Top 10 things to do in Johannesburg
1. The Apartheid Museum
While being in the largest city in South Africa, visiting this museum is a must to understand what the country had to go through its most infamous years. The museum is clearly focused on racial discriminations , and is one of the most intriguing ways to feel how people used to live in the country.
2. Aerial Cableway Hartbeespoort
Enjoy the spectacular panoramic views over Johannesburg, Pretoria and the Hartbeespoort dam taking this cableway. The infrastructure is really new as it was renovated in 2010 and it opens seven days a week.
3. Lion Park
This wildlife conservation zone not only gives visitors the unique chance of cuddling lion cubs, but it also hosts several other carnivores (including hyena and cheetah) and, in a separate area, herbivores (zebra and gnu among the others). The park is not a zoo, and thus it is located about 45 minutes drive from Johannesburg.
4. Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden
Overall, the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden occupies 300 hectares most of which are made up by natural vegetation and some by a natural garden. The most striking feature of the Botanical Garden is surely the awe-inspiring 70 meters high Witpoortjie Falls and the eagles residing on a cliff next to it.
5. Constitution Hill
This historical site was formerly a fort used as a prison. Here many historical figures opposing the apartheid were detained along with normal criminals. Among them, the most famous were Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. This prison, converted in 1995 into the seat of the Constitutional Court of the country, offers tour guides of the duration of one hour to illustrate the events that took place there.
6. Gold Reef City
Gold Reef City is an amusement park. The theme of the park is the gold-rush and in fact, the site was formerly a gold mine. The park is pure entertainment thanks to its many attractions and rides and its interacting activities focused on gold production.
7. Top of Africa
Top of Africa is an observation deck situated at the 50th floor of the Carlton Centre, known also for being the tallest skyscraper in Africa. Bird’s eye views of Johannesburg are truly enchanting, and it is possible to admire the lack of a huge body of water and the constant presence of trees. A café is also situated at the top.
8. Lesedi cultural village
Lesedi is a multicultural village representing different native cultures in the area and allowing both locals and tourists to discover them. Lesedi offers also the possibility to sleep in the African countryside having several rooms available. Ethnic restaurants, each offering typical food are also waiting to be discovered.
9. Bush Baby Monkey Sanctuary
Visiting Bush Baby Monkey Sanctuary is surely a delightful experience which consists in observing rescued and orphaned primates rehabilitating in a re-created forested environment.
10. Cradle of Humankind
This UNESCO site was established because the area nearby is very prolific with skeletons and remains of early humanoids. The tours generally start at the visitor centers and eventually lead visitors in the caves.