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Introduction to Gauteng

Pretoria is also a great starting point to visit some of the countless national parks and game reserves that are often just a short drive away. About 2 hours to the west and you’ll be in the amazing Pilanesberg NP. If you go north for about 2 hours you’ll be able to explore Marakele NP and 4 hours to the east you’ll find the world renowned Kruger NP.

Johannesburg

Often referred to as “the city of gold” due to its rich gold deposits which were, and still are mined since they were discovered in 1886. The gold rush that followed created a city which we now know as Johannesburg, or Jozi als locals like to call it. The slag heaps in and around the southern part of the central business district (CBD) also often have a yellow shine, instantly reminding you why this metropolis became what it is today.

It is still the economical epicentre of the country and many large multinationals have their headquarters here. Often the influx of these massive companies created new neighbourhoods where they would install their offices. Sandton and Rosebank are the perfect examples of these, but even places like Melrose Arch are equally made into a success story as a result of this. A few decades ago the city was notorious for its crime and violence, yet in recent times this problem is more concentrated to certain areas where tourist don’t go.

Today the city is thriving again and there’s a constant flow of new arrivals when it comes to restaurants, bars, shops, hotels, entertainment and so on. As a result there’s a real buzz going on even though the city is still suffering from its bad reputation, especially with international visitors. Don’t get me wrong, crime is certainly not gone, but it is certainly not more than in any other place in South Africa and being vigilant is always key. Also, a lot of the South African crime happens in places where tourist don’t have to be, so please don’t let it be a reason to stay away cause you’ll miss out on one of the most amazing countries in the world and you haven’t visited this nation without spending some time in Gauteng.

Something that will surprise many upon arrival in Johannesburg is how green and spread out the city is compared to many other. This is partly due to the fact that in the early days (when the first gold was found) there was no shade in this area, so the settlers started to plant loads of trees which provided much needed shelter from the sun. Due to its location at over 1700 metres the sunlight is really strong and summers can be very hot, yet thanks to creating the biggest man-made urban forests in the world with over 10 million trees, it’s become a truly enjoyable place to live in.

History of Gauteng

Around the Cradle of Humankind you’ll also find some amazing little towns tucked away in the beautiful greenery where many locals also try to escape the city and take it a bit slower while enjoying the wonderful scenery.

In the end it doesn’t matter where you go in Gauteng, there’s plenty of options which will surely satisfy even the most demanding traveller. It’s just a matter of find the right one for you.

Most hotels belong to either international (Marriott, Radisson, IHG, …) or local chains (Sun, Legacy, Newmark, …), but there are plenty of boutique hotels too which are mostly targeting the higher end of the market yet are worth every penny. The international brands mostly focus on the big cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria where the local chains try to offer more coverage across the whole province.

Something very popular in Gauteng (and the whole country for that matter) is Airbnb. Loads of options to choose from and there’s always something for any budget. They can be the perfect alternative to hotels and guesthouses for those who want to stay longer or be more independent. While the apartments in the CBD might be very sought after by business people who are staying on a longer assignment, the houses in the urban areas are very much liked by families and younger couples who like to spend some time in the garden. Often they even have a pool which can be very refreshing on a hot summer’s day, not to mention the braai (local word for barbecue) that is mostly built-in and lends itself perfectly to end the day with a bang.

The amount of lodges which you’ll find in Gauteng is rather limited compared to its bigger neighbours thanks to the limited amount of game and nature reserves in the province but nonetheless there’s anything from the very basic all the way to the 5-star luxury you’ve always dreamed about. The experience and service might differ massively between them, but so does the price.

Pretoria also offers some amazing sights to see, the Union buildings being among the most popular. They house both the offices of the President but equally the South African Government. The gardens right in front of it are a popular place for tourists and locals to wander around and snap some pictures with one of the most famous statues of Nelson Mandela.

Another interesting place to visit just south of Pretoria is the Voortrekker Monument which commemorates the voortrekkers who left the Cape Colony during the first half of the 19th century by wagon trains to escape the colonial administration and find better lives inland.

There are several cool and hip neighbourhoods to discover in both mayor cities, and while over time the trendy areas might change, there are still a few that keep their spot on the hotlist. In Johannesburg you certainly need to check out Parkhurst and Melville while in Pretoria you certainly have to pass by Hatfield.

