Overnight Johannesburg Recommendation

[Fatback]

I only have experience with City Lodge and it has been perfectly fine. But I’ve always been in on the Delta 200 flight and out the next am early. If I was going to be there for a couple of days, one of the other spots mentioned might for the bill better.

 

[USN]

my vote is Afton and use Mr X!

 

[WAB]

We use Africa Sky. We have probably stayed there a dozen times now. The ambience is outstanding and They make us feel like family.

I have stayed at City Lodge, and if cost is an issue it’s fine.

 

[Bearkat]

We stayed in City Lodge on our first trip in June. It was easy to get too and the room was good. The breakfast buffet was really good the next. Be prepared for a bunch of guys in vests to swarm you and want to show you how to get to the hotel and carry your bags.

 

[Flipper Dude]

We use City Lodge if catching a connection the next AM. Africa Sky if catching a ride the next morning. Aston House is fine, as well. I find Africa Sky to be a little nicer.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I set up Citilodge with Gracy $105 for a single and breakfast included. Not a hoity toity type so room and food suits me. Stayed at Afton House the first time around when it changed hands, for me food was sub par and no breakfast was a non starter. Also, not thrilled about staying somewhere behind walls and 24k volts of electric wires on top. As far as the high rent districts, people are being robbed there too. Multiple PHs told me never leave the hotel in Joburg. IIRC a few yearss back, Afton or Africa Sky were broken in to while hunters were staying there.
YMMV.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I've stayed at City Lodge multiple times and it is super convenient and good value. When my wife and I are traveling, she really, really likes the African Rock. I think it is similar to Afton House and African Sky. It's a high end B&B located in a gated residential neighborhood, about 15 minutes from the airport. A driver will meet you in the terminal and then drive you to and from the hotel. Gourmet dining and breakfast. I think it only has about 10-12 rooms.

African Rock Hotel & Spa - Exclusive boutique hotel

www.africanrockhotels.com

 

[Denvir Tire]

I spent a night in Afton House in June, rooms were clean and the food was excellent. Dinner and breakfast were included.
It's apparently under newer ownership, I never stayed prior to that, so I cannot comment regarding changes.
My wife and I will be staying at Afton in a few weeks enroute to Namibia.

 

[mdwest]

One note on the restaurant, get the buffet as ordering from the menu gets you the worlds slowest service. Buffet is instant. Here is the tbone steak I got for $7-8

That might have been our issue/problem (although, honestly, it wasnt a big deal)...

We had a 12 hour layover, so we got a "day room" at City Lodge back in July.. the buffet was closing up right about the time we checked in.. so we ordered off the menu..

The staff was super friendly and helpful.. but they were incredibly slow.. and the food was only "ok".. nothing wrong with it.. and it was certainly affordable.. but nothing to rave about for us...

That said, we were also exhausted by the time we checked into City Lodge.. we had done a week on safari, and then 4x days in Cape Town.. our wake up in Cape Town was 4AM in order to make it to the airport in time for the flight to Jo'berg.. so between being on the go and running at high speed for the 12 days prior, the jumping out of bed at 4AM to fly across the country, etc..etc.. we were smoked.. Im guessing nothing would have been "excellent" at that point lol..

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Thanks for all the input
Only reason thinking about it is there is an $800 price difference in flight leaving 2 days before I actually need to be there vrs leaving on day I originally need to leave.

 

[BourbonTrail]

Africa Sky was great for me. My PH also recommended Afton House after staying there the day before. Breakfast and dinner are included with the international rate IIRC. Alcohol is extra.

 

[WAB]

Thanks for all the input
Only reason thinking about it is there is an $800 price difference in flight leaving 2 days before I actually need to be there vrs leaving on day I originally need to leave.

Mark, go to camp two days early, don’t hang out in JoBurg for two days. Ask for a day rate to hang out, help
With chores, whatever.

 

[Doubleplay]

Forget Afton Lodge or City House if you want to get most out of your two day stay. They are places to spend time between flights or just overnight and they cater mostly hunters and believe it or expensive for what you get in SA.
Check out this place in a very upscale and safe neighborhood in Pretoria. They can arrange transportation and it's worth the 40 minute drive from the airport. It's an amazing property where there's a great restaurant, spa and nice grounds.
I toured the property when visiting my son who lives in the same area and least to say I was very impressed.
Highly recommended specially for those of you traveling with wives, girlfriends..

https://apogeehotel.co.za/

 

[artelkhunter]

Ok guys. I have researched and read a lot on here about the different overnight places to stay on arrival. After 5 trips I have never needed to overnight but for 2024 I may. As researching flights I can arrive 1-2 days ahead of when safari starts and save a lot on a flight I am looking at. That being said I figure give me time to get over jet lag and rest up before safari starts and do some sight seeing.
Where would you recommend for the best price for two days with moderate comforts and good food. Also service maybe to take to do some shopping. But a secure place also.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Hogpatrol]

@Mark Biggerstaff Last year, hunted the Eastern Cape and got there a day early. Stayed in the Raddison Blu in Port Elizabeth. Breakfast included and for a hotel, the dinner was good. Nice to have a day to walk the beach and shake off some jet lag. The outfitter picked us up at 10:00 a.m. the next morning.

