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Johannesburg

  • 23-04-2009 09:36AM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭


    Hi - have purchased a coupke of tickets for a World Cup game next year - has anyone any experience of the city?

    Reading up on the internet it sounds as if you should bring an AK-47 and drive around in a tank.

    As most of the hotels have been booked up by corporate and travel agent block bookings, I would also be interested in recommendations for places to stay where I won't be killed.

    A lot of places I found with rooms available are in Soweto - a few of the internet guides say to avoid the townships unless you are with a guided tour. Anyone visit or stay here?

    I would assume the security for the World cup will be immense and that there will be thousands of idiots like me wandering around so any advice will be much appreciated.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,906 ✭✭✭J-blk


    ZOLTAN28 wrote: »
    Reading up on the internet it sounds as if you should bring an AK-47 and drive around in a tank.

    It really isn't that bad and I think things are a bit exaggerated in Europe and the US about how dangerous South Africa is (to tourists at least)...

    I was there two weeks ago, though I spent most of my time on the Cape Town side of the country, I did spent the last few days of our holiday in Jo'burg. There was never once that I felt unsafe while over there - though in Jo'burg, I have some family that showed us around so that made things a lot easier. As a result, I didn't pay too much attention to the names of places in Jo'burg, just in Cape Town...

    Hopefully someone here will be able to give you specific area names to avoid (and yes, do steer clear of the townships) but overall, just use common sense (don't flash lots of cash around or blatantly look/act like a tourist) and you'll be perfectly fine. Though as you said, since you're going for the World Cup, I would expect a massive amount of extra security so even less to worry about. It's a beautiful country and worth the trip...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭ZOLTAN28


    Thanks - I always am dubious of scare stories regarding foreign places - I am form Crumlin so i'm used to gun crime.

    I can't wait to see the country - probably won't get to see as much as I like though.

    I am hering different reports on Soweto - some report say it is quite a good place for toursits now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭ZOLTAN28


    Anyone ever been?

    Anyone going over to watch the Lions? Let me know the story when you get back.

    Thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,591 ✭✭✭finbarrk


    But sure Ireland mightn't be playing in Jo'burg Zoltan!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭ZOLTAN28


    Not worried where Ireland are playing - in fact I hope they are as far away ss possible


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 159 ✭✭LaMer


    ZOLTAN28 wrote: »
    Thanks - I always am dubious of scare stories regarding foreign places - I am form Crumlin so i'm used to gun crime.

    I'm sorry to laugh but Joburg's crime levels and amount of violent crime are way way way out of Crumlin's league, people committing the crimes are so desperate they'd kill somebody over a couple of Rand. I've been there a couple of times though, I'll be over in the summer to catch the 3rd test of the Lions tour(hopefully) and will be spending a few days in Joburg which is the longest I'd hope to stay.

    Luckily the suburbs are peaceful enough, and thats where alot of hostels are, the place I was last year it was possible to walk around to bars, resteraunts etc. The inner city is where the real **** goes down, always avoid groups of people and unlit areas, obviously, and take the hostel/hotels advice if they says get a taxi. Theres quite abit to do, Soweto is meant to be good for a tour, and even to stay there in one of the dedicated b+b's is meant to be a great experience, theres a couple of good National Parks a drive away - Philanesburg is only 2/3hrs out of the city, Kruger is 5/6.

    Crime is overstated for tourists in SA, most of the crime is in the townships or burgalries. I've been there plenty of times, been out at night in cape town, etc. and its been fine. One of my friends families got mugged tho a few months back, again it was an isolated area and really horrible luck.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,178 ✭✭✭Mena


    Having lived in Jo'burg for nigh on 25 years, I'll add this:

    1. Gun crime in Crumlin? You must be joking :p. Don't even try to compare the two.

    2. Whatever you do, do not, for any reason, stay anywhere in Soweto. Seriously.

    3. Pick a hotel in Sandton, never walk anywhere, and try to stay in a group.

    Feel free to PM me if you want anything more specific.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,591 ✭✭✭finbarrk


    ZOLTAN28 wrote: »
    Not worried where Ireland are playing - in fact I hope they are as far away ss possible

    Sorry, thought you were Irish as this is an Irish website.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭ZOLTAN28


    To Mena and LaMer - thanks for the advice - I was not being serious about Crumlin by the way, it was a poor attempt at a joke. I realise the country has a problem but most people are saying to me that if you are careful you will be okay - major problem trying to get accommodation though - the tv companies, corporate sponsors and travel agents have booked everywhere already.

    To Finbarr - I am Irish, but I am going to the World cup becasue I have always wanted to go to Africa and I love football - I have no intersest in that whole 'boys in green' stuff and if they are somewhere else it makes my life simpler for flights etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,178 ✭✭✭Mena


    ZOLTAN28 wrote: »
    To Mena and LaMer - thanks for the advice - I was not being serious about Crumlin by the way, it was a poor attempt at a joke. I realise the country has a problem but most people are saying to me that if you are careful you will be okay - major problem trying to get accommodation though - the tv companies, corporate sponsors and travel agents have booked everywhere already.

    Not that poor of an attempt at a joke, I laughed :P. I take the piss out of SA, and Jo'burg especially more than most so don't worry.

    As I said in the PM, Randburg and Craighall are areas to try. I.r.o being careful and being Ok, you probably will be, just keep your wits about you. As I said, I lived there for nigh on 25 years and still here :D


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 159 ✭✭LaMer


    Zoltan, I'm not sure what type of accom you're looking for but during the summer I'll be using backpackers accom, you might find this site useful if you need accom and you're stuck: http://www.coastingafrica.com/, or else some of the hostels affiliated with www.bazbus.com are really decent. I'm looking to do a tour of Soweto myself, maybe with stayover, meant to be good. I'll be staying for a few days until the 4th July for the lions test, staying in Pretoria might also be an option, one I'm looking at anyway, meant to be safer and theres some good accom there.

    My dad just got 4 tickets for the WC in Cape Town aswell, another excuse to go over!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 515 ✭✭✭ZOLTAN28


    Thanks people - some great advice and things to follow up on too.


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