Johannesburg airport
Jul 20, 2015 14:41:06 #
We'll be doing a photo safari in Botswana next May and so will be staying 1 night at JoBurg's InterContinental airport hotel before flying on to Victoria Falls. Here's my question for those of you with recent experience at the O.R. Tomba airport. What is your personal experience with the airport: officials?, local scammers?, length of queues, any other observations/warnings to heed? I ask all these questions because people have warned us about the airport but we are pretty much commited to going through JoBurg to get to Botswana for our safari and so want to be as best prepared as we can.
Jul 20, 2015 14:54:11 #
Jul 20, 2015 15:08:00 #
Agreed but since it's about getting to a photo safari this was best I could do since I figured that UHHers were most likely to understand issues of traveling to/through potentially hazardous situations with a lot of gear...
Jul 20, 2015 16:19:54 #
Members of this board can answer your questions. Safe travels.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/africa-459/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/africa-459/
Jul 20, 2015 18:05:00 #
There are scammers wherever you go, but I've flown through Jo'burg several times in the past few years and have never had a problem.
If I were to offer some advice though -
- Don't act like a tourist, aka An American
- Keep your passport on you at all times
- Keep your immunization card with your passport
- Hold your wallet and don't flash your cash
- Plastic wrap your luggage if you're worried
- Negotiate rates where you can
- Taxis are okay, but hotel shuttles are better
- Call your credit card company to see if there are international fees
- Call your cell phone carrier to see if you'll be charged roaming fees
-- I turn my mobile data off and use WiFi
- Call your air carrier and ask if you can use the lounge in ORT
If you're going to be scammed, like anywhere else, it will be by -
- a sketchy looking taxi driver - you can see the difference
- a street vender who spots you as a tourist - Negotiate down
- and sometimes entering the smaller countries
As a side, have you checked the State Department site? Do you have you Visa?
Botswana http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/botswana.html
Best advice -
- keep your wallet in your front pocket
- wear a small backpack instead of holding a purse
- don't wear anything flashy - expensive jewelry, etc.
- hold your camera close and keep an eye on those around you
- wear something casual and don't stand out
http://www.google.com/#q=how+to+blend+into+a+foreign+country
- drink bottled water
South African's are wonderful people! You should have a wonderful time! S-
If I were to offer some advice though -
- Don't act like a tourist, aka An American
- Keep your passport on you at all times
- Keep your immunization card with your passport
- Hold your wallet and don't flash your cash
- Plastic wrap your luggage if you're worried
- Negotiate rates where you can
- Taxis are okay, but hotel shuttles are better
- Call your credit card company to see if there are international fees
- Call your cell phone carrier to see if you'll be charged roaming fees
-- I turn my mobile data off and use WiFi
- Call your air carrier and ask if you can use the lounge in ORT
If you're going to be scammed, like anywhere else, it will be by -
- a sketchy looking taxi driver - you can see the difference
- a street vender who spots you as a tourist - Negotiate down
- and sometimes entering the smaller countries
As a side, have you checked the State Department site? Do you have you Visa?
Botswana http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/botswana.html
Best advice -
- keep your wallet in your front pocket
- wear a small backpack instead of holding a purse
- don't wear anything flashy - expensive jewelry, etc.
- hold your camera close and keep an eye on those around you
- wear something casual and don't stand out
http://www.google.com/#q=how+to+blend+into+a+foreign+country
- drink bottled water
South African's are wonderful people! You should have a wonderful time! S-
Jul 20, 2015 18:32:56 #
St3v3M wrote:
There are scammers wherever you go, but I've flown... (show quote)
Good stuff:
And one more thing, don't ware a neck strap around neck, let the strap out and stick one arm through it and ware it like a sling.
Jul 20, 2015 18:34:59 #
HOT Texas wrote:
Good stuff:
And one more thing, don't ware a neck strap around neck, let the strap out and stick one arm through it and ware it like a sling.
And one more thing, don't ware a neck strap around neck, let the strap out and stick one arm through it and ware it like a sling.
Great tip, and basically, like anywhere, keep control of person and the things you have with you. S-
Jul 20, 2015 20:34:58 #
I would check here for travel advisories for Botswana and South Africa before I left on my trip. http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/information_for_travelers.html
CaptainBobBrown wrote:
We'll be doing a photo safari in Botswana next May... (show quote)
Jul 20, 2015 20:40:41 #
Seems to me my camera would be more secure with the strap around my neck and the camera hanging in front of me.
HOT Texas wrote:
Good stuff:
And one more thing, don't ware a neck strap around neck, let the strap out and stick one arm through it and ware it like a sling.
And one more thing, don't ware a neck strap around neck, let the strap out and stick one arm through it and ware it like a sling.
Jul 20, 2015 20:56:50 #
jfn007 wrote:
Seems to me my camera would be more secure with the strap around my neck and the camera hanging in front of me.
They can rip it from your neck, they can't rip it off your body, someone also could strangle you if it's around your neck.
