Johannesburg

Probably the only city with loving nicknames is Johannesburg. South Africans very affectionately term it as Jozi, iGoli, Joni, Jo’burg or Joeys. Johannesburg is the largest city and also the most is the largest and most populated city in South Africa. Johannesburg grew rapidly from a prospecting small town to the metropolis that it is today. Previously it was a suburb of Pretoria and one needed permission from the government to build a house there. But as people from the United Kingdom, North America and rest of Europe kept on moving into the town, it became a very cosmopolitan place. Due to this structure, a racial system prevailed and the South African government established a system through which non-European population was forced to move into specific areas of the city moving the population of non-European descent into specified areas. This gave birth to South Western Township – Soweto as its called – where blacks were forced to live. In fact, Nelson Mandela spent many years living in this area and currently his Soweto residence in Orlando has become a major tourist attraction. A museum dedicated to memory of Hector Pieterson, the most famous victim of this incidence in Soweto. Finally in 1990, the racial regulations were removed and since 1994 elections in Johannesburg are free of any racial discriminatory laws. However, due to the increase in crime rate most of the malls and shops were shifted away to the northern suburbs. Hence, Johannesburg might come across as a dull city. But if you take a good guided tour you will sure know what to look for and you will be delighted to enjoy the parks and nature pieces at the bounds of the city. Within the city too there are places like Newtown Cultural area is been renovated and also the area near the City Hall looks all new now. Soweto also is a place to visit with a tour guide to show the right places. A fascinating city full of surprising contrasts of the kind of people, the kind of economical zones prevailing and also the kind of culture in the city. Johannesburg is the best representative of South Africa. Very affectionate, dynamic and brash at the same time is the city of Jo’burg.

Apartheid Museum

While we are all holidaying and enjoying the break from the routine there is one place which makes us feel our daily lives easier than we think. The Apartheid Museum takes you to the era of the inhuman system prevailed in South Africa once. Through an audio visual experience you know the details of the making and the breaking of the apartheid system. Finally when you come out of the museum through the exit opening in a beautiful garden you experience the joy of freedom close to the victims of the system back then.

Constitution Hill

The building where the constitution hill is situated had been a prison at the time when apartheid system prevailed. This monument is a major tourist attraction as it symbolizes the changing face of South Africa. The Constitutional Court situated in this Old Fort building presents an inspiring picture of the nation revolting from ruins. While we tour the court, the Old Fort too is worth a visit.

Gold Reef City

Gold Reef City is theme park which resembles the Disneyland a lot. It will give day full of fun with the Scary rides, and a Victorian fun fair. It also includes a pub, a bank and a brewery to look for. As the name suggests this place also takes you to a gold mine about 220 meters down and entertains you with miners’ traditional ‘gumboot’ dance along with showing you the gold pour.

Johannesburg Zoo

Be it for the wild dogs or Rhinos, this zoo is very interesting to visit. Established in 1904 it provides medical care, accommodation, husbandry for the wild animals. The zoo also holds an education centre which runs many awareness programs through out the year along with edutainment night tours for children. You will also find many research groups through the education centre at this zoo running number of research programs. The zoo offers very relaxing experience in a green and clean environment.

Museum Africa

Next to Market Theater complex in the centre of Newtown's cultural precinct is situated Museum Africa. With a lot of impressive displays the main attraction remains the exhibition about the Treason Trials showing the now important figures in South Africa. The museum also has a display of Gandhi’s time spent in South Africa as well as a show of evolution details of Johannesburg.

SAB Centenary Centre

Another very exciting feature of South Africa is its breweries. The SAB Centenary Centre shows of the secret of brewing from the initial crude ways to the today’s more sophisticated ways. This tour is all of 90 minutes with a very different aspect of South African culture with nearly all its details in all the eras.

Lion Park

The Lion Park is one of the top destinations in Johannesburg; here one can play with a Lion cub, the place is a short drive away from Johannesburg. The place can get crowded on weekends.

Museums

There are many a museums in Johannesburg the top ones being Mandela Family Museum, Johannesburg Art Gallery, South African National Museum of Military History, Standard Bank Gallery and more.