Visit Johannesburg - South Africa

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Johannesburg is the official name of the largest city in South Africa, but it is only necessary to disembark there to realize that this name is very formal for those who live in the country. Joburg, or just Jozi, is the affectionate way the city is known to its admirers. Urban, busy, modern and intense - the metropolis draws attention due to its rapid growth and the friendliness of its people.

It was the rush for gold, discovered around 130 years ago, that kick-started Joburg's development into the large urban center it is today. Since then, the city has grown, gained wide avenues, tall buildings and has undergone major changes - among them apartheid, the racial segregation regime that was in force for almost 50 years and that shames the country. Soweto, the huge black community in South Africa, is the great symbol of resistance against racial discrimination and a place you cannot miss.

The mix of flavors, creeds, ethnicities and languages (there are 11 official languages!) promotes an immersion in a story that is not always beautiful, but that shows the world the need to respect human beings and the fight against discrimination. Two unmissable programs for anyone visiting the place are the Apartheid Museum, where you can feel the reality of segregation, and the house of Nelson Mandela, former prisoner and former South African president, the great idol of the nation.

Anyone who goes to the African continent should not return home without having a taste of the savannahs and without seeing up close the majestic animals that appear in so many animal documentaries. To find the so-called big five, the five most difficult mammals to be hunted, we recommend visiting the Pilanesberg park, which has a large number of animals. For an experience of contact with the animals and to see lions of various types, the unmissable place is the Lion King, a park where you can see white lions, feed giraffes and play with lion cubs - it's very interesting!

With so many malls, consumers on duty will not run out of shopping options. There are several shopping centers scattered around the city - among them, Mandela Square, Sandton City and Montecasino, a complex that offers visitors an experience of what it would be like to walk through the streets of an Italian city (the place has a casino, many restaurants and several shops, but the whole structure is like that of a city). Eating well isn't difficult either, and even for cow hands, the news is good: there is a wide variety of restaurants in the city and prices are quite fair. Meat lovers, especially fish and seafood lovers, will find great places to eat.

The truth is that Joburg is not essentially a tourist destination and many who land at O. R. Tambo - the busiest airport in Africa - know the city in passing. Johannesburg and its surroundings have many interesting sights, beautiful scenery and entertainment; the next time you land in the country, make more than one connection and give a chance to a dynamic city, with super happy people.

Johannesburg is an urban destination, with many restaurants, malls and walks around the city. Three or four days are enough to get to know the main tourist attractions in the region and get a taste of what the metropolis is capable of offering. Although it is known as a city for work, there are great attractions to be entertained. It's worth extending the stop over the next time you pass through Africa.

No matter how short the time to explore Joburg is, some sights are essential in any itinerary. Don't miss Soweto, the Mandela House, the Carlton Center (which has a panoramic view of the city) and the Apartheid Museum - which tells the story of apartheid and makes us feel firsthand how the racial segregation regime worked.

If the weather is more relaxed, wonderful! You can take several tours, expand your horizons and discover some other attractions not only in Joburg, but also in other nearby cities. If you want to have fun in a park or bet your chips in a casino, go to Gold Reef City, a cool complex for people of all ages. To get to know the wild side of Africa, a tip is to go to Pilanesberg Park and try to find the big 5 - the five most difficult mammals to be hunted. To fall in love with lions, the tip is the wonderful Lion Park, where, in addition to seeing lions, you can interact with giraffes and lion cubs.

With the number of good malls that Johannesburg has, strolling through some of them or doing some shopping turns out to be something everyone does. If this is your thing, the tip is to go to Sandton City, Mandela Square, Melrose Arch or Montecasino (which doesn't have as many stores, but is an excellent option to go out at night and eat in a good restaurant).

Speaking of restaurants, don't leave a gastronomic tour out of your itinerary. Joburg has great restaurants and eating well there is no effort. For local cuisine, head to Moyo; to eat fish and seafood, we suggest the Cape Town Fish Market and the fine Pigalle; for something relaxed, bet on Tashas or Green Peppercorn, both with great service and a varied menu.

Gold Reef City is a complex that houses hotels, restaurants, a casino, an amusement park and even a gold mine. The place is interesting to spend the day and guarantees fun for the whole family - while the kids are at the park, the adults can have fun at the casino. As the place is big and the park has many rides, we recommend spending a day in the place and, thus, having more time to have fun.

Staying in Gold Reef City is recommended for those who want to have a good structure without having to travel far - even if you are not staying in the complex, you can enjoy its attractions.

Those who visit the African continent for the first time - and have no intention of going on a multi-night safari - cannot fail to make at least one day trip to Pilanesberg Park, a natural reserve that gives a taste of what it would be like to go on a safari and shows a bit of the African savannah.

The place is about 2h30min drive from Joburg (approximately 200km away) and offers an amazing experience for people of all ages. Without leaving the car, you will be able to observe a huge amount of animals in their natural habitat, take pictures and learn about their habits. The feeling of seeing such majestic animals up close - and free - is incredible. The visit is really worth the effort of taking the road.

The park has lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, rhinos, among other animals. The animals are easier to see when the weather is not too hot; therefore, the essential tip for taking this tour is to leave Johannesburg very early (preferably before 5 am) and thus guarantee more chances of seeing the animals easily. Around noon, for example, many of them are harder to find due to the heat.

Our suggestion is to spend the whole day there, as the park has a great restaurant. If you have free time, stay overnight there (there is a hotel inside the park) so you can take night walks.

The tour can be done on your own or with an agency, and the main objective of the travelers is to find the “big five” - the five most difficult mammals to be hunted by man.

Joburg is a big, sprawling city with many different neighborhoods. Choosing where to stay is one of the most important parts of planning your trip, as the distances from one point of interest to another can be long and public transport leaves something to be desired. Choosing a well-located hotel close to a commercial area is an excellent alternative to avoid spending on transportation.

It is worth remembering that, for safety reasons and even due to the great distances, almost no one walks at night, except in some specific points. In some areas of the city, hotel and entertainment complexes have been created that are "closed" and secure. Staying close to one of these areas makes all the difference for those who like to walk in peace.

Our suggestion for lodging is Sandton. This is the city's most famous hotel area, with hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and a Gautrain station. In Sandton, a great tip is to stay around Sandton City and Mandela Square, where you can walk with peace of mind and choose from the various restaurants to have your meal. Some hotels in that area, even if they are not close to Sandton City, offer free transportation to the place.

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