Help: 4 days, 3 nights in (or our of) Johannesburg

Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 06:42 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Help: 4 days, 3 nights in (or our of) Johannesburg

Hello,

My husband has a business trip to Johannesburg the first week in June. He will be busy through 5:00 p.m. on Thursday the 5th and doesn't fly out until 8:00 p.m. on Monday the 9th. He would like to spend that time seeing wildlife but we have no idea what is feasible and/or reasonable to do in that time period.

While he isn't necessarily trying to see the big five in one weekend, he would like to see some of the iconic African mammals. He is also a birder, so birds are good also.

We would truly appreciate any help or suggestions that you can offer on what might be reasonable to attempt in that short time frame.

Thank you for your assistance

Pamela (on behalf of Vic)
eveningcrane is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 07:28 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,358
Received 79 Likes on 8 Posts
Would he be willing to drive to a game reserve? What about a short flight?
Gardyloo is online now  
Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 08:28 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can rent a car and drive to Pilanesburg. Its about 2-3 hours from JNB. We did this last December and saw a great variety of animals including 4 rhinos, giraffes, zebras, elephants, hippos, buffalos, assortment of birds etc. We stopped at Bakubung game lodge for lunch. It is easy to do a self drive excursion within Pilanesburg, lots of people take their car, you do need GPS however. Elephant Sanctuary on the way to Pilanesburg,
The Lion Park near Lanseria is also good.
Odin is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 09:59 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If budget permits fly somewhere in Sabi Sands like Mala Mala Main Camp.

https://www.google.ca/url?q=http://w...7fne_LRPfUoGQg

He'll see so much wildlife at such close proximity and be so well looked after that he'll return home a very happy person!
KathBC is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 10:45 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What kind of budget does he have? Fly or drive more comfortable?
christabir is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 11:04 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
He would be more comfortable driving than flying. He won't specify a budget but I am sure he is going to suffer some degree of sticker shock (I will try to talk him through the ss). However, I do think Mala Mala is out of the price range.

Thanks for your assistance!
eveningcrane is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 11:11 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,358
Received 79 Likes on 8 Posts
Pilanesburg is certainly an option, or a couple of hours further, Madikwe.

If he's a birder, a quick, cheap flight down to Cape Town and 2 hours in the car puts him in West Coast National Park, a huge birding destination. He could stay in Paternoster, a very picturesque village on the Atlantic coast near to the national park. No big predators in the national park, but many antelope, some zebra, and LOTS of birds.

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/west_c...p=West%20Coast
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/tr...cing.html?_r=0
Gardyloo is online now  
Old Apr 22nd, 2014, 07:41 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
He could drive three-four hours north of Joberg and visit Entabeni, mostly major highway. There are 5-6 different camps in different price ranges. There are many game reserves around there, but Entabeni is the largest (and quite reasonably priced). We loved it, and if he golfs there is a lovely course. He can also visit Sun City/Pilanesberg for a less authentic, but very fun experience - safari and casinos!! Other locations (Kruger area, Madikwe) are a bit far in my opinion to drive to for such a short trip.
christabir is offline  
Old May 17th, 2014, 11:01 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey! I am from Johannesburg Does he need advise on what to do while there?
Pilanesburg is very good and close by- he will see a lot. Also have a look at the Diamond Route and Birding Route
http://www.diamondroute.com/index.htm
http://www.birdingroutes.co.za
- a bit of a unique experience to the normal "kruger" thing and very informative. Shout if you need more information on this
Lenska is offline  
Old Oct 26th, 2014, 05:17 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Jenka from johannesburg, We will be there for 3 days before going to Kruger and then Capetown. Other than getting over jet lag what should we check out in Jo, without a rental car?
cherylbr is offline  
Old Oct 26th, 2014, 08:11 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Cherylbr,

I have been living in Joburg for the past year and there is a lot to do here. Getting around is a bit tough without a car, and you don't mention where you are staying but maybe your hotel can help you with taxis or a driver.

Soweto is a must. A really fun way to experience it is on a bike. Check out : http://www.sowetobicycletours.com/

We did the 4 hour tour, which is great but you don't get the time to visit the museums which was fine for us as we can go back, but you may want to look at the all day tour where they are included. You can see some photos from our tour on my blog here:

http://underanafricansun.com/2014/06/17/soweto-by-bike/

Another thing that I recommend is the Big Red Bus Tour. This is a fantastic way to see some of the sites in and around the CBD (Central Business District). They have 12 stops total, but you won't be able to see them all in one day. Their website is here:

http://www.citysightseeing.co.za/joburg.php

Don't miss the stop at the Carlton Centre for the 360° panoramic views. There is also the Apartheid Museum (we went back later and spent over 4 hours here) and Constitution Hill (highly recommended though I haven't personally visited yet). The Mining district was also interesting but I only recommend it if you are visiting on the weekday as the area was deserted on the weekend. My blog post about our visit is here:

http://underanafricansun.com/2013/12...e-big-red-bus/

There are also some fun food markets to visit if you are here on the right days. Braamfontein and the Neighbourgoods Market on a Saturday:

http://www.neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za/johannesburg

Sundays is Market on Main:

http://marketonmain.co.za/

Those are my favourites but there are others too such as the newly opened Sheds@1Fox: http://www.1fox.co.za/ that is receiving rave review but I haven't had time to visit yet.


There are a lot of walking tours around the city to get to know some of the areas of the city more difficult to visit on your own. I highly recommmend Ancient Secrets if there is a tour during your visit (they are only offered about every 2 weeks, usually on a Saturday or Sunday). The facebook page is here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/africansecrets/

We have done about 6 of these tours and they are always fantastic. I have written about 3 of them so far here:

http://underanafricansun.com/tag/ancient-secrets/

There are others with good reviews but as I haven't done them yet I can't personally recommend them but you can also check out Dlala Nje http://www.dlalanje.org/ or Past Experiences http://pastexperiences.co.za/

There is of course much more but I hope that gives you some ideas to start with. Have a great stay in Joburg and South Africa and let me know if you have any other questions, I'll be glad to try and help.
kellyee21 is offline  
Old Oct 28th, 2014, 03:06 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Pamela,
If you are planning to drive from JNB, then I would definately go to Madikwe. If you want to consider a short flight out of Jo'burg (1 hour in light aircraft transfer) then I would do go to Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve. You have basically a weekend and so I would go where you are sure to see the Big 5 and have very good guides/rangers with you in the jeep who communicate with other rangers to secure sightings. What is your budget? I'm sure there are plenty of options that will work. Happy to help!
Dianne, Africa Direct USA
diannelovestravel is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Robbietravels
Africa & the Middle East
15
Apr 30th, 2014 07:13 AM
mcbg1
Africa & the Middle East
29
Mar 23rd, 2012 09:05 AM
KSC2003
Africa & the Middle East
15
Jan 22nd, 2009 09:29 PM
Naplo999
Africa & the Middle East
6
Jan 30th, 2007 01:37 PM
leanapayne
Africa & the Middle East
5
Jan 12th, 2006 06:59 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -