Choose from 25 Fun Things to Do in Johannesburg
Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve
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SAB World of Beer
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Johannesburg Zoo
You don’t have to head for the big game reserves to see the amazing variety of South African wildlife – it’s all on display at Johannesburg Zoo. On a sprawling 54 hectare (133 acre) site you’ll see evidence of an enlightened zoological program, with majestic lions, playful monkeys and distinctive horned oryxes all given room to roam.
Additionally, you’ll find non-native animals including polar bears, Siberian Tigers and camels. While enjoying the green expanse of one of Jo’burg’s great outdoor spaces you can watch crocodiles being fed, handle (non-venomous) snakes and visit a real farmyard.
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Johannesburg Zoo is north of the city center in the Parktown district. Take the M1 South motorway and follow the signs.
Hartbeespoort Dam
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Origins Centre
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Constitution Hill
Perhaps nowhere is South Africa’s transition to democracy more vividly apparent than on Constitution Hill. For over a hundred years, buildings here functioned as a much-feared prison complex, holding everyone from common criminals to activists Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, even Winston Churchill (briefly) during the Boer War.
Since 2004, this site has been home to South Africa’s Constitutional Court, partially built with bricks from one of the old prison buildings, complemented with lighter contemporary elements. Visitors can see the court in session after a tour which takes in Mandela’s cell as well as a permanent exhibition dedicated to Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent protest.
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Constitution Hill is in Johannesburg’s north, in an area bounded by Kotze, Joubert, Hospital and Sam Constitution Hill is in Johannesburg’s north, in an area bounded by Kotze, Joubert, Hospital and Sam Hancock Streets. The parts of the complex open to visitors include the Old Fort, Women’s Prison, “Number Four” prison and the Constitutional Court.
Nelson Mandela Bridge
Carlton Centre
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James Hall Museum of Transport
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Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam
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Lesedi Cultural Village
- Dining options include the Nyama Choma Restaurant, the Nile Room, and the Tswana Letsatsi Lapa.
- For guests staying at the property, the village offers game drives, walking trails, and guided Anglo-Boer history tours.
- The on-site craft market is an excellent place to purchase authentic souvenirs.
Kruger National Park
- A Kruger safari is a bucket-list trip for any wildlife lover.
- Game drives take place in open safari vehicles and are led by experienced guides who are passionate about wildlife and the bush.
- Don’t forget to bring your camera, as well as binoculars for game viewing at a distance.
- To make the most of your safari experience, follow your guide’s instructions carefully, especially when it comes to safety around the animals.
- You can choose between a guided tour and a self-drive excursion.
Apartheid Museum
- The museum presents the sometimes shocking reality of apartheid, and some parts may be inappropriate for young kids.
- Visitors should plan for about two hours to explore the museum fully.
- The museum is fully wheelchair accessible.
- Guided Apartheid Museum tours are available by advance booking only for groups of more than 15, with a small charge on top of admission.
Pilanesberg National Park
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Museum Africa
Museum Africa, Johannesburg’s main cultural and historical museum, occupies an imposing building which was once the city’s main fruit and vegetable market. Its inner city location is key; Museum Africa concentrates on urban living, and thus complements the numerous cultural displays which show life as it has been lived for centuries in rural areas.
One of the most interesting interactive displays examines the importance of gold for South Africa – not just the prosperity it has brought, but the high human toll of the mining industry. Elsewhere you’ll find The Sounds of the City, an exhibit which highlights Jo’Burg’s dazzling musical heritage, a phenomenon which echoes far beyond the city itself. A recreation of a shebeen, a type of shanty bar, puts the unique melodies and rhythms of the townships in context.
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Museum Africa is centrally located in Newtown, right at the edge of the business district.
Hillbrow Tower
Mandela House
- Museum tours take about 20 minutes.
- Children, students, and pensioners are admitted at half-price.
- Mandela House is accessible to wheelchair users.
Old Fort Prison Complex
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Newtown
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Gold Reef City Theme Park and Casino
The Gold Reef City complex is built on the site of an old gold mine, and visitors can still descend into the pits and see how the precious metal is extracted. Those in search of their own windfall should head for the casino, where roulette, baccarat, black jack as well as slot machines are on offer round the clock. First time flutterers and hardened high rollers are well catered for.
The theme park component of Gold Reef City offers thrills for all ages, with rides including the Anacaonda, the Tower of Terror and a roller coaster which provides a great view towards central Johannesburg on its exhilarating journey.
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Gold Reef City Theme Park and Casino is in Johannesburg’s south, and can be reached from the center of the city along the Villiers Graaff Motorway. Combine your visit with a tour of the adjacent Apartheid Museum for a fascinating contrast.