Tourist attraction ideas for johannesburg visitors

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Johannesburg, South Africa, fondly termed Joburg or Jozi by locals, is the African continents city of gold. The richest concentration of gold deposits was discovered here in 1886. Since that time, citizens and travelers alike have been in search of the elusive treasure. Money is a major player in this city. Joburg is culturally rich and dynamicconstantly changing, seemingly always unsatisfied with itself. The ever-evolving nature of the city promises a new and different experience for every traveler, rich in emotion and adventure.

Although the citys landscape and offerings can be overwhelming at first, there are countless things to experience that are easily accessible, safe and enjoyable for visitors.

GOLD REEF CITY

Only a few miles outside Johannesburgs city center, Gold Reef City is an all-in-one tourist area comprised of an amusement park, 24-hour casino, authentic gold mine and several museums. With a menu of attractions ranging from thrilling roller-coasters to an Apartheid Museum, the abundance and diversity of activities delivers a multi-dimensional experience for any visitor.

Designed to replicate the Victorian gold rush era in Johannesburg, the town takes on the personality of a living history museum. If you have good walking shoes, stroll aroundyou may run into a performance by traditional gumboot dancers or other spontaneous entertainment. To get a good overview without wearing out your feet, take the train around the perimeter or hire a horse-drawn carriage to travel through the town in style.

True to its theme, Gold Reef City is built on the site of an old gold mine. If you dont mind claustrophobic spaces, you can get an up close and personal lesson on Johannesburgs gold rush era by taking a mine tour. Armed with a torch and a hardhat, you will descend into the mine to experience, if only for a few minutes, what it must have been like for workers who spent their days in the damp darkness. You will see gold being poured, minted and will even learn about the miners own language called Fanagalo. The mine tour takes roughly 35 minutes and is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm every day. Tours down the gold mine run throughout the day, and tickets can be bought inside Gold Reef City.

If you arent traveling with children, or can get away for awhile, Gold Reef Citys casino may be beckoning by the end of a long day. Open 24 hours, the casino offers slots, table games, restaurants and entertainment.

Gold Reef City is a major tourist destination offering many conveniences for the travelerrestaurants, shops and even a Victorian hotel.

APARTHEID MUSEUM

A must-see offering in Gold Reef City is the Apartheid Museum, a world-class exhibition of South Africas violent struggle from apartheid to democracy. The museum gives a no holds barred, sobering look into the violence and viciousness of the apartheid era. The images on display are powerful, graphic and disturbingthe museum is not recommended for children under 12.

Purchasing a ticket provides each visitor with a plastic card reading white or non-white. From this point on, you are in a vortex of racially motivated violence, face-to-face with the victims and heroes of apartheid. A few hours in the museum will transport you into the poverty-stricken townships of the late twentieth century, suffering side by side with the citizens who enduredbearing witness to the deaths of neighbors and friends while living in fear of savage police tactics and the uncertainty of their own future.

The end of the exhibit offers visitors a much-needed opportunity for solitude and reflection. Proof of democracy is presented by the new Constitution of South Africa on display, where visitors place pebbles in a pile to express unity with those who suffered. From here, you can wind your way down grassy paths to a small lakepeaceful surroundings where you can reflect upon the images and emotions of the last few hours.

The Apartheid Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is R25 for adults, R12 for senior citizens and students. The museum is in Gold Reef City, next to the Casino.

SOWETO

Soweto, short for Southwestern Townships, is the largest black urban community in Africa, soaked in political history. During the late twentieth century, Soweto was the center of rebellious uprisings and political campaigns directed at overthrowing the apartheid government. Soweto is the most famous, or infamous, area of Johannesburgconsidered an integral player in the vicious struggle from apartheid to democracy.

Soweto was created in the 1930s as a place for black citizens of Johannesburg to live in community, as well as a place to house black residents who were being relocated by force from the citys white areas. The most striking and unexpected feature of Soweto is the economic contrastramshackle tin shanties across the street from luxurious estates. Regardless of economic status, all blacks were persecuted under apartheid. Rich and poor blacks alike were not allowed to live anywhere else.

Over the years, Sowetans have developed a strong community spirit, priding themselves on being street smart and sophisticated. A place where African cultures and languages jelled over the years, Soweto has grown rich in its own sub-cultures, customs and local dialects.

If youre looking to wet your whistle and enjoy a night out in Soweto, the townships offer Shebeens, local taverns operating out of homes. Another point of interest lies in the Orlando township, where you can catch a glimpse of the residence of anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela.

It is highly recommended for visitors to book a trip to Soweto with a recognized tour operator.

MAI MAI MARKET

For the adventurous and organically minded, the Mai Mai Market may be the top destination for a visit to Johannesburg. The oldest market in the city, Mai Mai is a true African bazaar, dedicated to the powers of traditional African healing, or muti. The citys ill residents come here seeking treatment for their afflictionsphysical and spiritual.

Although the market is mainly used by city residents, visitors enjoy the purely exotic flavor of Mai Mai--buying Zulu clothing, walking sticks, beaded accessories, and other African artifacts. People-watching is also a favorite pastime here.

Mai Mai Market is in the city center on the corner of Anderson and Berea streets. It is recommended that visitors be guided by an established tour operator.

ROSEBANK MALL

After a fascinating, sensory-overloading visit to Mai Mai Market, would-be shoppers may be craving a venue with more material goods to choose from, away from herbs and oils. Rosebank Mall is the largest flea market in the city, and considered by many to be South Africas best. Over 500 merchants offer shoppers an infinite amount of goods with an African flavorceramics, arts and crafts, clothing and other collectibles. If youre looking for a unique keepsake of your visit to South Africa, you can find it here.

The Rosebank Mall flea market is open every Sunday and public holiday. It is situated at the Randburg Waterfront, which has plenty to amuse children after a visit to the market.

JOHANNESBURG ZOO

Johannesburgs Zoo is one of the citys most cherished assets. Surrounded by the trees, water and winding paths of Parktown, the zoo is a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon. Residents of the zoo include an impressive population of animalszoo staples such as elephants, lions and giraffes, as well as many rare and endangered species.

Have you ever wondered why the lions are always sleeping when you visit a zoo? Theyre not ignoring you; theyre nocturnal. If you crave a more intimate experience with creatures of the night, the zoo offers moonlight tours to provide visitors with close encounters during the nocturnal animals most active time of day.

Experienced guides will lead you on a close-encounter adventure from the small nocturnals to the big cats in an open vehicle. Stay alert! The sweet and cuddly lions you see sleeping during the day are much more intimidating at night. They are lions, after all.

Other unique tours and events are available for visitors including dinner walks, a moonlight tour for children, sunset tours, fireside tales and even a safe overnight adventure. Night-time tours may be booked any night except Sundays.