Johannesburg Travelers Recommend

Exploring South Africa's national parks and taking a wildlife safari are both easily accessible activities from Johannesburg. Whichever adventure you choose, be on the lookout for all of the Big Five animals (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo). Here are your options for wildlife tours from Johannesburg. 

Pilanesberg National Park

Enjoy a thrilling African safari experience on a Pilanesberg Nature Reserve tour and get the chance to spot Africa's Big Five from an open-top safari vehicle. As well as elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and water buffaloes, the game reserve is home to giraffes, zebras, warthog, and blue wildebeest, so make sure you have your camera ready. Most Pilanesberg safaris also include a visit to the nearby Sun City Resort and Casino.

Kruger National Park

It’s possible to experience South Africa’s oldest national park on a morning game drive or a full-day safari, but to really explore the vast Kruger National Park, you’ll need a multi-day tour. Wildlife hot spots include Blyde River Canyon and the Panorama Route, where possible sightings include roan antelope, zebra, hippopotamus, impala, and of course, the Big Five. 

Elephant Sanctuary

Learn everything you ever wanted to know about elephants at the Elephant Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort Dam, home to a herd of domesticated African elephants. Visitors can participate in interactive workshops, help bathe the elephants, or take an elephant walk through the jungle, all under close supervision from experienced handlers. Book a tour for round-trip transportation.

Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre

You’re guaranteed a big cat sighting at the Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre in Hartbeespoort Dam. The conservation and breeding program is home to cheetahs and African wild dogs. See Africa's fastest mammal in action during a guided tour of the reserve or join one of the daily feeding round tours. 

Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve

Located in nearby Gauteng province, the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve makes a popular choice for a day trip. You’ll spot white lions, spotted hyena, and white rhino on an open vehicle safari, and pay a visit to the animal crèche, hippo pools, and vulture hide.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Visitors who have more time can cross the border and spend a night at a safari lodge in Botswana's Chobe National Park, home to large numbers of Cape buffalo, elephants, and lions, as well as an incredible variety of birds. Alternatively, opt for an action-packed, 5-day tour from Johannesburg and combine it with a visit to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Johannesburg, Jo’burg, Jozi—the dynamic, sprawling heart of South Africa has many names and many faces. This vibrant city is emerging from the horrors of its 20th-century history to become one of this century’s most exciting metropolises, home to booming arts, culinary, and fashion scenes. Here’s how to make the most of a 24-hour visit.

Morning: See the City’s Sights

Get your bearings in this colorful metropolis—and absorb some history—with a sightseeing tour. A group or private tour, by bus or by foot, can take you to see some of Jo’burg’s most important sights, such as Constitution Hill and the Nelson Mandela Bridge. Some tours also include a visit to the Carlton Centre, where you can take an elevator up to the 50th floor for panoramic views. Alternatively, a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour offers the flexibility of creating your own itinerary and exploring the city at your own pace—simply disembark to explore any stop of interest, then get back on and travel to the next stop.

Afternoon: Explore the Apartheid Museum

Crucial to understanding the complexities of modern-day Johannesburg is learning about the injustice and cruelty of its recent history. The Apartheid Museum tells the story of white-minority rule in South Africa from 1948 to 1994 through photos, film, documents, and interactive displays spread throughout 22 exhibition areas. Some tours include tickets and round-trip transportation to the museum, and most hop-on hop-off buses stop here. It is worth giving yourself a couple of hours to explore thoroughly.

Night: Immerse Yourself in Local Culture

Get a taste of local culture with an evening tour of some of the city’s hippest areas. Exploring the nightlife with a small group eliminates any worries about safety you may have. Guided tours cover vibrant neighborhoods, such as Braamfontein, said to be the city’s cultural hub, where you can taste local food, see colorful street art, and sip craft beer and cocktails. Another option for a memorable evening is an excursion to the Yeoville Dinner Club, where you can dine on pan-African dishes family-style while your chef/host recounts fascinating stories of local life.

