How do I get there?
Unless you are travelling with a chartered flight, there are no direct flights to Johannesburg from Ireland. Depending on the time of year, prices vary from well over €1000 to under €500. KLM and Lufthansa are generally the best bets for cheap flights.
When should I go?
The 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off on 11 June so unless you are a football fan, June and July should be avoided. That’s the middle of winter and Johannesburg can get quite cold, especially at night. April and May or September and October are warm but temperatures rarely exceed 30 degrees.
What are the touristy things to do?
Johannesburg, known to the locals as Jozi or Joburg, is not much of a tourist destination. It’s a stop-off point for visitors to the Kruger National Park or Cape Town. Nonetheless, there are plenty of things to see and do. Learn about Jozi’s gold mining history at Gold Reef City, and be sure to visit the Apartheid Museum. Visitors should save a day for a tour of Soweto. Soweto – South Western Townships – was an urban area reserved for black workers under the apartheid government and is now a vibrant city in itself. Soweto is big and can be a nightmare to navigate so it’s wiser to go with a tour group or
a local.
Anything else?
The Cradle of Humankind Africa is an UNESCO World Heritage Site about 50 kilometres outside Jozi. Africa is the birthplace of humanity and about 40 percent of the world’s humanoid fossils have been found here, including a 4 million year old ape-man skeleton known as “Little Foot” and a 2.3-million year old fossil nicknamed Mrs Ples. Start at the Maropeng Visitors Centre and venture down into the bowels of the Skerkfontein Cave where Mrs Ples was found.
What about eating?
There are no shortages of dining options in Jozi. You’ll find every type of cuisine from traditional African to Portuguese, Italian, Middle Eastern, Chinese and Japanese. Restaurant chains abound, with the same popular ones such as Nando’s and the Ocean Basket popping up in most areas. If you are on a budget, fast food is of a consistently higher quality than in Ireland and most fast food restaurants have seating as well.
What should I avoid?
Unprotected sex. Sadly, an estimated 40 percent of South Africa’s population is HIV positive.
Where can I stay?
Jozi’s northern suburbs are the safest, but also the priciest. Sandton is home to Jozi’s yuppies; Greenside is as pleasant as the name suggests; Parkhurst has been gentrified into a trendy village while Melville is a little grungier. These all offer lively bars and restaurants and are mostly safe to walk around as long as you stick to the busy streets.
How much to get tanked?
Cheap cheap! Expect to pay less than €2 for a bottle of beer. Spirits, wine and cocktails are all significantly cheaper than in Ireland. You can buy a round for four people for little more than the price of a double vodka and mixer at home.
What should I bring home?
African crafts obviously! Souvenir shops in tourist areas specialise in crazy prices so look off the beaten track at flea markets and even on the roadside where you’ll pick up Ndebele bead work, wire frame statues and carved wooden crafts for a fraction of the price.
Why should I go?
Jozi is the most vibrant city in Africa and the continent’s commercial and financial hub. It’s multicultural, diverse, on the move and the best city to really experience post-apartheid South Africa. And then there’s a little soccer competition coming up…
Why should I not go?
Although much rejuvenation has taken place on the run-up to the World Cup, Jozi is not exactly beautiful. Many of the suburbs are tree-lined but much of central Joburg is rundown, derelict and dirty.
What’s my challenge?
Avoiding crime. The government has made huge inroads into curbing Jozi’s crime problem. However, the city can be dangerous, particularly after dark. Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville should be avoided. Looking like a tourist with a camera slung around your neck is asking for trouble. Don’t stop to assist motorists who seem to be in trouble as these are often scams to nick your car. Don’t leave your valuables or handbag in plain sight even when you are driving – criminals target cars at traffic lights, smash windows and grab your goods. With the exception of a few areas, don’t walk after dark and ask your hotel to recommend a taxi service.