Kirsten Gardner’s Field Notes from Johannesburg
Courtesy of Kirsten
Field Notes are firsthand travel recommendations for and by our ECT Clubhouse members. Get the lowdown on destinations across the globe from travelers and locals alike. This week, Kirsten Gardner, owner of Outlier Journeys, shares her notes from Johannesburg.
In November I embarked on a whirlwind research trip to South Africa, cramming 12 days worth of doing into 6 before heading to Namibia. In addition to self-driving through the Greater Kruger to check out a few lodges that we work with, I spent 3 days in Johannesburg with the goal of digging deeper into the culture of the city and dispelling some outdated myths. New nonstop flight routes are making Johannesburg increasingly accessible as an entry point into Southern Africa, and I was delighted to discover that it definitely is more than a “stopover city”, especially for lovers of history and art. The city had such incredible energy and 3 days was not enough time!
Do
Victoria Yards - Located in Lorentzville, this collection of abandoned warehouses has been transformed into a thriving community hub of artist studios, urban agriculture, pop-up dining and small businesses. You can visit the studio of artist and community activist James Delaney’s (he’s the driving force behind revitalizing The Wilds, an urban forest and nature preserve in the Houghton Estate neighborhood), sample three types of gin at Primal Spirits, and shop for high end denim at Tshepo (Beyoncé is a customer.) Monthly “First Sundays” are particularly lively and free guided tours to meet the makers are offered daily at 10 am.
Stay
The Peech Hotel - Stay at The Peech Hotel, a gorgeous, contemporary boutique set in a historical manor from the 1950s. I wanted to bring all of their interiors home with me, the team could not have been kinder and it punched way above its weight in the value category. They also care deeply about sustainability. Environmentally conscientious practices are thoughtfully incorporated into the guest experience (like reusable coffee pods.) The suites are especially dreamy and feature original installations by African artists, each with a story. And the restaurant options on site are divine!
Shop
Trov - There are endless shopping opportunities for art, clothing and jewelry lovers, but I was particularly smitten with Trov, a beautifully curated (and woman-owned) gallery space in the Keyes Art Mile. Everything you see is fair trade and hand-crafted by artists throughout Africa.
Courtesy of Kirsten
Also included in her notes:
A local guide she recommends who is also an art specialist and historian (tap the Clubhouse for an exclusive discount)
Hubs for street art, galleries, weekend markets and creative dining outlets
A cafe where she “loved the coffee and vegetarian injera platter”
A workshop where you can “nose around the antiques and millions of books”
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