But it doesn't mater to me, you ware it however you see fit.
Jul 21, 2015 05:59:08 #
Been through O R Tambo a few times in the last couple of years. The entrance queue was long and slow but we still made our connection to Cape Town OK. When we stayed in Jo'burg we arranged pick up and delivery through our accommodation. We had no problems waiting for collection or going through checkin on the way out. Carried all our cameras and lenses etc in back packs.
Botswana is a great place to go on safari You should gave a great time
Botswana is a great place to go on safari You should gave a great time
Jul 21, 2015 06:16:07 #
HOT Texas wrote:
Good stuff:
And one more thing, don't ware a neck strap around neck, let the strap out and stick one arm through it and ware it like a sling.
And one more thing, don't ware a neck strap around neck, let the strap out and stick one arm through it and ware it like a sling.
Another suggestion is to NOT dilly-dally when going from plane to the luggage pick-up area as many airports do not check luggage tags when exiting the airport. This allows unscrupulous people to snatch your bags when they first come down the luggage shoot onto the luggage delivery carousel.
Most international airports have luggage carts handy so use them. For groups larger than 2 people, spread out around the carousel and all persons in your group should have some tag or identifying mark on their luggage so it can be easily spotted and grabbed by anyone in the group and then brought to a meeting location to be placed on the carts. This reduces the chance of having luggage mistakenly taken by others or stolen by thieves.
For International Customs, I suggest each person having a list of all important contents of your luggage if the customs officer asks what you have and if you need to declare anything. USE the new SPECIAL LOCKS that have a SPECIAL KEY so inspection of contents can be accomplished without needing any combination.
There's also those new Radio Frequency hidden tags that you can slip into your luggage for locating it using a SMARTPHONE APP. I haven't tried them but it sounds like a good idea.
If you spot that your luggage has been tampered with or opened, notify airport security immediately.
Jul 21, 2015 06:56:50 #
As a South African, I can assure you there are many scarier airports and countries to fly into.....
All info above is relevant, but it applies to any place. At least in Southern Africa, the majority of the people speak English, and you should be OK with communication.
In most airports Customs and Immigration people think they own the place anyway, so I find the pleasant officials are a surprise and a blessing.
In South Africa:
- handle your own luggage. Porters are identifiable, but if you can walk and push your own trolley, just do it. It cancels out the confusion of tips and fees, especially if you have no local currency at hand.
- directions and signs are easy to follow.
- you are only in JHB for one night, and will be exhausted after a very long flight. There is nothing to see in JHB that is worth losing sleep over. Plus, we drive on the other side of the road, and if you've never experienced it, it does take some adjustment.
- JHB is not a good place to do street photography - especially as a tourist.
- if you must do the tourist browsing through shops etc, the airport has enough local stuff to browse. As with all airports, they are more expensive than outside, but you should find enough to keep you busy.
- the hotel is right next to arrivals, so check in, drop off your luggage, and go back to the airport if you want to browse.
- as Steve says, switch roaming off and use WiFi wherever possible. South Africa has one of the most expensive mobile rates in the world, and we are generally over-subscribed and have slow internet access compared to global.
Although having never been on a Botswana safari, I know it is an experience never to forget. People are generally very welcoming and will go out of their way to make sure you are comfortable.
Again though, expect border crossing to be a nuisance, you are after all facing customs and immigration people again.....
All info above is relevant, but it applies to any place. At least in Southern Africa, the majority of the people speak English, and you should be OK with communication.
In most airports Customs and Immigration people think they own the place anyway, so I find the pleasant officials are a surprise and a blessing.
In South Africa:
- handle your own luggage. Porters are identifiable, but if you can walk and push your own trolley, just do it. It cancels out the confusion of tips and fees, especially if you have no local currency at hand.
- directions and signs are easy to follow.
- you are only in JHB for one night, and will be exhausted after a very long flight. There is nothing to see in JHB that is worth losing sleep over. Plus, we drive on the other side of the road, and if you've never experienced it, it does take some adjustment.
- JHB is not a good place to do street photography - especially as a tourist.
- if you must do the tourist browsing through shops etc, the airport has enough local stuff to browse. As with all airports, they are more expensive than outside, but you should find enough to keep you busy.
- the hotel is right next to arrivals, so check in, drop off your luggage, and go back to the airport if you want to browse.
- as Steve says, switch roaming off and use WiFi wherever possible. South Africa has one of the most expensive mobile rates in the world, and we are generally over-subscribed and have slow internet access compared to global.
Although having never been on a Botswana safari, I know it is an experience never to forget. People are generally very welcoming and will go out of their way to make sure you are comfortable.
Again though, expect border crossing to be a nuisance, you are after all facing customs and immigration people again.....
Jul 21, 2015 06:58:15 #
hawaiidave
Loc: Honolulu, HI
I went through Johannesburg airport a month ago and encountered absolutely no problems at all.
