The Top 5 Things to Do in Johannesburg

South Africa’s largest city in both size and personality, Johannesburg is a spirited, bustling metropolis spilling with character and history. Affectionately called Jo’burg or Jozi by the locals, this city is rapidly evolving from an edgy safari stopover to a fully-fledged vibrant holiday destination coaxing tourists to stay with all there is to offer. 

The buzzing new Maboneng Precinct now ranks among the top Johannesburg attractions, as well as the poignant Apartheid Museum and the Cradle of Humankind site, showcasing the tour of development you can embark on in Johannesburg. Spend your time absorbing information in the many museums, strolling through food markets, or hiking through nature reserves around the edge of the city. 

There are countless places to visit and things to do in Johannesburg, so you will be spoilt for choice with options. Our team here at Savannah Safaris have compiled a list of Johannesburg’s highlights so you can pick and choose how you’d like to build your itinerary, without the stress of having to do the research yourself. 

Visit the Apartheid Museum 

In 2001, right in the middle of where the apartheid - ‘separateness’ in Afrikaans - story began, the Apartheid Museum opened its doors and became the first of its kind to chronicle the rise and fall of racial segregation. It documents the policy - originally a letter from Stellenbosch, a university town in South Africa - to its official end in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela as president. 

The exhibitions combine provocative footage, photographs, text panels and artefacts, detailing events and human stories from this dark period in South Africa’s history. 

If you’re planning on visiting this museum, you will need to set aside 3-4 hours in your itinerary to get the most out of your time at each exhibition. Prepare for a hard-hitting emotional experience which will leave you with a clear understanding of what the apartheid entailed.

If you’re looking for informative and gripping things to do in Johannesburg, we’d recommend a visit. Tickets for the museum can be purchased online.

Tour the Cradle of Humankind 

For those travellers who are particularly interested in the history of evolution, visiting this world heritage site should be a priority on your list of things to do in Johannesburg.

Based just outside of Johannesburg, The Cradle of Humankind is where the journey of life begins. Life is presumed to have first emerged about 3.8 billion years ago, with some of the earliest-known life forms on Earth being found in South Africa. Hominids are thought to have first originated in Africa around 7 million years ago, with the first remains being discovered in 1924. 

There are now 13 excavation sites at the Cradle of Humankind, making it one of the longest running fossil excavation sites in the world! Interactive displays and collections of fossils and stone tools are used at the visitor centre to explain the process of evolution. The nearby Sterkfontein Caves are home to many of the fossils found, including famous ones such as Little Foot and Mrs Ples. 

Travel back in time and tap into our species roots at the very place that discovered its origin. 

Get Active in Soweto 

Soweto is a fascinating area, saturated in history and politics whilst also flaunting a cool, urban vibe. There are plenty of activities to do here, so we’ve picked out the ones you shouldn’t miss. 

Soweto’s cycling tours are one of the most popular ways to travel through the area, with local guides and stops in different parts of the township to showcase the range of development. Amongst these tours, you may stop at Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world on which two Nobel Prize winners have lived - Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Mandela’s home has been preserved and turned into the Mandela House Museum where you can see photos and memorabilia detailing his life. 

Next stop on your tour could be the famous 33-storey graffitied cooling towers in Sowerto’s skyline which, not only look very cool, but also act as a playground to the adrenaline junkies amongst us. You have the options to bungee-jump, freefall and more. Perfect for those wanting something very memorable to commemorate their visit. 

When all the cycling has worked your appetite up, there are a plethora of amazing authentic places in the heart of Soweto where you could stop off, and get a true taste of South African cuisine. 

Relax at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden 

For those wanting to take a breather and indulge in the natural beauty South Africa has to offer, the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden is a haven of tranquillity, home to three vegetation types and 240 bird species - including a breeding pair of Verreaux’s eagles. 

Named after a South African anti-apartheid activist, the garden is the youngest of eight gardens managed by the National Botanical Institute. It has been bred to include succulent gardens, a waterwise garden, and a wildflower area, all of which contribute to the viable ecosystem, and make for the best sightseeing in Johannesburg. 

As a visitor, you can stroll through the winding hiking trails, visit the bird hide for the twitchers amongst us, or join a guided tour to explore further into the depths of the garden. 

This urban retreat is a great, alternative addition to our list of top 5 things to do in Johannesburg. It’s the perfect juxtaposition to escape the growling traffic and crowded city; slow down and immerse yourself in the picturesque scenery of Johannesburg's most beautiful nature reserves.

Explore the Maboneng Precinct 

Transformed from a once industrial and factory district, this urban neighbourhood in downtown Johannesburg has fast become one of the most unique and innovative areas in the capital. 

The development for the vibrant Maboneng Precinct began in 2009, and since then has flourished to be a popular art and cultural hub for Jo'burg residents and a must-see spot for tourists. 

Take the whole day to immerse yourself in Johannesburg’s best regeneration story. Whilst you’re there, you could sample Maboneng’s cafe culture - it has attracted a multicultural group of restaurateurs, many of which have built their business from market-stalls to thriving restaurants. 

Another great activity for you to do is wander through the Arts on Main complex.  Home to Johannesburg’s most impressive and expressive artist’s studios, including world-famous contemporary artist William Kentridge, this artistic hub is an interactive and experimental experience you don’t want to miss. 

Perhaps you’d like to end your day at the Living Room, a garden in the sky where you can sip cocktails with the best view of the city’s skyline. Oh, and did we mention it was the venue for Jay Z’s birthday party in 2018. 

Summary 

Johannesburg is a fascinating place, where a deep-set history still lingers to shape the modernisation of the ever-evolving city.  It is so rich in culture, with every corner of the city holding a varied insight or experience into life in Johannesburg - whether it be the shanty towns of Soweto, or the new and buzzing Maboneng Precinct - there is something for every traveller. 

We hope that after reading this article, you have a better idea of what the best places to visit in Johannesburg are, and feel better-equipped to plan an itinerary that makes the most out of your time there.