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Introduction to Johannesburg

The skyline is also one of the items that is instantly recognisable thanks to the Hillbrow Tower, also known as the Telkom Tower, which has been the tallest structure and tower on the African continent for over 50 years.

Soweto

Without a doubt one of the best known townships in the world, Soweto is located in the southwest of Johannesburg, and thanks its name due to the location (SO: south WE: west TO: township). The rich history of this area is still a talking point today on the streets of Johannesburg, and just like downtown it also had it’s fair share of crime and violence.

The Apartheid regime was largely to blame for the suffering of the people in this area of the city, but once that chapter was over, things started to change and today it is one of the biggest tourist attractions. One of the landmarks that can be seen from far away are the Orlando power station cooling towers. Since the decommissioning of the station they’ve tried find a new purpose for these and as a result one tower now serves as a massive billboard while the other has been painted en instantly became the biggest mural in South Africa. For the thrill seekers they even offer bungee jumping between the two towers nowadays.

Soccer has always been one of the most popular sports in South Africa, and Soweto houses 2 of the best teams in the country, the Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates, yet the latter moved to one of the suburbs of Johannesburg. Nonetheless the rivalry between the two is still ongoing and known as the Soweto derby.

Suburbs

While Johannesburg might not be that old, the number of inhabitants grew rapidly and steady forcing the city to expand in all directions. Today those suburbs often have their own vibe and many people living here don’t even go to downtown Johannesburg as many businesses, office buildings and even government services have move to these areas where there’s more space and a bit less traffic, although the latter often remains an issue throughout the whole city.

The most commercial suburbs are situated in the northern part. Sandton, Fourways, Rosebank and Melrose Arch are among the most famous ones and they can be almost be considered a city within a city. Tall office buildings, countless national and international companies having their headquarters here, massive shopping centers, hotels,…. everything is there to be a destination on its own.

The suburbs around the city are also very green and that’s part of the history of Johannesburg as it used to be grassland but with the rise of the population people wanted to find some cooler areas during the hot summer months. The planted several million trees and today they still function to cool down the city. It also makes for a lot of green areas which are in high demand with both the locals and the expat community. Being active is also very popular in the suburbs, and you’ll see lots of people riding bike and go for a run in the parks that are dotted all around.

Like in all the major cities around the world, each suburb has their specialities or habits which attract people from all around but also often dictate where people want to live. Yet there are still some that aren’t as developed as others, making it hard to explore all of them cause some aren’t always as safe as others, especially at night. And sometimes it is just a major road separating two suburbs meaning you ideally need to know the right route too. Nonetheless, during the day there isn’t much of an issue and the staff from your hotel, guesthouse or even local restaurant are the perfect source of information when it comes to areas you need to avoid.

History of Johannesburg

Rosebank: very similar to its neighbour Sandton, it houses a lot of commercial buildings, next to the centrally located shopping mall. Where it used to be rather small, it has grown exponentially over the last decade to become equally impressive and attractive as the other hotspots. If you are planning to visit Johannesburg around October or November, you’ll be greeted by thousands of purple jaccaranda trees, covering this suburb into a purple blanket.

Of course, these are just a few of the most popular areas, but there are probably a dozen more like Fourways, Melville, Bryanston, Rivonia, Westcliff and Parkhurst.

While guesthouses are very common all across South Africa, they are less abundant in the cities like Johannesburg. Most of them can be found in the city outskirts which is ideal if you want to have some space and be close to nature while only a short drive away from the city. If you are comfortable with the distance, they are a great option due to their price but also because of their personal character. Don’t be surprised if the owner invites you to have a drink together and possibly a traditional braai. It gives a more homely feeling instead of the static experiences which you sometimes get in larger properties.

Airbnb is also very popular in South Africa and as a result you’ll find a wide choice of properties and rooms in and around Johannesburg through them. It’s also popular among the locals who like to cook themselves or have one of the traditional braai’s (local word for bbq).

Camping sites are rare in the urban centers though there are a handful in and around Johannesburg, as there is a loyal clientele that prefer to travel around South Africa with a camper or 4×4 with a tent on top of the roof. The location is mostly in green areas where you can enjoy the peace and quiet in between the visits you make to the city.

