Passing the time during a short layover isn’t too hard. Usually, there are plenty of airport food options and retail stores to keep you occupied for a few hours. But when a layover starts to drag on for more than eight hours, you might have a hard time staying entertained. On my recent trip to Namibia, I had an overnight layover in Johannesburg. These layover lengths are pretty common in this area, so I highly recommend you plan ahead for spending time in the city. Here’s what my Johannesburg travel experience had in store.
Starting a South Africa Group Tour Right
As an expert over-60 traveler, I know to always go for a day tour of a new city. These tours have something special for everyone, even if you’ve taken a similar one before. In fact, I’ve taken many day trips in Los Angeles! My Johannesburg tour, arranged by my hotel, was quite affordable, costing just about $55US. This was my first ever private tour, and I had the best guide—Edward! First things first, Edward made a U-turn for a quick KFC stop. From that point on, I knew the two of us were going to get along just fine!
Now’s a good time for a safety tip whenever you have a short-term stay in a big city—use your phone’s camera to your advantage. Take photos of the hotel desk clerks, tour guides, valets, and any other hotel employee you think of who might have seen you. Send them to family or friends back home. While most people are lovely and you’ll likely never need the photos, it’s always good to have them on record in case something happens to you.
Remembering a Heartbreaking Time in History
A trip to Johannesburg isn’t complete without spending some time at the Apartheid Museum. This historic location commemorates a heartbreaking time in South African history—and the system only legally ended a few decades ago in the 1990s. Even after all these years and progress, it’s still just as heart wrenching to see the horrors South African Blacks endured just to live in their native land. It’s a story that will always stick with me.
Witness History at Johannesburg Museums
Any South Africa tour package worth its salt will take you to a few of the many museums dotting Johannesburg. I was lucky enough to see three of them, and Edward was very generous about me taking endless photos and pausing to really enjoy the sights. These museums were a few highlights;
- Hector Pieterson Museum—The Hector Pieterson Museum gets its name from a child who was tragically killed in the Soweto Uprising. Today, this museum displays newspapers, films, and personal accounts from witnesses to the uprising.
- Nelson Mandela House—There’s no doubt about it—Nelson Mandela is likely the most recognizable name in African history. Although I didn’t have much time to look around, simply seeing his home in Soweto for the second time was a treat.
Shopping at the Center of It All
Despite apartheid being so recent in Johannesburg’s cultural memory, the city is certainly more than its difficult past. The downtown is teeming with life, and since I missed it on my 2016 visit, I was especially excited to visit. There are all kinds of stores, restaurants, galleries, and parks in the area. Edward did suggest that I not open my window to take photos or have my phone visible as we rode through the bustling area.
Enroute to downtown is a particularly interesting shop—China Mart. This place takes up a huge zone and features wholesale stores from China. We drove past at least 15 long blocks of warehouses, railroad cars, and malls, all belonging to Chinese merchants. Edward said this area is a popular attraction for people from surrounding countries, who often come here for the merchandise to stock their businesses. I wonder if anyone else even bothers selling their wares here!
Always Tip Your South Africa Tour Guide!
At the conclusion of my guided tour, I was more than happy to tip Edward the biggest tip I’d ever given a guide in all my boomer travels. Not only was he an incredible host, but he was also an immigrant from Zimbabwe. He’d come to Johannesburg for more opportunities and found himself guiding tourists around the city. I was glad to pay him extra for his time and kindness.
Sadly, poverty is a reality for many people in Johannesburg, especially in the township of Soweto. You see so many shanty towns and lots of mothers with their young children asking for money at traffic lights. Edward kept lots of change to give out, and by the end of the day, I was handing out coins as well. What felt like a small act to me was obviously enough to make someone’s day. So, remember to enjoy yourself wherever you go, but always be aware of the reality for people living there. Since we’re fortunate and financially able to enjoy the luxury of travel. I feel it’s absolutely essential that I continue to fuel the economy in every possible manner, even at a traffic stop.
Maximize a Short Johannesburg Trip
South Africa doesn’t often rank high on lists of solo travel destinations, but I have to say my day in the city was magnificent. I filled in some gaps from my 2016 trips and got to take lots of pictures of this amazing destination. The next time you have an overnight layover, don’t just gorge yourself on airport food—get out and experience the city! In addition to the lively city, be sure to take some time and commemorate the dark history of the place. I’ll never forget being glued to the TV in February of 1990, watching Nelson Mandela and Winnie wave to the crowd as they felt freedom for the first time in 27 years. Getting to visit South Africa decades later is surreal!
For more photos, videos, and anecdotes from my travels, check out my Instagram!