Things To Do Johannesburg

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Places To Visit In Johannesburg

Gautrain

Gautrain is a 50-mile express commuter rail that links Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Ekurhuleni. Explore famous attractions by travelling through Gautrain; visit Africa’s richest square mile, Sandton City or get down at Park Station to visit Constitution Hill. The Gautrain has 10 stations with buses and shuttle services available to transport people to and from the station. It takes roughly 35 minutes to travel via the train between Johannesburg and Pretoria. It follows a cash-free ticketing system wherein passengers can purchase reloadable smart cards or buy tickets using their contactless bank cards. A highly convenient and quick public mode of transport, the Gautrain system has a parking facility except at O.R. Tambo International Airport. Eating and drinking are prohibited on the train. Read More

Gillooly's Farm

Gillooly’s Farm, located in Bedfordview, is a nature retreat famous for its nature trails and an artificial lake. It is the perfect location for picnics, birdwatching, and taking a calming walk in nature. A variety of birds and fishes can be spotted here as well. Over 50 species of birds, including white stork, African darter, white-breasted cormorant, egret, grey heron, Egyptian goose, house sparrow, reed cormorant, yellow-billed duck, and Cape Wagtail, can be seen at Gillooly's Farm. The lake also contains various fish, including sharp-tooth catfish, the common carp and blue kurper. There are braai areas where you can grill your food, or you can opt to eat at the Mrs Sippi Blue Restaurant located next to the lake. Read More

Hector Pieterson Museum & Memorial is a museum in Orlando West, Soweto, Johannesburg. It is dedicated to Hector Pieterson, a 12-year-old boy who was shot and killed during the anti-Apartheid Soweto Uprising and other young children. There is also an engraved granite memorial stone inside. The museum houses newspaper clippings, personal accounts and photographs, including the famous picture taken by Sam Nzima of the body of Pieterson being carried by a classmate alongside his sister. In addition, bricks with the names of the students who lost their lives are kept outside the museum, referred to as The Garden of Remembrance. It was opened on 16th June 2002, two blocks from where Pieterson was shot and became one of the first museums in Soweto. Read More

James and Ethel Gray Park is the most popular picnic spot in Gauteng and is located in Birdhaven, just South of the Melrose arch. The Sandspruit River flows across the park, and its steep banks provide panoramic views of the city. It has two playgrounds for children, numerous trails for walking, jogging and biking, and four ziplines. The park has expansive grounds that span over 30 hectares. The Katyn Forest Memorial is also located in the heart of the park to commemorate the Katyn Massacre. The memorial is a symbol of African and Polish relations as it was founded by the Polish. It is said that James and Ethel Gray Park has the best view of the sunrise in the city. It was initially constructed as a bird sanctuary, and you can still find various birds across the park. Read More

The Johannesburg Botanical Garden is located in the city’s Emmarentia neighbourhood. It is divided into different gardens, which feature a variety of indigenous and exotic plants, trees and flowers. The park is commonly used for jogging, walking, picnics, dog walking etc. and for events like Summer Sunset Concerts and kite-flying competitions. Some of the gardens inside Johannesburg Botanical Garden are the Rose Garden which contains over 10,000 roses, Hedge Demonstration Garden, Shakespeare Garden (for Shakespearan events) and Herb Garden where the plants are all labelled. Its Chapel Garden is used for outdoor weddings. There is also an arboretum here along with a herbarium which consists of over 6,000 specimens. One can grab a bite at the garden’s cafe. Other features of the Johannesburg Botanical Garden include a tea pergola, floreum, nursery and an Environmental Education Centre. It also overlooks the Emmarentia Dam which is known for canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing and for its two smaller dams and aquatic birds. Read More

The Johannesburg Zoo is situated in the Randburg area of Gauteng and is home to about 320 species and over 2,000 animals worldwide. The zoo is divided into different enclosures such as Amazonia, Madagascar, Ape House and Cheetah Slopes that house other species. The best way to explore them is via Ferry Tours. The zoo has about 140 species of birds, including Mute swans, Mandarin ducks, Grey Crowned cranes etc. and seven families of carnivores, including Fennec foxes, White lions and Spectacled bears. It comprises numerous reptiles and amphibians such as Black mambas, Burmese pythons, crocodiles, lizards, tortoises, frogs, etc., and hoofed animals like Burchell’s zebras, White rhinos, Red River hogs etc. The primates here include Siamang gibbons, Mongoose lemurs and Hamadryas baboons. Visitors can pet farm-friendly animals at Farm Yard, which houses the Bapedi Sheep, Shire horse, Shetland pony etc. or go to the Education Centre to learn about different species. There is a small play area for children on the premises. An animal hospital is also part of the establishment. Read More

The Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is a stunning nature reserve situated about 10 km south of Johannesburg. It is the largest nature reserve in the Johannesburg Metropolitan area. It is popular for bird watching since it is home to about 230 bird species. It also houses over 240 large mammals. The reserve is known for having over 650 plants, including wildflowers, trees, shrubs etc. Its nine trails make it an excellent choice for hiking, while its perennial stream Bloubosspruit and overall natural beauty make it an ideal site for photography. Guided walks are regularly organised. The Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is also famous for its ruins of the Marais’ farmhouse, family cemetery and wagon shelter, and a few artefacts from over 5,00,000 years ago. One would also find the Silent Pool on its northern side, which was dug to build a dam. Read More

Located about 40 minutes from Johannesburg in Gauteng, the Lion and Safari Park is part of the Cradle of Humankind and is known for its numerous indigenous species. The best way to explore the park is through one of its informative safaris and tours. River rafting through the Crocodile River, horse riding, quad biking and mountain biking are also popular activities here. The most popular tours available at the park include the 3-hour Safari (which includes snacks and drinks near the Crocodile River), Predator Tour, Sunset Drives and Mini Safari Tour. One can also opt for the Self Drive tour and drive their car through the park. It houses lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, Sable antelopes and Wild dogs, amongst other animals. The animal trainer Alex Larenty interacts with lions as part of the Alex Tour. Visitors can also feed some of the park’s animals, such as antelopes, giraffes, ostriches and even lions. There are two restaurants at the park, including the Wetlands Restaurant and Bar, along with the Bull and Buck Grill, close to a children’s playground. One can also shop at the 5 Dome Shopping Experience, which has African crafts, arts, jewellery, homeware, clothing and more. Read More

A beautiful lush green area and a Johannesburg City Heritage Site, the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve is situated next to the Johannesburg Botanical Garden. The reserve is divided into Melville Koppies East, Central and West. It is an excellent place for walking, hiking and walking dogs. There is a Heritage Trail with information regarding the reserve’s history and vegetation, as well as guided tours and group hikes. Camping, riding bikes or cars, and picnicking are not permitted here. It is home to the city’s ridges that weren’t affected by the 19th-century discovery of gold. The reserve is also archaeologically significant since several artefacts from over 5,00,000 years ago were found here. These mainly include tools from the Stone Age along with kraal walls and iron-smelting furnaces dating back to the Iron Age. The nature reserve is also known for its indigenous vegetation, including highveld grasses, flowers and trees. Read More

Nelson Mandela Bridge is the largest cable-stayed bridge in South Africa. Spanning almost 300 m, it connects Braamfontein and Newtown. It is a major landmark in Johannesburg and is popular for night drives. The buildings surrounding the bridge are decorated with beautiful artwork and murals. Visit the M1 Highway for a stunning view of the bridge, especially at night when the entirety of it is illuminated. The bridge has pedestrian walkways on either side and a bicycle path. The pedestrian walkway has the added benefit of allowing you to stop atop the bridge for a beautiful photograph. Read More