Our first full day in South Africa

Some of the moving phrases at the Apartheid Museum

Sunday, August 26

8:30 am Arrive Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) Terminal A

Terminal Map

NB:  Joburg is at the same altitude as Denver, so beware of altitude sickness as well as jet lag!   We had problems with neither.

NB: Cash:  There are several ATMs at the airport one level up from the arrivals area; we found those ATMs allowed larger withdrawals than any others we encountered later in the trip.  We were able to take out ZAR (rands) 5,000 (about $600) with no problem. Other places ZAR3,000 or less was the maximum we could withdraw. 

Overnight:  Big 5 B&B

Sandra Hamilton – Owner Manager
89 2nd Ave, Edenvale, Johannesburg, South Africa
Phone: +27 (0)11 609 6113

Big 5 B&B is in the Edenvale neighborhood, 10 minutes from the airport & 20 minutes from Johannesburg city & Sandton. 

The Big 5: lion, African Elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros

Sandy arranged for a driver to pick us up at the airport; that was convenient and not expensive at ZAR350 for four persons.  You could also take a taxi from the airport to the B&B, though Sandra told us that South Africa does not have the best reputation for taxi services.  Taxi rates range between 11 and 15 rand per mile.    

Charming open air patio at Big 5 B&B

After we freshened up at the inn, the driver took us to the Apartheid Museum and Market on Main.  The Apartheid Museum is way on the other side of Jo'burg, a long trip away, not bad on Sunday, but it could take awhile on a weekday.  We chose Big 5 because it was near the airport, but I might recommend finding another accommodation closer to the center of town, as we spent a lot of time driving to and fro town.   Because our departure was not early in the morning, we didn’t really need to be near the airport.  But Big 5 was comfortable, Sandy was VERY helpful with our driver and guide arrangements, and the moderately priced wine we enjoyed on the inn’s covered patio every evening when we relaxed was a real plus.

Apartheid Museum Entrance

Apartheid Museum.  Admission ZAR55.  Open 9 am - 5 pm.  Estimate 2 hours to visit. When you buy your ticket, you’ll notice you’re assigned either White or Black, and enter the museum through the appropriate door to begin the Apartheid experience.  There is an audio guide if you want the full experience and a nice café for a coffee or snack if you’re flagging from jet lag, as we were.  

The museum is very moving, and a perfect first stop on a visit to South Africa.  We had prepared by doing lots of reading, including James Michener's The Covenant, a panoramic history of South Africa, and Nelson Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom, but it was still amazing and enlightening to see this excellent museum's exhibits.  We couldn't help drawing parallels between South Africa and our country.   

Only open on Sunday is the Market on Main in the Arts on Main district.    245 Main Street.  Open 10 am to 3 pm. Charming rustic food, art and design market in a former construction warehouse in what wants to be the hipster neighborhood of Joburg.  A reviewer on Trip Advisor brought it to our attention. 

The Market on Main, Johannesburg

After trying some of the interesting food and walking around the art galleries and bookstores, the driver brought us back to Big 5 where we had some wine and cheese with Sandy, then turned in for an early night after our long flight. 

Enjoying "linner" at Market on Main with Ted & Dianne