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Johannesburg attractions
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions
Top 15
tourism highlights of this great city
In general visitors to South Africa do not see
Johannesburg as a tourist destination. They are clearly not aware of Johannesburg South Africa's
attractions and therefore in many cases this great city does not really feature on their lists of
places to see.
But almost all of them pass through Johannesburg as the main airport for international airline
arrivals and also the main transit point for connecting flights to destinations in Southern
Africa.
So why not use the opportunity for a short stay of one or two days to explore the city, there
is so much to see and experience.
You can visit the origin of mankind, the Gold Reef goldmine, the nearby nature reserves, some
wonderful museums and the first house of Nelson Mandela which is now a museum to name but a few of
the many attractions that Johannesburg has to offer.
And not only that, the wonderful thing about the city is its central position between many great
places to visit and see that lie within a 2 hour drive.
Mandela Bridge and the CBD on the skyline of Johannesburg
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
Learn more about this fascinating city, explore its Top 15
attractions
Artist's impression of Homo Erectus, one of humankind's earliest ancestors on view at the Sterkfontein Caves exhibition
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
Cradle of Humankind,...
Only a 45 minutes drive from Johannesburg city centre, lies the Sterkfontein valley, home to
the world renown Sterkfontein caves. It is a UNESCO world heritage site called "The Cradle of
Humankind" famous for the discovery of almost 1,000 hominid fossils, the oldest being more than
3 million years old. The area is one of the most important and productive palaeo-anthropological
sites in the world.
For the visitor there are the educational Maropeng visitor centre and museum and the
Sterkfontein Caves themselves to explore. The word "Maropeng" means "Returning to the place of
origin" in the language of the Tswana people. A visit to the Maropeng centre is an extraordinary
interactive and educational experience, including an underground boat ride, taking you on a trip
back through time.
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Montecasino,...
Inside the Montecasino leisure and entertainment center, with the ambiance of old historic Tuscan village in Italy
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
Artfully designed to look like an old historic Tuscan village in Italy and with a striking
ambiance, Montecasino is one of the top leisure and entertainment hubs in Johannesburg and
Gauteng. Situated in Fourways north of Johannesburg, it comprises a Casino, a Five star Hotel,
the Pieter Toerien theatre, the Boogaloos New generation Skate Park, an Outdoor bird garden, and
many restaurants, movie theatres, fun arcades and shops.
It was voted as one of the best places to take your visitors to, best cinema complex, best
entertainment complex and best casino in Gauteng. Located right next to the casino, you will find
the stunning InterContinental Palazzo Hotel, offering a new concept in luxury lifestyle hotels.
Next to its 246 luxury suites, meeting and convention spaces, it also has some great crèche
facilities for children such as activity programs, daycare and playground.
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Gold Reef City,...
The Casino on the site of Gold Reef City goldmine museum and entertainment park
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
copyright © South African tourism
Located on the site of the old gold mine, the world renown Gold Reef City is a big
entertainment park designed around the theme of the Witwatersrand gold rush, with buildings and
decors mimicking the 1880s. A depiction as authentic as possible of mining life during the
heydays of the gold mining industry in the 19th century, Gold Reef City offers many fabulous
attractions.
Next to visiting its Amusement park, Casino, Amphitheatre, 3D Cinemas, Shops and restaurants
you may also enjoy an underground tour of the old gold mine, watch how a gold bar is being poured
or a visit to the Apartheid museum. Gold Reef is only a 10 minute drive away from Johannesburg's
business area and only 20 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport as well as Sandton City.
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Johannesburg Zoo,...
In the Johannesburg zoo, this Elephant kept putting her food on top of her head
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
Photograph by Andrew s Clements
Almost as old as the city itself (1880), the Johannesburg Zoo was founded in 1904, on a piece
of land given away by Hermann Eckstein for recreational purposes. The Zoo can be found on Jan
Smuts avenue in Parkview, Johannesburg. A popular attraction for tourists and residents alike, it
offers a large variety of things to do and see. It houses a total of 2000 animals, comprising 320
different species.
Internationally regarded and accredited, it is the only Zoo in the world that has had success
with the breeding of Siberian Tigers and one of only a few places successfully breeding White
Lions. In its educational role it offers wonderful opportunities for children to gain knowledge
about nature and environment, such as school holiday programmes for instance. The Zoo also offers
tours or safaris during the day as well as at night, as well as feeding visits and "feel, hear
and touch" programmes.
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Lion Park,...
