If you’ve always been intrigued by Africa, but you’ve never quite known what to do or where to go, we can’t recommend Johannesburg, South Africa enough!  From the great outdoors to a rich and complicated history, Johannesburg is the perfect setting for travelers of all sorts, and it has a lot to boast about it. It’s the nation’s largest city, with a population of 9.6 million people; With more than 6 million trees, Johannesburg holds the title of the World’s Largest Man-Made Urban Forest; and it’s one of the world’s greenest cities (literally) as well, due to the fact that the Savannah is right in its backyard.

Whether you’re looking for a rich cultural experience or you’re ready to see a lion in real life, Johannesburg needs to be on the top of your list, and we can’t wait to help you start planning! Here are some of our favorite things to see and do:

Pilanesberg National Park

Start your trip of with an adventure and head on a Safari trip into the Pilanesberg National Park, where you can see some of the best wildlife that Africa has to offer, like cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeests, elephants, zebras and even crocodiles! Many different tour options are available, from half to full days, and you can even pick if you want a closed or open-top vehicle.

Johannesburg Botanical Gardens

Okay, so you love the idea of getting outside, but the whole Safari thing freaks you out? Head to the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens to spend some time outdoors in a more tranquil setting. These gardens offer beautiful walkways, arches and relaxing parkside benches, with sprawling lawns and even a waterfall to enjoy.

Museums

As with many countries, South Africa has a rich and sometimes dark history, but it is certainly worth exploring. Johannesburg is home to some amazing museums, including the Apartheid Museum, which is interesting not only for the information it holds about the area’s brutal and all-too-recent history, but also is architecturally fascinating. If you’re looking for a little more of a unique experience, make an appointment at the Lindfield Victorian House to see how people lived in what is arguably one of Johannesburg’s most influential times.

Neighbourgoods Market

Need to get your shopping fix? Head to the Neighbourgoods Market, where you will be joyfully overwhelmed with good sights and good smells – and a lot of people! This market offers great street food, live music and beautiful local crafts and fashion to purchase – plus it’s very kid-friendly, so it’s a good time for the whole family!

 So now you know just a little bit more about a very big city with so much to offer. If you’re interested in booking your trip, we recommend going between March and May or from September to November as both the weather and the crowds will be a little bit milder.  Ready to book? Let’s go!