Things to do in our area

The Sterkfontein Caves

An hour’s drive from Johannesburg are the Sterkfontein Caves, world famous for their fossil finds and a well-known visitor destination. After an extensive face-lift in 2005, the Sterkfontein Caves is now home to a top restaurant, conferencing facilities, improved access into the caves, new walkways and a boardwalk past the excavation site where world-acclaimed fossils have been discovered. The tours at the Sterkfontein Caves, which start above ground and then take visitors deep into the caves, run every half hour, seven days a week.

Maropeng Cradle of Human Kind

Maropeng, meaning ‘returning to the place of our origins’, is the official visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Take the journey of discovery of the evolution of life and the origins of humankind. Located within easy reach of Johannesburg, Maropeng overlooks the magnificent Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg mountain ranges and is en route to the popular resort of Sun City.

Discover more about Maropeng here

Soweto

If you find yourself not knowing what to do in Soweto than a visit to one of the traditional African taverns (shebeens) or restaurants is a must. If you’re not up for tavern festivities then opt for one of Soweto’s cultural attractions. Don’t miss out on a visit to the important heritage site that is Nelson Mandela’s previous home on the well-known Vilakazi Street - This street was once home to not 1 but 2 Nobel Peace Prize winners - Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. The house is now a museum and provides visitors with some insight as to where this great man came from.

Well worth a visit is Wandies - A cosy tavern in the middle of this huge "township", it is popular with both locals and tourists alike. In the suburb of Dube, some 15km from the Jo'burg city centre, it has become a mandatory stop on the route for virtually all Soweto tour operators.

The restaurant has played host to such luminaries as Richard Branson, the CEO of Virgin Airlines, Evander Holyfield, Jesse Jackson, Quincy Jones and the All Blacks.

The Rhino and Lion Park

The Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve is a privately owned, non-subsidized game reserve, covering approxmiately 1 200 ha on the typical highveld of Gauteng. The reserve is situated in the "Cradle of Humankind", a declared World Heritage Site, about 40 km north-west of Johannesburg and 60km west of Pretoria.

The reserve was founded in 1985 by Ed Hern, a well known stockbroker, with the aim of preserving this beautiful area for private leisure. Prior to this the farm was utilised as a dairy and agricultural produce farm. From a modest beginning of two white rhinos, "Ouvrou" and "Bulle", imported from a zoo in Germany, and some antelope species, the reserve now boasts 600 head of game representing 25 different species. Public demand to visit the reserve became overwhelming and this was met in 1990, coinciding with a name change from "Kiepersol" to "Rhino Park".

Read more about the Lion and Rhino Park here

The Johannesburg Zoo

The Johannesburg Zoo was established in 1904, and historically, it has been owned and operated by the City Of
Johannesburg. Recently, the Johannesburg Zoo was registered as a Section 21 (non-profit) company.

The core business of the Johannesburg Zoo is the accommodation, enrichment, husbandry and medical care of wild animals. The Johannesburg Zoo contributes to the quality of life of the citizens of the city through the following:

Education: Look after the environment, it is the only one we’ve got. This message is spread through numerous awareness programmes, edutainment, as well as smell, hear, touch and feel programmes held throughout the year. The Zoo is the epicentre for the ‘living sciences’. We encourage teachers and parents to bring their pupils and children to the zoo to bring environmental subjects to life . Night tours are a must.
Conservation: Zoos work with the trees while Parks work with the forest. This governs the relationship with the environment, global co-operation, endangered species preservation and wildlife environmental protection and rehabilitation. In partnership with local, provincial national and regional conservation authorities, private landowners and NGO’s, the Zoo contributes to conservation in various ways.
Research: Problem solving to improve the stability of wildlife. This is achieved through biological conservation, animal diseases information and medical care given to animals. The Zoo contributes to research in three main ways – own research, academic research and partnership research.
Recreation: Bringing a world of wildlife to your doorstep. Relaxation in a clean, green environment, a safe and healthy family recreational venue to spend quality time in an interesting and fun way. Accessible and affordable, the Zoo is the City of Johannesburg’s world of wildlife on your doorstep.

