Johannesburg or surrounding area
Discussion
I find myself with a couple of days in Jo’burg in July after my wife flies home. We’ll have done Kruger and the nice bit between Kruger and Jo’burg so looking for suggestions for a couple of days either in or near the city. I know a lot of the advice will be don’t go, but I am so could do with tips from regular visitors or residents.
For background I’m a fairly regular visitor to South Africa just not Jo’burg itself. I currently have a car during the time I’m due to be there but could bin it off when I drop my wife at the airport if it’s easier not to have it. I’ll probably be all safaried out and I don’t play golf so that probably kills a couple of ideas people will have jumped to.
So over to the well travelled PH collective, what should I do other than cower in an airport hotel awaiting my return to relative safety? Restaurant recommendations also gratefully received.
For background I’m a fairly regular visitor to South Africa just not Jo’burg itself. I currently have a car during the time I’m due to be there but could bin it off when I drop my wife at the airport if it’s easier not to have it. I’ll probably be all safaried out and I don’t play golf so that probably kills a couple of ideas people will have jumped to.
So over to the well travelled PH collective, what should I do other than cower in an airport hotel awaiting my return to relative safety? Restaurant recommendations also gratefully received.
Kyalami racetrack would be on my list. Looks like it's been done up recently and I think it's going to be in the next Forza game.
Some epic race footage from the 90s:
https://youtu.be/Hdv3a3n3fDE
https://youtu.be/HgmDq6N6vR4
Some epic race footage from the 90s:
https://youtu.be/Hdv3a3n3fDE
https://youtu.be/HgmDq6N6vR4
deja.vu said:
Pilanesberg for a mini safari and Sun city?
Or stay at the Palazzo in Monte Casino and chill for a couple of days
I did look at this. My first ever trip to ZA was to sun city and pilansberg in ‘98 as an 11 year old. Reviews suggest I might be disappointed but I’m still tempted for nostalgic reasons, probably miss the safari element out though.Or stay at the Palazzo in Monte Casino and chill for a couple of days
Byronwww said:
Kyalami racetrack would be on my list. Looks like it's been done up recently and I think it's going to be in the next Forza game.
Some epic race footage from the 90s:
https://youtu.be/Hdv3a3n3fDE
https://youtu.be/HgmDq6N6vR4
Well that’s certainly slipped my radar so far so thanks for the suggestion. I’ll have a look at that.Some epic race footage from the 90s:
https://youtu.be/Hdv3a3n3fDE
https://youtu.be/HgmDq6N6vR4
djc206 said:
deja.vu said:
Pilanesberg for a mini safari and Sun city?
Or stay at the Palazzo in Monte Casino and chill for a couple of days
I did look at this. My first ever trip to ZA was to sun city and pilansberg in ‘98 as an 11 year old. Reviews suggest I might be disappointed but I’m still tempted for nostalgic reasons, probably miss the safari element out though.Or stay at the Palazzo in Monte Casino and chill for a couple of days
If you’re looking for somewhere nice to eat, Wombles Steakhouse is very good.
There is a nice racing circuit not far from Kyalami, has some good racing on at times and a nice venue. https://www.zwartkops.co.za/
The best steak meal i ever had was in Nelson Mandela Square in J'Burg, but do be careful, we had a taxi supplied by the hotel to take us to the entrance to the complex and were advised to do the same to get back, it was pretty dodgy in the area but safe if you did that door to door. https://nelsonmandelasquare.co.za/shops/the-butche...
The best steak meal i ever had was in Nelson Mandela Square in J'Burg, but do be careful, we had a taxi supplied by the hotel to take us to the entrance to the complex and were advised to do the same to get back, it was pretty dodgy in the area but safe if you did that door to door. https://nelsonmandelasquare.co.za/shops/the-butche...
Depending on your interests, there's the Apartheid Museum and a trip on the open top bus will let you see much. The view from the bus of the old CBD is interesting, just don't get off there.
Don't know if they are currently available but trips to Soweto used to be on the tourist trail. We didn't do this as it struck us as rather voyeuristic.
Don't know if they are currently available but trips to Soweto used to be on the tourist trail. We didn't do this as it struck us as rather voyeuristic.
500TORQUES said:
There is a nice racing circuit not far from Kyalami, has some good racing on at times and a nice venue. https://www.zwartkops.co.za/
The best steak meal i ever had was in Nelson Mandela Square in J'Burg, but do be careful, we had a taxi supplied by the hotel to take us to the entrance to the complex and were advised to do the same to get back, it was pretty dodgy in the area but safe if you did that door to door. https://nelsonmandelasquare.co.za/shops/the-butche...
That sounds fairly standard for ZA to me and would be my plan. My wife struggles with red meat in excess so I think a good steak might be a solid plan for at least one of my free nights thanks.The best steak meal i ever had was in Nelson Mandela Square in J'Burg, but do be careful, we had a taxi supplied by the hotel to take us to the entrance to the complex and were advised to do the same to get back, it was pretty dodgy in the area but safe if you did that door to door. https://nelsonmandelasquare.co.za/shops/the-butche...
Thanks for the suggestions.
Just returned from living there for three years, lived next to Kyalami circuit.
Sun City is actually quite good, and Pilanesburg is always awesome, although you’ll have just done Kruger.
The Cradle area is very nice, very close and lots of very different things to do (how about a hot air balloon ride over a game reserve, or mountain biking with zebra and giraffe?).
Dinokeng is close, and relatively unknown to non-locals.
If in the city, head to 44 Stanley for breakfast
Dan
Sun City is actually quite good, and Pilanesburg is always awesome, although you’ll have just done Kruger.
The Cradle area is very nice, very close and lots of very different things to do (how about a hot air balloon ride over a game reserve, or mountain biking with zebra and giraffe?).
Dinokeng is close, and relatively unknown to non-locals.
If in the city, head to 44 Stanley for breakfast
Dan
dtaylo2 said:
Just returned from living there for three years, lived next to Kyalami circuit.
Sun City is actually quite good, and Pilanesburg is always awesome, although you’ll have just done Kruger.
The Cradle area is very nice, very close and lots of very different things to do (how about a hot air balloon ride over a game reserve, or mountain biking with zebra and giraffe?).
Dinokeng is close, and relatively unknown to non-locals.
If in the city, head to 44 Stanley for breakfast
Dan
Thanks for the suggestions, some pretty cool ideas.Sun City is actually quite good, and Pilanesburg is always awesome, although you’ll have just done Kruger.
The Cradle area is very nice, very close and lots of very different things to do (how about a hot air balloon ride over a game reserve, or mountain biking with zebra and giraffe?).
Dinokeng is close, and relatively unknown to non-locals.
If in the city, head to 44 Stanley for breakfast
Dan
deja.vu said:
Pilanesberg for a mini safari and Sun city?
Or stay at the Palazzo in Monte Casino and chill for a couple of days
There are three types of hotels in Monte Casino, lost count how many restaurants, so much to do, a fascinating place. Sit in the square with a beer and watch the musical fountain.Or stay at the Palazzo in Monte Casino and chill for a couple of days
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