Johannesburg Mini Guide
Overview of Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the capital of the Gauteng province and the largest city in South Africa, with has a population of about 3.888.150 people according to the community survey conducted in 2007.
In the Zulu language, Johannesburg is called “Egoli”, meaning “place of gold”, but this name no longer fits since the city ran out of gold some decades ago. It is the economic power house of Africa and at the brink of becoming a true cosmopolitan city in Africa.
When visiting Johannesburg don't forget to see and experience the museums, galleries, Bars, Lounges, Restaurant and vibrant cafe society of this area!
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Make a trip to one of the highly recommended attractions from fantastic site seeing towers to unimaginable museums and why not get bush wise by visiting Africa’s most pleasant nature spots like the parks and safari ranches.
Museums
Popular museums like the apartheid museum, museum Africa, museum of rock and art, museum of man and science and the many others are found in the city. Entry fees are usually very cheap and affordable.
Parks
Herman Einstein Park: located north of the city center and attached to it are the Johannesburg city zoo and two wonderful museums.
Lion park: observe natures numerous species of animals including Zebras, lions, ostriches, wild beasts and others species of antelopes and gazelles.
BOTANICAL GARDEN
It provides a display of thousands of diverse plant species. The small reservoir in the garden allows for wind surfing and sailing activities.
HEIA SAFARI RANCH
You can choose to spend the night either in a luxurious equipped rondavels or go the native way by choosing the Zulu - huts. Watching the performances of Zulu dance is the most interesting part as well as taking a tour around for animal watch.
FESTIVALS
Arts Alive International Festival: four day annual festival usually in early September. Offers a ready mix of dance, visual art, poetry and music at different locations in town and brings together over 600 artists to perform with the jazz closing the festival at the final day.
Woodstock festival: takes place annually at the end of September, bringing together over 50 top South African bands, dance deejays and extreme sports and weekend camping.
Soweto mushroom festival: runs annually from 24 to 26 of October. Some selected villages actually participate in a live mushroom cooking demonstration. It becomes very interesting when the cultural cuisine is portrayed live.
The windy brow theatre festival: a fantastic drama festival that runs annually from the 6th to the 8th of March. It showcases intellectually stimulated dramatic works by local and international playwrights.
NIGHT LIFE
Johannesburg is just the right city for lovers of night life. The city offers a range of night clubs and cocktail bars with live music and DJs spinning beats. Visit some of the most interesting nightclubs like @115, Back O’ the Moon, Bck2Basic, the Blues room, night fever and many others, or choose from the range of cafés like Horrow café and Tanz cafe