Pilansberg Nature Reserve

Pilanesberg Game Reserve is in the Bojanala Region of the North West Province, adjacent to Sun City.

Wildlife:
The park is home to healthy populations of lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo - Africa's "Big Five".
A wide variety of rare and common species exist like the nocturnal brown hyaena, the fleet-footed cheetah, the majestic sable, as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo and crocodile, to mention but a few.

Bird life:
Bird watching is excellent with over 300 species recorded. Some are migrants, others permanent inhabitants; some eat carrion or live prey, others eat seeds, fruit or tiny water organisms.
There is a self-guided trail in the Walking Area at Manyane Complex in the east, which offers environmental education whilst enjoying game viewing and bird watching on foot. Also at Manyane is a walk-in aviary with over 80 species of indigenous birds.

General:
Visitors are offered many opportunities to experience the wonders of Pilanesberg. There are nearly 200 kilometres of excellent quality roads for either self-drives or guided drives, and professional guides operate within the park.
Numerous hides and scenic picnic sites enable the tourist to experience "out-of-car" experiences as well.

Read more about Pilansberg Game Reserve here

Bruma Lake Flea Market

Bruma Lake flea market is the result of the successful conversion of an old sewerage catchment area into a awesome lakeside market, mall and commercial parks. With over 620 traders stock a multitude of exciting curios and antiques, from textiles to furniture. This is the place to get that special something, or simply to browse and get a feel for grassroots trade in Johannesburg.

Bruma lake is designed to resemble a fisherman's village; the area offers a string of restaurants and shopping venues well patronized by bargain hunters and window shoppers alike.

While the flea market has a host of stalls selling generic goods, there are also fine examples of African carvings, steel and metal work, as well as some great fast food of various nationalities on offer in the complex. African curios, various crafts, funky second-hand clothing, one-off fashions and fashion rip-offs are on offer here.

Sun City

Sun City is the entertainment focus of South Africa. The resort boasts its own lively casino, health spa, botanical gardens, extravaganza theatre and the renowned Valley of the Waves.

Sun City, unique in the context of world resorts, with a combination of features unmatched anywhere, draws thousands of visitors each year to its four top-quality hotels, a Vacation Club plus magnificent sporting and recreational facilities including 2 world class golf courses, and the magical Lost City water-park, The Valley of Waves.

Only 187 km from Johannesburg, the resort, situated in the bushveld of South Africa's North West province, is surrounded by the imposing mountains of the Pilanesberg. The wide choice of conference venues ensure a level of convention and banqueting facilities which few can beat.

Discover what else Sun City has on offer here

Gold Reef City

Gold Reef City is a large amusement park in Johannesburg, South Africa. Located on an old gold mine, the park is themed around the gold rush on the Witwatersrand. Park staff wear period costumes of the 1880s, and the buildings on the park are designed to mimic the same period. There is a museum dedicated to gold mining on the grounds where it is possible to see a gold-containing ore vein and see how real gold is poured into barrels.

There are many attractions at Gold Reef City, not the least of which are water rides and roller coasters. The liveshows of Idols South Africa are filmed live in the "Hippodrome", a large auditorium based in the park.

Gold Reef City is located to the south of the Central Business District off of the M1. It is also the site of the Apartheid Museum.

Discover more about Gold Reef City here

Johannesburg Botanical Gardens

Set on the western shores of the Emmarentia Dam, Johannesburg Botanic Garden is one of the city’s parks - a green space in the middle of Jo'burgs northern suburbs about 6 kilometres from the city centre - with over 30 000 trees, a large rose garden, the site of over 4 500 varieties, and a space through which Jo’burgers can stroll and meet to relax for picnics and play with children.

