Johannesburg info?

[Jarrod Feiner]

Ok, I'll be bugging you guys for the next 10 months, or until I leave for my first bowhunt in Africa. So please bear with me....

Please tell me about Johannesburg: safety, hotels, sites? Or if it's better to just get the heak out of the place.

I have heard the whole spectrum of answers, that it's like New York City on steroids, to a recent opinion that it's a city made up of peace loving hippies. This said, I'm interested in what you fellas think.

Many thanks-
J

[BTH]

Jarrod,
Bennie is picking us up at the airport and taking us out to his place outside of Johannesburg for our first night. We're basically getting the heck out of the city and heading for Pilanesburg the next couple of days before heading to Vissers.  
I've never been there before so I don't know first hand...but I've heard there is a lot of theft and to keep your eyes on your gear. I've also heard that there are some great places to stay and eat and see.

[Jarrod Feiner]

BTH, Thanks.

"Keep an eye on your gear", yes. And I suppose limit your gear so it's easier to keep track of.

It sure seems like they wisk you away and get you out of dodge. Must be some logic to it.

The next 10 months are going to kill me...I can't wait.
Stay well.
J

[TradAlaska]

Jarrod -- I realize this is a repeat for you, but others may be interested.  I can highly recommend the Afton Guest House (www.aftonh@netactive.co.za) in Joburg if you want to lie up for day or more to recover from the flight and be in prime condition for your hunt.  We always stay a couple days going and coming to relax, tour and do a little shopping.  Louis (the proprietor) will meet you at the airport, help you with any luggage or custom problems, and take you to the guesthouse about 10 minutes away from the airport.   They provide a nice breakfast and will provide evening transportation to/from one of three good nearby restaurants in the evening.  They will also take you back to the airport after your hunt.  These services are all included in your room rate.  On the trip I just returned from (15 days ago) the room rate for my wife and I was $100 (a very nice room at that).  About 99 percent of the folks who stay at the Afton House are hunters going or coming from all over Africa.  Many outfitters/PHs pick up their clients there.  It is a heck of a lot of fun to meet all the people and talk about their hunts.  They can also arrange tours and will take you to the markets.  If you get a chance, go to Cambanos Curio Centre for a very good variety of gifts to bring home.  Also, if you are interested in a classic Africa hiking/hunting boot, get a pair of Courteney Cape Buffalo boots at Gordon's Footwear.  I have two pair of Courteney boots one Cape Buffalo and one Kudu.  

Cheers from Alaska

[S Meyer]

The most dangerous place for travellers will most likely be the airport itself. There are many groups of criminals that specialise in stealing specific items in the terminals. The most sought after things are laptops. Security at the airport is fairly good but it would be unwise to be too obvious with large amounts of cash. It is best not to hang around in any quiet, unlit areas. There is currently a very extensive construction project underway there in preparation for the 2010 soccer world cup, so it is best to be alert at all times.

The east rand area, where the airport is, is not a war zone. There are dangerous areas in Johannesburg, but the average PH is far too smart to take his clients to these places. I have not encountered any hippies, but it theoretically possible that they could exist in some of the wealthier neighbourhoods where the parents pay for the electrified fence on top of the 8 foot wall, security alarms and armed reaction.  

By and large everyone in the industry will take good care of clients from overseas. There are rules and regulations in place to protect foreign visitors. One of these is that any client must be fetched at the airport. The only thing that is genuinely troubling thing in Johannesburg is the traffic and in particular the minibus taxis that zoom around like maniacs.  

Hunting the bush veldt will be an unforgettable experience. Almost addictive you could say.

[bushwood]

I second what TRADALASKA said. The Afton House is the way to go all the way. Very affordable and the assistance they provide at the airport you can't put a price on.
 As far as JoBurg goes, it's not as bad as people say as long as you are with someone you can trust, like Louis.
 We just returned Sunday, and I must say that the city is definately improving.

[Jarrod Feiner]

Tradalaska, Thanks again--and always. Bushwood, Thanks for the second.