For younger travellers and backpackers there’s a good variety of hostels and backpacker lodges to be found in and around the city. Like anywhere else in the world these places can be the perfect spot to meet fellow travellers and hit the road together afterwards.

Another hotspot in central Johannesburg is Maboneng precinct. What used to be an almost forgotten and run-down neighbourhood, is now a lively, colourful and trendy area teaming with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, hotels, galleries and so on. It’s one of the succes stories of which there are never enough.

In western Johannesburg you’ll find the beautiful Walter Sisulu National botanical gardens. An absolute gem and the perfect place to relax and enjoy the nature. There’s a 70 meter waterfall, plenty of birdlife and countless perfectly suitable picnic spots. During the weekend you’ll see a lot of locals enjoying their time over here.

Of course you can’t really visit Joburg without spending a bit of time at the commercial hubs like Sandton and Rosebank. Both offer a plethora of shops, restaurants and bars where you can spend a whole day and still haven’t seen it all. Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton might be the pinnacle of it all and as a result often serves as the place to see and be seen.

A little outside of Johannesburg you’ll find the Cradle of Humankind. Here, they’ve discovered early human remains dating back to several million years ago. The beautiful Maropeng visitor center is educational and interactive, both for adults and children. In the same area you’ll also find the Sterkfontein caves, a complex of caves where those remains have been found.

 

If you are visiting in October or November, you really need to consider paying a visit to the outdoor terrace of the Four Seasons hotel at Westcliff. From the elevated viewpoint you’ll have one of the best views in the city, overlooking the parks area, the Zoo (you can even see the elephants) and a few of the high-rise buildings just behind the hill crest.

The weekends are also one of the favourite times for the locals to head out to the parks in order to walk their dogs, go for a run, explore new mountainbike routes or just stroll around the green lungs of Joburg. One of the biggest parks is Delta Park which is over 100 hectares and even has some bird watching hideouts. Another one is the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens (not to be confused with the Walter Sisulu botanical garden) where you can also find the local sailing club. Zoo lake is smaller but what it lacks in size it makes up in popularity. Go to the local supermarket, buy a nice picnic and install yourself in one of these places as it is one of the best ways to truly observe what the locals are up to during their spare time.

Johannesburg has so many hidden gems which are hard to find in travel guides and online, yet they are such an incredible experience. I’ll name a few which I only started to discover when I moved to the city, even though I had visited Johannesburg countless times before. First up is 4th avenue in Parkhurst. This small residential area is one of the most sought-after area’s to live in because it feels like you are living in a village instead of a metropolis, and 4th avenue is the Main Street where everything happens.

Restaurants, shops, bars, boutiques… everything’s here. You won’t see many tourists here but that’s the beauty of it all. Stanley 44 is another gem and while it’s not that far from central Joburg, it has its own vibe and rhythm. It’s again a mix of offices, restaurants, courtyards, bars, boutiques and so on, yet with a totally different approach and much more secluded.

If you prefer to be active and like to play a round of golf, then head over to one of the many golf courses in and around Johannesburg. Indeed, there are golf courses in the middle of an urban environment yet you’ll have difficulties to notice once you are on the course. My favourite must be the Parkview golf club cause I know Garry Player hits a few balls here now and then and I’ve been lucky enough to see him in action over here. Golf is big in South Africa so you’ll find plenty of golf courses all around. Some of the best are The Country Club Johannesbug, Glendower Golf Club and Houghton Golf Club.

 

There’s such a wide variety of cuisines in and around the city which is largely the result of Johannesburg being a hub for a lot of immigrants from all around Africa. It’s not only a business hub, but equally a cultural hub and with that you’ll always find different cuisines that come along. So while you might be in South Africa, you’ll still be able to try Nigerian food or dishes from Ghana just to give a few examples. If you like that vibe you surely need to visit Rockey Street in Yeoville where all kinds of different food outlets will make your tastebuds travel across the continent in just one day.

Food is relatively cheap in South Africa, yet the quality is superior, making it the perfect location for those who enjoy fine dining. In Johannesburg there are several fine dining restaurants which are constantly among the best of the country. Names that instantly come to mind are DW Eleven-13, Marble, Ethos, Aurum but the scene is always moving and new hotspots open up on a very regular basis.

Another great way to taste different local flavours is by visiting one of the many markets and fairs. The Neighbourhood Market has been mentioned before but the weekly Rosebank market in a very good alternative if you want to avoid going into the city center. Fourways Farmer’s Market is another good alternative, situated in the north west of the city.