As mentioned before you can find the Cradle of Humankind just outside the city border of Johannesburg. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and houses the worlds largest concentration of human ancestral remains. There’s a beautiful visitor centre and it’s equally possible to visit the caves where most of the remains have been found.

There are plenty of spaces to enjoy the natural beauty of Gauteng, be it in parks, botanical gardens or nature reserves like the earlier mentioned. Among the most impressive ones are Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Delta park, Dinokeng Game reserve and Krugersdorp Nature Reserve.

Many locals like to escape the hustle and bustle of the city during the weekends and often they end up in places like Magaliesburg which is a small town west of Johannesburg. There’s plenty of activities to do but the success of it is equally thanks to the large array of accommodation that is offered over here. Sit in between the Magaliesberg mountain range can be seen from the town and the oldest gold mine can also be found over here. Truly a lovely place to hang out and take in all that fresh air.

Another way to meet new people is to visit one of the many markets that are held every weekend in several different locations across the province. Among the most popular ones are The Playground (it used to be called the Neighbourgoods Market), Rosebank Sunday Market, Fourways Farmers Market and Pretoria Boeremark. Not only is there a real buzz going around these venues, it’s also one of the best places to try local food and delicacy’s.

Thrill seekers can’t visit Gauteng without going to the Gold Reef City Theme Park. Here you’ll find everything to entertain any member of the family and for those who want there’s even the possibility to visit some of the gold shafts that are still located under the theme park (hence the name).

It might come as a surprise but there are several casinos to be found in the province. The one that sticks out is without a doubt Montecasino, which from the outside looks like a mix between the old town of Montecasino and some Roman palaces. Once you go inside though, you’ll quickly be transported into this quaint an idyllic Italian town where you’ll find shops, restaurants, bars and of course a casino. However there’s a lot more to see and experience here, thanks to the cinema, spa, theatre, hotels,…. My favorite spot is the Piazza which is the perfect spot to have a nice meal al fresco while watching the people pass by.

Like in the rest of South Africa, golf is one of the most popular sports in Gauteng. And there are plenty of golf courses to choose from. While you would expect most of these to be situated outside the city centers, it’s actually the opposite as many of the golf courses are within or on the border of the city.

There are many outdoor activities in Gauteng due to the mild climate and the perfect terrain for different sports, activities and adventures. The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is the perfect example of an outdoor location where motor enthusiasts can get their adrenaline pumping and test all their new toys.

One of the typical snacks is biltong. It is a dried and cured meat which is mostly sliced very thinly and nibbled on at any time of the day, be it with some drinks before or after the braai or just while standing in traffic. It is also one of the most popular souvenirs for locals and foreigners to take overseas.

South Africans do like their desserts and you can find bakeries, ice cream shops and everything in between everywhere you go. Sweet-tooth will like local specialities like melktart, Malva pudding and koeksisters but the classics can also be found here of course.

As mentioned before, many visitors aren’t aware of the quality of food and wine that is produced here, but once you’re there you’ll notice that literally every bar, restaurant and bistro serves delicious fresh food at very reasonable prices. South Africa even has restaurants that sit among the top 100 best restaurants in the world, which is unique for an African country. Most of the culinary temples can be found in the Western Cape but the food scène in Gauteng has matched up recently. Some names to remember are Fermier, Marble and Signature restaurant.

Of course you also have to drink something equally nice and there’s certainly no shortage when it comes to that. There are several breweries which produce some very tasty beers, but without a doubt South Africa is most known for its wines. And while many know about them, not many have tasted the wide variety that’s on offer. Almost all wineries can be found in the Western Cape split across different valleys but all of these wines can be bought, delivered or tasted in Gauteng. Some of the grapes for which South Africa is famous for are the Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. They also produce some very nice sparkling wine but as we all know they can’t call it a champagne as they right is reserved to only those wine farms situated in the Champagne region in France. So here they call all their sparkling wines MCC or Methode Cap Classic, meaning they use the same methods as in the champagne region but just with grapes from South African soil. There are countless wines brands that produce high quality nectar yet you certainly need to check out the ones from Meerlust, Creation wines, Vergelegen, Groot Constantia, Kanonkop and Simonsig.

