South Africa: The Stopover That Became Part of the Story

An Unexpected Chapter Between Safari, History, and Johannesburg Skies

South Africa was never really meant to be a major part of this trip. In my mind, it was simply a stopover, a place to rest between flights before heading out on safari and eventually home from my 45th birthday adventure across Africa.

I booked a stay at the InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport specifically because it was connected to the airport. My plan was simple: sleep in, enjoy the spa, maybe lounge by the indoor pool, and recover from the long journey to South Africa and the emotional whirlwind of safari life.

But with a full day free on both ends of my trip, I figured I should venture out and see a little of Johannesburg while I had the chance.

That decision became one of the most eye-opening parts of my entire journey.

On my first full day, I wandered down to the concierge desk to ask if there were any last-minute tours available. Lucky for me, one of their guides, Larry, happened to be free and offered to take me through Johannesburg and Soweto for the day, including visits to the Apartheid Museum and Mandela House.

I’ll be honest, I was not prepared for the emotional weight of South Africa’s history.

Of course, I knew who Nelson Mandela was. But standing inside the Apartheid Museum and learning the full scope of apartheid, segregation, and systemic oppression was something entirely different. It was overwhelming in a way I didn’t expect. At several points, I had to step outside to collect myself before continuing through the exhibits. Eventually, I found myself sitting quietly in the gardens just trying to process everything I had seen and learned.

From there, Larry took me through Soweto, where we visited the memorial honoring the students who took part in the June 16, 1976, uprising against Bantu education. Listening to the stories while standing in the very places where history unfolded was incredibly moving.

There were a lot of quiet tears that day.

And then there was Soweto itself and a visit to Nelson Mandela’s former home.

As we drove through the township, I found myself completely humbled. Visiting Nelson Mandela’s house was incredibly powerful, but what stayed with me most were the informal settlements we passed along the way. In 2026, seeing families living in makeshift homes without reliable access to running water or electricity was difficult to comprehend. South Africa challenged me in a way safari never could, forcing me to confront history, inequality, and privilege long after I left.

Sensing I probably needed a little emotional reset after such a heavy day, Larry mentioned a few restaurants his company typically recommends to tourists. But honestly? I needed something a little more celebratory. A little more glamorous. Something that felt like me.

So I told him I already had a place in mind.

In the days leading up to the trip, I discovered Alto234 while scrolling TikTok, a rooftop bar perched high above the city inside The Leonardo.

From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into another world. I was greeted with a glass of Moët before being escorted up to the 57th floor. Larry admitted he had never actually been up there himself, so I insisted he join me.

Within seconds, we were standing above Johannesburg, taking in one of the most stunning 360-degree views I’ve ever seen.

Now this was my kind of birthday stopover.

The space was covered in Moët branding, there was a champagne vending machine, and naturally, I had to try it. Larry and I spent the afternoon sipping champagne, sharing tapas, and talking about life, family, and his dreams of growing his tour business. One of my favorite parts of traveling is connecting with locals beyond the typical tourist experience. Those conversations always end up becoming the moments I remember most.

By the end of the day, South Africa had become so much more than a quick stopover. It became a deeply meaningful chapter in this birthday adventure, one filled with difficult history, honest conversations, unexpected beauty, and moments of joy woven in between.

Visiting Soweto and the former home of Nelson Mandela left me with a reminder I think we all need a little more of: to lead with kindness, compassion, and humanity whenever we can. Travel has a way of expanding your perspective, but South Africa also softened my heart in ways I didn’t expect.