Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden is a relaxing place to spend your day.
Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve
You can see beautiful white lions at the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve.
Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
The Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve has a number of antelope species, including steenbok.
Dinokeng Game Reserve
See all the Big Five at the Dinokeng Game Reserve.
Gauteng has a number of urban treats for travellers.
Bars and pubs
Gauteng boasts a number of great bars, pubs and shebeens (taverns) in its cities and townships. Some hotels have iconic bars that attract the crowd, which are usually the best places to see and be seen while enjoying a South African beer or cocktail. Township shebeens are great places to meet and interact with the locals; here you can often sample locally brewed traditional beers. Please advise your clients, though, that it’s best to visit townships with a guide.
Townships
A visit to a Gauteng township can make for an amazing experience. A large number of South Africans live in townships and visitors are encouraged to interact with locals and see what township life is all about.
Soweto is South Africa’s most iconic township – apart from its historical significance, it offers restaurants, shebeens (taverns) and outdoor activities. Of particular interest is Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize winners (Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu) have lived.
Also worth a visit is the Hector Pietersen Museum and Memorial, which pays tribute to the Struggle against apartheid, and Regina Mundi, an enormous Catholic church.
The township also has some great options for adrenaline junkies, including zipping around on a quad bikes or taking a 30-minute speedboat ride around the Orlando Towers Dam.
Soweto is also home to the famous Wandie’s Place, a restaurant where many international celebrities have dined. Atteridgeville Park in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, is a popular spot for jazz get-togethers.
Malls
Some of the best shopping malls in Africa are to be found in Johannesburg, Pretoria and their surrounds. There’s Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square, Rosebank Mall and Hyde Park Corner in Johannesburg, and Menlyn Park Shopping Centre in Pretoria, to mention a few. Shops offer everything from international clothing, cosmetics, jewellery and shoe brands to the latest techno gadgets. But these malls are not just about shopping – visitors are able to combine shopping with the finest dining, cinemas and theatres, and even amusement parks.
Casinos
South Africa has a large number of casinos and entertainment complexes. Popular gaming destination Gold Reef City in Johannesburg pays tribute to the gold mining days. There’s also Carnival City in Brakpan, Silverstar Casino in Krugersdorp, Emperors Palace in Kempton Park and Montecasino in Fourways. These complexes typically include hotels, restaurants, bars and huge entertainment complexes.
Bars
Gauteng has some great vibey venues. The Randlords rooftop.
Soweto Bike tours
Soweto is South Africa’s most iconic township – apart from its historical significance, it offers restaurants, culture, shebeens (taverns) and outdoor activities.
Nelson Mandela Square
For a great shopping experience, head to Nelson Mandela Square.
Main centers
Johannesburg
It’s the capital of Gauteng, and was built on the discovery of gold in 1886. It is now a vibrant and large city (the greater Johannesburg area is home to about 10-million people). It’s been home to celebrities and icons including Nelson Mandela, actress Charlize Theron and golf stars Gary Player and Charl Schwartzel.
Soweto
Soweto is the acronym for South-Western Townships – a group of townships just outside of Johannesburg to which Africans were moved by the apartheid government during the early 1900s. Today Soweto is home to millions and is South Africa’s largest township.
Pretoria
This is the administrative capital of South Africa and the home of the Union Buildings, the official seat of the South African government and the offices of the president. In Pretoria, visitors will also find Freedom Park, a multi-faceted heritage precinct. It is also home to the State Theatre.
Vereeniging
Vereeniging is situated on the banks of the Vaal River, a 45- minute drive from Johannesburg. Much of its early growth was due to the surrounding coal mines. It is now an important centre of industry, and is also known as the site where a treaty to end of the South African War (also known as the Anglo-Boer War) was signed
Kempton Park
Kempton Park is home to Africa’s biggest airport, OR Tambo International Airport. It is situated next to Tembisa, one of the largest townships in South Africa, and is also the home of the Emperors Palace hotel and casino. It’s a short trip from here into Johannesburg or Pretoria.
The Gautrain is a rapid rail link from Pretoria and Johannesburg to the OR Tambo International Airport.
