10 Reasons to Make Johannesburg Your Gateway to
South Africa
By Robert Santry
As the gateway to South Africa for many, it’s hard to imagine a
luxury holiday to South Africa without some time spent in
Johannesburg. Rather than just spending one night in the city,
why not spend an extra day uncovering some of the key
attractions before heading off on a tailor made South Africa
holiday?
Johannesburg is a city which mixes a fascinating cultural
heritage with many modern attractions suitable for people of all
ages, with all kinds of interests. In order to show exactly how
diverse Johannesburg’s attractions are, here’s a selection of 10
varied things you can expect to do in the city before embarking
on the main part of your luxury holiday in South Africa:
Spend an afternoon on the greens
Sure, golf is not for everyone, but for those who like nothing
more than to spend an afternoon on the greens, Johannesburg is
amongst the best cities in the world. Not only does it have the
perfect warm climate for strolling across the fairways, but the
fairways themselves are some of the very best in Africa –
indeed, 36 of the top 100 golf courses in South Africa are right
here! Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a keen amateur, golf
is one of the strongest attractions in Johannesburg.
Take a flutter at the casinos
Holiday gambling is a favourite of many tourists – even those
who never so much as buy a scratch card when in the UK find the
relaxed atmosphere of a luxury holiday in South Africa the
perfect time to take a flutter, and Johannesburg is very well
suited to these types. You’ll struggle to find this density of
casinos outside of Las Vegas, with two large ones in the city
centre, another couple on the outskirts and a handful within 2
hours drive of the city! Between them all, you can find over
8000 slot machines and 300 tables – just make sure you know when to stop!
Gold Reef City – much more than a theme park…
One of these casinos is at Gold Reef City, but the good news is
that there’s plenty for children to do as well, while you’re
trying to beat the house at cards. Gold Reef City is a really
rather splendid theme park with a fine selection of white
knuckle rides, plentiful refreshment stands and even a brand new
4D theatre!
Learn more about the end of apartheid
The Apartheid museum has become a must see attraction in
Johannesburg for its unflinching look at this distressing period
of the country’s history. It’s extremely powerful, and includes
such moving exhibits as blown up photos of passbooks, metal
cages and screens showing replays of apartheid scenes. It pulls
no punches: from the plastic entry ticket which either marks you
as white or non-white to the recording studio where museum
visitors have chronicled their own experiences, it’s a harrowing
trip but one well worth taking. The overall feeling is one of
relief that the country’s segregation is in the museum where it
belongs.
Absorb the culture of Museum Africa
Culture vultures will get a lot out of Museum Africa, tucked
into the Newtown Central Precinct. As the name implies, the main
focus of the museum is on the continent’s fascinating history,
including an honest look at some of South Africa’s problems and
less proud moments. It’s surprisingly modern too, and one of its
most engaging attractions is an audio/visual display showing
Nelson Mandela’s trial for treason.
Tear up the track
From culture to go-karts, there are few things that can match
the adrenalin of taking to the go kart course in Johannesburg.
Decked out in safety clothing and helmet, visitors are
encouraged to put their driving skills to the test in front of a
crowd of onlookers. Not to everyone’s tastes, certainly – but
the thrill seekers will love to make go karting part of their
South Africa holiday experience!
Take a trip on the Vaal River
There are few better ways to take in the natural beauty of
South Africa than a boat ride along the Vaal river. With the
wind in your hair, good company and great food, a trip down the
Vaal river is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable activities
in Johannesburg, and a must for South Africa’s luxury holiday
makers.
Lesedi Cultural Village
Lesedi Cultural Village is an attraction designed to help
visitors understand the different cultures of South Africa.
Holiday makers can walk around the five different homesteads
(each representing a different culture from Pedi, Zulu, Zhosa,
Basotho and Ndebele), take a tour to learn more about the
culture – or even spend the night with one of the groups, for
the true experience! Whichever option you take, visitors will
learn of the cultural differences, and get to taste some
delicious traditional cuisine. A must see attraction in
Johannesburg.
Spend an unforgettable night clubbing
It’s widely acknowledged that one of the main attractions of
Johannesburg is its reputation as the party capital of the
country! Visitors can expect an eclectic mix of live music and
clubs with DJs who spin a mix of techno, trance, jungle and
house music. Whether your taste is for small, intimate venues or
huge warehouse style hotspots, the city has you covered!
Take a tour of the Soweto Township
This is the largest township in Gauteng with some four million
people living within. It started as a settlement for people
coming from the rural areas to find work, but has since grown to
almost be considered a city in its own right. Highlights of the
visit include the former homes of Nelson Mandela and various
South African Nobel Prize winners, accompanied by the overall
warmth and friendliness of the Soweto people.
There’s plenty more I could list here, but this is a nice
illustration of the sheer variety of attractions in Johannesburg
both famous and hidden. The city is the perfect gateway to a
luxury holiday in South Africa.
About the Author: Robert Santry is a South Africa expert for
key2holidays
http://www.key2holidays.co.uk/southafrica/, an
online tour operator specialising in luxury South Africa
holidays, as well as trips to Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean,
Europe, the Far East, the Maldives, Mauritius and the
Seychelles, Egypt and the Arabian Gulf. Key2holidays has a
dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their
knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.
