Considering its humble beginnings as a place lined with tents, the city skyline of Johannesburg is quite remarkable with its stunning skyscrapers. Most people who come to Johannesburg are actually making their way through it. As South Africa’s primary transportation hub, it sees a lot of action. But to think of it only as a pit stop would be a mistake. Jo’burg is a fantastic place for shopping, sightseeing and enjoying an amazing meal.
If you love to shop, Jo’burg is packed with malls and flea markets and everything in between. Look for local arts and crafts, jewelry or the latest fashion trends – you’ll find what you’re looking for. Only have time for one place? Make your way to Sandton City where you’ll find more than 250 stores for you to find the perfect outfit. It’s also a great place to come across a fantastic restaurant.
Feel the need to let loose? Enter Gold Reef City where you’ll enjoy a great amusement park filled with fun roller coasters and water rides. Considering Johannesburg got a great start because of the gold industry, which continues to flourish here, it’s no surprise that Gold Reef City mimics the gold rush days with its period costumes and buildings that look like they were built in the 1800s. If you’re interested in learning more about gold, go to the museum here where you’ll see how barrels of gold get filled. And after seeing all those yellow nuggets you’ll probably want some for yourself. The good news is that you can when you cross over the bridge and make your way to the casino.

One of the more popular places to visit is the Mandela Museum, which is located in the former township of Soweto. The building itself was a home of Nelson Mandela’s and houses a fantastic collection of items that belonged to him. Soweto also has the Hector Pieterson Museum. Hector was 12 years old when he was shot and killed during a protest over township schools. More than 560 children died that day and it was Hector’s photo that became the image that people associated with the turmoil that existed here. Take a short drive to the Cradle of Humankind where you’ll see one of the most famous fossil sites in the entire world. It was here that a complete skeleton of the first adult Australopithecus Africanus was found. There are more than 200 caves and more than 10 fossil sites located throughout this World Heritage Site. The largest zoo in South Africa is the Johannesburg Zoo but if you need more adventure, or simply want to see South Africa’s wildlife up close, head over to the Kruger National Park… just don’t hide a burger in your bag while you’re here.
Get ready for amazing wildlife, exotic scenery and a rich history as you explore Johannesburg.
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Steeped in a rich history and filled with great sites