Sun City

Hi,

I am due to be arriving in JNB at the start of next month for a tenpin bowling tournament from 7th-13th May. However, there are hopefully going to be a few of us coming out early (arriving on the morning of Fri 5th) to do a night's safari before the tournament. We are staying around the Randburg area in JNB and probably going to be staying at the Protea Hotel Hazyview for the safari. My questions are :-

- What is the best way from Joburg to the Hazyview hotel near the game reserve ?? Is it best to hire a car/minibus and drive or is there a good public transport option ??

- Also, when going between these 2 places would it be convenient to call in to see what Sun City is like, or is this in a different direction ?? If Sun City is nearby, is it worth making the detour ??

Thanks in advance ...
Darren

In Dec. 1980 we got married in Jhb and spent our honeymoon at the Protea Hotel Hazyview. That afternoon's drive was terrible in the rain and mist, but soon forgotten. The route is still the same; Witbank, Middelburg, Belfast, Dullstroom, Lydenburg, Long Tom Pass, Sabie, Hazyview.

Sun City is 2 hours away in the opposite direction, a "detour" would add 4 hours, totally not worth it.

Public transport is not an option - hire a cheapie vehicle that suits your group size, the roads are excellent. Realise that it could be a 5 hour drive one-way.

Why not try Pilanesburg Game Reserve? It's closer than Hazyview and is near Sun City if that is a "must see" for you. My brother (USA citizen and 1st timer in SA game parks) and sister-in-law (resident South African-lover of KNP) were there 2 years ago and although its not the same as Kruger they both enjoyed it immensley.

There is alot of nice safari places close to Randburg. Its nothing like the KNP but its nice. You got the Rhino and Lion Park , Heia Safari Lodge just to name a few and these places is just about 30mins or so from Randburg.

Sun City is also nice and the safari there is also not to bad. You book at Sun City and then you get taken from there to the Pilansberg Game Reserve which is closeby to Sun City.

There is alot of nice safari places close to Randburg. Its nothing like the KNP but its nice. You got the Rhino and Lion Park , Heia Safari Lodge just to name a few and these places is just about 30mins or so from Randburg.

Sun City is also nice and the safari there is also not to bad. You book at Sun City and then you get taken from there to the Pilansberg Game Reserve which is closeby to Sun City

There used to be a bus going to Sun City as well, but I'm not sure if it still runs. They normally left from the Northgate Mall close to the Coca Cola Dome. Rather go to Pilanesberg if you want to do Sun City as well. Btw Pilanesberg is situated in a volcanic crater (not active any longer!) En route you can also stop off at Hartebeespoort Dam Snake and Reptile Park.

I really appreciate all the info guys, thanks.

Unfortunately the safari part is being organised by someone else (from Dubai actually !!) so I'm just going to tag along with them once I know what the plans are. The idea for Sun City was mine and it was only really going to be an option if it was close by.

It sounds like I'm better off doing the safari with my friends as intended and then maybe doing a separate day trip to see Sun City and maybe the Hartebeespoort Dam as well. I'm guessing there must be some sort of tour company that will do this type of day trip from Joburg ?? Do you think I would have to head into the city to join up with such a tour or is the Randburg area a common enough place that a tour bus would pick up there ??

Thanks again ...

Randburg is on the way to Sun City from Johannesburg (sort of). I doubt a tour company would turn you down as it's a very competitive industry. Try Lord's Travel, ask for Noel and mention Jeremy or Desiree, as you might get a discounted trip. www.lordstravel.co.za is the website.

I used to go to Sun City with some friends (to concerts and some fun in the fake waves) by bus from Sandton Sun Intercontinental. It's a dedicated service. We always go by car now.