I am on a three month work trip to Johannesburg, but was thinking about some activities for this weekend. I have two options:
1) Borrow a car (from the office) and just do some things around Joburg. Have already been to Soweto, Apartheid Museum, Botanical Gardens, Melville, Maropeng, Haartbeesport, etc. Am a bit leary to go downtown by myself (which is what I would actually like to do) and see Museum Africa, Newtown, catch a show, buy some crafts, etc. Could anyone tell me exactly where to park if I did? I like to think that a foreign white woman walking around these tourist places will be fine, but I get very mixed messages from those I talk to and the things I read.
2) Rent a car and take off on Friday afternoon to Pilanesburg. Since I'm travelling alone, not sure I really want to spend a whole weekend by myself game watching. I like nature, but it's awfully cold now and I am on a bit of a budget and can't find reasonable budget accomodations (around US$ 50). Not into Sun City type places by myself. If someone could give me an awesome Pilanesburg budget suggestion and give me an idea of how much I could expect to spend on game drives and food, I'd appreciate it.
Would appreciate any suggestions to help me resolve my dilemma. The first option will be cheaper and would help me feel like I actually know the city I'm living in a bit better (I'm stuck in an office in a northern burb!). The second might be something different and would help me feel like I'm in Africa rather than the indistinct burbs that could be anywhere.
Thanks.
Pilansberg is small, perhaps 10km in diameter. It is a self-drive kind of place and six hours will take you over a lot of the paved roads in the park and hopefully see plenty of game. You could make a day trip out of it from Joburg no problem. Take some sandwiches if you're on a real budget. I think entry will cost about R35.
I've been to Pilansberg lots and love it - there is usually great game viewing. I'd recommend more than a day tho, because it takes at least 2 hours to drive there and back and you would benefit mroe if you could go out early morning or late afternoon for the best viewing.
You should look at the actually Pilansberg accomodation. I can't remember the name of the place we stay at, but it has various levels of accom from camping to huts to hotel accom. It is just outside one of the gates. I'm sure you could find it on the web. And if you stay just outside the park, it is cheaper than inside for obvious reasons. If you had 1 day driving around, you would not see all of the park.
I have driven by myself around the park and had a great time. There is a risk by being by yourself, but you could just let the rangers at the gate know and make sure you take a mobile phone in case you get stuck. Otherwise, what about seeing if someone wants to join you eg check out the youth hostels in J'burg or post a note here.
Agree with taking own food. There is a nice picnic spot at ?Eagle Lookout in Pilans that you can have lunch at and overlook a large lake. we once saw a lion on the other side (granted with the help of binocs!)
BTW, there is a great street ont he way to Pilans that is filled with roadside craft stalls. You will have to bargain hard, because they are used to tourists, but there is plenty of great stuff.
otherwise, if you are in J'burg, try Rosebank Markets (held in the carpark of a shopping complex), on a Sunday I think. But you might need to check out the exact dates.
Have fun whatever you end of doing!
Colleen
Oh, found website - www.pilanesberg-game-reserve.co.za and the camp site we have used is Manyane Golden Leopard Resort. Also could try Bakubung.
I just returned from Pilansberg about 3 weeks ago. I had a fabulous tour guide that waas reccomended to me ...she picked me up from my guest house in Melville...drove me to Pilansberg ( had coffee, breakfast and drinks for the day) we drove around for about 8 hours saw some amazing sites--and lunch in the park.
All total I was with er around 12 hours and paid about 900R for the entire day --everything included.
It was a great day!!!
Also Rosebank Markets is amazing... I was there fro 4 hours and did not get to all the stands..its huge! Its only on Sunday so if you can swing it well worth it!
My wife and I every so often do a day trip to Pilanesberg. We really enjoy the place and in addition to the day trips we spend a time-share mid-week break there every year. Accommodation-wise Pilanesberg in a little pricey. The camping options are at Bakgatla at the northern entrance to the park and at Manyane - the eatern entrance. Just outsdide of the park is a place called Mogwase where there are a number of B&B's that may be of interest (I have had a look at one and have driven past others and they look to be of a high standard).
Pilansberg is about 50000 hectares in extent; it is a malaria-free Big 5 reserve and as plenty of other game too. The opening times are (May to August) from 06:30 to 18:00 - if you leave Johannesburg at 05:00 and get back at about 20:00 you will have had an excellent day in the park. Although Pilanesberg Ventre burnt down shortly before easter last year, they have rigged up a temporary tentlike structrure where one can buy snacks - burgers, hot-dogs, boerewors rolls and the like. If you do go to Fish Eagle picnic spot beware of monkeys - they are becoming more than just a nuisance as idiot tourists tend to feed them.
It is ideal for a self-drive safari.
On the Sunday, you could watch the Lippizaner show at Kyalami (yes, they are real Lippizaners - there is a story attached to their being here); you could go to the Rosebank market; you could attend the Tribal Dancing at Heia safari ranch (starts at 14:00, lasts about 2 1/2 hours).
Enjoy.
By the way, the city centre is extremely quiet on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, and it would be a bit of a waste of time going there then. When I go in to the city centre on business I park at the parking area at the bottom (southern end) of Rissik Street. If I am driving people around, showing them Johannesburg, I park in Newtown (plenty of parking around the Museum Africa), and at the Carlton Centre in the parkade, or at the Oriental Plaza, or at the Constitutional Court. Or in Diagonal street if I can find a free spot (there I ask the name of the car-watch when I arrive, and I tip him about R5 when I leave) to visit the Muti Shop and walk around that area. And I have on a few occasions also parked at the Mai-Mai market. Parking really is not a problem.
Thanks so much for all the suggestions. You've all convinced me to make the effort to get to Pilanesburg, either on a long day trip or for a weekend.
I also appreciate the advice about downtown. Was beginning to think about giving up on that idea, but knowing that there's safe parking around has inspired me to plan a trip to Museum Africa and take in a show at the Market Theatre.
Just two quick follow-ups:
1) Do I need to be aware of upcoming school holidays in Johannesburg/Gauteng when thinking about Pilanesburg? I've followed the public strike a bit, but don't know how that will affect the holidays. Is there a weekend/weekends I should try to avoid for Pilanesburg during the next month?
2) Silly question--but is there a general rule-of-thumb about bargaining at the craft market in Rosebank (or elsewhere)? I know crafts are worth what you're willing to pay, but I don't like to bargain unnecessarily (or pay too much) if I know that the "standard" is 10 - 20%
Thank you again.
As you reach the city side of the Mandela bridge (coming from the Braamfontein side) turn right and then turn left at the traffic lights (robots) and right again at the first set of traffic lights. You will be behind Kippies and the Market Theatre. There are car-guards on duty. The Gramadoelas and also Moyos restaurants are at the entrance to the market theatre. Both are up-market (ish) restaurants and serve good African and South African dishes.
Pilanesberg will be crowded during the school holidays (which start to-day) and especially so over week-ends during that period. It is much nicer on a quiet week-day out of school holidays.
The strike will hopefully not last much longer. I don't think it will have much affect during the school holidays. You are unlikely to be affected unless you are caught up in a march and have to toyi-toyi your way to wherever.
I have never bargained at the Rosebank rooftop market. I do not believe there is much leeway for it. Some stalls may be more amenable to it han others. Try your luck. I just walk away and move on to the next stall if I am not happy with the price.
I will send you a PM with my phone number - call if you want more advice.
Rudi
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