Overview
*the video suggests bringing a filtered water bottle when traveling outside of the city. We have not found this to be necessary.
Transport
Joburg is a metropolis that is not suited to pedestrian travel. ​
We recommend the following forms of transport for ease of use and to optimize safety.
International Airport
Recommended options:
Fly to OR Tambo International Airport which is just outside JHB.
Some international flights may go to Cape Town International first and then you will need to take a domestic flight to OR Tambo.
Not recommended:
Flights may also go to Lanseria Airport in Gauteng but this option has fewer ground travel options to the accommodation and conference venue.
Airport to Hotel
Recommended options:
1: At the airport follow signs to the airport's Gautrain Station (this is inside the airport and close to the international arrivals terminal). Take the next train to Sandton Station and change trains to the Rosebank Station. If you are staying at the recommended Rosebank hotel then you can walk from the station, through Rosebank Shopping complex to the hotel.
​
2: Arrange an airport shuttle service.
​
3: Take an Uber from the airport or from the Sandton/Rosebank Gautrain station
​
4. Hire a car at the airport.
​
Not recommended:
We do not recommend using metered taxi's, mini bus taxi's or buses from the airport.
We do not recommend going to the Gautrain's Park Station as it is in the inner city.
You cannot walk from the airport to your accommodation.
Hotel to Conference (& vice versa)
Recommended options:
1: Stay at a recommended hotel (listed below) and catch the conference bus service.
​
2: Take an Uber to the Wits Yale Road Entrance. Enter campus and walk to the conference venue.
​
3. Use your hire car and park in guest parking on campus.
​
Not recommended:
We do not recommend walking to campus, even if you stay close by. We also do not recommend public bus services.
Accommodation
We have negotiated special rates at the hotels listed below and arranged for shuttles between these hotels and the airport as well as those hotels and the conference venue.
1
Hotel 1 Name
Location:
Negotiated rate range:
Contact:
Transport:
Note:
2
Hotel 2 Name
Location:
Negotiated rate range:
Contact:
Transport:
Note:
3
Hotel 3 Name
Location:
Negotiated rate range:
Contact:
Transport:
Note:
On Campus
Olives and Plates at Wits Club*
Great food at a seated indoor & outdoor restaurant.
​
Vida E Cafe *:
Food and coffee stand at the Amec Deck Traffic lights.
​
Zesty Lemons*:
An informal canteen, with indoor and outdoor tables, below the Amec Deck.
​
Postgraduate Club (aka The Pig):​
An informal bar for afternoon and evening drinks.
​
The Matrix Student Mall*:
A small student union with book shops, banking facilities, and food stalls.
​
Solomon Mahlungu House*:
The building has a canteen & the Wits Shop for Wits merchandise
​
*Please note that these facilities are open during office hours only
Off Campus*
The Rosebank Mall shopping complex has many restaurants to choose from.
​
4th Avenue in Parkhurst is a street that is full of restaurants to choose from.​​
​
44 Stanley is a shopping area with restaurants that is close to Wits.​​​​​​​
​
Melville's 7th Street has coffee shops, restaurants and bars.
​
Kitchener's pub & pizzeria is a revamped pub in Braamfontein.
​​
Parkview's Tyrone Avenue has many restaurants and shops to explore.
​
Specific restaurants:
​​
**We recommend ubering to and from these venues, even when they are in walking distance of Wits.
​
FOOD & DRINKS
Weather
WINTER IN JULY
Joburg winters are usually dry and moderate.
​
Average Temperature Range:​ max of 17°C (63F) to min of 3°C (38F)
​
July is the middle of our winter and cold fronts can come through dropping temperatures for a few days.
​​
Security & Safety Precautions
Do's & Don'ts
As is the case with most big cities, there are areas that are better suited to tourists while other areas should be avoided. We recommend traveling in the areas that are north of the university (Parktown, Parkview, Rosebank etc.) and avoiding JHB city centre which is south of the university unless you are on an official guided tour.
​
We suggest that you:​
-
use recommended services
-
lock car and hotel room doors
-
keep valuables out of site in a closed bag or use the hotel safe or the trunk/boot of the car
-
install the MySOS app for campus security services
-
install the Namola app for emergencies on/off campus
-
enter and exit campus through the Yale Road entrance
-
use recommended transport that takes you directly to your destination
-
have international roaming on your cellular phone
-
pay with a bank card (including mobile/cellular payment apps)
​
​
We suggest that you do NOT:
-
show off valuables
-
walk between locations off campus
-
leave valuables unattended
-
go to unrecommended areas
-
use unrecommended services
-
carry large sums of cash
-
display your phone while waiting for an Uber
-
let someone else touch your bank card during a transaction
​
​
Tour Operators
There are a number of tours you can take in and around Johannesburg.
You can contact the following operators to book a tour:
​
Medical Care
Should you need medical assistance during your stay, please view the options below by selecting the relevant icon. We recommend arranging travel insurance inclusive of medical cover prior to your visit.
Emergency medical services: (+27) 082 911
Basic medical services are available on campus.
The nearest private hospital.
A private hospital close to accommodation.