SECTION 4: CITY GUIDES | < BACK | NEXT >

4.3 JOHANESBURG

Joburg, Jozi or eGoli (City of Gold), Africa's richest metropolis and gateway into South Africa, is the “Big Apple of Africa”

Equally rich in history and growth, Johannesburg is South Africa’s fast paced hub of nearly all things business, retail and entertainment related. As the vibrant city continues to grow and flourish, visitors and locals alike are investing in Johannesburg, eager to share in the success of this dynamic region.

Joburg is the focal city of the 2010 FiFa World Cup TM, with its wealth of commerce and industry, is the gateway to Africa and unwittingly sets the tone for much of the country’s economic, social and political climate. All of this unfolds in one of the world’s best climates, with warm summer days and crisp, clear winters.

Here are some tips:

Restaurant reviews in Johannesburg: www.dining-out.co.za/Johannesburg-Restaurants.asp
What’s on in Johannesburg: http://www.jhblive.com
Accommodation: http://www.e-gnu.com

SHOPPING:

Cresta
After eight refurbishments and extensions, Cresta is one of the city's largest shopping complexes, with a diversity of stores ranging from supermarkets and clothing to cosy coffee shops and movie theatres. Address: Cresta Shopping Mall, Beyers Naude Drive, Northcliff
( 011 678 5306This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  www.crestashoppingcentre.co.za

Melrose Arch
Shopping at Melrose Arch suits those looking for exclusive shops or products and it promises high street shopping and a variety of coffee shops and restaurants. A favourite is Cocoa Diva, a gift shop specialising in imported chocolates. Address: Melrose Boulevard (entrance off Corlett Drive and Athol Oaklands Road)
( 011 684 0000 www.melrosearch.com

Montecasino
The Montecasino complex was built to resemble a Tuscan village. Late night shopping is a unique feature and clothing, jewellery and African curios are the most popular products. There is plenty of entertainment, including cinemas, a theatre and a casino. Address: Cnr William Nicol Drive and Witkoppen Road, Fourways
( 011 510 7777This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  www.montecasino.co.za

Nelson Mandela Square
From designer boutiques and world class cuisine to local curios and cosy coffee shops, this piazza encapsulates a lifestyle that takes good taste to new levels. Take in a show at the Liberty Theatre on the Square, cast your eye across works of art in one of the galleries or simply sit back and enjoy a meal at one of many renowned restaurants. Address: Rivonia Road, Sandton
( 011 217 6045/6 www.sandtonsquare.com

Rooftop Market
50 Bath Ave, Rosebank Mall, Rosebank
The Rooftop Market is regarded by many as South Africa's best flea market and is well patronized by locals as well as tourists. More than 500 stalls offer clothing, ceramics, art and craft objects, antiques and collectibles. The rooftop also boasts a food court and deli to curb the hunger while you shop. Open: Sundays 9.00am   5pm
( 011 442 4488

Bruma Lake Flea Market
This is an extensive market, based near the Eastgate Shopping Mall, offering everything from clothes to crafts. Live entertainment can be enjoyed as you shop Cnr Ernest Oppenheimer and Marcia Ave, Bruma Open: Tuesdays to Sundays 9.30am   5pm ( 011 622 9648

Bryanston Organic and Natural Market.
( 011 463 3752 www.bryanstonorganicmarket.co.za.

OUTDOOR
 
Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort covers almost 300 hectares and has landscaped and natural veld areas. ( 086 100 1278 www.sanbi.org

Emmarentia Dam has large waterside lawns and is a tranquil picnicking spot. The Johannesburg Botanic Garden, noted for its rose garden, lie on its western shores. (  011 782 7064.

Zoo Lake is popular for walking, picnicking and boat rides.

Melville Koppies Nature Reserve has 200 bird species, small mammals and hundreds of Stone Age artifacts. (  011 482 4797, e mail fomk@mk.org,za, web www.mk.org.za.

HISTORIC MUSEUMS & CULTURE

Visit the Apartheid Museum to engage with South Africa's 20th century history through powerful, graphic exhibits. ( 011 309 4700, e mail info@apartheidmuseum.org, web www.apartheidmuseum.org.

Constitutional Court on Constitution Hill, the site of the Old Fort prison complex where political prisoners were incarcerated. ( 011 381 3100, www.constitutionhill.org.za.

Newtown Cultural Precinct, Jozi's buzzing urban heart, home to theatres, art galleries, cafes and nightclubs.
( 011 833 6323,  www.newtown.co.za.

EXPLORE

Soweto Tours, South Africa's most famous township. Themba Day Tours, ( 011 463 3306, www.sowetotour.co.za.

