Things to do in Joburg.

Over the years, we've compiled a list of links that might be of use to you, as you plan your time in Joburg.

Ongoing feedback from our guests means this list is constantly evolving, so keep the link and refer back as and when you need to. we hope you find it useful.

Transfers, Driven Tours and Drivers

If you need airport transfers, driven tours or just a driver for the day, there are a number of drivers that myself or quite a few of our guests have made use of, all are contactable via WhatsApp:

Tour guides:

Jacob (+27 64 161 04 27) - 7 or 14 seaters van
Kearan (+27 73 498 17 99)

Private Uber drivers (cheaper than tour guides but not as knowledgeable about things to do) :

Wiseman (+2782529 26 72) morokam@gmail.com - 3 to 6 passengers. (He can come directly to pick you at arrival with a sign with your name).

Roger (+27 83 983 0008 ) - 4 passengers. He also speaks French.


If you contact them (all are on WhatsApp), they can give you a quote.  

Jacob and Kearan especially, have been getting great reviews from guests for their tours and are often mentioned in the guest reviews of my apartments.

I would certainly recommend using one of them for the initial airport transfer. There is a pick up point, but Ubers are no longer allowed to park in the airport .

The hop-on hop-off bus tour provided by City Sightseeing is also a great way to get an overview of Johannesburg. The bus passes the building and the closest stop is about 5 minutes walk away.

Travel Agent

Sanet Goosen is my local travel agent to access package deals (bush lodges, game drives etc.) and low-cost airline flights in SA and beyond - email: sanet.goosen@clubtravel.co.za - tel:+27 11 6466304

Other Tours

Gerald is an author, historian and former resident of the apartment next door to my apartment. His company, Joburg places, offers fantastic walking tours of Johannesburg's historic city center. You can contact Charlie at charlie@joburgplaces.com cell / whatsapp +27 62 121 61 88

One of the most highly rated cycling tours of Soweto can be arranged through Soweto back packers.

Most of our guests have heard of Kruger National Park, but don't realise it's 5 hours drive away! Pilanesburg National Park also has the 'Big 5' and is about 2 hours away. This makes it possible to fit a real safari, into a day trip with companies such as Mo Afrika tours, who'll pick you up from the building, early morning and drop you back in the evening, with up to 5 hours of safari in between! Contact Anthony: +27 82 506 96 41 / David : + 27 66 394 21 27

If you don't have time for a 'proper safari' or would prefer to interact directly with Lion cubs, giraffe, cheetah etc. then perhaps a day trip to the Lion & Safari Park is what you're looking for. 

Local and International Joburg Articles

Great NY Times Article on 36 hours in Johannesburg (though I'd suggest it's more of a 48 hour itinerary)

Very interesting Alternative Guide to Johannesburg article by the Guardian. It's a couple of years old now, but still a good an relevant read. 

That famous GQ-Magazine article on the best things to do in Johannesburg.

Top X..... in Johannesburg

Museums

The world famous Apartheid Museum is about 20 minutes drive away, in Soweto. A truly memorable day out, I'd suggest you plan to spend about 4 hours there if you want to fully engage with the exhibitions. It's not a 'Jolly' museum and most guests have returned home just wanting to relax and contemplate what they'd just experienced. 

Still in Soweto the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Nelson Mandela’s house in Vilakazi street.

Constitution Hill that used to be a former prison and a military fort in the dark Apartheid era, is now a living museum and home to the South African Constitutional court. It’s about 10 min drive away.

Heather Mason is an American writer and photographer that has lived in Johannesburg since 2010. She writes an amazing blog called 2Summers. This is one of my favourite episodes. Though the City Central Food Hall featured, has now closed it’s doors and is now a culinary school !

Neo Mokuene is a south african awarded travel filmaker and content creator, who did a cool video about his stay with us here !

The Johannesburg edition of the In Your Pocket travel guide, is an invaluable (and very readable) resource for your time here. You can see the electronic version here. I also love this article about the city centre and this guide to Joburg markets is brilliant!

Spas

It would be almost criminal to come all the way to South Africa and not try one of the world famous spa treatments. These three spa are split into two categories based on cost.

  • Affordable and Beautiful - Africology Spa - approx 20 minutes drive from the apartment

  • Break the Bank and spoil yourself at one of the 5 star hotel spas

    • Four Seasons - approx 15 minutes drive from the apartment ( Also for dinner or a drink as they have an amazing view of Joburg landscape)

    • The Saxon - approx 25 minutes drive from the apartment

Personal Favourites 

Restaurants: Love Pata Pata ‘a south african themed restaurant’ and Bertrand ‘a french themed ‘restaurant/bar/coffee shop , both in Maboneng.

Just next door the Johannesburg Pastry and culinary School where you can have a culinary class to support the students. You can also grab breakfast or lunch to their cafe the Cinammon Patisserie, one block from us.

My guests that have visited the Yeoville Dinner Club have all called it the best eating experience they've ever had! Contact the owner, Sanza, directly on +27834474235 It’s in a more developing part of town, so you get a real feel for different sides of Joburg.