S Meyer, Thanks for the specific security information. It sounds like if you use common sense you should be OK...? Glad to hear that the city is improving.

Thanks everyone-
Jarrod

[RL]

Last September when I arrived in JoBurg, I patiently  held back and waited for my luggage to circle around to me. I found one bag and then got impatient and walked around to where the luggage came into the building. I was stunned to see someone rolling a cart away with 4 bags on it, one of which was mine. I grabbed it up in a hurry. Be aggressive when collecting your luggage. Also, South Africa has had 10,000 murders in the last six years, most of those in the bigger cities. As stated already, meet your outfitter at the airport and you will be fine.

[jonsimoneau]

Ah, you must be going to Vissers if Bennie is picking you guys up.  He's a great guy.  Last year when I went, I never had a chance to leave the airport.  Bennie was there to pick me up immediately.  Also, don't let anyone else touch your luggage unless you don't mind tipping everyone.  Every person that even touches your luggage will expect a tip.  I had one guy that wanted a tip because he opened the bathroom door on the way out.  He held out his hand right after he got done peeing and wanted some cash!

[Jarrod Feiner]

RL, I'm glad I don't have that guy's nerve in my tooth. It's amazing how bold people are.

Jonsimoneau, The lesson for me is to bring a slew of $1 bills. I'd like to get paid for taking a leak too...funny to think that the people want to get paid for being polite--ala opening doors...et cetera.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[chrisg]

The guy with your bag off of the carousel would have to explain it at customs, unless he just walks through the 'nothing to declare' channel and has a mate to usher him through, it happens. Be alert and watch out for your bags all the time. Don't carry lots of stuff in public and don't wave cash if you want to keep any. Not all SA is ugly and criminal but go about with a local to keep you out of dodgey areas, Joburg is a fun city if you do it right!
You are not coming here for another city but if you have extra time there is lots to do and see.I
don't tip for good manners,what a cheek! We have many, many economic refugees from up north and a desperate person will ask a tip for anything!
Chrisg

[Jarrod Feiner]

Chrisg, Thanks very much for responding. I really appreciate the local's perspective.

In many ways, I suppose, getting around  Johannesburg is much like getting around a big city in the US (I live in the shadow of San Francisco): use your common sense, be aware of those who are around you, don't put yourself in a questionable situation, and have a good time.

Thanks very much for the reply.
J

[S Meyer]

The airport employees are supposed to wear a large security pass. Yellow if remember correctly. There are porters employed by the airport to help with baggage and they will all have such a pass. The security people usually wear long black coats over as a kind of uniform. If someone does not have an ID and they are acting friendly they may be up to something. The airport staff is not allowed to ask for tips.

Like Chrisg says, Joburg can be fun. There is a nice German style bar; actually, pub and grill, close the airport. I can’t remember the name just now. Just stay out of Hillbrow because it is dangerous and avoid Steeldale because the people there aren’t human anymore, it’s the fumes from the cement factory and steel mill and all.

Cheers Stefan

[chrisg]

Yeah Joburg, LA, Paris, Rio  everyone has a scam somewhere. Hmm, Hillbrow/Steeldale, nice combo and you could add a few more too eh?    Your outfitter should be able to help but if he is not from Jozi he should find someone who can guide you, it's not a war zone and there are plenty of good registered city tourist guides who can take you on tours. Their knowledge is worth the money. Just be smart like they all say. I've grown up here and survived more years than I'd like to admit, but then I got smacked by a Dagha bull when I was guiding in the bush, I still like the bush though! Wierd aren't we?
Please come!
Chrisg  

[Jarrod Feiner]

Hillbrow/Steeldale: If my guide drives through these areas I'll remember to duck behind the windshield.      

S Meyer and Chrisg, Thanks for the local knowledge. Could you give me a few places not to miss in the Joburg area?

