Next on our journey through the City of Gold is Johannesburg South! Another big area, with many suburbs and plenty of interesting things to see, do and experience, Johannesburg South comprises of suburbs including Aspen Lakes, Ormonde, Mulbarton, Turffontein, Kibler Park and Glenvista, just to name a few. This area may be fast developing, but it still retains plenty of its natural beauty, complete with endless hills and many exclusive wildlife estates. There's plenty of cover in this guide to Johannesburg South, so click on the suburb your interested in exploring and let's go on an adventure!
What Are You Looking For?
Aspen Lakes
Bassonia
Ormonde
Turffontein
Glenvista
Oakdene
Kibler Park
Aspen Lakes
One of the affluent suburbs in the area, Aspen Lakes is quite a small, situated right between Mulbarton and Rietvlei. Although it's tiny, there are still a few must-visits in the area, including the 72 000 m² regional shopping centre, Mall of the South, which offers shoppers over 160 fabulous stores to browse and shop through, free Wi-Fi, and amazing restaurants to keep you energised and fueled during your shopping spree. Other points of interest in the area includes Fun Paintball if you're looking to have a blast with your family and friends, as well as the Golden City Shooting Club.
Image from Mall of the South.
Bassonia
Bassonia is also known as one of the affluent suburbs in Johannesburg South. Not only is it a lovely residential area for families of all shapes and sizes, it's also within close proximity to all the bustling parts of the city. Bassonia Rock is a beautiful residential estate that offers stunning views of the area. Residents and visitors travelling through the suburb can make a stop at the Bassonia Shopping Centre (previously known as the Comaro View Shopping Centre) to pick up a few groceries, or even grab a delicious steak dinner at Turn 'n Tender or some Mediterranean delights at Doppio Zero. and if you're looking for an authentic Thai experience of ultimate relaxation and satisfaction, check out Aura Thai Spa.
Image from Bassonia Rock Residential Estate.
Ormonde
If there’s one thing Ormonde in the centre of Johannesburg is known for, it’s the family favourite, Gold Reef City! Just a stone’s throw from Newtown, this area is perfect if you’re looking to enjoy a day filled with thrills, excitement and a little bit of terror (think The Tower of Terror). Families, kids and thrill seekers alike flock to the Gold Reef City Theme Park over the weekends to get their dose of adrenaline and adventure. You can also get some insight into the history of Jozi by taking a heritage tour through the old gold mine situated in the heart of the theme park. For those who prefer the more relaxed side of life, there’s also the Gold Reef City Casino, where you can try your luck on the slot machines, enjoy a show at the Lyric Theatre, dine at one of the many restaurants the entertainment hub has to offer and much more.
Image from Gold Reef City.
Turffontein
What the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Turffontein? For us, it definitely has to be the thrilling and exciting Turffontein Racecourse! This is one of the city's hidden gem, offering visitors plenty of adrenaline-filled entertainment that comes along with a day at the races. There's plenty of annual events that you cannot miss! For a little more information about this absolute must, here's a whole list of reasons why you need to visit the Turffontein Racecourse. You'll also find the Sporting Football Club Johannesburg that hosts various sports events, the Rotunda Park perfect for those looking to get a little fresh air, and plenty of retail hot spots and restaurants to explore.
Image from Turffontein Racecourse.
Glenvista
Glenista is a picturesque and peaceful suburb that's surrounded by plenty of fauna, flora and wildlife. It's a lovely area to raise a family. Other than its lovely natural surrounds, it does host a could of must-visits in the area. If you enjoy spending days on the tee, seeking to finally hit a hole in one, then the Glenvista Country Club is the ideal place to play a round of golf. Need to do a little shopping? Not a problem, just stop by the Glenvista Shopping Centre situated off the N12 highway. Here, you can do some grocery shopping at Woolworths, grab a coffee with your bestie at Aroma di Caffe, grab some curry to-go at The Curry Muncher Indian Spices & Take-away, or tuck into a cheesy pizza at Pizza Perfect.
Image from the Glenvista Country Club.
Oakdene
Squeezed between Bassonia and Turffontein is Oakdene, ideally located merely 7km from the Johannesburg city centre, 5km from the ever-popular Gold Reef City, and a 20-minute drive from the O.R. Tambo Airport. This suburb makes a lovely area for families to reside in and also features many apartment complexes if you're looking for a smaller space along the feel of community. There are two shopping centres in the area, namely The Glen Shopping Centre which attracts visitors from all over the city, as well as Comaro Crossing Shopping Centre, which is the ideal stop if you're looking to do a quick pickup for tonight's dinner.
Image from The Glen Shopping Centre.
Kibler Park
If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without actually leaving Johannesburg, then Kibler Park is the perfect suburb for you. Here, you'll find the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, fondly referred to as Johannesburg’s Jewel of the South. This reserve offers nature lovers 640 hectares of veld and koppies that homes plenty of wildlife, including zebra, red hartebeest, and black wildebeest. The reserve offers hikers a wide choice of hiking trails perfect for all fitness and experience levels. And for a quick weekend getaway, the Thaba Eco Hotel & Spa is the perfect escape.
Image from Thabo Eco Hotel.