Johannesburg Journals

Johannesburg - a Jumble of Contrasts

Best of IgoUgo

A December 2004 trip to Johannesburg by SaraP

Springboard from Joburg to Madikwe Reserve Photo - Johannesburg, South Africa More Photos
Quote: Think "Joburg" and what comes to mind? Danger and violence, Soweto and the history of apartheid, wealth and poverty living side by side...all this is true, but there’s much more, so much potential and unexpected beauty that you must visit to appreciate and perhaps understand.

Johannesburg - a Jumble of Contrasts

Best Of IgoUgo

Overview

Springboard from Joburg to Madikwe Reserve Photo - Johannesburg, South Africa
Quote:
"Highlights" are few and far between – Joburg's a place to experience rather than enjoy. An immense city (no one seems prepared to commit to the overall population of Joburg or of Soweto), its contrasts are together humbling and inspiring. Even in Soweto itself (certainly a highlight on anyone’s itinerary), it’s interesting to see that the nature of man is such that a class system existed (pre- and post-apartheid) even here, and perhaps startling to understand that Soweto houses and their facilities run the gamut from respectable gentility to tin-roofed despair. In downtown Joburg, the glittering Manhattan-style skyline of the Central Business District is deceptively inviting – even grand gl...Read More

Mosetlha Bush Camp

Best Of IgoUgo

Hotel

Sights of Madikwe from Mosetlha Bush Camp  Photo - Mosetlha Bush Camp, Johannesburg, South Africa
Quote:
There’s no such thing as a cheap safari but some are nonetheless good value on which you mind less spending your cash – Mosetlha is one of these. It’s basic (in the nicest possible sense) but fun, with decent food, excellent, knowledgeable guides who also seem to be enjoying what they’re doing. Family owned, it was built in July 1995 by Chris and June Lucas (originally Brits) - it has apparently gone from strength to strength and engenders loyalty in its guests: several staying there were on their third or fourth visit). It bills itself as rustic and intimate and that’s about right – capacity is 18 (8xdoubles and one family tent) and buffet breakfasts and lunches, and hearty three-course dinne...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 20, 2004

Mosetlha Bush Camp
Madikwe Game Reserve
Johannesburg, South Africa 2189

Anno Domini

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote:
Located in the small genteel village of Parkhurst (it’s in an area with antique and furniture stores) is a relaxed and relatively up-market restaurant, set back off the road so it’s quite quiet and discreet, with plenty of safe, secure parking. It has a pleasant atmosphere, with daytime al fresco terraces on the roof (you can also eat out there by candlelight at night if you’re feeling romantic, though it does get a bit chilly). From the rooftop terraces (you can also take your pre-dinner drinks out there, there are great views of the leafy suburbs. The décor is understated – fairly classical though with contemporary touches. The waiters are attentive and there’s elegant white linen tablecloths...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on January 22, 2004

Anno Domini
Corner 4th Ave and 13th St Parkhurst 2193
Johannesburg, South Africa
447 7634

Madikwe Game Reserve

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction

Madikwe's sable antelope Photo - Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa, Africa
Quote:
Madikwe is a 60k hectare reserve in a malaria-free zone (the lodges/camps hard-sell this as "kiddie-friendly" to attract families) in the NW Province’s most extensive conservation area. Its NW boundary runs along the Botswana border (apparently c15mins by if you've proper insurance to cross the border for a Gabarone lunch). It's less well-known that Kruger and the bigger parks; visitors are mainly South Africans keen to keep it a secret! Development of the reserve began in 1992 with Operation Phoenix. The rich diversity of the vegetation and topography mean that a wide variety of animal life is sustained here (including a great many unusual breeds of antelope, including the sable – photo below...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 20, 2004

Madikwe Game Reserve
65km North Of Zeerust On Botswana Border
Groot Marico, South Africa

Soweto

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The other Joburg – South Western Townships"

Arrival in Soweto Photo - Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
Quote:
Soweto is the most populous black urban residential area in South Africa (2001 census gave its population at 896,995 - though locals think this considerably short of the real figure). Since its earliest establishment, it was always planned as housing for black labourers – Klipspruit, the oldest of a cluster of the townships comprising today’s Soweto, was created in 1904 for miners and city workers, with the inner city reserved for whites. In 1963, the acronym, Soweto, was adopted as a name for the burgeoning townships and so it has been known ever since. Synonymous with overcrowding and poor housing (shacks made of corrugated iron sheets are not uncommon), violence and high unemployment, apart...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 21, 2004

Soweto

Johannesburg, South Africa 2000
+27 11 340 9000

Soweto

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Jimmy’s “Face-to-Face Tours” of Soweto"

Face to face with Soweto youngsters Photo - Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
Quote:
Jimmy’s “Face-to-Face Tours” are operated by eponymous Jimmy Ntintili, who took friends and visitors to his hometown and thought he’d make a business of it. It’s not cheap (prices vary depending on where you’re picked up – R305 from the airport to R265pp from an uptown hotel), but FtF (others are similarly priced) has you at a disadvantage since warnings not to visit Soweto unaccompanied shouldn’t be dismissed lightly. Given that it’s an experience not to be missed, unless you’re lucky enough to have a friendly trusted escort, there’s no choice but to pay up for the tour-party. First it's into the CBD (probably the only time you’ll go there unaccompanied too) to FtF’s office to pay; then it’s...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on January 21, 2004

Soweto

Johannesburg, South Africa 2000
+27 11 340 9000