Anyone been to Johannesburg/Kruger National Park in South Africa?

Jlayay

I had my first trip to South Africa, it was a solo trip to Cape Town (visited Table Mountain, Mandela's prison, the beaches, did a day trip safari and climbed lions head) and had a blast. Didn't find it half as dangerous as people make it out to be (felt comfortable walking at night with my phone) and people were pretty friendly and open.

Thinking of heading down again once the COVID-situation clears. This time I'm thinking of hitting up Joburg and Kruger National Park (over 1-week).

Has anyone been to these 2 places? Any tips or suggestions for sites to see?

wandererz

I would not be too keen on Joburg at all.
There is (largely/for the most part) nothing of interest from a travel point of view.

If you only have one week then i would suggest that your time is better split between Kruger (or one of the smaller reserves) and perhaps the Lost City (if you prefer a Las Vegas/Casino/Hotel type experience).

e.g. 4 nights in Kruger & 2 or 3 nights in the Lost City or close by.

Alternatively, and preferably, i would do the east coast Cape Town to Port Elizabeth in a heartbeat.

WOW! That coastline!
It's a truly great drive.

You already know Cape Town, but let me introduce you to a stay at the Cape Royale Luxury Hotel, just off the V&A Waterfront. They make holidays GREAT!

Rent a car in CT and drop off at PE airport and fly back to Joburg or CT for your return flight.
Start by spending some time in Stellenbosch - the wine region. Two nights there or, indeed, as much as your liver, stomach & eyes can sustain.

Then head up the east coast. Lots of good places to stop off along the way. Forests, Rivers, Beaches, Food, Accommodation & more.
There are also some very good game reserves as you get to PE.
There is the Addo National Park (elephant reserve) and several private parks.

I stayed at Lalibela for about 3 or 4 nights in Feb a few years ago. Booked last minute and got a significant discount on the price.
It was fantastic. Our own rondavel/ chalet, all meals & drinks included plus two game drives per day (early AM & PM).
Lion, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Elephant etc.

We were treated like royalty with buffet type meals, yet served by staff, any drinks we wanted, seating around a huge fire in a rondavel every evening with an opportunity to chat with other travellers & ask questions to game rangers & staff etc. and yet enjoy the peace & quiet of the night afterwards.

As an example, that price was R1995 (€98) per night per person. "This rate includes all meals, game drives and all drinks."
So, ~€200 per night for a couple including all meals, game drives and all drinks.

For me, Cape Town, Stellenbosch & the Garden Route to PE. 100%

I'm not only saying this as an Irish person, but also as a South African.

There are loads of places along the way that one can stay at including Hostels, BnB's, Hotels, Rented Homes etc.
Planning is key. Do your driving & touring during the day. Don't drive at night. Get to your destination, settle down & enjoy the evenings.

dfx-

I have been to Johannesburg, would not advise staying there, did not feel safe and there isn't anything touristy to do. I've heard the same about Durban and walking around Cape Town was ok but there's little to see that is walkable.

In general the city centres are places to avoid - they're not safe, but moreso there is nothing to do and they are very empty early in the evening. There isn't the culture of going out in the city.

The Cape Town - Port Elizabeth idea is the one to do. Have done it several times, there are plenty of private game parks just east of PE if you want that experience too. Kruger I think is very hit and miss - you can see lots or you could see nothing for days.

CantGetNoSleep

I've been to Johannesburg on business and hated every minute of it. Went for dinner at a restaurant around 400m away in the city centre, colleagues I was meeting who knew the place better than me suggested I was mad for suggesting to walk back to the hotel afterwards. Five-star hotel in the city centre with a wooden barrier holding the door closed at night. Went outside the door to smoke and the understood why the staff were so reluctant to allow me to do so within 3 mins. Barbed wire and private security everywhere

I'm not the most adventurous traveller, but wouldn't be going back there in a hurry.

crisco10

I've spent a lot of time in SA (including most of the coastline from Namibia to Mozambique) over the years as a tourist (have friends in J'burg) and would agree that there is no real point in going to J'burg. I would also say the same about Durban. As someone said previously the culture that we are used to of wondering around cities isn't there.

However, the 2nd half of your idea is the best thing in SA in my opinion. Kruger Park.
I've been to a lot of the other parks around the coast and they just aren't the same. Kruger is about the size of wales (maybe bigger these days); We usually self drive and cater as its cheaper and arguably more craic. All in packages (including 2x game drives a day) are also amazing but probably twice the price.

Balmed Out

I spent just over 5 weeks traveling the coast from the north east to just past capetown though closing on 20 years ago. The garden route / south coast was the more popular but we found the east coast from say port Elizabeth to st lucia wetland park to be better. When i say better it wasnt even comparable, the whole of kwazai zulu natal was just amazing. We loved a park called Umfolozi, we spent 5 nights in kruger and loved it but saw more in one day in Umfolozi.