Interestingly, the Johannesburg Botanic Garden is also one of the youngest gardens in the country at only just over 30 years of age. It was voted the best passive recreation space in the city by its residents in 2004 that make use of the greenery to escape the drudgery of city living, and is involved in a seed exchange programme with another 300 odd gardens throughout the world.

The Johannesburg Botanic Garden has some of the finest plant collections in the world that include indigenous trees and succulents, and its herb garden contains a surprising collection of traditional African medicinal herbs, culinary, medicinal and cosmetic herbs.

Hartbeespoort Dam

Hartbeespoort Dam also known as Harties (officially the Hartbeespoort Dam Reservoir) is a dam situated in the North West Province of South Africa. It lies in a valley to the south of the Magaliesberg mountain range and north of the Witwatersberg mountain range, about 35 kilometres west of Pretoria.

The name of the dam means "pass of the hartbees" (a species of antelope) in Afrikaans. The dam was originally designed for irrigation which is currently its primary use.

The town of Hartbeespoort is situated close to the dam wall and the villages of Kosmos, Melodie, Ifafi and Meerhof can be found alongside its banks. Hartbeespoort was previously known as Schoemansville, after General Hendrik Schoeman.

Hartbeespoort has become a very popular holiday and weekend resort for the inhabitants of Johannesburg and Pretoria; it is the principal water recreation area of northern Gauteng and many types of water sports are practiced on the dam. The Transvaal Yacht Club has been operating at the dam since its construction in 1923.

Montecasino Bird Gardens

For great family entertainment, experience the wonder of the Montecasino Bird Gardens - the only bird park of its kind in Africa and Johannesburg's best kept secret.

Here, you can wander along enchanted walkways within magnificent gardens and marvel at a variety of colourful birds, mammals, reptiles and unusual animals from around the world.

In the walk-through Aviary, you'll find over 60 species of birds including Scarlet Ibises, Royal Starlings and Nicobar pigeons, reptiles and small mammals, with smaller antelope wandering freely in the undergrowth.

See what else is on offer at Montecasino here

Design Quarter

Welcome to design Quarter

The Most inspiring décor destination in Jo'zie, Design Quarter embraces all that's different, inspiring, delectable and divine.

Glorious new ideas, unique furnishings and gorgeous object d'art.
Design Quarter is 'très chic'. Just off William Nicol Drive in Fourways, Design Quarter caters to savvy shoppers, interior designers, décor consultants, suppliers, architects and developers.

Engage your sixth sense… discover Design Quarter

Nelson Mandela Square

The Square, designed to bring to life an Italian styled piazza under the African sky is a major focal point of Sandton Central - completed after a decade of robust interactions between local government and various private enterprise players.
On the 31st of March 2004 the world’s first public statue of Nelson Mandela – was officially unveiled in Johannesburg, South Africa at an auspicious occasion held in what was then Sandton Square, now renamed NELSON MANDELA SQUARE at Sandton City. This celebratory event also marked the Square’s tenth anniversary and commemorated South Africa’s first decade of democracy

The six-metre tall bronze statue was erected to honour and pay tribute to the great South African freedom fighter and statesman: President Nelson Mandela. The intention was also to create a focal point where local and foreign tourists could contemplate the events that led to the creation of the miracle of the Rainbow Nation.

To this end NELSON MANDELA SQUARE at Sandton City introduced talks and tours so visitors can be inspired.

Sandton is, without a doubt the most important business and financial district in South Africa, and plausibly even in sub-Saharan Africa.

The 'Southern Suburbs' of Sandton were laid out quite early in the century and by the 1930s they were well established as 'gentleman estate' areas with most of the properties being “one morgen” or larger. At this stage the 'northern' suburbs of Johannesburg were established and in some cases the suburbs extended beyond the boundaries of the city.

Read more about Nelson Mandela Square here

Rosebank Mall

The powerful magic of Africa is perfectly fused with the elegance and sophistication of Europe to create a world of shopping splendour at one of South Africa's leading shopping and entertainment complexes, The Mall of Rosebank in Johannesburg. Situated in one of the trendiest business nodes in the country, it is easily accessible from all major cities in Gauteng via the M1 freeway and offers a shopping and entertainment experience of world-class proportions, not only for local shoppers and fun seekers, but also for international visitors.

