Johannesburg

Jo’burg’, the capital of the region Gauteng, is a fascinating city with a modern centre, combining its ways with the older surroundings.
It is a very modern city with excellent shopping by any standards, but being a financial centre it does not hold as many attractions for tourists as other cities like Cape Town. Sights in Johannesburg include the new Museum Africa which offers an honest and self-critical look at the nation’s sometimes troubled past and the Market Theater Complex which houses theaters and a Saturday flea market.
History buffs will be interested in the Smuts Library at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) where South African statesman Jan Smuts’ book collection is preserved. The university’s Gubbins Library has an extensive collection of books on Africa. The Apartheid museum, next to Gold Reef City theme-park, is a fantastic architectural piece and a moving yet informative means of learning about Apartheid and the recent political history of South Africa.

Johannesburg is characterised by American style mall culture. Whilst some smaller malls, such as Hyde Park, are aimed at a more sophisticated crowd many are much like typical American malls and aimed at teenagers and shoppers.

There are also several game reserves and breeding stations within a half-day drive, such as the Lion Park, the De Wildt Cheetah Research and Breeding Station, the Lion and Rhino park and the Crocodile Farm. If you’re going to be in Johannesburg on a Sunday consider a visit to the Heia Safari Ranch 24 mi/38 km from town where tribal dancers perform—it provides a good introduction to the country if Johannesburg is your first stop