Johannesburg info?

[Jarrod Feiner]

Rick,
Yuck. Thanks for the note. I was hoping the entire of the criminal element had repented, and was keeping busy spending their days helping old ladies across the street. Well, maybe, just maybe, this will come to pass by the time I go in 08....

I can hope.    
J

[chrisg]

What Rick says is true but like the weather it's never exactly like the forecast on the day. The old 'Jan Smuts Airport' of 1979 had about 500 000 people go through a year, maybe 800 000. We are looking at 14 million per year within the next four years! This number includes travellers from within the country,a big arguement for another airport entirely. Totally different situation, hence the huge ongoing building projects. This time it's serious. You'd be amazed at the change in the city from 99 to 2007, you'd hardly know the airport for one.

As for the crime stats, it is almost worse than that in certain areas. The minibus drivers have been mentioned. Road deaths and the national murder rate are way up there. The thing is there are pockets of very bad crime and other areas that are relatively safe or they have more money for security, the challenge is for a foreigner to identify the safe areas. That's why you go with a local. I once took a short cut through Washington DC and was told I was lucky to get out alive? Only three streets north of Pennsylvania ave? Hard to know over there. Apparently that's where the drug dealers hung out.
The good news is that the government, metro authorities, business and police are aware of the problem and are recruiting in large numbers and their training is much improved, I was told this by an ex cop- specialist tactical firearm trainer now working in private sector. We certainly see lots more of them. We await the outcome with more than a little interest!The massive building drive is employing big numbers of people and taking them out of the poverty-driven crime cycle. The snag is the flood of destitute refugees from up north.
Don't be put off but do like everyone says, get with a good local guide or demand that your outfitter finds you one, don't do it on your own it wastes time.Phew!
Chrisg

[Jarrod Feiner]

Chrisg,
I think I know the street in DC that you were on., I remember thinking--wishing--that some of our politicians would get a flat tire on the street.

For sure, I'll not be going for a walk by myself. That or I'll wear a big t-shirt that says, "Dope" on it.

Thanks again. And again.
Jarrod

[Leon.R]

I lived in Kempton Park a long time and can only tell you the same as the other Saffas its not that bad, just think what you do and dont advertise what you have. The worst is at the airport but try and take as few bags as possible, makes it easier to watch.
If you go to Joburgh dont go on your own try and stay with a group.
Eastgate is a good shopping centre and Sandton has a big one and lots of restuarants.
About 45 min away is Fourways - shopping and a big casino complex.
If you go to eat in Kempton park go to a Italian restuarant called LaGondola - the best seafood pizza you will ever have. (Maybe 5min away)

[LEOPARD]

Jarrod,

I go back to SA every year, and am going back this summer again. In the last 4 years I've been back 5 times. I know Jo'burg airport quite well, and have spent quite a bit of time in the city. So I'll try give you the best advice I can! Having come from Africa myself, I'd advise that you don't try go around the city on your own. Make sure you go with a local guide that knows the area so as not to get yourself in a situation that you don't want to be! If you do this, you should be absolutely fine, and have a good time.
At the airport, one thing I would advise, that has been mentioned before, is that you try and fit all your gear into 1 bag if possible. I find the baggage information desk at JHB airport usless, so the fewer checked bags you have the better! I don't believe that they can't tell you what you need to know and help you, I believe it's just that they are often lazy, and their service can be pretty shocking at times. Last year when I went, I took a compound in a hard case sepperate to my gear bag. The bowcase never came thru on the belt, so I went to the desk, and the guy said that he couldn't even tell me if the bag left my connection, let alone whether it was in SA or not!    Needless to say, I started to loose my sense of humour pretty quick, and he suddenly received the ability to do his job properly, and found it! So, if you can fit all your gear into one bag, that is what I believe to be best! Obviously, if you are taking 2 bows along, it's better to have them seperate incase one does get lost or damaged. I only take one bow, and from my experience, I prefer to have everything in 1 bag that is less likely to get lost. It also makes it easier for you to move around, and watch all your gear if you only have 1 bag.
So to sum it up, I think if you use common sense, and stay in a group, you should be fine and have a great trip! I think that's all I can think of. If there's anything else I think of, I'll chime in and let you know. I hope you have a great, successful trip! Shoot straight!

Nigel          :D    

[BUFF]

We stayed at the Emperors Palace in Joberg for a week the last time I was there. It had stores and several restaurants in the same well guarded complex. I had no concerns leaving my wife there when I was away on business. We also had the hotel arrange a car and driver a couple of days and visited the malls and the big flea markets. I never felt uncomfortable and everyone treated us well. I figure their crooks are like ours and they are lurking around looking for a easy mark. Not likly to try to take on a grown man.

[S Meyer]

I think our standards of “easy target” may be a little different. An armored car with four armed guards is a easy target in South Africa. We don’t really have muggers that wok alone and steal a wallet here and there. There are usually a few working together. They WILL be armed. A gang might have a mix of handguns and AK’s. Many will also have visited a witch docket for some medicine to make them impervious to bullets. Emperors Palace is most likely safe. I know some of the security people there and they know what they are doing. It is however best for a foreign visitor not to go places alone if they are not familiar with the city.

[tradtusker]

its a tricky place but if your not stupid about things and have a bit of street sence than you will be fine..

like nigel said above he has traveled back and forth from the uk to joburg loads of times...and he goes by himself!!! i think he made the first trip when he was 14 years old.

i also travel by myself there but when i go i make dam sure i dont look like a tourist, no fanny bags, no cameras hanging of you..etc

just having 1 main bage checked in and one hand luagage bag is good advise.. joburg are unbelievebly good at loosing luagage, get to the baggage collecting as quike as you can and stand at the front, to avoide some little guy walking off with your bag.

have a great trip its an amazing place!  

[chrisg]

There you have it! Here's a twist, my stepson went off to Australia last week, departure was havoc, yup it's getting worse, a scrum. Bag duly packed, shrink wrapped and into the indicated queue, 40 minutes later nooo, it's not this queue actually, it's thaat one along the line of counters. Ok off we go, well he got onto his flight. 36hrs later we got an sms from  Melbourne, no bag! Guess what? It was lost in Oz in internal link flight! Difference is he got it delivered to his door 24 hrs later in one piece. Travel.. it's a gas!

 No wonder many travel books are comedies
   
chrisg

[Leon.R]

Hey Trad, I can only agree with you on that one, jeans and t-shirt, old backpack that holds all, cat shoes or boots and nothing hanging around like fanny packs or cameras. Any of the other attatchments and you are spotted.
If the hangers-around approuch you, you just look and push past them and they know and leave you alone. As Chrisg said they are looking for easy targets.
In all I have traveled to and from Sa loads of times and have never lost baggage in SA, touch wood.
The main thing as you land is one bag to look for, you get it and get out, when you have to wait for the other one you get distracted.
The other thing I always do is once you clear customs before you get out of the customs area put all you papers and passports away and from sight, nothing gives a tourist away like a different colour passport and him holding papers and looking lost...

[Jarrod Feiner]

Thanks for the continued information everyone-
J