bus sightseeing, markets, Victoria and Albert waterfront, Ruben island,, camps bay,

Trips to boulders beach to see penguins, cape of good hope

I wouldn’t stay in Joburg if you paid me. 1 night max for your return journey

I grew up in Johannesburg - it's definitely not a place for tourists! I only go there now to see/stay with friends. If you don't know the place and where you should avoid which is most of it don't go...

I suppose it's comparative! After a drive through Botswana and sleeping in tents, I suspect a real bed and a private bathroom will feel luxurious!

Thanks, the Apartheid Museum looks interesting. I will put that on my list!

And I've booked for the Boma dinner in Vic Falls! I'm glad you liked it as I dithered over whether it would be worth it!

Are you doing a group overlander trip by chance
I feel your plans are bringing back great memories.

Cape Town has a lot to offer.

Yes we are! I'm very much looking forward to it!

Just need to work out the few days between the end of the trip and our flights home!

Amazing, you will have the absolute best time. ❤️ very jealous.
Ive got some great memories.
We did an overlander which included your route. You can't bear the experience.

Thank you!

Cape Town is fabulous. Joburg is the pits. Cradle of humankind worth a visit and Soweto but that’s it.

Then get to Cape Town pronto.

You probably won't like this idea, but Sun City? That's where we topped and tailed our safari with DC.

We are on safari now but had two days in joburg before. We did the cradle of humankind and then a city tour. That was pretty much all I could find to do! The city tour was interesting - I definitely wouldn’t look around the city myself parts were horrific!

Not at all, it's exactly the sort of suggestion I was looking for!

I honestly wasn't expecting so many people to have had poor experiences of Johannesburg, so I'm definitely going to consider other options.

Thanks! Did you go on organized tours? If so, any companies you'd recommend?

My DC were 13 and 7 at the time and we had 2 days at both the start and end, with 8 days safari in between. They loved the buffet breakfasts (we had never done anything like that before) and we liked the swimming and water activities.
On MN people are usually very disparaging about it !

Try a day tour with Spear of the Nation - the most amazing day in Jo'burg. Covered Lillesleaf Farm, Aparteid Museum and Alexandra township - some years ago now. Robin Binckes is the most incredible storyteller, kept us and our then teenagers captivated with his stories of the history of South Africa. Stayed at the Saxon hotel - loved it.

Oh I’d really recommend Cape Town!

We did a 4 day safari in Kruger National Park and then 4 days in Cape Town staying in Camps Bay - trip of a lifetime!

In Cape Town we visited Boulders Beach to see the Penguins, Bo Kaap, Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, V&A waterfront (and visited Robben Island) Imhoff Farm, Muisenberg Beach - so much to do! We had really wanted to visit the wine farms and go on the tram in Franschhoek and go on a whale spotting trip too but we were there in late April/early May which was just coming into Winter for them and the weather wasn’t quite suitable on the day we’d planned for the wine farms and we were slightly out of season for whale watching though DP did spot one at one of the above locations! I also really wanted to go on the open top bus but we just didn’t have time but we did fit in so much and it was just incredible! Even now I can’t believe we had such a holiday, it was absolutely unreal! I was in complete awe the entire time, especially on safari!! I think that’s why it still doesn’t feel real that we got to experience all of this.

You will have a fantastic time whatever you choose to do! We had just been advised to avoid Johannesburg but you also need to keep your wits about you in Cape Town but as with anywhere I’d say! We felt safe but we did get Ubers everywhere (unless there was a transfer for the trips etc) as this is what our travel agent advised for safety.