Johannesburg holidays

1. Well worth the five-hour drive from the city, Kruger is twice the size of the USA’s Yellowstone, and home to South Africa’s widest diversity of wildlife. Spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and peer out of numerous birdwatching hides. The park also boasts over 255 archaeological sites, including Stone Age and Iron Age settlements, and features ancient baobab trees. Visit from May to September when animals gather around water sources.
2. Close to Kruger, Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga is one of the world’s largest canyons. It’s home to a huge array of wildlife, and its montane grasslands feature over 1,000 flora species, many of which are endemic, rare or endangered. Don’t miss Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a bizarre landscape formed by years of water erosion.
3. This surreal gem, Montecasino, designed to resemble an ancient Tuscan village, includes theatres, concert venues, restaurants, casinos, art galleries and boutique shops. Located in northern Johannesburg’s Fourways, it’s easily accessible and set within an impressive landscape.
4. An ‘urban tribute to a universal icon’, Nelson Mandela Square features a six-metre statue of Nelson Mandela overlooking a busy shopping and dining hub in Sandton. Enjoy al-fresco dining in the piazza or browse upmarket boutiques. For history enthusiasts, visit Mandela House in Soweto.
5. Built on the site of an old gold mine, Gold Reef City is a theme park perfect for adrenaline junkies. It offers plenty for adults and children and includes the powerful Apartheid Museum for a sobering look into South Africa’s past. You can also take a tour of nearby Soweto township to gain further insight into the country’s turbulent history.
6. A must-visit for families, Cradle of Humankind is one of the richest archaeological sites in the world, home to 40% of the planet's human ancestor fossils. Visit the Sterkfontein Caves, a World Heritage Site, and the Maropeng Visitor Centre, which features skulls and other remains from early humans. The nearby Nirox Sculpture Park features surreal and unusual sculptures scattered across nearly 75 acres.
7. Lindfield House Museum is a preserved Victorian-era house, still inhabited by the third generation of the same family. Located in Auckland Park, it’s a fascinating maze of rooms filled with unusual treasures, including a cabinet of curiosities and slightly eerie mannequins and dolls.
8. At Kwa Mai Mai Market experience authentic South African street food, which usually means lots of meat. This downtown market is known for its chisa nyama (barbecue).

Soak up the trendy, artsy vibes of Maboneng. With a name meaning ‘place of light’ in the Sesotho language, the area is part of Johannesburg’s inner-city revival, and offers chic restaurants, galleries, indie shops and creative spaces. Not far from Maboneng you can take a tour of Victoria Yards, originally a steam laundry, now a home for artists, artisans, startups and urban farming.

For tranquillity visit Wilds Nature Park, this 40-acre nature reserve on the outskirts of Houghton. Follow hillside paths, take in city views, and see how urban life and local vegetation blend beautifully.

In the far northern reaches of the city, part of Sandton, Rivonia offers South African restaurants and numerous shopping options, including Rivonia Village and Oriental City.

This upscale district, Rosebank, has transitioned from a leafy suburb to a forest of glass towers that’s a hub for art galleries and food, especially the South African love of cooking over fire. Head to Keyes Art Mile for contemporary galleries and design showrooms.

Tucked away in the northern suburbs, between Sandton and Rosebank, Melrose Arch offers a haven with restaurants, cafes, gyms and pedestrian walkways. Enjoy a variety of cuisines, cocktails and the Melrose Arch Flower Market. At Christmas, it becomes a wonderland with illuminations, stalls and Santa.

Once South Africa’s casino hotspot, Sun City now offers luxury hotels, restaurants, a water park and Vegas-style shows, all close to the Pilanesberg National Park. The stunning resort is a two-hour drive from Johannesburg, and is home to the Valley of the Waves water park, where the Roaring Lagoon boasts waves rising two metres every 90 seconds. There’s a dedicated kids’ area for tamer waves, plus chill-out spots on sun loungers and DJ beats accompanying cocktails as the sun sets.

If you're looking for a stopover, The Gautrain (high-speed commuter train) runs between the airport, Sandton and downtown Johannesburg – making getting from these Johannesburg airport hotels easy. Relax in the indoor pool or spa at the InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport or travel further afield to enjoy what Johannesburg offers. Another hotel that’s conveniently close to the airport is the luxurious Peermont D'Oreale Grande at Emperors Palace.

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