Any of you traveled in South Africa?

[Guest]

I'll be traveling around South Africa in early September, and I have a question I'm not sure whom to ask. The focus of our trip will be elsewhere, but we will have one day to visit either Johannesburg or Pretoria. If you could visit just one, which would you pick?

[Newly]

I visited South Africa back in 2006. Great place, much to my surprise one of my favorite places in the world, but I spent most of the time in Stellenbosch in the Cape Region. Wasn't too thrilled with either Johannesburg or Pretoria, but between the two I'd go for Pretoria. I kind of got a kick out of visiting the Vortrekker moument. Unicorn be extremely careful in both of these cities. Every large city has problem areas, but unfortunately the crime rate and car jackings are real problems in Johannesburg and Pretoria. That being said, the people I met in South Africa were without a doubt some of the kindest humans I have ever met. If you go stay in a bed and breakfast instead of a chain hotel. I stayed in one in Pretoria (can't remember the name unfortunately) and besides being much nicer than the chain hotels it was reasonably price and it gives you a chance to meet some locals. I was also impressed with the quality and amount of the food, although seeing what they ate I am amazed at how South Africans manage to be so fit and incredibly good looking people!

[+ WilliamM]

Agree with everything newtothis wrote. Too bad Capetown is not a choice.

 

It's a shame you only have one day, but at least you will have a bit of a feel for the country. About twenty years ago, I flew from Australia to Christchurch, New Zealand for just one day, and have always been glad I got to see the city and see part of NZ other than Auckland.

[Phil_musc]

Yes, too bad the Capetown is not an option - it is a beautiful city with a great climate. I spent a little time in the J-berg airport (that was fine) and I had heard the horror stories about crime.

[+ Axiom2001]

In 2002 I visited South Africa for two weeks plus, Jo Burg, Cape Town, and Sun City; the latter I could have done without. I did not particularly like Jo Burg after being in Cape Town and other parts of that area. ...found this part of the country to be fantastic and more to my liking. Had planned to return and/or possibly move there, but I guess I was not being realistic at the time. I do plan to return and will take in the first two cities again and perhaps go on a safari.

[Newly]

If you get a chance to go on a safari by all means do it. I thought it would be Disney Worldish and it's very expensive, but when you realize that the future is very uncertain for a lot of the species you will see it's well worth it, a once in a life time experience.

[shadowcatzxxx]

Agree with basically everything everybody has said so far. (interesting and unusual (for this board) near-unanimity of opinion)

 

The need to be cautious about theft and violent crime (though more the former than the latter) is very real in cities. Not all that surprising considering that South Africa is only 20-something years out of what was practically slavery for a large portion of the population. Unbelievable income disparity.

 

And, in an interesting perspective, one speaker I heard about the country mentioned that part of the reason that income disparity is generally getting worse is that significant parts of the country (especially, but by no means exclusively, the Western Cape) are so extraordinarily, eye-poppingly gorgeous, that they are attracting some of the wealthiest people in the world who are buying ocean-view properties and building "homes" that rival the mythical Xanadu for opulence -- and living cheek-by-jowl with people in townships crammed 10 or more into one-room tin shacks with no running water. When you realize that a single smartphone represents almost a year's salary for some people, the incentive for theft becomes more understandable, if not any more pleasant.

 

Yes, there are car-jackings. Yes, there are "smash and grabs" - in which someone comes up to a car stopped at a traffic light, smashes a window, and grabs a wallet, camera, or anything else visible in the car.

 

And I have to say that I fell in love with the place despite that. You just need to take the warnings carefully, and get on-the-ground information about where and when it is safe to walk/drive around the cities.

 

If you want to try some urban gay nightlife, I'd recommend CapeTown as being safer and more manageable than JoBurg or Pretoria. The Afrikaners can be spectacularly handsome and sexy, and the people whose roots go back farther than the colonial era are varied and often equally stunning. And virtually everyone I met was VERY friendly and nice. Smiles for days.

 

Yes, do a safari. And yes, do plan to spend time walking/hiking-- in places you are told by reliable sources are safe.

[Diverdan]

If you can only take one day, spend some money to get a great day or day and night safari...which is probably easier out of JoBurg than Pretoria, but I would defer to some good travel agents on that. I spent several days in Durbin for a conference and got a wonderful long day Safari to a private game preserve which was an incredible experience. But to get there we went through some of the poorest areas I could ever imagine. Crime of all kinds is rampant in both JoBurg and Pretoria and to some extent in Durbin as well. Capetown is a bit safer and certainly more welcoming to gay tourists than anywhere else, but I suspect that is not an option. It is to bad that you can only get a one day free after making such a long trip to the Continent. It is on my bucket list to return, and I plan to spend a week in Capetown and that area as soon as can be arranged. Good luck and have a great time.

[Guest]

Too bad Capetown is not a choice.

 

Thanks for all of the advice. When I wrote "the focus of our trip will be elsewhere," I'm not sure why people read this to mean that we will not be visiting other places in South Africa. We will have four nights and three days in Cape Town, and three nights in Kruger NP for safari. It's just that we will have only one night before flying back in either Jo-Burg or Pretoria. It sounds as if the latter would be our better bet.

[shadowcatzxxx]

If you have some spare day time in Capetown, I STRONGLY recommend that you grab a car and ride down to Cape Point Park. Take the entire day ... drive down on the east side of the peninsula, stop to see the penguins on the way, then choose a hike in the park itself (there are a couple of nice ones not too far form the lighthouse), and drive back up on the western side, planning to stop at a scenic overlook with a take-out dinner to watch the sun set in an unbelievably spectacular location. Have fun!

[Newly]

Although South Africa has its share of problems including a high crime rate, income inequality and a tortured past it is the only country where I have never heard any visitor say anything but good things about its beauty and the warmth of its people. If I were South African I would be proud of all this praise for a truly unique place.

[+ WilliamM]

I'll be traveling around South Africa in early September' date=' and I have a question I'm not sure whom to ask. The focus of our trip will be elsewhere, but we will have one day to visit either Johannesburg or Pretoria. If you could visit just one, which would you pick?[/quote']

 

Umicorn, I mentioned Capetown because I believed you were visiting someone in South Africa because you wrote "The focus of our trip will be elsewhere...[with] one day to visit Johannesberg or Pretoria." If you have written fly back from Johannesburg or Pretoria, rather than visit, I would have undertood the thrust of your message.

[Phil_musc]

Well, Unicorn, what you have described is different from how I read your initial post. It sounds like you will have a fabulous trip - glad you're taking several days for safari - I loved my experiences doing just that. And I'm also glad that you'll have some time in Capetown - what an interesting and beautiful city. I would leap at the chance to go back - might I offer my services to help with your luggage and stuff?

[Diverdan]

I too misread your original post... you have a wonderful trip planned... enjoy it to the fullest, but do be a bit careful, even in Capetown, although that city is clearly the most gay friendly of all of the major cities in SA.