 

[Denvir Tire]

@Mark Biggerstaff Last year, hunted the Eastern Cape and got there a day early. Stayed in the Raddison Blu in Port Elizabeth. Breakfast included and for a hotel, the dinner was good. Nice to have a day to walk the beach and shake off some jet lag. The outfitter picked us up at 10:00 a.m. the next morning.

I have also done this and it's a good plan for hunters and PH

 

[mdwest]

Thanks for all the input
Only reason thinking about it is there is an $800 price difference in flight leaving 2 days before I actually need to be there vrs leaving on day I originally need to leave.

Another option is.. hop a regional flight to Cape Town (only about $150).. and spend a day or two there...

There is a ton of very cool stuff to do in Cape Town.. a room at the Westin on the waterfront is only about $120 a night.. the hop on-hop off bus that takes you all over the city is only about $25 per day I think.. there are some absolutely incredible restaurants in Cape Town that are very affordable compared to US equivalents..

We rented a car (about $60 a day for a mid sized sedan), and drove down to the Cape of Good Hope... checked out the penguins, seals, bontebok, etc in the area.. that was a super affordable day (cost of a tank of gas and a rental car and a few bucks more for a few meals, etc).. and was an absolutely amazing experience..

The hop-on hop-off tour will take you to the top of table mountain (absolutely incredible views of Cape Town and ocean views of the cape itself), take you to touristy areas on the waterfront, take you to a couple of really nice beach areas, etc.. its easily a full day excursion as well for a very low cost..

Figure $150 for the flight.. $250 for the room.. $120 for a couple of days in a rental car.. $100 for a couple of days of seriously awesome meals.. and another $100 to do some touristy stuff while youre there.. and youre adding in some pretty incredible experiences (much better than I think you'll get in Jo'berg or Pretoria).. and still saving a few bucks over the additional $800 in flight costs for the different days..

 

[Hogpatrol]

Don't know about anyone else but in new places I venture, my main touristy spots are gun shops.

 

[MTA]

That might have been our issue/problem (although, honestly, it wasnt a big deal)...

We had a 12 hour layover, so we got a "day room" at City Lodge back in July.. the buffet was closing up right about the time we checked in.. so we ordered off the menu..

The staff was super friendly and helpful.. but they were incredibly slow.. and the food was only "ok".. nothing wrong with it.. and it was certainly affordable.. but nothing to rave about for us...

That said, we were also exhausted by the time we checked into City Lodge.. we had done a week on safari, and then 4x days in Cape Town.. our wake up in Cape Town was 4AM in order to make it to the airport in time for the flight to Jo'berg.. so between being on the go and running at high speed for the 12 days prior, the jumping out of bed at 4AM to fly across the country, etc..etc.. we were smoked.. Im guessing nothing would have been "excellent" at that point lol..

oh I hear you man. My patience was non-existent after the flight, immigration, SAPS and then checking in.

I think I am going to try out Africa Sky or Afton house and maybe spend a day there, before proceeding on to the safari. My wife is going to join me so I think we may try out a hunt in flatter terrain as she will be miserable hunting in the EC. Might need to pick your brain about that over lunch one day soon

 

[Doubleplay]

Another option is.. hop a regional flight to Cape Town (only about $150).. and spend a day or two there...

There is a ton of very cool stuff to do in Cape Town.. a room at the Westin on the waterfront is only about $120 a night.. the hop on-hop off bus that takes you all over the city is only about $25 per day I think.. there are some absolutely incredible restaurants in Cape Town that are very affordable compared to US equivalents..

We rented a car (about $60 a day for a mid sized sedan), and drove down to the Cape of Good Hope... checked out the penguins, seals, bontebok, etc in the area.. that was a super affordable day (cost of a tank of gas and a rental car and a few bucks more for a few meals, etc).. and was an absolutely amazing experience..

The hop-on hop-off tour will take you to the top of table mountain (absolutely incredible views of Cape Town and ocean views of the cape itself), take you to touristy areas on the waterfront, take you to a couple of really nice beach areas, etc.. its easily a full day excursion as well for a very low cost..

Figure $150 for the flight.. $250 for the room.. $120 for a couple of days in a rental car.. $100 for a couple of days of seriously awesome meals.. and another $100 to do some touristy stuff while youre there.. and youre adding in some pretty incredible experiences (much better than I think you'll get in Jo'berg or Pretoria).. and still saving a few bucks over the additional $800 in flight costs for the different days..

All true.
However for two days it's not worth it IMHO.
It's a four hour ordeal one way with 2+ hours flight time.
If he had 3-4 days, definitely!
One side note Cape can be very rainy during their Winter.