Where It All Began

Why not visit Johannesburg?

 

Why not visit Johannesburg? Shrugging of its dark days in the late 1980s, it’s now become a fantastic destination in its own right.

Joburg (or Jozi as the locals call it) has particularly in the last four years got better and better with lots to see and do that is safe, pleasant and really interesting. Unlike Cape Town, which still exhibits stark divides between black and white, Joburg not only feels but is genuinely more integrated. Joburg used to be very unsafe and as such, the city centre effectively died in the late 1980s, with even the stock exchange retreating into the northern suburbs (Sandton).

Many visitors end up in Sandton because that’s where the majority of five-star hotels are located, it is easy to get to by road and by the Gautrain and has shopping, food and convenience. However, it does often feel rather exclusivist and very corporate. Sandton is not all there is to Joburg, just like the V&A is not all there is to Cape Town!

We particularly like the areas of Rosebank and Parktown, being just between the city centre and Sandton, and are safe, clean and full of life day and night. You can stay in excellent, ethical, four-star B&Bs (like Leighwood Lodge or Liz at Lancaster) or take a step up to places like The Peech or The Winston which are five-star boutique hotels.

In terms of things to do, top of our list would be the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, which really highlight just how far the country has come and how it got here. If history isn’t your thing, the districts of Maboneng and Newtown are great fun to stroll around and are considered the most hip and creative parts of the city. We also love the offering of our friends at Coffeebeans Routes who offer cultural tours such as their Public Art and Cuisine Safaris. On top of that, the city now has a City Sightseeing Bus (big red double decker just like in Cape Town) makes life very easy.

Image:Aah-Afrika Tours and Transfers is courtesy of TripAdvisor