Johannesburg Travel Forum

We'll be visting South Africa in August and we'll be on a self drive. I've been looking for road maps of South Africa to install on my current Garmin GPS but they are all rather expensive. Also renting a GPS via the car rental company costs almost as much as a new one. So I was thinking of buying a cheap GPS when arriving in South Africa.
We will land in Johannesburg airport; is there a shop in the airport where you can buy these devices upon arrival? If not are there close to the airport (we leave directly for Sabie) shops where they sell GPS devices?

I am sure there are shops at the airport that sell GPS's, but if not you pass Menlyn Shopping Centre on the highway when passing through Pretoria. Many franchised motor dealers also sell GPS's via there parts / spares departments.

I run a Ford and Mazda dealer in Pretoria, and if you dont come right at the airport, I will be able to assist. For a Garmin Nuvi 200 you are looking at about R1950. I find that this is perfect for all my travels around South Africa.

There are quiet a lot of different makes available in South africa now, but I have always found Garmin to be the easiest and best.

Closer to the time, let me know, even if I meet you on the road and sort it out if you cannot come right. I always find airports quiet expensive

You will have a great holiday

Regards

Mike

Google Maps has recently acquired the 2-year old Garmap SASv1.5, the map that was preloaded on all Garmins sold up to this time last year. Garmin's pre-loaded maps have changed very little since then. Therefore, looking at Google Maps today, is going to give you a very good idea of what you will see on a GPS purchased in South Africa. A 2007 model Garmin will be quite good for your travels, but I realise that it will be difficult to find a reliable one before your trip. Unless one of your friends bought one here a while back....

There is practically no difference in the map quality (for South Africa) between new Garmins & Tomtoms today, because Tomtom now owns the company (Tele-Atlas)that still produces the maps for Garmin out here. Suggest you buy Garmin or Tomtom, according to the one that you are already familiar with. (These things come without operating instructions, you learn by experience only)

There is an inexpensive map option, only for Garmin, and that is www.tracks4africa.com. They are excellent outside of towns, for country roads. The 4X4 guys love them.

The most convenient shopping mall, enroute from airport to Sabie, is the East Rand Mall at S26 10.869 E28 14.177 (you can paste that straight into Google Maps). That is a detour of less than 2 miles and it is within 4 miles of the airport terminal. Proceed straight down the R21 instead of turning left onto the N12.

In East Rand Mall, go to Cape Union Mart. They will match the prices of any other reputable dealer. www.capeunionmart.co.za. Their main competitors on price are www.hificorporation.co.za and www.makro.co.za, but CUM's service is superior. (Plus, they have other nice gear for a fresh tourist!)

The nüvi200 should be fully discontinued (no longer produced) by the time you reach here, so there might be some bargains around. It it a great for local travel - have 2 myself.

Surprise! Cape Union Mart have an accessible branch in the international departures hall of the OR Tambo airport. Have just called them, and they have the nüvi205 in stock at R2192 while their web price is R1999. When pressed, the salesman said they will match the web price, but not the price of Makro or Hi-Fi Corporation. Oh, the games that are played at airports!

Do not buy anything from the Jhb airport, they are very expensive. Mike Dovey gave you a reply, I would go with his advice.

Buying the South or Southern African map for your existing Garmin GPS will surely not be more expensive than buying a new GPS in South Africa, would it?!?

Yes we checked for prices of the SA map and it cost m about the same as my current GPS...
Anyways thanks all for your replies!

The Tracks4Africa map is cheap!!

You can review the content of the Tracks4Africa maps by switching them on in Google Earth. Two places you need to "check" under "Layers":

. . . . . Gallery / 4 Tracks4Africa

. . . . . More / 4 Tracks4Africa

Bear in mind that they only work on Garmin. They are not 100% friendly with the "search" functions, and for example, you cannot look up addresses via numbers and street names.