This three-storey retail Mecca boasts 120 stylish stores that offer the discerning shopper an assortment of pleasurable shopping delights ranging from women's and men's fashion and accessory outlets, upmarket restaurants, smart coffee bars, a Cinema Nouveau, African Craft Market and a popular Sunday rooftop market. Whether you are looking to unwind, have a gourmet meal, indulge in one of the latest movies or are in the mood for serious retail therapy, The Mall of Rosebank with its range and variety is the place to shop.

The mall has a modern design and feel, with spacious walkways, plenty of light making it shopper-friendly and combined with outdoor restaurants allows for the full enjoyment of the good South African weather conditions. From high end designer fashion to casual weekend wear the 45 fashion and accessory stores will ensure that each customer leaves with a sense of their own individual style.

Sandton City

Sandton City is a shopping centre located in Sandton, Johannesburg that was built as pioneer centre in 1973. Sandton City is the ultimate shopping destination!

Sandton City Shopping Centre showcases the very best fashion and lifestyle brands that South Africa and the world have to offer - the centre is alive with international glamour, the African spirit and true South African style - a favourite with international and local shoppers alike..

Adjoined to Sandton City Shopping Centre is Nelson Mandela Square, home to some of the finest restaurants in South Africa. Whether you’re in the mood for the best South African wine, the most generous Greek platters, authentic African cuisine, or merely a cup of creamy Italian coffee, you can find it all and so much more. The cosmopolitan atmosphere comes to life under the sunny African sky and breath-taking surrounds where business lunches, romantic dinners for two and travellers’ breakfasts are enjoyed around the same tables.

Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square offer over 400 of the most desirable international and local fashion brands. Exceptional collections of premier, luxurious brands from abroad include the likes of Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Armani, Mont Blanc, Cartier, Fendi and Lacoste. Sandton City is the original, the benchmark, the icon

The Sandton Convention Centre

Sandton Convention Centre is Southern Africa’s international leading and most prestigious, multi-purposes exhibition and convention centre.

Situated in northern Johannesburg, in the heart of Sandton's business, hotel and entertainment district, Sandton Convention Centre offers easy access to over 5 000 hotel rooms, is adjacent to the country's top shopping and entertainment complexes and provides nearly 11 000 secure parking bays.

South Africa's Most Technologically Advanced Convention Centre

There are over 22 000 m² of convention, exhibition and special event space. The Pavilion can seat 4 500 patrons. The Ballroom can seat 2 000 banquet guests and the 13 other meeting rooms can accommodate up to 350 delegates. The two exhibition levels have a combined floor space of 11 000 m².

This twelve-storey structure is designed and built to provide convention, exhibition and special event space over five main levels.

See which events are happening at the Sandton Convention Centre here

Happening in Johannesburg in the next 2 weeks

Explore what is happening in and around Johannesburg over the next 2 weeks, Lucille Davie, columnist for Joburg.org.za brings you her selection of events worth attending.

The Joburg.org website calendar of all events is available here

Gallagher Convention Centre

Gallagher Convention Centre is one of Africa’s largest conference and exhibition venues. Located in Midrand, between Pretoria and Johannesburg, Gallagher is conveniently positioned in the business hub of Gauteng.

Surrounded by beautiful gardens sprawling over a 30-hectare property, visitors to Gallagher can enjoy the English Rose Gardens, the wooden Koi Deck, the Gazebo or the Wine Garden Restaurant.

With five purpose-built ground floor exhibition venues offering approximately
25 000 square meters of exhibition space, nineteen multipurpose venues and state of the art facilities, Gallagher Convention Centre can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 12 000 visitors. With 12 versatile conference and boardrooms, the Gallagher Grill, a Ballroom, an auditorium and various tranquil venues for intimate celebrations, Gallagher Convention Centre provides the perfect setting for both business and family functions.