The fast-food lovers will equally be pleased to know there’s a wide variety in and around Johannesburg. In general it’s very popular to eat fast-food in South Africa and all the well known global brands can be found here.

The car still remains the king of transportation and as a result I recommend hiring one if you plan to cover a lot of ground in and around Johannesburg. There are plenty of car hire brands situated at both the airport and in the more touristic areas.

If you only want to visit a few specific places then you might want to use taxi services through well known apps like Uber Zebra cabs and Taxify. They are very well established and it won’t take long before there’s one in your area to pick you up. Just make sure you always check the license plate (if it corresponds with the info given on the app), the drivers name and if you really want to take extra precautions you can always ask to open the boot before you step in.

What you’ll see all day and everyday, is the minivan taxi’s that drive around town to transport the locals everywhere. The interiors have been modified in order to carry more passengers and often you’ll see them driving passed while being overloaded with people. They’re also renowned to drive recklessly and dangerously, not really caring about the rules and regulations that much. These are also a means of transport that I wouldn’t recommend taking, even though it is part of the everyday life in Johannesburg (and all the other big cities in South Africa).

Unfortunately there aren’t really that many alternative modes of transport in and around Johannesburg. Many foreigners who are used to driving on the right side of the road are apprehensive when it comes to hiring a car and drive of the other side of the road, but the signage is done well and besides the minivan taxi’s most of the drivers adhere to the traffic rules, making it relatively easy to drive around yourself.

Summer quickly follows Spring as the latter is quite short. During the summer months (November till March) you can expect warm temperatures both during the day but equally pleasant during the night. Thanks to the high elevation of Johannesburg, the nighttime temperatures rarely become really hot, making it the perfect weather to sleep without any airconditioning. With the higher temperatures also come the heavier rains which sometimes can be very ferocious but mostly also not last very long.

During the Christmas-and New Year period there’s a lot less activity going on in the city as many businesses close for the holiday period and locals go to Durban and Capetown to celebrate there. As a result the traffic is much more relaxed and there’s often more availability at restaurants and bars (if they are not closed for the holidays themselves that is).

Autumn usually tends to start around the end of March and goes into winter end of May. This time of the year the temperatures start to fall back a bit, yet they are still perfectly fine for any outdoor activity. The good thing about it is the fact that the prices of a lot of accommodations drop significantly during this time (as is during Spring) while the weather is actually at its best, making it the perfect time to visit. A lot of people don’t like too much heat, which is why I suggest Spring and Autumn to visit for those who look for more moderate temperatures.

As mentioned before, the food scene is truly spectacular and you can enjoy everything from street food all the way to fine dining restaurants. The price for both the food and the drinks are very reasonable, and even with a healthy tip at the end, you’ll still feel like you got a bargain.

If you prefer to stay in Johannesburg but don’t want that city hotel feeling, then you should consider staying at the Saxon. A truly remarkable hotel, nestled between Sandton and Rosebank and surrounded by amazing gardens and lush green lawns. When staying here you’ll feel like you’re in a retreat somewhere outside the busy city and they have everything you need to make sure you don’t need to leave the property going from a world class spa and separate villas all the way to one of the best restaurants in Johannesburg. The afternoon tea is equally renowned and all of this makes that it’s a big hit among world leader and celebrities that visit Johannesburg. Even Nelson Mandela stayed here for a while.

Religion still plays a big part for many and you’ll notice on Sundays there’ll be religious gatherings in the park and even near small rivers where people get baptised. About 80% are Christian and there are churches everywhere. On Sundays you’ll hear the songs being sang, and many of the locals still dress up for this weekly event.

The white population is a minority but has been leading most of the country since more than a century. However, this is changing and regulations have been put in place to see more black men and women take leading roles in various industries.

Other minorities include Indians, Jews, Muslims and other fellow Africans coming from all around the continent. A lot of them are from Zimbabwe and Malawi and usually work as household help for the locals. During the Christmas period you’ll see an endless chain of overloaded buses driving north as that’s when they visit their families at home once again.

Weather in Johannesburg

Visiting Johannesburgoon? See below for the latest weather forecast for Johannesburg.

JOHANNESBURG WEATHER