Our travels in Johannesburg, South Africa

Having been to many countries and continents around the world, we felt it was time to visit Africa on our travels, so that’s where we are. After flying into Johannesburg in South Africa, we’ll travel to the east African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi and Madagascar where we’ll go on safaris, and visit cultural sites and historic places.

Night sky flying over South Africa

As we flew through the night to Johannesburg, we reflected on our only other experience of this continent which was in northern Africa when we drove around Morocco in our motorhome. We are not driving this time, but will still travel independently using local trains, buses, airlines, and drivers/taxis to get from place to place, and engage local guides for safaris and tours.

O R Tambo, anti-apartheid politician, and past president of South Africa

But first we had to get out of the Johannesburg airport. We had booked a driver to meet us but after waiting an hour, he was a no-show. Having not yet bought a local cellphone sim card to phone our guest house, we hung about the arrivals hall under the impressive statue of O R Tambo, a South African anti-apartheid politician and past president, while working out a solution.

49 On Cherry – our accommodation in Johannesburg, South Africa

Luckily, another driver knew the guest house we were staying at which is called 49 On Cherry, situated in the southern suburbs of Johannesburg. He phoned them and arranged to deliver us, then put us into his car with two Australian women who he was booked to deliver elsewhere, and we were off. We eventually arrived at 49 On Cherry and settled in.

49 On Cherry owner and host Lynne, with our Johannesburg guide, Chico

Although Johannesburg was experiencing unusually cold weather, with random and long periods of electricity cuts that left us chilled to the bone, Lynne our hostess, was very warm and ensured our comfort. That included arranging Chico, a guide, to drive us around to see the sights of Johannesburg. We had planned three days in Johannesburg to help get over 17 hours of flying, so had not arranged any sightseeing. 

Cradle of Humankind (UNESCO), Maropeng, South Africa

However, Chico had a wonderful tour planned. So on our last day in Johannesburg, we found ourselves visiting some very interesting places. Our first visit was to the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in rural Maropeng, about 50 km northwest of Johannesburg. Fossils of some of the earliest known life forms on Earth, including humans, have been found there. We found it fascinating.

The skyline of Johannesburg CBD, South Africa

After a very interesting time there, we drove back toward Johannesburg city. South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in Africa, and Johannesburg tops the chart. Lynne and Chico were not going to let us walk anywhere by ourselves. But with Chico driving us around, we safely saw some of the city's main tourist points.

Constitutional Court, Johannesburg, South Africa

One of these was Constitution Hill in the centre of the Johannesburg CBD. Once a prison and military fort, it is now home to South Africa’s Constitutional Court, which aims to protect the rights of all citizens. We were able to go inside the impressive round court room and see where the judges sit, and learn about some of South Africa’s activists and their work toward equality.

New Zealand’s anti-apartheid position captured in art in the Constitutional Court, Johannesburg, South Africa

We saw some amazing artworks that provide a peek into South Africa’s turbulent history. One piece refers to New Zealand’s anti-apartheid position when we demonstrated against the Springboks during their 1981 rugby tour. We read stories of persecution during apartheid, and we learned more about South Africa's trek to democracy. It was a very sobering experience.

Typical apartments in the CBD Johannesburg, South Africa

Driving around again, Chico told us about the many apartment blocks that were captured from the white residents during the anti-apartheid troubles. Next we saw hundreds of train carriages parked at the central station in the CBD, un-used since those turbulent days. At every other corner, we passed people sorting rubbish into re-cycling bundles to earn a living.

Mural of Nelson Mandela with a peek of the top of a bridge carrying his name, Johannesburg

We drove past Mandela’s house which is now a museum. Mandela’s likeness is everywhere and we saw murals and a bridge dedicated to him. We also saw the Apartheid Museum which highlights the inequity of white minority rule in the country.

The revitalized Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg, South Africa

Next, we drove through Maboneng Precinct, once crime-ridden but now an upmarket urban renewal project. Chico told us of his experience as a young taxi driver in the area, and how he was mugged by four men in his taxi. He said it felt much safer since the renewal work. Later, at 49 On Cherry, we thanked Lynne and Chico for such an interesting day. Then we packed our cases ready to fly to Mombasa, Kenya, but you can ready about our travels there in the next blog.

This is the first of a series of blogs about our travels around east Africa.