Renting a car is easy and relatively cheap, and there’s a wide variety of rental companies located both at the airports as in the cities. Depending on what you are planning to do, you might want to opt for a 4×4. However if you are just going to stay in Gauteng there’s no need for any off-road vehicle.

There are only 2 major airports in Gauteng, being OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria Airport. The latter is mostly used for domestic travel while OR Tambo is the getaway to Southern Africa and most of the tourists and business travellers will arrive or depart here. They are on opposite sides of Johannesburg and very easily accessible by car or bus, and OR Tambo is even linked to the Gautrain (more on that in a minute).

Train travel is not that commonly used by visitors, however, there is an extensive rail network and South Africa has two very luxurious trains which are an absolute must if you like to travel in style. They are called Rovos Rail and the Blue Train. Both serve the Pretoria/Johannesburg – Cape Town route, but Rovos also offers many other itineraries giving you the option to explore much more of the land and even the neighbouring countries.

There is one other train which I mentioned before, and that’s the Gautrain. It was created to relief some of the traffic between Pretoria and Johannesburg and is also one of the safest ways to travel between these cities. They are still expanding its network but some of the main areas like Sandton and Rosebank are already linked to it.

Taxis are commonly found and cheap compared to some of the western countries. But be careful as there are several taxi drivers that try to lure you while they aren’t officially allowed to operate as a taxi. Hence why I suggest using Uber or Taxify as both of them are safe and have decent customer service in case of a problem.

Spring and summer are very similar in terms of sunshine and temperatures, however the rains will now be present even though they are far from a daily occurrence. Nonetheless a great time to visit if you like to spot newborn animals in the wild which is truly an amazing sight to see. Spring is also the time when the jacaranda trees are in full bloom, turning the cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg into a purple oasis. People from far and wide come to see the beautiful scenes and streets that are literally transformed into purple highways.

Autumn usually tends to start around March and goes into winter by the 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 and the rains occur more sporadically. The good thing about it is the fact that the prices of a lot of accommodations drop significantly while it is still a great time to visit and for those who can’t stand the heath very well, this time of the year is just ideal. The typical autumn colours or Indian summer as most of you know it are omnipresent during this time thanks to the millions of trees in both Pretoria and Johannesburg, but also outside these city centers.

Locals aren’t the only ones paying top money for some of the most luxurious experiences, and nowhere is it more obvious than when it comes to safaris. From Johannesburg many take direct charter flights into the national parks and reserves, cutting the travel time massively which can be spent on more game viewing. International travellers happily spend a few thousand pounds per night in a luxury safari lodge without any hesitation. Of course, these prices include everything from fine dining to game drives and a continuous flow of some of the best South African wines. Places like Singita, Londolozi and Royal Malewane are often fully booked way in advance, especially during the peak season. The most remote and arguably luxurious lodge is Tswalu Kalahari. With their own fleet of private aircraft they’ll fly you into their game reserve which is the biggest private reserve in South Africa. And once there you will experience nothing short of pure safari perfection.

With so many restaurants, bars and hotels all competing to get a slice of the cake, it’s hard to know where to find those hidden gems where you can truly relax or enjoy the overall experience. For those looking to stay near Sandton there’s the Saxon. A boutique 5-star luxury hotel where many heads of state, VIP’s and anyone with fame have stayed. While being located in the middle of a residential neighbourhood, it still boosts a lush oversized garden and some of the biggest suites to bound in Gauteng. Their restaurant is Michelin star quality and their afternoon tea is renowned all over the city. Another hotel that’s worth mentioning is the Four Seasons Westcliff as it is perched on a cliff (who would have guessed) overlooking a large part of the northern Johannesburg suburbs. It also overlooks the Zoo which gives you the fun opportunity to spot some elephants while sipping some nice wines or cocktails on their stunning terrace. during jacaranda season you need to make reservations to secure your spot as it is the place to be during this time of the year because of the insane views over the purple forest.

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.

Weather in Gauteng

Visiting Gauteng soon? See below for the latest weather forecast for Gauteng.

GAUTENG WEATHER