Go2Africa Maximizes Long Layovers in Africa with Experiences
Close to International Airport Hubs
Cape Town, South Africa (September 15, 2022): While travelers embrace the news of new non-stop flights to Africa, such as United Airlines new direct flight between Washington Dulles Airport and Cape Town becoming the first airline to provide nonstop roundtrip service from the US capital to South Africa starting November 17, layovers on the continent are still a reality to get to some of our favorite destinations. Rather than dreading the long layover, Go2Africa has created experiences for travelers to help fill the downtime and an African city layover guide with itineraries providing time to explore additional locations along your journey. Rather than wait for hours in the airport, travelers can immerse themselves in unexpected destinations along the way.
As experts on African travel, the Go2Africa team knows hot spots across 15 countries and has pulled together a list of attractions in three beautiful cities that hold Africa’s main airports and air travel hubs- Johannesburg in South Africa, Entebbe in Uganda, and Nairobi in Kenya. Whether traveling to a safari hotspot, beach break, or wine country, you will likely need to layover in one of these major hubs. Each of these attractions has been chosen due to their close proximity to the city’s main airport, making it easy for travelers to explore.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
The O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, handles over 21 million passengers annually and is the country’s primary airport for domestic and international travel. The airport’s infrastructure and location help to ease visitors' travels from the airport, and there are numerous transportation options, such as private cabs, Ubers, and high-speed Gautrain. All attractions below are under one hour from the airport.
Soweto Tour
Soweto is a neighborhood consisting of numerous suburbs located near the city center. The township is a melting pot of South African cultures and features the only street in the world home to two Nobel Laureates. Visit 8115 Vilakazi Street to see where Nelson and Winnie Mandela resided with their children. Stop by the house where fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived.
Apartheid Museum
Opened in 2001, the Apartheid Museum has been acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum dealing with 20th-century South Africa. This museum, a shining example of design, space, and landscape, offers visitors a unique South African experience.
Gold Reef City
Gold Reef City is the perfect spot for travelers with children. It features a myriad of interactive experiences that explain the history of mining in South Africa. Kids can enjoy bungee jumping, playing paintball, and ‘free falling’ from the Orlando Towers.
Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton
Nelson Mandela Square is Johannesburg's premier dining destination in the heart of Sandton. The Sandton City Shopping Center, one of South Africa’s most popular retail and leisure destinations, is right next to the square and features sidewalk cafes, popular eating spots, and almost 100 upscale boutiques for travelers to browse.
ENTEBBE, UGANDA
Here are 3 destinations for travelers to visit during a layover, all within a 35-minute drive of Entebbe International Airport.
Lake Victoria Cruise
Take a day or late afternoon boat trip on the tranquil waters of Lake Victoria, one of the world’s largest lakes. The sunset cruises are particularly mesmerizing as you set out for a 2-hour journey to watch the sun disappear on the horizon.
Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Near the shores of Lake Victoria is the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a peaceful oasis that will immerse guests in nature. Visitors can enjoy guided nature walks and picnics along the lake and to the forest canopy. If you’re lucky- you can spot a resident black-and-white colobus monkey.
Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center
For animal and wildlife enthusiasts, travelers can visit the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center (UWCEC), which currently cares for 252 animals. Available activities include getting up close to a chimpanzee, a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of how the animals are cared for, and guided tours by one of the keepers.
NAIROBI, KENYA
Within one hour of the airport, Nairobi offers easy transportation options to explore the city, including public transportation, including The Nairobi Commuter Rail and Madaraka Express to Mombasa.
Sheldrick Elephant Trust
The Sheldrick Elephant Trust dates back to 1977 and is the world's most successful orphaned elephant rescue program. The organization cares for babies that have gotten lost, injured, separated from their herd, or had their mothers killed by hunters or poachers. The trust works to hand-rear them and, later on, reintroduce them into the wild. A public feeding occurs between 11:00 and 12:00 and is a very popular activity at the Trust.
Nairobi National Park
This undercover safari destination is known as the world’s only wildlife capital. It is a large game reserve on the city's border, just a short drive from Nairobi’s central business district. Travelers can spend a few hours in the park and enjoy game drives, hikes, and picnics in this little-known urban national park.
Giraffe Center
The Giraffe Center (also known as the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Kenya) was founded in 1979 to help conserve the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, which was threatened by poaching, hunting, human encroachment, and habitat loss. At the center, travelers can interact with habituated giraffes and learn how the breeding program helps diversify the remaining gene pool. There are also opportunities to visit the bird sanctuary and enjoy a short nature trail through an indigenous forest with the potential to spot warthog, dik-dik, and other small animals.
Karen Blixen Museum
Karen Blixen was an adventurer and the author of Out of Africa, one of the most enduring tales of colonial Kenya. The baroness lived in this well-preserved stone house from 1917 to 1931, and it remains one of the most typical residences built by wealthy Europeans.
Carnivore Restaurant
Travelers who have an affinity for eating meat should check out the Carnivore Restaurant, where staff brings out platters of freshly grilled, roasted, and barbecued Kenyan beef, pork, and venison – from crocodile and zebra to impala and kudu. All meats are roasted on traditional Maasai swords, and travelers are encouraged to drink a glass of ‘dawa’ by the roaming ‘medicine man,’ aptly named Dr. Dawa.
For bookings and inquiries contact: www.go2africa.com / contact@go2africa.com / 1-866-438-8677
About Go2Africa:
Go2Africa, part of the Nawiri Group, is a multi-award-winning and B Corp-certified travel specialist based out of Cape Town and Nairobi. Driven by a passion for positive change, Go2Africa curates unforgettable African safari holidays that leave a lasting impact. Celebrating over 25 years, they have first-hand knowledge and relationships with over 1000+ carefully selected partners across Southern and Eastern Africa. With the most accredited and awarded safari specialists recognized by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure, travelers are in expert hands.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube
Media Inquiries:
Julie Leventhal
RECENT RELEASES
