Arriving in Johannesburg in the morning, after a typical overnight flight from the visitor’s home country, not only offers the opportunity to visit one of Guests At Home host families in the evening, but also a variety of sightseeing options before going on the booked package tour or personal trip. The following is a list of possibilities to see and explore, and Guests At Home will gladly provide one of their comfortable mini-buses with driver to take you there.
 

The Johannesburg City Centre, with the revamped Newtown area next to the Market Theatre, is part of the “Old Johannesburg”. Museum Africa, the Muti Shop (traditional healer’s medicines and ingredients), the Mai Mai Market, Diagonal Street (Stock Exchange) and Constitution Hill (with Johannesburg Fort) are all in close vicinity.

The Pretoria City Centre has many historically relevant buildings, for example Union Buildings (Offices of the President of the Republic of South Africa and official Seat of Government), Kruger House, Melrose House, Smuts House, Sammy Marks House, City Hall, Church Square with Kruger Statue and, of course, the Voortrekker Monument (with Fort Schanskop).

A reminder of South Africa’s solemn past is found at the Apartheid Museum and the Voortrekker Monument. One cannot fully understand the one without the other and it is quite worth the time and effort it takes to see both.

A trip to Soweto will satisfy many curious visitors about life and landmarks in the “South Western Township”.

For the Nature and Animal friends there are many options to choose from. Starting with the Johannesburg Zoo (and the War Museum right next door), the Lion Park (near Lanseria), Krugersdorp Game Reserve (west of Johannesburg), The Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve (next to Wonder Cave, north-west of Johannesburg), Pilansberg National Park (50.000 Ha Reserve offering the Big Five and situated right next door to Sun City with overnight and entertainment facilities), De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre, Elephant Sanctuary, the Rondebult and Glen Austin Bird Sanctuaries (south and north of Johannesburg), the Transvaal Snake Park, as well as the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens and Kloofendal Nature Reserve, there is something to fit into everybody’s schedule.

Cultural Entertainment is found at Heia Safari Ranch and the Lesedi Cultural Village. The Cradle of Humankind, centred around the Sterkfontein Cave (active palaeontological and archaeological excavation site) and the Maropeng Interpretation Centre, puts visitors in touch with impressions of life millions of years ago. Part of this area are the Old Kromdraai Gold Mine and the Wonder Cave.

Activity minded visitors are welcome to be a day guest at one of the many Gyms (Planet Fitness and Virgin Active), go Trout Fishing at a Trout Farm, try out Ballroom and Latin Dancing at a Dance Studio, play a round of Golf (e.g. at the Bryanston Country Club and of course also at Sun City) or Putt-Putt (Fourways Mall), test their skills at Go Card racing and Ice Skating (at Northgate Mall), take a trip in a Hot Air Balloon, join the Johannesburg Hiking Club for a day excursion or watch a game of Rugby (at Ellis Park or Lofters Versveld), Cricket at the Wanderers, Motor Racing at Kyalami or Horse Racing at Turffontein (Saturdays).

Shopping, of course, is just as much activity. First and foremost for that purpose is Sandton City. But there are many other Malls, big and small, and then there are such particular venues like the Oriental Plaza (Spices and Fabrics and all things Indian), The Bryanston Organic Market (all natural goods), the Ngwenya Glass Factory from Swaziland and Swazi Candles. Crafts and Curios are found at the Roof Top Market in Rosebank (Sundays), Bruma Lake and along the road to Sun City near Hartebeespoort Dam.

For Evening Entertainment Monte Casino offers a variety of Restaurants, Movies, Theatre and Musical venues, Shops and, for the lucky ones, Gambling. More theatres are The Civic (Braamfontein), The Market (Newtown), The Barnyard (Broadacres) and, last not least, the State Theatre in Pretoria (Opera / Ballet). 

Somewhat away from Johannesburg and Pretoria, within the radius of a two hour drive, are such destinations as Sun City (weekend and entertainment resort), Pilansberg National Park, Warmbath Spa, Tswaing Meteorite Crater and the Premier Diamond Mine at Cullinan (where the Star of Africa and Lesser Star of Africa – British Crown Jewels – came from).