48 hours in Johannesburg – Weekend Edition
Johannesburg In Less Than 48 Words
Johannesburg is South Africa’s capital, as well as the country’s beating heart. Often called simply as Jo’burg, it is a financial center and a fascinating and multicultural city. It is known for its crime problems, but the city is more than ready to attract visitors again.
View of Johannesburg’s skyline from Carlton Centre’s 50th floor (Photo by Roger Gordon)
First 24 Hours
Johannesburg is the world’s largest capital not situated on a river, lake, or coastline. Tourists can reach it via the OR Tambo International Airport, located in the outskirts of Johannesburg. You can hire a taxi from the terminal’s taxi rank to the northern suburbs. The ride will take just around 15 minutes, and cost you R180. Alternatively, you get into a Magic Bus, which will shuttle you to the suburbs for R75.
Johannesburg sprawls over a plateau, and despite its size, it is surprisingly navigable. The city center and the northern suburbs are the usual haunts of tourists, with their high-rises, chic boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife. However, public transportation is sparse in the city, so taxis and hired cars are the best means to travel in the city. It might be a good idea to pay a visit to the Gauteng Tourism Authority (1 Central Place, Henry Nxumalo Street, 00 27 11 327 2000, website) Where you will get key information about the city and the destinations within it.
CHECK IN: Arrange comfortable stay at Johannesburg’s hotels.
You can arrange your stay at any one of Johannesburg’s excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is The Westcliff (67 Jan Smuts Avenue|Westcliff, Johannesburg 2193, +27 (0)11 481 6000, website). It offers great views, a convenient location, excellent service, and top-class amenities.
The Westcliff’s outside dining and infinity pool (Photo by Mark Kenny)
A nice alternative is the African Pride Melrose Arch (1 Melrose Square, Melrose, 2076, Johannesburg 2196, 0861 50 50 50, website), with its modern amenities, and excellent staff. You can also try out The Peech Hotel (61 North Street, Johannesburg 2196, 011 537 9797, website), an ecological hotel with superb rooms and manicured grounds.
CARLTON CENTRE: Let’s take a view
A popular destination for tourists in Johannesburg is the Carlton Centre (150 Commisioner Street, +27 (011) 308-1331). It is a skyscraper and a shopping center, and is the highest building in Africa at a height of 223 meters. The site has a lot of shops and offices, but the best thing to do there may be to head up to its 50th floor, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the city.
APARTHEID MUSEUM: Know the South African history
One of Johannesburg’s newest attractions is the Apartheid Museum (Northern Parkway and Gold Reef Road, 011 309 4700, website). It is a museum complex dedicated to apartheid and the 20th century history of the country. Inside, you will find 22 exhibition areas that display photographs, film footage, text panels, and other artifacts. The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays between 10 am and 5 pm, and admission will cost around R40. You’ll also find a small coffee shop and a bookshop at the site.
Apartheid Museum (Photo by at_for_all)
JOHANNESBURG ZOO: Go wildlife sightseeing
Don’t forget to visit the Johannesburg Zoo (Private Bag X13, Parkview, 2122, Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkview, (011) 646-2000, website), one of the most popular of its kind in the city. You can find inside it more than 3,000 different wildlife species, and it is one of the few places in the world where you can find white lions. You will see “Twist”, a 320-kilogram Siberian tiger that is the father of all Siberian tigers to be found in the country. Another is “Max”, a gorilla that is a favorite among visitors to the zoo. Admission to the site costs around R41, and you can hire a “zoo buggy” to make your travel inside the zoo easier for R10.
Johannesburg Zoo (Photo by Davridan)
MARKET THEATRE: Have a cultural experience
Another worthwhile tourist destination in the city is the Market Theatre (56 Margaret Mcingana Street, 011 832 1641, website). It is one of the foremost South African theaters, established back in 1976 as an independent non-racial theater. The complex is made up of two galleries and three theaters, plus an array of restaurants, bars, jazz clubs, and a flea market. The venue features performances by internationally-acclaimed artists, as well as the works of some of South Africa’s finest playwrights and directors. However, don’t forget to book tickets from its box office if you plan watching a performance there.
