Johannesburg was my first travel out of Turkey. That’s why it has a big meaning for me. But as all we know , Johannesburg is not a safe city. While i was invited with my friend , i didn’t have any trouble but i wouldn’t go there without an invitation of a friend. Later i travelled to Cape Town and i will explain about it in my Cape Town page.
When To Go :
I will recommend to visit South Africa around October-November or March-April etc. Summers are so hot and winter will not be so suitable. The main issue is that South Africa is famous with tours and ames reserves , not with museums etc. So before going , you should check which season is good for safari , which season you can watch sharks , whales , penguins and seals etc.
About Johannesburg :
I don’t want to mention much about the common information about Johannesburg which you can find everywhere. Most populated city in South Africa etc. I was suprised when i saw all the buildings which is like British style. You can feel that British people brought their culture here. Even you can see many golf courts along around. Johannesburg should be one of the most spread city in the World. There should be much more detached houses than apartment flats. City is totally inside a green area , like a city in the forest. I stayed in an area called Mulbarton on the South part of Johannesburg. It was safe enough in the day time. Generally black people and White people live in different areas. There is a really high income disparity in South Africa. Some of the rich neighbourhoods are really so beautiful with houses like chateaus and jakaranda trees at the streets with purple flowers , seems like a tale World. I didn’t take much photos while i didn’t have an idea about writing a blog. I really regret about this.
Economy in Johannesburg :
While planning a trip , economy can be our biggest priority. Of course we would like to know about the prices of museums , markets , accomodation etc. before the trip. Hotel rates were very similar to Turkey. I can not give information about public transportation while i never used it. I don’t recommend it. Oil prices were average to me , but i found alcohol and meat cheap. All the houses have security sistems because of the robbery.Electricty , gas and water really expensive compare to Istanbul. The system is different and you can even buy electricity from the markets and load the counter.
Lifestyle in Johannesburg :
In Johannesburg life is restricted outside. There is an area called Maboneng in downtown , full of with bars , seems a bit safe to go out at nights. But still it is a bit scary. Most of the people spend their time indoor. That’s why you can see many South Africans with shaped body , while they do bodybuilding at home. I even watched out that most South Africans are like that , while i am running a hotel in Istanbul. White people live very similar to the people living in Europe. In some areas , everything is getting closed so earl at the weekend and it can be so much boring. If you love walking outside , you will need to drive to a park and then you can have a walk. I did this to Klipriviers Park. As i see , most of the people think about leaving South Africa and moving to Europe, especially young people.
THINGS TO DO IN JOHANNESBURG
Apartheid Museum :
Our first stop is Apartheid Museum. Apartheid has a meaning like racisim but in fact it means systematized of racism and identified with South Africa. After Apertheid years , black people took arms and attacked to white people and sth like a civil war occured. Then Nelson Mandela gave an end to this situation and provide the unity.You can hear name of Mandela in all around the World. Now he is a real symbol. So when you come to Johannesburg , it wouldn’t be good to leave without visiting this museum. Entrance fee is 100 Rand which is now equal to 6,15 usd. In Apartheid Museum , you can see only the materials about the politic events during Apartheid and after , also things related to Nelson Mandela. While i am coming from Turkey which is full of with special and rare museums , Aprtheid Museum is of course nothing more than a meaning. In South Africa , you can not find a museum like in Europe.
Gold Reef City :
Gold Reef City is an amusement park also includes a casino inside , very close to Apartheid Museum. You can have a short walk from Apartheid Museum. On the other hand it is on the way by seightseeing bus tour and i will mentioned about it later.
Soweto :
Opening of Soweto Word is South Western Township. It describes an area in the South western part of Johannesburg , which is full of with cottages maden with tins. This area is famous with poverty. You can go there by car or you can join to a tour. It is a good idea to go , see and help to those poor people.
Seightseeing Bus :
Seightseeing Bus is kind of a hope-on hope off tour.Actually it is very similar to Big Bus Tour , which is very common. But while there is no Big Bus Tour in Johannesburg , instead Seightseein Bus Company serves. While the concept is same , this is much cheaper. Big Bus Tour is generally around 45-60 Usd in all around the World and Seightseing Bus Tour is 15 usd( 180 Rand )in Johannesburg. That’s why you can put it on the top of the list. Totally there 13 stops. I will mention about some of them.
