Johannesburg Attractions
Johannesburg is country with a long, fascinating, and sometimes dark history. Visiting gives you a chance to explore this history, and to see how far the city has come.
Probably the oldest historical place to visit around Johannesburg is the Cradle of Humankind. This series of caves is a World Heritage site, and is home to a large number of flora and fauna fossils, including some hominid fossils. Hundreds of hominid fossils have been discovered in the past couple decades, making this the site with the highest density of hominid fossils in the world. Tourists can go on an underground boat ride to see the caves.
More recent history can be found in the museums and other monuments dedicated to the city's and country's struggle through apartheid. The Apartheid Museum is beautifully designed and is quite a moving experience, and gives historical background going back far before colonialism overtook the continent as well as the more recent tumultuous events. The Old Fort and Constitution Hill also serve as an impressive apartheid prison museum.
One of the main attractions of southern Africa is of course its landscape and wildlife, and there are plenty of opportunities to see both around Jo-Burg. The nearby Lion Park is a smaller version of the larger game parks, but is only a short drive from the city and offers plenty of chances to see lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and more. While Kruger Park is much larger and maintained in its natural state as much as possible, it's more of a trek out of town. Or more tame parks like the Bunny Park, in town, can be a better place to visit with smaller children.
Shopping is also a reason that travelers flock to Johannesburg. The mall of Rosebank is one example, which is a grandiose shopping complex that has both designer stores and an arts and crafts market that is perfect for souvenir shopping. Or go straight to the source and visit one of the many artist's galleries around town, which have sprung up in recent years.
Probably the oldest historical place to visit around Johannesburg is the Cradle of Humankind. This series of caves is a World Heritage site, and is home to a large number of flora and fauna fossils, including some hominid fossils. Hundreds of hominid fossils have been discovered in the past couple decades, making this the site with the highest density of hominid fossils in the world. Tourists can go on an underground boat ride to see the caves.
More recent history can be found in the museums and other monuments dedicated to the city's and country's struggle through apartheid. The Apartheid Museum is beautifully designed and is quite a moving experience, and gives historical background going back far before colonialism overtook the continent as well as the more recent tumultuous events. The Old Fort and Constitution Hill also serve as an impressive apartheid prison museum.
One of the main attractions of southern Africa is of course its landscape and wildlife, and there are plenty of opportunities to see both around Jo-Burg. The nearby Lion Park is a smaller version of the larger game parks, but is only a short drive from the city and offers plenty of chances to see lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and more. While Kruger Park is much larger and maintained in its natural state as much as possible, it's more of a trek out of town. Or more tame parks like the Bunny Park, in town, can be a better place to visit with smaller children.
Shopping is also a reason that travelers flock to Johannesburg. The mall of Rosebank is one example, which is a grandiose shopping complex that has both designer stores and an arts and crafts market that is perfect for souvenir shopping. Or go straight to the source and visit one of the many artist's galleries around town, which have sprung up in recent years.
Apartheid Museum
Northern Parkway & Gold Reef Road
Northern Pkwy and Gold Reef Rd, Ormonde
Apartheid Revisited...
South African National Museum of Military History
11 Erlswold Way
Saxonwold
Displays of Military Artifacts...
Johannesburg Art Gallery
Corner of Klein Street and King George Street
Klein St., Joubert Park
Art in the Park...
Johannesburg Zoo
Jan Smuts Avenue
Private Bag X13, Parkview, Upper Park Drive
Marvelous Zoological Gardens...
