Why Visit Johannesburg?
Johannesburg pulses as Africa's wealthiest and most cosmopolitan city where gleaming Sandton skyscrapers house multinational headquarters, Soweto township tours confront brutal Apartheid history at Nelson Mandela's former home, and gold mine tours descend 220m underground exploring the resource that built this sprawling metropolis of 5.8 million. Jo'burg (locals never say full name) serves multiple roles: financial capital of Africa's most industrialized nation, gateway to Kruger National Park safaris (5hrs drive or 1hr flight), and complex urban tapestry of extreme wealth and poverty where electric fences and armed security coexist with world-class restaurants, museums, and nightlife. The Apartheid Museum (R170/$9) provides essential, sobering education on South Africa's 1948-1994 racial segregation system—allocate 2-3 hours for exhibits documenting resistance, violence, and eventual democracy birth.
Constitution Hill's former prison complex (R100-180/$5–$10 depending on tour) where Mandela was held offers panoramic city views and constitutional court tours. Yet Johannesburg's soul lives in townships: Soweto (South Western Townships, pop. 1.3 million) guided tours ($40–$60) visit Vilakazi Street where both Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived, Hector Pieterson Memorial commemorating 1976 student uprising, and Orlando Towers (bungee jumping off former cooling towers, $70).
The contrast shocks—from Soweto's corrugated shack settlements to Sandton's luxury malls (Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City) in 20-minute drive. Maboneng Precinct gentrified industrial district offers street art, rooftop bars, Sunday Market (food, crafts, live music), representing new South Africa. Gold Reef City theme park ($25) combines amusement rides with gold mine tours showing 1886 gold rush history that created Johannesburg from farmland.
Day trips reach Pilanesberg National Park (2.5hrs, Big Five safari cheaper and closer than Kruger) or Cradle of Humankind UNESCO site (1hr, Sterkfontein Caves where humanity's earliest ancestors discovered, $10). Food scene excels: braai (BBQ) culture features boerewors (sausage) and biltong (jerky), while restaurants in Parkhurst, Melville, and Rosebank offer everything from bunny chow (curry in hollowed bread, Durban special) to upscale farm-to-table. Yet Jo'burg challenges: crime is serious (hijackings, armed robbery, smash-and-grabs), necessitating constant vigilance—don't walk streets (even downtown), use Uber everywhere, stay in safe neighborhoods (Sandton, Rosebank, Melville), and don't flash valuables.
Townships tours require guides. Load shedding (rolling blackouts) disrupts power 2-12hrs/day due to electricity crisis. With 90 days visa-free entry for most nationalities including EU, US, UK, Canada, and Australia, English official language (along with 10 others), South African Rand currency, and moderate prices, Johannesburg delivers urban Africa experience—rewarding for those comfortable with complexity and inequality, but requiring street smarts and accepting that this gateway city rewards those who look deeper.
What to Do
Apartheid History
Apartheid Museum
Allow 2-3 hours to absorb South Africa's painful 1948-1994 segregation history through photographs, film footage, and artifacts. Entry (around R170/$9) assigns you a 'white' or 'non-white' ticket—you enter through separate doors as citizens once did. Emotionally heavy but essential context. Open 9am-5pm daily. Audio guides available in multiple languages.
Constitution Hill
Former prison complex where Mandela, Gandhi, and thousands of political prisoners were held. Entry options range from self-guided (R100/$5) to 1-hour highlights tour (R120) to full 2-hour guided tour (R180/$10). Explore the Old Fort, Number Four (notorious prison), and the modern Constitutional Court. Panoramic city views from the hill. Combines human rights history with hope for new South Africa. Open 9am-5pm daily.
Soweto Township Experience
Vilakazi Street Historic Walk
Book a guided Soweto tour (R600-900/$32–$49 4-5 hours with transport) to visit Vilakazi Street—the only street where two Nobel Peace Prize winners lived (Mandela and Desmond Tutu). Mandela House Museum (R100) preserves his humble 1946 home. Tours typically include lunch at a shebeen (township tavern) for authentic experience.
Hector Pieterson Memorial
Moving museum and memorial honoring 13-year-old shot during the 1976 Soweto student uprising. Free entry, powerful photography documents the day police opened fire on peaceful student protesters. The famous photograph of Hector's body being carried is displayed with context and survivor testimonies.
Orlando Towers Bungee
For adrenaline seekers, bungee jump (R700/$38) or pendulum swing from the colorful cooling towers of a decommissioned power station. Now covered in street art, the towers symbolize Soweto's transformation. Viewing from base is free—watch brave jumpers and take photos.
Urban Culture & Art
Maboneng Precinct Sundays
Gentrified warehouse district comes alive Sunday 10am-4pm with Market on Main—food stalls, crafts, live music, and rooftop bars. Arts on Main gallery showcases local artists. Safe daytime destination with vibrant street art murals. Represents new creative South Africa—though some criticize gentrification of historically working-class area.