I'd like to stay AWAY from the tourist traps: you know, places that sell souviners (crap) with the Joburg version of "I left my heart in San Francisco", or the ever popular, "Escaped Alcatraz Convict" tee-shirts and hats that I see nearly every SF tourists wearing in my area.   :rolleyes:  
 
Many thanks-

[chrisg]

Hello Jarod,
Been offline for a bit. Joburg and what to do. This is a long reply. It depends on your time and interests. We do have some big malls and while I am sure you've seen a few they do offer the advantage of one-stop shopping and restaurants and relatively safe parking. You literally can get almost anything, a good example is Sandton City/Nelson Mandela Square interesting and glitsy incredible shops, v European feel. Pricey and not African, others are Eastgate, Cresta, The Mall in Rosebank Fourways Mall. Restaurants are all over the city but Greenside,Parkhurst and Melville have huge choice and creative, fabulous food.Parkhurst has antique shops. Melville is a wellknown club and bar area with some good eateries too, a bit of a tourist trap, go with a guide.
Culture and history, The University of Witwatersrand has good galleries and if the ancient past interests you, visit 'The Origins centre'-you can get your DNA tested to see if you really came from Africa!  Goldreef city is themed museum built on an old original mine working with 'extra' tourist stuff, not great but interesting for the history. History of a grimmer kind is on show just half a mile away at the Apartheid Museum, this is a sombre look at our recent ugly past and an effective way to get a take on the background to the present, do this one and the Soweto shebeen stayover thing together and you will have a good handle on SA. Out of town to the West is the Cradle of Humankind, 30% of all hominid fossils have come from this area. If you like archaeology this is nirvana, there are as many as fifteen sites being excavated, in the middle of the area is the Sterkfontein Caves and nearby the impressive Maropeng museum. Maropeng is fabulous an interactive museum, not as detailed as the Smithsonian but set on top of ancient hills and slap bang in the centre of a phenomenally rich in historical artifacts, battle sites and lovely countryside. Did I mention restaurants again? All through the surrounding hills are shops, restaurants rustic hotels and farms. Over the hill is Magaliesberg, a pretty village with some wonderful hotels, Mount Grace being the best of them, has stargazing evenings, a spa, incredible gardens and amazing, amazing food. Very pretty in the summer and still nice in the winter. Soweto is south and west of the city and worth a visit on a tour or a stay over at a shebeen, this is very interesting and lots of fun, best organised through an agent.
We also have a world class Philomonic Orchestra, The JPO. Many golf courses and with an hour's drive hundreds of country retreats etc, but of course you will be here to hunt so you will have to be choosy.
nuff sed
chrisg

Heard enough?
Chrisg  

[Jarrod Feiner]

Chrisg, Thanks very, very much for the information.

"Relatively safe parking". I laughed my a$$ off when I read this: I was told by a guide that hunting Kodiak brown bears is "relatively safe".

It's good to know there are things like malls in case I forget something in my packing. Too, Maropeng sounds like a great way to spend a morning.

I'm going to check on line to see if any of the places have websites.

Many thanks-
Jarrod

[chrisg]

You know what 'relatively safe' means? "If it's not me or my relatives, then it's safe!"    Kodiak bears are not nice people from what I can see. Your big worry is losing the car or being mugged at or near your car, most lots have security and if you park in open, lit areas it's fine. I will try to get more websites and addys. The choices revolve around time and your interest areas. We really enjoy Maropeng and the hills around there, lots of stuf to do and see, I lived out there for a while, incredible area. Maropeng also has a cool environmentally friendly hotel, it's far out of town though so you better not need a toothbrush or such like!
chrisg

[Jarrod Feiner]

Thanks for the info. I figure we'll be in Joburg for a day or so--to recouperate from the flight--so this info is greatly appreciated.

Stay well.
Jarrod

[Rick McGowan]

What a HUGE change there in 20 years, I went through Jo'berg in 1979 and the airport was very quiet, organized and orderly, in 99 I went back and what a shock. I was told to not even go to the mens room by yourself. Keep a close eye on your stuff and be very careful if you go to the atm. The city didn't improve either. I have read that now it is among the most dangerous big cities in the world and number one for rape. What a shame.