Gold Reef City -is a re creation of turn of the century Johannesburg, which was flooded by prospectors after the discovery of gold in 1886. Underground tours take visitors beneath the surface to see original mining techniques as well as more modern methods. Back on the surface you can watch gold being poured, be shown around by a multilingual guide in period costume and even order a drink in the world's deepest pub Open Tues   Sun 09:30am to 5pm. ( 011 248 6800   www.goldreefcity.co.za

SAB World of Beer
Beer is a drink that is loved worldwide and South African Breweries is one of the largest brewing groups in the world. The SAB Museum traces very aspect of the history of brewing   and as a bonus the entrance fee includes two beers. Tours Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 6pm (takes one to one and a half hours) ( 011 836 4900 www.worldofbeer.co.za

The Multiflora Flower Market, home to the largest flower auction in Africa, is an unlikely rose among thorns in the industrial zone of City Deep. The auctions start at 07h00, Monday to Saturday. ( 011 613 4011 www.multiflora.co.za.

Mai Mai Market
Besides being Joburg's oldest market, Mai Mai is a one stop shopping experience for all things traditional in the city. Dubbed Ezinyangeni (place of the healers), the market is home to a community of vendors, sangomas and inyangas who heal the city's sick and spiritually destitute. Despite the enormous array of goods, the place is neat and clean. Tourists, be they local or foreign, are treated with curiosity, friendliness or, at worst, indifference. The Mai Mai bazaar is on the corner of Anderson and Berea streets in the city centre.

Stroll Brenthurst's private gardens
Visiting the Oppenheimer family's 16 hectare garden in Houghton ( 011 646 4122,  www.brenthurstgardens.co.za.

ADVENTURE

Dragon Boat Racing is based at Wemmer Pan ( 076 130 8734 www.dragonboatracing.co.za
Sandboarding in Benoni. ( 011 918 2379 www.purerush.co.za.
Mountain biking is a great way to get the endorphins flowing after a heavy session of football watching.
( 083 400 0620 or email richard@transheq.co.za  
Wall Climbing  Get to the Wonderwall, where you can clip into a harness and choose one of 15 climbing walls or a bouldering wall to test your skill. ( 011 708 6467 www.wonderwall.co.za
Rap Jump  - stepping off a 24 storey building face downwards, like Spiderman? ( 082 605 1150
Ballooning trip over the Magaliesberg, Joburg's nearest mountain range, some 70km north west of the city. You'll have to get up early it’s a 6am start. ( 011 705 3201 http://www.balloon.co.za
White water Rafting on the Vaal River, Joburg's closest big river. (  056 818 1860 www.dimalachite.co.za
Kayak/Canoeing -  Hire a kayak at Emmarentia Dam. ( 083 266 7750 www.icon.co.za/~burdock/dabs/
Paragliding - Catch the air currents to fly like a bird in Dunottar, 50km east of Joburg. Paragliding Adventures will take you on tandem flights where you need no training. ( 082 550 7568  http://www.flyza.co.za
Caving - There are 165 caves in the Cradle of Humankind area, and Wild Cave Adventures offers walks in these caves. Phone Sandy on ( 011 956 6197 or ( 082 486 2464 to book your place. http://www.wildcaves.co.za
Hiking the Magaliesberg, the city's closest mountain range. ( 087 940 1903 http://www.jhbhiking.org.za
Horse back Trails:  ( 083 454 6529 www.conservtours.com

COOL SPOTS
 
Mamas Shebeen, 18. Gleneagles Drive, ( 078 804 6804 www.mammas.co.za

Radium Beer Hall, Big band jazz at the 282 Louis Botha Ave, Orange Grove,
( 011 728 3866 http://theradium.co.za

Moyo at Zoo Lake, for Sundowners at 37 Harley Street, Randburg  ( 011 646 0058 www.moyo.co.za

Westcliff Hotel for High tea 67 Jan Smuts Avenue, Westcliff ( 011 481 6000 http://www.westcliff.co.za

NIGHTLIFE

Greenside's bars and clubs draw a hip and trendy clientele. The area is also popular with students. Inner city hotspot Newtown has vibrant bars, music venues and clubs.

Melville has long been on the nightlife circuit, with an ever changing roster of relaxed bars, cafes and restaurants centred around 7th Avenue.

Fourways and Rivonia offer a more upmarket socialising scene

Sandton's bars attract young professionals.

GETTING AROUND

Car Hire
Africa-Car-Hire.com (  0786694444
Europcar ( 011 390 3909
Tempest Car Hire ( 0 11 578 0160
Sixt  ( 011 230 9999
Avis ( 011 336 0703

Metered taxis
Corporate Cabs ( 011 771 2200
Safecab (0861 66 55 66
Johannesburg International Airport Taxis Association (JIATA) (011 390 1502

Public transport
The Gautrain connects OR Tambo International Airport to Sandton, ( 011 891 7108, web www.gautrain.co.za.

The metro railway system links central Johannesburg to Soweto, Pretoria and towns along the Witwatersrand,
( 011 773 1600, web www.metrorail.co.za.

Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) provides buses that drive in dedicated lanes on roads on several routes around Johannesburg, web www.reavaya.org.za. Minibus taxis, which can be hailed, are available across the city.

Book a Safari:  ( 021 7801391 www.e-gnu.com

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