Gold Reef City Mine Tour
Descend 220m underground (R250/$14) into a reconstructed gold mine showing 1886 gold rush history. Watch gold being poured at the foundry. Amusement park above ground (separate ticket, R300/$16) combines history with family entertainment. Tours run hourly 9am-3pm. Wear closed shoes and jacket—it's cool underground.
Gallery
Travel Information
Getting There
- Airports: JNB
Best Time to Visit
May, June, July, August, September
Climate: Warm
Weather by Month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°C | 14°C | 13 | Wet |
| February | 25°C | 14°C | 10 | Good |
| March | 23°C | 12°C | 11 | Good |
| April | 20°C | 9°C | 9 | Excellent |
| May | 19°C | 6°C | 0 | Excellent (best) |
| June | 15°C | 2°C | 2 | Good (best) |
| July | 17°C | 3°C | 0 | Good (best) |
| August | 19°C | 5°C | 0 | Good (best) |
| September | 24°C | 9°C | 3 | Excellent (best) |
| October | 25°C | 12°C | 8 | Excellent |
| November | 24°C | 13°C | 16 | Wet |
| December | 24°C | 14°C | 23 | Wet |
Weather data: Open-Meteo Archive (2020-2024) • Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0) • Historical avg. 2020–2024
Budget
Excludes flights
Visa Requirements
Visa-free for EU citizens
💡 🌍 Traveler Tip (November 2025): Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, September.
Practical Information
Getting There
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is 25km east of Sandton. Gautrain train to Sandton is fast (about 15 minutes) and costs roughly R170-R220 one-way depending on time of day and ticket type—check the official fare table before you go. Uber R250-400/$14–$22 (30-45min, depends on destination). Official airport taxis R400-600/$22–$32 DO NOT use unlicensed taxis. Gautrain bus connects Pretoria (1hr). International flights via major hubs, or direct from key cities. JNB is Africa's busiest airport—hub for flights across continent. Many rent cars to drive to Kruger (5hrs) or Cape Town (2-day drive, 1,400km).
Getting Around
DO NOT walk—even short distances. Uber is life—cheap (R50-150/$3–$8 most rides), safe, essential. Book via app. Gautrain: modern train Sandton-Pretoria-Airport (R25-170/$1–$9 safe). Buses exist but tourists don't use. Rental cars: useful for Kruger drive or day trips (R300-600/$16–$32/day), but city driving stressful (hijacking risk, don't stop in sketchy areas, keep doors locked and windows up). Uber everywhere in city is safest strategy. Townships: guides only (tour includes transport).
Money & Payments
South African Rand (ZAR, R). Exchange: $1 ≈ 20 R, $1 ≈ 18 R. ATMs everywhere (Sandton, malls). Cards widely accepted. Tipping: 10-15% restaurants (not included), R10-20 for parking attendants (everywhere, tip expected), R20-50 for petrol attendants (full service). Budget R1,000-2,000/$54–$108/day for mid-range. Rand weakness makes SA affordable for foreign visitors.
Language
English is official (11 official languages total—Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, others). English widely spoken—business, tourism, signage all English. Communication effortless. Afrikaans common (Dutch-derived). Township languages: Zulu, Sotho. South Africa very English-friendly—one of Africa's easiest for English speakers.
Cultural Tips
Safety: paramount concern—use Uber, stay vigilant, don't flash valuables, locked doors in cars, stick to safe neighborhoods (Sandton, Rosebank, Melville, Parkhurst), avoid CBD/downtown. Townships: guides only, respect residents (not poverty tourism—engage respectfully). Apartheid history: emotional, educational—visit museum, learn history, conversations can be heavy. Rainbow Nation: diverse population (Black African 81%, White 8%, Colored 9%, Indian/Asian 3%)—complex racial dynamics post-Apartheid. Braai: BBQ culture—social, meat-heavy. Biltong: dried meat snack (like jerky). Rugby, cricket, soccer: sports obsession. Load shedding: accept it, hotels prepared. Traffic: aggressive, left-side driving (British legacy). Tipping: expected for service. South African English accent unique—fun! Ubuntu: philosophy of community and humanity (I am because we are). Johannesburg rough edges but fascinating—complexity is part of experience.
Perfect 3-Day Johannesburg Itinerary
Day 1: Apartheid History
Day 2: Soweto Township Tour
Day 3: Safari Day Trip or Cradle of Humankind
Where to Stay in Johannesburg
Sandton
Best for: Wealthy, safe, malls, hotels, business district, expat-heavy, upscale, sterile but safest
Rosebank
Best for: Trendy, malls, Sunday market, hotels, safe, galleries, cafés, central location
Melville / Parkhurst
Best for: Bohemian, restaurants, bars, younger crowd, safe-ish with precautions, nightlife, residential
Maboneng
Best for: Gentrified arts district, street art, galleries, rooftop bars, Sunday Market, edgy, daytime safe
Frequently Asked Questions
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