DINNER TIME: Discover Johannesburg’s restaurants
A perfect way to relax after a heavy day of sightseeing is by having dinner at the superb restaurants found all over the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at the Wombles Steakhouse Restaurant (17 3rd Avenue Johannesburg, 011 880 2470, website). It is a stylish restaurant offering superb food, plus fabulous services. An authentic African cuisine is available at MOYO (Shop 5 The High Street|Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, 086 100 6696, website), plus a great atmosphere and friendly service.
MOYO’s traditional African entertainment (Photo by Renee Blodgett)
A taste of Asia in South Africa can be had at the Orient (4, The High Street, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, +27 11 684 1616). It offers a mix of Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines presented in creative fashions. A nice alternative is The Butcher Shop & Grill (Shop 30, Sandton Square, Johannesburg, +27 11 784 8676/7) which offers quality food, good service, and a superb wine collection.
Next 24 Hours
Your next 24 hours in Johannesburg can be used to discover the city’s other popular attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is the South African Museum of Military History (Erlswold Way in Saxonwald, Johannesburg, +27 (011) 646-5513, website). It is a museum opened in 1947 to preserve the country’s involvement during World War II and other conflicts. Inside, you will see a rich collection of weapons, aircraft, uniforms, medals, and an array of other war memorabilia. It also houses around 800 art pieces made by war artists. You can also see a library where journals and other archives are kept. The site is open from Mondays to Fridays, from 9 am to 4:30 pm.
BOTANICAL GARDENS: A flowery experience
You can go for a nice detour to the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (End of Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort, +27 86 100 1278, email). It is a 300-hectare botanical reserve established back in 1982. It is home to over 600 different plant species, as well as 220 bird species, reptiles, and small mammals. However, it is best known as a breeding ground of the African black eagle. The site is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm, and admission will cost you around R23.
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (Photo by salpics2007)
Another botanical garden is the Johannesburg Botanical Garden (suburb of Emmarentia, Johannesburg). It was established back in 1968, and sprawls over an area of around 125 hectares. Inside, you’ll find a picnic area, the Emmarentia Dam, restaurants, dog-walking sections, nurseries, a bird island, wetlands, and an Environmental Education Center. The highlight there, though, is the Rose Garden, which houses more than 10,000 roses.
DELTA PARK: A walk in the park
If you’re in the mood for a hike, you can head to Delta Park (No3 Road, Rustenburg Road, +27 (0) 11 712 6664), one of the biggest parks in the city, covering around 13 hectares of land. Much of it is made up of grasslands and woodlands, as well as three dams lined with trees. The site features an array of walking trails and bird watching hides. It is also a popular venue for biking, running, and dog walking. You can also see sites such as the Delta Environmental Center, Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary, and Trefoil Park.
ROSEBANK MALL: Shop till you drop
Rosebank Mall (Photo by austinevan)
Johannesburg does not have any shortage of shopping malls and markets; so any shopping enthusiast will definitely have a blast in the city. One of the most popular is the Rosebank Mall (1 Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, website). It is known for its restaurants, and its African Craft Market, which offers quality curios sourced from all over Africa. Another shopping hub is the Bryanston Organic Market (231 Bryanston Drive, Bryanston, Sandton, website). It is noted for being a “craftsman’s craft market”, as everything sold there is either handmade or organically-produced. You can also find superb bakeshops and cheese shops.
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Johannesburg’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you can have a try at the exciting nightlife at Johannesburg’s bars and clubs. One of the most popular is Moyo (Shop 5 Melrose Arch Melrose Square, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, 00 27 11 684 1477). It is an African-style bar, offering an exquisite interior and superb cocktails. Another is Buzz 9 (7th Street Melville, Johannesburg, 00 27 11 726 2019), which features an industrial-style interior and a vast cocktail selection. You can also try out the Xai Xai Lounge Bar (Shop 7, Melville Gardens 7th Street 7th Street, Johannesburg, 00 27 11 482 6990), which is a great hangout for local artists.
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