Cuddling a White Lion cub at the Lion Park near Johannesburg
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
copyright © Lion Park
Established in 1966, The Lion Park is a 2 km2 (500 acres) private wildlife conservation reserve
is to be found in the heart of Gauteng province close to Fourways and Lanseria and easy to reach
from Johannesburg and Pretoria. Home to over 80 lions and many other predators, as well as a
considerable variety of herbivores, it is a "real must see" attraction. The carnivores include
Black Leopards, Cheetahs, Hyenas, Wild Dogs and Jackals.
The Herbivore population consists of Giraffes, Zebras and a diverse collection of antelope.
Lion Park has become famous for its successful breading programme of white lions. You can view
the lions from the comfort of your own vehicle, play with the animals, walk with a Cheetah, touch
and stroke a Lion cub among other amazing things to see and do. The Park also offers luxury
tented accommodation, a shop and restaurant, and a play-garden for the kids.
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Johannesburg Civic Theatre,...
The Johannesburg Theatre Complex, previously known as the Johannesburg Civic Theatre
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
Owned by Johannesburg's city council and built in 1962, the Johannesburg Civic Theatre has been
renamed the Johannesburg Theatre Complex after a large face-lift in the late 1980's, making it
technically one of the most modern and advanced theatres in the Southern Hemisphere. Its
facilities consist of three theatres, an innovative theatre venue, 8 hospitality venues for
private, corporate or business functions and the Cosy Café restaurant.
As one of Africa's top theatres for live performances and entertainment, its mission is to
present the very best of world class theatre, international as well as home-grown productions.
Really, if you do not go and attend a performance at the Johannesburg Civic Theater or "Our Civic"
as it is often fondly called by the locals, you will have missed out on an undoubtedly
extraordinary experience.
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Carlton Centre,...
Nightclub and restaurant entertainment on top of the Carlton Centre
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
Situated in the Johannesburg Central business District, the 223 meters high Carlton Center is
the tallest building in South Africa. Once home to the exclusive 50-storey 5-star Carlton hotel,
it has now been changed into an office building and shopping centre, with a mix of major retail
outlets as found in most large shopping malls. It also has a huge underground parking area. Its
actual attraction is the observation on the top floor, offering you uninterrupted panoramic views
of Johannesburg toy wouldn't want to miss out on.
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Johannesburg Art Gallery,...
Inside the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which comprises 15 exposition halls
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
With its first exposition opened to the public in 1910 on the premises of the Witwatersrand
University before its own Gallery was built in 1915, the Johannesburg Art Gallery is said to be
the first and nowadays also the largest art gallery on the continent of Africa. It is situated on
the corner of King George and Klein streets on the perimeter of Joubert Park and in the heart of
the central business district of Johannesburg.
The gallery houses a wide ranging accumulation of art spread out over 15 exposition halls,
varying from contemporary African to 15th century European art. The range of collections vary
from paintings and etches to sculptures, multi-media displays and photography. These include some
spectacular work from famous artists like Picasso, Monet, Henry Moore and 17th century Dutch
painters to South African artists like Pierneef, Alexis Preller, Maud Sumner, Gerard Sekoto,
Sydney Kumalo among many others.
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Nelson Mandela national museum,...
Nelson Mandela house in Vilakazi street, Orlando West, an urban area in Soweto Johannesburg
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
A dusty street, mall houses neat and clean, the hustle and bustle of pedestrians. It could be
any street in Soweto, nothing extraordinary. Yet it is one of the most well-known streets in
South Africa. Known as Vilikazi street, it is the location of the former house of Nelson Mandela.
Close by, you can also find the house of Desmond Tutu which he still owns near the spot where
Hector Pieterson was shot dead during the students protests in June 1976.
Then there is the famous Orlando West High School, one of the breeding grounds of the student
uprisings. The house of Nelson Mandela has been turned into a museum filled with his personal
artifacts and is now called the Nelson Mandela National Museum. With Bed-and-Breakfasts,
restaurants and backpacker accommodation to name but a few, opening their doors to tourists,
Vilikazi street and other township destinations have become unique experiences you wouldn't want
to miss.
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Other Johannesburg museums,...
The main entrance to the Museum Africa in Newtown, Johannesburg, South Africa, showcase of the African continent's magnificent ancient past
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
Museums are important institutions for the conservation of the cultural heritage of a
community. They are fascinating showcases telling society who and what they are, who they were
and where they may be going. With the discovery of gold, its miraculously rapid growth and the
oppression of Apartheid, Johannesburg has an extraordinary rich and turbulent history. For those
who want to learn more about the city, there are many excellent museums to entertain and educate
them.
They are dedicated to subjects such as anthropology, military and Boer history, gold mining,
apartheid, culture, money, zoology, medicine and many more. A large number of the museums have
facilities such as books and more information desks, gift shops for souvenirs and eateries. Some
of the more popular museums are the Apartheid Museum, the Museum Africa, the Hector Pieterson
Museum and the Cradle of Humankind.