Rosebank :
The starting point of the bus will be Rosebank Mall. This mall is in the center of downtown and i would recommen you to have a look at this mall first.
Zoo Lake :
The second stop and just next to Johannesburg Zoo. It is not necessary to stop here but while it is very close to the zoo , you can have a walk here.
Johannesburg Zoo :
3rd station is Johannesburg Zoo. I never been to a zoo before , so i can not compare it to any other but i can say i liked it. You can finish the zoo in around 2 hours and entrance fee is 100 Rand.
Constitution Hill :
I passed the 4th station , military museum which i didn’t find interesting to visit and came to 5th station. Constitution Hill is a top point which you can find many sculptures , some writings and also great view.You can have some rest and enjoy the view here.
Mining District :
Mining has a big importance in the history of South Africa and even now. Their diamonds also should be so famous. If you are interested about this topic , you can stop and have a look around.
Carlton Center :
Carlton Center is a bussiness center in the downtown. Here you can go up to the top and have a view of the city.
Other stations are James Hall Transport Museum , Gold Reef City Casino Hotel , Apartheid Museum , SAB World of Beer , Origins Centre at Wits and Braamfontein.
Note: I mentioned about Apartheid Museum and Gold Reef City before.
Sandton :
Sandton is an area consists of shopping malls and bussiness centers in the North part of Johannesburg. Contrary to other areas , this are is very safe. You can spend some time in Sandton City Mall or in Nelson Mandela Square. There are also many good restaurants for lunch or dinner in the square.
Nizamiye Mosque :
If you already visit Sandton , you can drive 20 mins more and visit Nizamiye Mosque. Nizamiye Mosque was built in 2012 by turkish people and copied Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul. You will also find the models of the buildings in Istanbul , like Galata Tower , Maidens Tower…
FOOD
While i stayed at home , mostly shopped in the market and cooked at home. One day we made braai which actually means grill. I found vegetables and fruits a bit expensive compare to Istanbul but meat was cheaper. Alcohol was also cheap and interestingly there were 75cl bottles which i didn’t see before. Local wines can be tasted and also Amarula , similar to Baileys , was good. Mc Donald’s was not bad , while i didn’t like them in Ukraine and Serbia. Most common restaurant is Ocean Basket. You can always find good , fresh fish and delicious sushi. If you would like to try some great burger , you can visit Hudson’s Burger Joint in 14. Ave. in Parkhurst Area. You can also have a walk around. Also you can try Trump Grillhouse and Butchery in Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton.
SHOPPING
I found shopping a bit expensive in Johannesburg. But it is because i live in Istanbul. Especially textile was 3-4 times more than in Turkey. Technologic devices were same as in Turkey. If you would like to buy some souvenirs , you can visit Craft Market in Rosebank. Almost all of the souvenirs are animal figures.
SAFARI
I didn’t want to write a different page for safari. The most famous safari in South Africa is Kruger National Park. You will need to drive around 5 hours from Johannesburg and you will need to spend around 5-6 days. I preferred Pilanesber National Park which is around 3 hours from Johannesburg and 2 days will be enough and also on the way to Pilanesberg National Park you will be able to visit Sterkfontein Caves.
Pilanesberg National Park :
After around 3 hours drive you can reach to Pilanesberg National Park. Here i stayed 1 night and joint to game reserves for 2 times. I stayed in Manyane Resort. Here you can set up a tent or you can stay at hotel’s tents. If you would like to join to game reserves , you will need to wake up so early. The reserves are so early in the morning or end of the day. Most of the animals sleep in the afternoon because of the sun. If you would like you can also drive around by your car but i would recommend game reserves. On the other hand even in summer , it can be cold at night. So i will recommend a thick coat for you. When we made an assessment with our friends which visited Kruger National Park , they also concluded that it was a better idea to visit Pilanesberg National Park.
Sterkfontein Caves :
These caves are on the way to return from Pilanesberg National Park to Johannesburg. You can have a guided walk in the caves. You will have a chance to search the human skeleton from 2 million years ago , a human hand from 2.5 million years ago and a human feet from 3 million years ago. The entrance fee is 195 Rand per person. If you have enough time , you can also visit Craddle of Humankind nearby which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When i came back to Istanbul from Johannesburg , i had a problem with breathing fort he first time in my life. The air is really something so clean and fresh in Johannesburg.
I would like to thank you for your patience and reading my writings. I would be so grateful for your suggestions and adjustments.
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