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This golden city sprang up in 1800s as a result of the discovery of this precious metal. Since then, Johannesburg in the Gauteng Province has become the economic hub of South Africa for its fast pace and diverse collection of cultures and walks of life.
Johannesburg has numerous places to visit and explore and visitors can start by exploring the history of South Africa with a visit to the very moving and powerful Apartheid Museum. It’s hard-hitting, but a great reminder of how far South Africa has come as a nation, and is very inspiring all the same.
A tour of Constitution Hill, originally the site of the Old Fort Prison Complex where many prisoners, including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Ghandi is also informative and interactive. The hill now also holds the new Constitutional Court overlooking the sad remains of the dreadful prison which now serves as a monument to the fighting spirit of a nation.
Guided Soweto day-tours are also highly recommended for tourists who visit Johannesburg. The tours are incredibly informative and take you to some of the more influential sites, including Kliptown – the place where the Freedom Charter was drawn up, and the Mandela Museum, among others. Visitors also get a taste of local cultures when you visit the many merchants as well as a popular shebeen (tavern).
Visitors can also travel deep in the city centre of Johannesburg they find the Carlton Centre. For a small fee, one can ride the elevator all the way to the viewing platform at the very top. The view from there, 50 floors above the bustling streets below, is quite something special.
Another popular destination in Johannesburg has always been the Gold Reef City. Not only can tourists enjoy a bit of the city’s gold mining history, but they can visit the theme park and get their heart racing on some hair-raising rides. Tourists can even slip into a hard-hat complete with head light and take a trip down an old mineshaft, and while the kids hit the games arcade, the adults can try their luck in the casino.
The Sandton City in Johannesburg is the perfect to find world-class shopping, great eateries on the Square and excellent entertainment. It’s a hive of activity and trendy shopping and after shopping visitors to the city can relax with a refreshing drink at one of the popular outdoor cafes and restaurants on Nelson Mandela Square which is dominated by a massive bronze sculpture of Madiba himself.
There isn’t a more exhilarating way to see Soweto than from the Orlando towers. These two cooling towers have been decorated with colorful murals which make them really stand out. They don’t only serve as eye-candy though – visitors can ride the elevator or climb to the top on the floating stairs along the outside of the tower and enjoy the astounding view. The real excitement then comes when climbing down by either stepping into a harness and bungee or taking a power swing between the towers.
Nature in Johannesburg
Tourists can visit over 2000 animals at the Johannesburg Zoo. This sprawling 54-hectare of land is situated surprisingly close to the city centre – it’s hard to believe this as one ambles along the leafy pathways. Visitors can stop at the beautiful war memorial too or cross the road to Zoo Lake where they can hire a rowing boat, or simply laze beneath the trees and listen to the birds.
Another great animal attraction in Johannesburg is the Lion Park situated a short drive outside the city. The park is home to over 80 lions, including the rare white lion, cheetah, wild dog, hyena and jackal, as well as a variety of antelope. There’s also a giraffe feeding platform and fluffy cubs for visitors to touch.
The Melville Koppies Nature Reserve is situated about 15min from the CBD is also a National Heritage Site which visitors can enjoy with a long leisurely walk.
This golden city sprang up in 1800s as a result of the discovery of this precious metal. Since then, Johannesburg in the Gauteng Province has become the economic hub of South Africa for its fast pace and diverse collection of cultures and walks of life.
Johannesburg has numerous places to visit and explore and visitors can start by exploring the history of South Africa with a visit to the very moving and powerful Apartheid Museum. It’s hard-hitting, but a great reminder of how far South Africa has come as a nation, and is very inspiring all the same.
A tour of Constitution Hill, originally the site of the Old Fort Prison Complex where many prisoners, including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Ghandi is also informative and interactive. The hill now also holds the new Constitutional Court overlooking the sad remains of the dreadful prison which now serves as a monument to the fighting spirit of a nation.
Guided Soweto day-tours are also highly recommended for tourists who visit Johannesburg. The tours are incredibly informative and take you to some of the more influential sites, including Kliptown – the place where the Freedom Charter was drawn up, and the Mandela Museum, among others. Visitors also get a taste of local cultures when you visit the many merchants as well as a popular shebeen (tavern).
Visitors can also travel deep in the city centre of Johannesburg they find the Carlton Centre. For a small fee, one can ride the elevator all the way to the viewing platform at the very top. The view from there, 50 floors above the bustling streets below, is quite something special.
Another popular destination in Johannesburg has always been the Gold Reef City. Not only can tourists enjoy a bit of the city’s gold mining history, but they can visit the theme park and get their heart racing on some hair-raising rides. Tourists can even slip into a hard-hat complete with head light and take a trip down an old mineshaft, and while the kids hit the games arcade, the adults can try their luck in the casino.
The Sandton City in Johannesburg is the perfect to find world-class shopping, great eateries on the Square and excellent entertainment. It’s a hive of activity and trendy shopping and after shopping visitors to the city can relax with a refreshing drink at one of the popular outdoor cafes and restaurants on Nelson Mandela Square which is dominated by a massive bronze sculpture of Madiba himself.
There isn’t a more exhilarating way to see Soweto than from the Orlando towers. These two cooling towers have been decorated with colorful murals which make them really stand out. They don’t only serve as eye-candy though – visitors can ride the elevator or climb to the top on the floating stairs along the outside of the tower and enjoy the astounding view. The real excitement then comes when climbing down by either stepping into a harness and bungee or taking a power swing between the towers.
Nature in Johannesburg
Tourists can visit over 2000 animals at the Johannesburg Zoo. This sprawling 54-hectare of land is situated surprisingly close to the city centre – it’s hard to believe this as one ambles along the leafy pathways. Visitors can stop at the beautiful war memorial too or cross the road to Zoo Lake where they can hire a rowing boat, or simply laze beneath the trees and listen to the birds.
Another great animal attraction in Johannesburg is the Lion Park situated a short drive outside the city. The park is home to over 80 lions, including the rare white lion, cheetah, wild dog, hyena and jackal, as well as a variety of antelope. There’s also a giraffe feeding platform and fluffy cubs for visitors to touch.
The Melville Koppies Nature Reserve is situated about 15min from the CBD is also a National Heritage Site which visitors can enjoy with a long leisurely walk.
