Our Top Five / Most Visited / Gauteng >>

Here is our list of our top five most popular places to go in Gauteng. Many international visitors think time spent in Johannesburg between connecting flights is a necessary evil. Its reputation for crime is horrific. But with a bit of advice you’ll really enjoy this cosmopolitan, friendly, green and vibrant city that’s the economic powerhouse of Africa. In no particular order….

The Apartheid Museum and Gold Reef City (Johannesburg)

We’ve put these together because they’re in the same complex. But that’s where the similarity stops. The Apartheid Museum is worth at least a few hours (you could spend many, many more). Don’t expect to leave feeling light-hearted, but for an appreciation of what a remarkable achievement the ‘rainbow nation’ is, you can’t beat it. Displays are imaginatively-constructed and of a very high quality. Gold Reef City, on the other hand, is simply a casino and entertainment complex that needs a lick of paint. Great, if you like that sort of thing.

Soweto

We’ve got mixed feelings about tours to the ‘SOth-WEst TOwnship’. The idea of visiting a place to stare at all the poor people is just wrong. But take the right tour you can meet some really inspiring people, see what local communities are doing to improve their situation and understand more about ‘the struggle’ against Apartheid. You be surprised at the sheer scale and, in some instances, the wealth of the place. There are actually some nice accommodation options to stay in Soweto and this will give you a better feel for the place, but we don’t recommend driving there. Not so much because of crime, but you’ll get lost… there’s very little road signage.

Sandton (Johannesburg)

If you like spending your holidays in Canary Wharf, but wished it had more diamond shops and over-priced hotels, you’ll love Sandton. Most international tourists must do because this is where most of them stay. It’s clean, western and safe. Mandela Square is a good place for people-watching – the newly be-jewelled black millionaires flaunt their stuff here - and the legendary Butchers Shop & Grill does a mean rump steak, but it’s to sanitised for us. Rosebank is a better alternative…

Rosebank (Johannesburg)

Situated halfway between downtown Johannesburg and Sandton, Rosebank is a very good place to situate yourself. Although it’s ultimately a series of shopping malls, these feel more 'villagey' than elsewhere and there are more interesting boutique shops and restaurants than Sandton. And it’s cheaper too. There is a permanent African Craft Market where you can haggle for artefacts from all over the continent, but time your trip for a Sunday morning when you get the real deal at the weekly Rooftop Market – with independent traders set up their stalls with local art and foods.

The Cradle of Humankind and Maropeng (North of Johannesburg)

Pay your respects to Great Aunt ‘Mrs Ples’, an ancient relative of yours who died here more than 2 million years ago. Situated to the north-west of Johannesburg, Maropeng in The Cradle of Humankind is a modern museum chronicling the evolution of humankind from its earliest beginnings in this region. It is all done very well with interactive displays, but is really tailored towards to younger members of your group. Nearby Sterkfontein Caves are definitely worth a visit. You take a guided hike through the caves (not for the very unfit or claustrophobic) where you see sites where many of the specimens and tools were found. The Forum Homini Boutique Hotel will do you an excellent long formal lunch in a beautiful country setting. Even the snack platters make the trip worthwhile.