Friday 25th September - Johannesburg to Sabi River Sun

We landed in J'burg a little after 5:30am and were whisked through emigration (no third degree in South Africa.  Next stop an ATM to get some Rand.  The most they will dispense appears to be R2,000 which is a little less than $200, certainly enough for the next stop, breakfast (big breakfast for around $7.00).  

Arriving Johannesburg

 After a bit of a sit around Richard and I headed off to First Car Rental to pick up our vehicle for the next week, a Volkswagon Combi which suits nicely.  Room for alll our luggage even using the three rows of seats.

We hired a GPS as well so getting out of J'Burg was fairly painless, then the 380km drive to Sabi River Sun.  The expressways are pretty impressive, 4 laned, speed limit 120kph, but also highly tolled.  We went through about 5 toll gates along the way.

At Azlu we pulled off at a roadhouse for lunch and were surprised to find we were overlooking an area of wildlife in a large paddock - white Rhinos, Ostriches, zebra, a number of antelope including Elands and Cape Buffalo - even a couple of Emus of all things.

J'burg to Sabi River Sun

At Neilspruit we pulled into a Spur supermarket for supplies for the next week.  The supermarket was large, had everything we needed and was very reasonably priced.  We're impressed with the cost of things in SA.

The contrasts in SA are immediately obvious.  Well built infrastructure, lots of expensive cars and then driving past townships of humpies and other low-cost housing.  Large fences including razorwire around farms and buildings, guards in car parks of shopping centres and the roadhouse.

The other thing that's obvious is how productive the countryside is.  Initially grains but as we drove further north, avocados, bananas, citrus, macadamias, mangos, a vine that looked a bit like Kiwi fruit (but haven't seen those in shops) and lots of tree plantations.

We arrived a Sabi River Sun soon after 4 and were met at a security gate where we had to sign ourselves in.  Was a bit of a concern when they couldn't find our booking but eventually was found under Mr Richard instead of Mr Long.


Our Chalet is very impressive.  Two large bedrooms downstairs and a loft area also with two beds.  All well appointed and nicely presented.  As we were all pretty exhausted by this stage it was a quick bite to eat and off to bed.