Whether you’re an arts and culture lover or you want to taste a selection of different food in the city, the diverse array of offerings is mightily impressive. While there are signs of the nation’s poverty, such as the shanty towns of Soweto, there is also a range of other sights that cater towards visitors. Johannesburg is a vibrant city with a controversial past, but it’s certainly pushing forward into the future with a selection of top-rated attractions. From animal-filled safari offerings to beautiful skyscrapers, it’s a city that has it all.
With so much on offer, below is a look at some of the best things to do in Johannesburg.
Day Trip to Pretoria
Although Pretoria is located about 55 kilometers from Johannesburg, it’s most definitely worth the journey. Particularly popular with history buffs given its selection of museums and historical buildings, Pretoria also boasts a selection of pristine gardens and stunningly beautiful parks. Go-to options for people include the Pretoria National Botanic Garden and Freedom Park, although there is plenty to see and do once you’re there.
Lion & Safari Park
Arguably the home of safari holidays, many people venture to this part of the world to get up close and personal to an extensive selection of wildlife. One of the most popular animals from the wild is the lion, with the Lion & Safari Park in the city housing plenty of them. Lions aren’t the only animals being looked after in this lovely park, though, with people also likely to see giraffes, ostriches, wild dogs, hyenas, cheetahs, and a few other creatures from the animal kingdom. This particular park offers self-guided tours or guided game drives, alongside nighttime feeding tours and river rafting tours.
The Apartheid Museum
We live in a world where almost everything is focussed on the present. People want instant access to things, such as an online casino in South Africa for gaming and live streaming platforms for sport, but the past certainly plays a big part in how things have panned out in the present, particularly in South Africa. Beautifully portraying the story of the apartheid through thought-provoking photos and videos, a selection of artifacts and newspaper clippings, and some hugely powerful personal accounts, The Apartheid Museum is the perfect place to learn about South Africa’s controversial past.
Mandela House
Nelson Mandela’s home from 1946 to 1962, Mandela House is a popular tourist attraction in the city. Located in Soweto, a township of the City of Johannesburg and an area with a dark past, the struggle for democracy can be felt as you immerse yourself in a setting that was originally planned as an area of segregation for black labourers. Now, it’s a contrasting place full of massive mansions alongside thought-provoking poverty. In order to understand it all properly, Mandela House is worth visiting.
Pilanesberg National Park
One of the most famous game reserves in the entire country, Pilanesberg National Park is home to a variety of species that are housed in a perfect environment. Located between the pretty Lowveld vegetation and the dry Kalahari desert, this particular national park is home to the likes of African wild dogs, sable antelope and zebras, plus lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants, and rhinos. You might even see birds too, with the park housing around 300 different species.