Olive and plates 10 minutes from the apartments in Wits university is one of our favourite. An authentic restaurant in a cape dutch building with a mediteranean feel, and good food!

Acid Food & Wine Bar in Parkhust, without forgetting Che Argentinian grill specialized in argentinian food and wine. They also have a corner in The Playground Food Market every saturday.

Just like Che, Marble is definitly the place to go if you are a meat and flame enthusiasm! The restaurant is situated in Keyes Art Mile a vibrant place surrending by art galleries, food, local brands etc. (About 20 minutes drive). Up the road from Marble in Rosebank Mall there are different restaurants like Proud Mary, Chunky Chau for an asiatic fusion food, or The Grill House. South Africa is famous for the quality of it’s meat and the Grill House never disappoints.

For vegan friendly, Kuai is also a must !

Weekend Brunches and Markets:  Saturday brunch/lunch time is all about The Playground, in Braamfontein, for Joburg. It’s about 10 mins up the road, in an Uber and I’d highly recommend checking it out if you have the time. Likewise with Market on Main, in Maboneng, on Sunday’s. Forways Former Market is a outdoor Market in Sandton (close to Montecasino), opened every sunday from 9am to 4pm. It’s further away than the previous one (30 minutes drive) .

Rosebank sunday market as well (and if you are a cake lover do not miss Dragana’s stand with her delicious homemade cakes! )

Victoria Yards also has a sunday market that takes place on the first Sunday of every month. Also have events, open arts studio and many creative tenants to look up weekly.

44 Stanley is also a great place for brunch with restaurants like Salvation Cafe, a variety of curated stores with local brands.

Curated experiences:

Caraci Clothing / Caraci Exprience

A city and fashion tour in Johannesburg CBD, this includes walking to a fabric market, experiencing a city tour with a local and get a garment made with a design of choice all in 5 hours.

In 5 points :

  • Downtown City Walking Tour (a locals city stories)

  • A garment done in the fabric you choose from the fabric market.

  • Lunch in a cool Maboneng neighborhood (The Brooklyn of Joburg)

  • A Photoshoot at our rooftop with the garment you made.

  • Connecting with locals, sharing Joburg stories and supporting a black owned small

How to book: Sebo: +27 076 025 1643 (WhatsApp is recommended) / caracicreations@gmail.com , Socials: @caraci_clothing / @caraciexperience

City Skate Tours

City Skate Tours is all about contextualizing the city through street culture in order for you to get a better sense of why Johannesburg is the way it is! We do this by offering guided skateboarding and graffiti tours of the inner city - all skateboarding tours start with a skate lesson for beginners and come with safety gear so no prior experience is required! Joburg is rich in culture and cultural capital... this often gets lost in all the things and stereotypes you hear about the city (i.e. it's not safe, it's dirty, nothing to do etc...).. while it may be true, there's so much more and that's where we come in... we use the street culture of the city to give you a cool, fun urban experience in the city that allows you to get a sense of day-to-day life in Joburg!

How to book: Ayanda (WhatsApp): +27 79 839 8833 / cityskatetours@gmail.com

Instagram: @cityskatetours , Facebook: City Skate Tours , Twitter: @cityskate_tours

Playground Braamfontein / The Playground

The Playground is an artisanal market that takes place in Braamfontein every Saturday from 10am - 6pm.

It plays host to a menu of gourmet street food and cocktails, as well as a line up of local DJs in the afternoon. The upstairs terrace provides a sunny vantage point to enjoy the cityscape view and the multi-storey space is also home to a colourful blend of locally handcrafted design, fashion, beauty products and more. Once visitors have experienced the market, they can pop across the road to the Kalashnikovv Gallery, visit the JFF Rooftop Garden, enjoy some cool local street fashion brands or a cappuccino in the 70 Juta Street open courtyard. Open Slice serves the best toasties in town, a Mexican restaurant is opening soon and a delightful number independent stores can be explored.

No booking required !

Social @theplaygroundjhb @playbraamfontein

Microadventure Tours

Microadventure tours is a guided tours operator that offers '‘people centric” experiences and customised client tours. With an extensive knowledge Johannesburg CBD and a massive drive and passion for tourism and travel.

Kennedy +27 83 772 4678 , Email: info@microadventuretours.co.za

Twitter: MicroAdventure5 Instagram: Microadventuretours

Email: info@microadventuretours.co.za Web: www.microadventuretours.co.za

Yeoville Dinner

Friendly pan - african food experience with vegan / vegetarian options paired with a variety of homemade drinks/cocktails and desserts. Your host Sanza , also shares stories of the historic Yeoville neighbourhood. Lunches (2-4pm) & Dinners (6-10pm)

Sanza: +270834474235

Email: sanzafood@icloud.com

Socials: @yeovilledinnerclub

Joburg places

Gerald is an author, historian and former resident of the apartment next door to my apartment. His company, Joburg places, offers fantastic walking tours of Johannesburg's historic city center. You can contact him directly at charlie@joburgplaces.com

Ade and Prescillia