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Apartheid Museum,...
Entrances for Whites and Non-Whites to the Apartheid museum, depicting life in the Apartheid era
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
Experience the rise and fall of apartheid. When you are in the Apartheid Museum and have spent
some time there, it feels as if you were there in the townships during the 70s and 80s, toy-toying
and marching with thousands of protesting students and school children, seeing the body of a
fellow demonstrator being carried into a nearby house, ducking teargas canisters and police
bullets.
Having learned the true story of the past of South Africa, you will come away from this museum
with a much greater understanding and recognition of this country's blackest and its brightest
days. At present one of Johannesburg's main tourist attractions, this museum is a "must see" for
visitors as well as residents. It is situated on the site of Gold Reef city, just opposite the
Casino. By car It is only 15 from OR Tambo international airport and 20 minutes from Sandton.
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Krugersdorp Game Reserve,...
Mandela Bridge and the CBD on the skyline of Johannesburg
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
For those visiting South Africa via Johannesburg with some time on their hands, a true African
safari experience is only a 40 minute drive away from Johannesburg city centre and about a 60
minute drive from OR Tambo National Airport. Small and intimate, the 1500 Ha Krugersdorp Game
Reserve is situated on Johannesburg's West Rand, offering some great game viewing and your almost
guaranteed to see 4 of the Big Five, namely Lion, Buffalo Rhino and Leopard.
The reserve is perfect for a one day visit but if you want to stay overnight, it does offer a
caravan park with camping facilities and lodge accommodation. There are also picnic areas and
swimming pools. For the birders there are 200 bird species to look for. The wildlife population
consists of about 30 different species, comprising a variety of antelope species, lion, leopard,
rhino, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, zebra and many others.
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Constitution Hill,...
The inside of the Constitutional Court, the highest ranking court in South Africa
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
Constitution Hill was home to the notorious Old Ford prison complex for almost 100 years,
place of detention of many South African political leaders, among them some of the world's great
such as Nelson Mandela and Mohandas Ghandi. Located at the western end of Hillbrow, the hill
overlooks the affluent northern suburbs of Houghton, Sandton and Parktown etc. towards the north
and downtown Johannesburg to the south.
Having been a place of suppression during the apartheid years, Constitution Hill was
deliberately chosen to become home to South Africa's highest court and guardian of human rights
and freedom, the Constitutional Court of South Africa. It was unveiled on Human Rights Day, 21
March 2004. Today it is all open to visitors, who can visit the art gallery, be present at a
hearing, stroll up the Great African Steps, go into Constitution Square, take part in exhibitions
and tours or go up the Old Fort battlements to enjoy panoramic views of Johannesburg.
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Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve,...
One of the also extremely white Siberian Tigers which was bred in the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
Photograph by John Karwoski
Voted one of Johannesburg's Big Five tourist destinations, the privately owned Rhino and Lion
Nature Reserve is situated 40 km north-west of Johannesburg and 60 km west of Pretoria, in the
same area that is also home to the "Cradle of Humankind", a proclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Having made a success of breeding the endangered White Rhino, the reserve has become world
renowned for its successful breeding programs of the rare Bengalese Tiger, the Cape Wild Dog and
the extremely rare African White Lion and Siberian Tiger.
In total the reserve is home to a wildlife population of 600, representing 25 different
species, including the Big Five. The accommodation offered is excellent, consisting of 3 fully
equipped, self-catering chalets, 6 log cabins, including a swimming pool and lapa. Enjoy the game
drives, cave tours, abseiling and touching the Big Cat cubs.
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Lesedi Cultural Village,...
When Zulu women serve food or drinks to their men, they are supposed to kneel to show respect
City of Johannesburg South Africa Attractions, the Top 15
copyright © Gauteng tourism
Established in 1993, Lesedi Cultural Village is a showcase in the form of multi-cultural
village, depicting the traditional way of life of five of the more prominent tribes in South
Africa, comprising the Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele tribes. Nestling in a natural way
amid rocky hills and pristine bushveld, the village consists of five sort of settlements, each
one inhabited by members of one of the five tribes.
This way Lesedi is offering visitors an exceptional opportunity to enjoy the colorful and
vibrant customs and traditions of the different tribes and at the same time "taste, see and hear"
Africa. You can either stay overnight or just visit for the day. When staying overnight, visitors
have the opportunity to spend a night in one of the tribal settlements. Only a 45-minute drive
from either Johannesburg and Pretoria, Lesedi is situated on the R512, about 10 km north of
Lanseria Airport.
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