dutyfree

Our family of four("kids" are 24 and 21) are thinking of possibly doing a family trip during December to South Africa if everything would work out? We would fly into and out of Johannesburg from the states. Have heard various stories of how unsafe it is there in comparison to the other South African cities and our wondering if we should rethink this trip? Thanks!

Roccco

dutyfree,

Johannesburg is just as safe (or unsafe) as most any major city. Take the nearest major city in your part of the USA and there are going to be very safe parts of the city and very unsafe parts of the same city. Johannesburg is no different.

The Sandton area would be very safe and in Sandton Square you may safely walk around, day and night, with complete peace of mind.

However, I don't think you are coming all the way to South Africa for Johannesburg...at most, you may want to spend a night or two in Johannesburg before moving onto Cape Town, your safari destination or elsewhere.

Also, as far as your safari goes, keep in mind that South Africa will be in high season in December and this will have safari lodges at their very highest prices. A safari to Botswana or Zambia would offer much better pricing in December and would also be completely safe.

Are you visiting Cape Town? If so, given your safety concerns, you may want to stay at a "Waterfront" hotel where you may walk around safely, day or night.

If you plan your locations carefully, there is no reason to have any undue concerns about safety. Half the prior travelers on this board have likely been to Johannesburg and lived to tell about it! Personally, I really enjoy staying in Sandton Square as it is full of great shopping, very nice restaurants and entertainment.d

Where are you planning for your safari?

dutyfree

I have not gotten to planning the safari part of our trip yet as this is really the early planning stage as to when and where. Any suggestions that you have enjoyed? I appreciate all info.

santharamhari

You will be safe.....if game viewing is a matter of priority, you will probably just transit thru JNB....

All of us, transit thru JNB or spend an overnight at either Sandton or one of the airport hotels for logistical reasons......just like anywhere else in the world.

Hari

Roccco

dutyfree,

Often safari lodges fill up, especially in high season, 6+ months in advance, so it would be wise to shake a leg.

Regarding the safari, there are many factors to consider. First and foremost, how long are you allowing for your safari? If it is only 4-5 nights, then it would make the most sense to stay put in South Africa. However, if you did have 6+ nights, then it would be wise to consider Botswana or Zambia where rates will be much more favorable in December, parks will be far less crowded than in South Africa and gameviewing will be equivalent (or better).

Also, are you all okay with taking anti-malaria meds such as Malarone? Most parks require that you take such meds but there are some malaria free parks in South Africa (but this will limit your possibilities and add to the potential of sharing camps with families with younger children if this is a concern.

Also, most on this board visit what are commonly known as luxury lodges rather than doing self drive safaris. Luxury lodges may range anywhere in price from about $300 per night to $1200 per night for the very best.

Zambia and Botswana will tend to offer truer safari camps but also do feature luxury lodges, especially in South Luangwa, Zambia.

I am just going to throw some different properties out there for you to see so you get a good sampling of what is out there:

www.kwando.co.za
www.starofafrica.com (take a look, especially, at Puku Ridge)
www.ccafrica.com
www.sanctuarylodges.com
www.wilderness-safaris.com
www.mkuzefalls.com

There are literally hundreds of different lodges to choose from but the above is just a tiny sampling.

laguna92688

Jo'burg is a cool, exciting city. It can be dangerous if you don't know your way around. I just got back and I've been there a lot. This trip included going to Moyo's in the downtown area at night and then getting lost trying to get on to the M1 Freeway back to Sandton but all was fine and downtown jhb has really improved and is actually quite pleasant in places

pjammin123

What has worked best for me is something like fly into Capetown for 4-5 nights (and visit surrounding areas), go to 2 different safari camps for 3 nights each, then spend 1-2 nights in Johannesburg and fly back to USA from Johannesburg. This could be done in reverse too.

Remember the day you arrive in Capetown or Johannesburg is a recoup from the exhausting flight day. IMO you will want to spend a lot more time in Capetown and the surrounding areas then you will in Johannesburg.