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Johannesburg
About Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the capital of the region Gauteng and one of the world’s largest cities. It is situated in the north-east of South Africa on the famous Highveld, a high-altitude featureless plain 1.753 m above sea level. This green city has a modern centre and is known for its famous Soweto suburb, but except for its weather has little else to offer to the modern tourist. Still with its 7 Million people from all over South Africa, Johannesburg not only is the biggest African city, but more so truly is the “hart and soul” of South Africa, an urban experience you should not miss.
Local highlights
- Visit the black suburb of Soweto (Southwestern Townships) with the shanty towns and Nelson Mandela’s Family Museum in Orlando West
- See the Market Theater Complex with the Saturday flea market
- The Museum Africa
- Constitution Hill with the reconstructed prison museums (the Old Fort and Number Four) and the new Constitutional Court
- See Sterkfontein Caves with its fossils
- Visit the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
- Gold Reef City amusement park
- The Johannesburg Art Gallery
- The Apartheid Museum near Soweto
- Mai Mai-the old market where healers sell traditional herbs & remedies
- Visit the Newtown district-a booming hot spot for African arts
Highlights in the vicinity
- Visit the De Wildt Cheetah Research and Breeding Station
- The Crocodile Farm
- South Ndebele Village with the Botshabelo tribe open-air museum
- Try to visit one of the working gold mines near Johannesburg (Welkom, Evander, Klerksdorp). You need a permission in advance.
Good to know
- No. of inhabitants: approximately 7 Million
- Timezone: UTC +2
- Weather: Warm summers with temperatures in the mid-30s °C. Winters temperatures in the mid-10 °C.
- Crime is not an uncommon thing in Johannesburg. Take precautions. In the event of an emergency call South Africa’s national emergency number: 10111.
Local transport
- Public transportation in and around Johannesburg is not great
- The best way to explore the city is to rent a car
- Minibus taxis-use with caution
Inbound transport
- Nearest airport: Johannesburg International Airport
- Train: Central Train Station
- Car: Johannesburg is the centre of major highways to other destinations
- N1 to Cape Town and Bloemfontein
- N3 to Durban
- N4 to Nelspruit and the Kruger National Park
- N12 to Kimberley
- N14 to Namibia
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