Johannesburg and Vicinity

Johannesburg & Pretoria a Destination as well as a layover

Safari travelers often find themselves having to overnight in Johannesburg or Pretoria in order to make airplane connections or in preparation to board Rovos Rail.  There are properties close to the airport and then there are properties worthy of a couple of night stays.

There is always outstanding shopping!

Airport Properties: Garden Court – Intercontinental – Airport Grand

Sandton City and the Nelson Mandela Square Shopping Center:  It’s a great area to spend some time, not only for the huge shopping complex, but for the many good restaurants.  The Michelangelo Hotel is our go to property.   But if you want to chill out and be pampered you can’t beat one or two nights at Ilyria House. 

Lesedi Village: Besides shopping, we can arrange a visit to the Lesedi Cultural Exhibit which depicts five different native tribes and their cultures in a living village format.  See how the Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Ndebele, and Sotho live daily.

Soweto: This famous townships south west of Johannesburg where popular resistance to apartheid emerged in various forms during the 1980s. Educational and economic boycotts were initiated, and student bodies were organized. Life goes on there and it’s rich with South African history.

Price Key to Johannesburg and vicinity properties:

These prices are per room for Bed & Breakfast, and are a guideline only, and final price will depend on the Dollar/Rand relationship at time of booking.  They are all well located, clean and comfortable, and follow the Hotel Star rating system.

$$ 125-150
$$$ 225-300
$$$$ 300-400
$$$$$ 500

Property Comparisons: †'s

In order to distinguish between properties we have rated them for amenities, style, level of service, and ambiance.  This is to give you a reference of how we think they rate against the others properties listed for a particular destination.  They are all lovely properties that we have stayed in, so there is no bad or wrong choice.

The more †s we give a property, the higher it ranks against other properties for that category and is useful only for property comparisons.  This is not the same as a “Star Rating” system for properties and hotels given out by Tourism Organizations or Government Hotel rating services.