Our internationally acclaimed team of chefs are able to cater to every taste or cultural requirement, while our kitchens have also been certified by the National Independent Halaal Trust. Allow our professional and dedicated staff to handle your conference, exhibition or event.

Differentiate yourself with Gallagher Convention Centre.

Latest events @ Gallagher Estate here

The Coca Cola Dome

The Coca-Cola Dome is an event venue located in the north of Johannesburg, South Africa. The seating capacity is 18 000. The Dome opened in 1997.

The previous sponsor of The Dome was MTN (a South African cellular network) and the venue was named MTN Sundome. It is owned by Sasol Pension Fund and currently managed by Thebe Exhibitions (until 2014).
The Dome is situated adjacent to Northgate Shopping Centre on the corner of Olievenhout Avenue and Northumberland Road, in the suburb North Riding, a short distance west of the N1/Western Bypass highway.
The venue is 45 km from OR Tambo International Airport, 16 km from Lanseria Airport and 20 km from the Sandton business centre.

The Dome has been host to a variety of events such as trade and consumer exhibitions, concerts featuring local and international stars, corporate banquets, international conventions, and indoor sporting events.

On 7 July 2007 the South African Live Earth concert was held at the dome. On February 14, 2008, Canadian superstar Celine Dion kicked off her Taking Chances Tour at the Dome. In 2004 the professional wrestling promotion Africa Wrestling Alliance aired weekly television episodes from the dome which were taped for eTV, known as AWA on E Slam Series. The dome was also used for WWE's house shows, which took place in September 2007

See events happening at the Coca Cola Dome here

Moyo

There are not that many venues in Johannesburg that offer an all-African dining experience. One of the best is Moyo in Melrose Arch - but be prepared to wait up to a week for a table, as Jo'burg residents and visitors have discovered the restaurant in a big way.

The brainchild of Jason Lurie, Moyo offers customers a touch of Africa from Ethiopia and Tunisia in the north right the way down to Zululand on the south-eastern coast of South Africa. In Lurie's words: "Moyo is more than just a restaurant."

Lurie, a large, bustling man, has packed a lot into his 35 years, and combined it all skilfully in his restaurant. He has his finger in many pies, besides qualifying as a development economist: music, crafts, the record industry, and a healthy love of food.

Moyo is a five-storey restaurant that offers customers an entirely indigenous experience, with unique, locally crafted décor on every floor set against pleasing shades of ochre walls, providing wonderful textures. Every level has its own atmosphere and ambience, but there's lots of copper evident throughout the restaurant: on table tops, shapes in the walls and gorgeous lamps. There's also lots of mosaic - on table tops, walls and steps.

Visit the Moyo web site here

Carnivores Restaurant

The Carnivore restaurant, situated in the grounds of Misty Hills Country Hotel, needs little introduction. Renowned for its positioning statement - “Africa’s Greatest Eating Experience”- it is a cornerstone of the Recreation Africa Group.

In the sixteen years since it first opened thousands of local and international visitors have savoured its unique dining concept.

A franchise of the world-renowned Carnivore restaurant in Nairobi, Kenya, the Carnivore Johannesburg has received many awards, including Best Traditional Restaurant, Best Restaurant to Take Tourists To 2008, Restaurant of the Month and runner-up Restaurant of the Year.

As its popularity has grown, so the seating capacity has been extended to accommodate 500 diners.
(Vegetarian and fish dishes also available.)

The Carnivore also has a wine cellar with a superb selection of well-known wines, to compliment their meal. They also house a variety of whisky, brandy, cigars and other alcoholic drinks.

Visit the Carnivore web site here

Yamato Japanese Restaurant

"Sushi and Sashimi have become everyday words as Japanese cuisine has become more and more popular throughout the world but sushi and sashimi is not the beginning and the end of Japanese food."
Explore our menu to view a wide range of traditional Japanese food.