South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg overflows with history and culture. With three days, you can soak up the scene in its hip neighborhoods, dive into the past at Constitution Hill, spot the “big five” in Pilanesberg, and more. Here are some ways to spend three days in Jo’burg.

Day 1: Explore the City

Kick off your visit to Johannesburg and get your bearings with a sightseeing tour. Group and private tours by bus or by bike typically take visitors to such attractions such as Constitution Hill and the Zoology Museum and also provide important historical and cultural context. If you prefer a measure of independence while sightseeing, you can book a ticket on a hop-on hop-off bus and explore at your own pace.

In the evening, get a taste of local culture with a visit to the trendy Maboneng neighborhood to soak up street art and enjoy lively bars. If you don’t want to go it alone, you can opt for a guided tour of one of the city’s other neighborhoods: Small group tours of vibrant Braamfontein introduce visitors to local restaurants and bars where you can sample regional food and sip craft beer and cocktails. 

Day 2: Immerse Yourself in Local History

Start off your second day with a tour of Soweto, the township created to serve apartheid, the policy of white minority rule in South Africa that lasted from 1948 to 1994, and the scene of notable uprisings against this policy. Tours of Soweto, by vehicle or by bike, typically take visitors to the mural-covered Orlando Towers and the former homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Some tours also visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, named for the 13-year old boy shot and killed by police on the first day of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. 

In the afternoon, learn more about this brutal period of South African history with a visit the Apartheid Museum, which presents visitors with a thorough history of South Africa's path to apartheid and its people's eventually victory over the forces of segregation. 

Day 2: Take a Walk on the Wild Side

On your final day, get up early and head to the Pilanesberg National Park and Game Reserve to seek out Africa's 'big five'—lions, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, and elephants. Full-day tours from Johannesburg typically include both a morning and afternoon safari in either open-top or closed vehicles as well as lunch. Some tours combine a morning visit to Pilanesberg with an afternoon visit to the nearby Sun City resort, where you can relax and enjoy swimming pools, casinos, and a cultural village.

Back in town, finish up your visit with a night out in the suburb of Melville, a bohemian enclave that is also a university town. The center of Melville's nightlife revolves around 7th Avenue, a strip of clubs, bars, restaurants, and cafes where you'll rub elbows with University of Johannesburg students and other revelers. 

Two days in Johannesburg allows you enough time to thoroughly explore the city’s historic landmarks—from Constitution Hill to the township of Soweto—and get a closer look at some of the its most culturally rich neighborhoods. Here’s how to spend two days in Johannesburg.

Day 1: Explore the City

**Morning:**Get your bearings by starting off your visit with a sightseeing tour on foot or by bus. You’ll see the main landmarks and get some cultural and historical perspective as you go. Hop-on-hop-off-bus tours offer the flexibility of being able to set your own itinerary and explore at your own pace.

**Afternoon:**Learn about South Africa’s tribal traditions and cultures on a visit to the Lesedi Cultural Village, which shares stories about the Basotho, Ndebele, Pedi, Xhosa, and Zulu tribes. Tours typically conclude with a cultural show featuring drumming and dancing and a buffet meal of traditional dishes.

**Night:**In the evening, hit one of the city’s hippest areas, such as the culturally rich Maboneng or Braamfontein neighborhood. Rather than visiting independently, you can enjoy a richer experience in the company of a guide who introduces you to the top spots for local food, craft beer, and cocktails.

Day 2: Johannesburg History and Culture

**Morning:**Apartheid shaped Johannesburg, so devote the morning to educating yourself on the history of white-minority rule with a visit to the nearby township of Soweto, created in order to segregate the races. Guided tours by bus or bike typically visit the mural-covered Orlando Towers and the houses of former residents Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

**Afternoon:**Get a further lesson in Johannesburg’s history with a visit to the Apartheid Museum, which tells the history of the policy through photos, film, documents, and interactive displays. Some tours of Soweto also visit the Apartheid Museum.

**Night:**Conclude your visit with a memorable evening of pan-African food and storytelling at the Yeoville Dinner Club, where meals are served family-style and your chef-host will regale you with fascinating tales of life in Johannesburg.