Jul 21, 2015 08:16:31 #
I can offer a personal experience. I have traveled through the airport twice in the last six months.
The first time upon arrival I found that my checked luggage had been not only opened but damaged. When I wen to the Delta desk the clerk was quick to point out that my OGIO bag was a popular "high end" bag. Personally I never thought of it as high end. Luck me - the bag that was opened contained only my shorts, shirts and underwear. Note that I was one of 5 or 6 in line at the Delta counter and the other counters all seemed to have clients. For my second trip I went to TJ Max and bought a cheap no-name bag that arrived on the baggage carousel with no problems.
Note that when you exit the secure area near the gates you will likely be met by any number of drivers. It was easy to just tell them that I had a ride. They were not to aggressive - they were just in mass. If you have much luggage you will also be met by porters who are more aggressive. I have friends in ZA who warned me about the porters. Apparently some work in team and they will split your luggage so one can run off. If you go after that one the other will disappear. I did not have much luggage and had my camera bag strapped to me as if it were a jet pack and my life depended on it.
finally - when leaving the airport from my first trip I had arrived a bit early and sat in a restaurant for a quick meal before boarding the dreaded 17 hour flight. The food was great - the service was okay and I had my leg through the strap of my camera bag as it sat under the table. The waiter brought the bill and sat my iPhone down right beside my cup. I bent down to remove my wallet from my camera bag and when I sat back up my phone was gone. Just that fast in a full restaurant with the phone being not more than inches away from me - it was gone. I pulled out my iPad and started tracking the phone. Sadly over the next 15 minutes I could see it exit the airport and move to a neighborhood across the street. So I hit the disable button and got on with my life.
My first trip was business so I spent a lot of time in Johannesburg. It is a highly depressed area with very high crime. In the city, I personally witnessed smash and grabs, beat downs and gangs just entering and taking what they want from stores. It is a bit safer out of the city. But still the neighborhoods are surrounded by high walls with razor wire at the top and guard huts at the entrance with armed guards. They are like a military post or a prison. I have not seen the level of security anywhere else but perhaps Bogota.
On my second trip I was smarter and had no issues at all. My wife and I even drove 6 hours to Kruger which a lot of people told us was crazy. We really wanted to see the African country side. The first 40 minutes getting out of Johannesburg was more dangerous than the elephants that pushed on the side of our jeep or the lions that walked by not more than 20 feet away.
We spent 5 days on Safari and I took over 5000 photos with my Nikon D800. Some unbelievable shots and it was all worth it. None of the can even come close to the good.
Troy
The first time upon arrival I found that my checked luggage had been not only opened but damaged. When I wen to the Delta desk the clerk was quick to point out that my OGIO bag was a popular "high end" bag. Personally I never thought of it as high end. Luck me - the bag that was opened contained only my shorts, shirts and underwear. Note that I was one of 5 or 6 in line at the Delta counter and the other counters all seemed to have clients. For my second trip I went to TJ Max and bought a cheap no-name bag that arrived on the baggage carousel with no problems.
Note that when you exit the secure area near the gates you will likely be met by any number of drivers. It was easy to just tell them that I had a ride. They were not to aggressive - they were just in mass. If you have much luggage you will also be met by porters who are more aggressive. I have friends in ZA who warned me about the porters. Apparently some work in team and they will split your luggage so one can run off. If you go after that one the other will disappear. I did not have much luggage and had my camera bag strapped to me as if it were a jet pack and my life depended on it.
finally - when leaving the airport from my first trip I had arrived a bit early and sat in a restaurant for a quick meal before boarding the dreaded 17 hour flight. The food was great - the service was okay and I had my leg through the strap of my camera bag as it sat under the table. The waiter brought the bill and sat my iPhone down right beside my cup. I bent down to remove my wallet from my camera bag and when I sat back up my phone was gone. Just that fast in a full restaurant with the phone being not more than inches away from me - it was gone. I pulled out my iPad and started tracking the phone. Sadly over the next 15 minutes I could see it exit the airport and move to a neighborhood across the street. So I hit the disable button and got on with my life.
My first trip was business so I spent a lot of time in Johannesburg. It is a highly depressed area with very high crime. In the city, I personally witnessed smash and grabs, beat downs and gangs just entering and taking what they want from stores. It is a bit safer out of the city. But still the neighborhoods are surrounded by high walls with razor wire at the top and guard huts at the entrance with armed guards. They are like a military post or a prison. I have not seen the level of security anywhere else but perhaps Bogota.
On my second trip I was smarter and had no issues at all. My wife and I even drove 6 hours to Kruger which a lot of people told us was crazy. We really wanted to see the African country side. The first 40 minutes getting out of Johannesburg was more dangerous than the elephants that pushed on the side of our jeep or the lions that walked by not more than 20 feet away.
We spent 5 days on Safari and I took over 5000 photos with my Nikon D800. Some unbelievable shots and it was all worth it. None of the can even come close to the good.
Troy
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