gary northrop

We are leaving for our 5th trip to Africa today and one tip I'll pass on from many overseas trips is to keep your passport, credit cards, and money in a canvas waist wallet by "Lewis n Clark". It has an elastic waist band, is very lightweight, and has good zippers that have lasted 10 years. Be sure to wear it UNDER your shirt or blouse.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

I travel through Jo'burg O.R. Tambo airport frequently. To get to Botswana you have little alternative choice.

The obvious things to be aware of, as with many such places;
- Try not to look like a tourist. Don't carry expensive equipment where it can be seen. Don't have carry bags emblazoned with manufacturers names or camera straps with Nikon D810 on them. If you do you have just painted a big bullseye on yourself.
- The luggage carriers will panhandle you immediately. Ignore them. Don't even say no thanks.
- The taxi drivers will jump on you as you clear the exit. Ignore them. Don't speak at all.
- Customs formalities are normally pretty straightforward. There are limits on the amount of cash you can bring in as rand, ZAR10,000 per person. If you go over that and are caught (however unlikely) all the money goes.
- Immigration can be a lengthy queue especially if you arrive early morning when there is a lot of long haul. Not as long as homeland security in the US but it can take an hour or so for non - locals.
- Do not use an ATM at the airport. Another way of painting yourself with a bullseye. Get the cash you need before you fly.
- Interference with checked baggage does happen but it is very rare. Security airside and in the baggage transit is quite good.
- There are usually plentiful supplies of baggage trolleys. Never, ever leave bags no matter what the circumstance once you have cleared customs. Bags can disappear at a speed that challenges the theory of relativity.
- When flying out you check in on the upper level; the absence of signs about this can cause confusion.

Despite what you have heard the airport is not any worse than many in the world and you are very unlikely to have a problem if you just follow the crowd and be inconspicuous.

You have more to worry about if you decide to go sightseeing in Jo'burg. This place makes the US look safe from the point of view of shootings. There are safe areas to go, there are non safe areas. Take advice in your hotel if you want to go wandering. And don't walk, take a reputable taxi. Downtown Jo'burg is a sort of dare for some tourists - they must have a deathwish.

Outdoorsafe Loc: Colorado Springs

In addition to all the other advice I would add - "don't put anything in your checked baggage that you can't afford to loose!" I have taken groups to SA and flown through the airport every year for the past ten years (most recently May) and only once had a problem - my baggage was searched and an iPod stolen. Things have gotten much better with the completion of the new airport built for the World Cup held in SA a couple of years ago. The airport is modern, convenient and no trouble to get through either internationally or locally. Both terminals are in one building. As with most airports - come early on departure day. One other thought - if you need to exchange money there are exchanges available before you exit into the public areas. You might become a "marked man" if you are seen exchanging money once you are in the public area. Once you are out of Jo'burg most of the safety issues subside, The bigger cities are full of out-of-work people and street crime is a much bigger risk than it is out in the bush.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

One of the favourite targets for thieves is tourists with these money belts. It usually means you have money and all your goodies are in one place. Plus you have to grub about to get to your cards or cash, which makes it fairly obvious that you have one.

They are called 'gift pouches', and for good reason.

Bobbee

First, they try to sell you burner phones. this is common at most international airports. Almost NOBODY esp the security and airport staff speak little English. I dropped 100 USD in $20 on the floor. A guy picked it up and returned it to me. when I told the guys at SARs we were working with. they said I had probably crossed paths with the ONLY honest person in SA. Maybe not at the airport, I was warned about people coming up to you and robbing you.

SonyBug

Wow, great story. Thanks.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Although it is highly unlikely that I'll ever go to S.Africa, or on a safari, there's some really good information here about traveling in general.
I put one of those Lewis N. Clark pouches on my Amazon Wish List.
Thanks.

CaptainBobBrown

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions on getting through OR Tomba airport. Google and virtual reality are such wonderful inventions. I've carefully plotted out our foot path from Arrivals across the street to the Intercontinental Hotel and if I've ever preached traveling light to my wife it's this trip.

Bobbee

So I told everyone I was going there for 4 weeks to work. Everyone said blah blah blah Safari blah blah blah Bucket List. I said 'what's the big deal!" I went on one while I was there.................recommended traveling, with a lens above 200 and a flash if you plan on doing the night one like I did

http://www.bb-photography.org/Nature/Kruger-Pics/n-DS2VG/

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

N. Zealand and Australia at the top of my "Bucket List."
Bobbee, looks like you've got a third arm growing out of your back in your avatar. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Bobbee

Yes, my sister's. that was my 60th in front of Coby's Steak House on Rt54 in Wesley Chapel. Went there for the porterhouse. Too lazy to remove it.

Jdh1951 Loc: Los Angeles

We transited through Josie airport in June 2012. We were strongly warned against putting anything valuable in our checked luggage (especially jewelry and electronic equipment, including cameras), as we would likely not see it again. Other than that, the airport was fine. We did have a tour guide who met us at baggage claim and helped us through immigration/customs, but I didn't notice any other tourists having a problem there.

pdsdville Loc: Midlothian, Tx

If you're worried about getting your camera ripped of your neck, get a Sunsniper strap that has a metal wire through the strap preventing cutting and giving a lot of extra strength. Hang it from the opposite shoulder from the side you are carrying it.

n64uw

2010 Sept - Nov time span with multiple stops at Tambo. Keep the important stuff on your person and carry on baggage. Be prepared for multiple changes in gate locations for Stanley on your way to Victoria Falls. If you are overly concerned about theft, then wrap your bags for each segment of the journey. You will know what Wrap means when you get there. Have a ball! We drove 10,000 kilometers in South Africa and Swaziland in 7 weeks. Don't go out after 8 PM. We did a three day tour of Zimbabwe specific to the Falls. Say hello to "Reason" if you see him.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

That is not a good idea. The normal means of removing such a strap is a knife. If it won't work on the strap it will work on the person wearing it. Or if the snatch is by a gang (they often work in groups) you have the pleasure of being dragged along the road while they steal the camera.

Africa is no different to the rest of the world in this respect. There are areas in Europe and the US only an idiot would venture wearing expensive camera equipment. There are areas in Africa where you can walk safely and securely; these are not small pockets but rather the larger part of the country. OR Tambo has a constant police presence; it is not the home of massed criminal gangs lining the walkways with evil intent. In over 80 trips through that airport in the last ten years I have never had a problem (obey the basic rules) and never seen a problem happening.

All the gimmicks in the world will not stop a determined thief and it is said by people who work there it is better to loose the kit and claim on the insurance than to loose your life.