Opened in 1995 and situated just off Oxford Road in trendy Illovo, the restaurant itself is an elegant expression of the simplicity that underscores much of Japanese culture.

The menu is extensive, with both a set menu and an a-la-carte section offering an amazing variety of delicacies. The a-la-carte menu has some amazing soups, exciting salads and starters with MamaSan's famous homemade Tofu. The menu uses fresh beef, chicken and pork, and probably the widest variety of fish you will find anywhere, in the making of the Sushi and Sashimi. Of course Tepanyaki is offered, so too is deep fried Tempura and traditional Japanese noodles.

For dessert there are a number of options, an excellent choice being the Green Tea Ice Cream made from traditional Matcha. Naturally Saki is on offer, together with Japanese beer and a fine selection of wines.
Please check out our Menu Items page for ideas on what to order when you come visit us.
Yamato has to be your first choice if you want to enjoy only the best Japanese food!

Visit Yamato the web site here

Browns of Rivonia

Once a rambling old farmhouse, Browns is a Johannesburg landmark. Situated in the heart of Rivonia, the restaurant boasts one of the finest wine cellars in the country as well as offering total tranquillity in its private gardens.

The large, though intimate, dining area spills out onto an airy patio that is opened up or closed in depending on the weather.

Browns is also possibly the first South African restaurant to introduce a French Cheese room – adding a unique dimension to your dining experience. Diners choose from over 30 varieties of international cheeses – the ultimate digestif after a great meal.

Whether you are visiting Browns for an intimate dinner, a business lunch, a celebration or to entertain foreign guests, you will discover that service and quality are paramount.

Visit the Brown's web site here, Back to top

Extreme Adventures in Johannesburg

Thrill Seekers! Welcome to Jhannesburg. From the Sandton suburbs there is a vast selection of extreme sporting activities all within 90 minutes drive.

Canopy tours in Magalisburg
The MAGALIESBERG CANOPY TOUR is a unique eco-adventure that takes clients on a tour down the spectacular Ysterhout Kloof, set in the ancient Magaliesberg Mountains. Eleven platforms have been built against the cliffs and rock faces of the kloof and are joined by long steel cables that clients slide along to reach the next platform.

Tandem Skydiving in Carletonville
A Tandem jump is a one on one skydive where you are "attached", with a special harness to an instructor, and therefore is the quickest way to experience freefall.

No training necessary, you are simply attached by a special harness to a qualified tandem master (TM). You enjoy the ride the TM does all the work.

Tandem jumping is the easiest way to enjoy this experience of a lifetime.

Bungee Mogale
50 meters of pure adrenaline rush! The bungee jump operates off the Kings Kloof Bridge in Krugersdorp Mogale City. Challenge the limits of the mind and test the edge of fear by leaping off the impressive bridge.

Contact: +27 (0)83 344-1924

Power Swing Across Soweto
Feel the power of gravity now where the power of electricity stood before. Free fall into a town that has arisen. The decommissioned cooling towers in Soweto were originally built for Orlando Power Station, the most sophisticated facility in the Southern Hemisphere in its time. Now the surface of South Africa's largest mural and site of the world's first power swing between two cooling towers. Power station turns power swing.

Contact: Towers +27 (0)71 674-4343 or Office +27(0)12 345-5114

The Lipizzaners

In 1944 a select few Lipizzaners were rescued from war-torn Austria and brought to South Africa by Count Jankovich-Besan. The stallions at Kyalami are direct descendants of those horses and their predecessors. The Lipizzaner Trust is dedicated to the advancement of this proud cultural heritage and the preservation of this most ancient breed of horse.

The South African Lipizzaners have earned the honour of being the only performing Lipizzaners outside Vienna recognised by and affiliated to the Spanish Riding School and a close association is maintained between the two establishments.
Over the years, the South African Lipizzaners have become an integral part of South Africa's cultural heritage.

Today, the South African Lipizzaners appear on film and television and at various public performances as well as their regular Sunday morning shows.

Visit the Lipizzaner web site here. Back to top