Destination information
Johannesburg is in increasingly becoming the hip heart of South Africa. This diverse metropolis is bursting with super trendy bars and restaurants, stylish shopping malls, contemporary African art galleries and upmarket entertainment areas. Melrose Arch and Sandton are the places to be seen...
Rosebank also has the excellent African Craft Market, with 2 storeys of stalls selling all kinds of arts and crafts or, if you prefer the convenience of staying closer to the airport, the OR Tambo is the ideal choice. Just a 10 min shuttle ride from the airport, it is perfectly situated for an overnight stay. Whilst you are in Johannesburg, be sure to make time for its top excursion, the guided tour of the township of Soweto, where you can visit the house in which Nelson Mandela grew up. It really is an unmissable experience. Johannesburg is a great place for live jazz, so be sure to catch some in one of the northern suburbs' many upmarket bars.
Star attractions
- Shop amongst the seriously rich at Rosebank or Sandton
- Visit Johannesburg Zoo, where animals are confined by moats, not bars
- Visit the Apartheid Museum for an evocative moving taste of the effects of white supremacy
- Visit Gold Reef City theme park for the gumboot dancing displays
- Make a pilgramage to the dawn of humanity - the World Heritage Site of the Sterfontein Caves
- Listen to messages of former inmates of prison 'Number Four'; now known as constitution Hill, home of South Africa's constitutional court
Events calendar
Jan – Johannesburg International Mozart Festival
Feb – Jozifest music festival / Lovers Rock Annual Vintage and Classic Car Show
Mar – Joburg Fashion Week Autumn/Winter / Festival of Fame / SA National Drag Racing Championship
Apr – Easter Celebrations on Nelson Mandela Square
May - Johannesburg Wine Show / Soweto Fashion Week
Jun - Gauteng Motor Show / The Oyster, Wine and Food Festival
Jul – National Antoques and Decorative Arts Faire
Aug – National Marimba Festival / Nando’s JHB Comedy Festival / Standard Bank Joy of Jazz / Spring Beer Festival
Sep – The Spring Show / Johannesburg Arts Alive Festival / Kensington Spring Fair / Spring Wine Festival / National Boat Show
Oct – Johannesburg International Motor Show / Ann Harding Cheshire Home Annual Golf Day / Johannesburg South Family Festival
Nov – Gauteng Diwali Festival / Mediaeval Fayre / Hazel Food Christmas Market / SA Golf Open Championships / AFDA Film Festival Johannesburg
Dec – Carols on The Square / Hazel Food Candlelight Market
Please note: all events listed are for helpful information only and many are subject to entrance fees and/or prior reservation, and may be cancelled at any time. Please check with the relevant tourist office if you need further information on these or any of the other events in this region.
Different destinations have different magic touches so make sure to check them out to see what makes your holiday with us so special.
Getting there
We have direct flights from London to Johannesburg and it is easiest to get to your accommodation on our transfers. We recommend using taxis to get around the city. We also have a selection of tours for those wishing to delve deeper into the history and culture of South Africa.
Handy stuff
Local living
Bottle of beer locally R 16 - 340 ml (price varies depending on type of beer)
Bottle of coke locally - R 7.00 for 500ml
Bottle of wine locally - R 50.00 for 750ml (price varies depending on type of wine)
Local meal in reasonable priced restaurant - R 130.00 per person
Local meal in the best restaurant in the area - R500.00 per person
Bottle of beer hotel - R36.00 340ml
Bottle of coke hotel - R17.50 200ml
Bottle of wine hotel - R105.00 750ml (price varies depending on type of wine)
Lunch at a hotel - R185.00
Dinner at a hotel -R 200.00
Please note: Prices are a guideline only and are subject to change.