Gauteng

Gauteng (meaning 'Place of Gold' in Sotho) is the smallest of South Africa's 9 provinces; however, it is the commercial and industrial powerhouse of South Africa. Gauteng incorporating Johannesburg, Pretoria and Soweto is vibrant, stylish, and cosmopolitan.

 

Johannesburg

Also known as 'Egoli', meaning City of Gold (due to all the gold mines which surround it), is the capital of Gauteng. It boasts the world's largest urban forest - over 6 million trees can be found throughout the parks and residential areas of the city. There are also 17 nature reserves and 12 rivers in and around the city.

Pretoria

Which lies some 50kms north of Johannesburg, falls within the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. It is renowned for the many Jacaranda trees which shroud the city in a blanket of purple in the spring (September to November). Pretoria contains lots of open spaces, parks, nature reserves and bird sanctuaries.

Soweto

Soweto lies to the south west of Johannesburg. A large majority of the resistance to apartheid was fought from and in Soweto. It is now home to over 2 million people - some of whom live in simple self-built shacks while others live in fancy mansions.

Epi-Centre

Gauteng is renowned for being South Africa's entertainment epi-centre, offering an abundance of theatre, dance, clubs, music venues, world-class restaurants, shopping malls and casinos.

Climate-wise

Gauteng is reputed to have one of the best in the world. Summers are warm with afternoon thundershowers that cool and refresh (these can be accompanied by hail). Winters (June to August) are crisp and clear with plenty of sunshine - temperatures can reach the mid 20°s during the day but the nights are chilly and are often accompanied by frost.

Accommodation

All types of accommodation can be found in Gauteng both for the holidaymaker and businessman. There are many B&B's/guesthouses as well as 5 star hotels, self-catering units and backpackers.

Some tourist attractions in Gauteng include:

Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site

Visit this world heritage site where fossils over 4 million years old have been discovered. View evidence that humankind first appeared in this corner of Africa and meet 'Mr and Mrs Ples' as well as 'Little Foot'. For more information please visit:

http://www.cradleofhumankind.co.za

The Crocodile Ramble

Visit the popular Crocodile Ramble arts and crafts tourist route - situated south of the Magaliesberg mountain range. It offers an array of interesting places to visit - art studios and galleries, places to eat, craft stalls, jewellery, cottage furniture, antiques and nurseries. Accommodation is also plentiful along this route.

Magalies Meander

Another popular tourist route in Gauteng is the Magalies Meander.

It offers tourists a variety of site-seeing opportunities and activities: a trip through the Magaliesburg region on the Magalies Express Train; admire and purchase both ethnic and modern arts and crafts at various art galleries, roadside vendors and curio shops; enjoy some quality fly-fishing; view the magnificent scenery by horse-back; relax and unwind at one of the many health and wellness spas; or enjoy some fine cuisine at one of the many restaurants. A variety of accommodation is available in and around the village of Magaliesburg, which lies just below the southern range of the Magaliesburg Mountains.

 

Heritage Sites

Visit some of the many heritage sites that Gauteng has to offer, such as:

• The Hector Petersen Memorial site in Soweto (a tribute to the youth of Soweto who died in the 1976 uprising during the apartheid regime).
• Kliptown in Soweto (where the Freedom Charter was drafted).
• The Women's Memorial in Pretoria
• The Union Buildings in Pretoria (designed to accommodate the offices of the Prime Minister in 1913, they still house the offices of the State President today). A visit to the Union Buildings offers one a fantastic view over the city of Pretoria.T
• The Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria (this granite monument was constructed in memory of the pioneers 'Voortrekkers' who, in search of independence from Britain, trekked all the way from the Cape between 1835 and 1854).

Museums

Some of the museums that one can visit in Gauteng include:

• The Apartheid Museum
• Natural Cultural History Museum (part of the Museum Park in Pretoria)
• Museum of Science and Technology (part of the Museum Park in Pretoria)
• GeoScience Museum (part of the Museum Park in Pretoria)
• Transvaal Museum (part of the Museum Park in Pretoria)
• Kruger House
• Correctional Services Museum

Lanseria Lion Park

A great and exciting outing for the whole family. Enjoy close up encounters with lions (including the rare white lion), cheetah, hyenas and wild dog. The Lion Park is situated close to both Johannesburg and Pretoria, near the Lanseria Airport.

http://www.lion-park.com

Zoos

Children in particular will love this one! Take them on an exciting and fun-filled visit to either the Johannesburg Zoo or the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa in Pretoria.

The Johannesburg Zoo was established in 1904 and is located close to the city centre. For more information please visit: http://www.jhbzoo.org.za

The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa is the largest zoo in the country and the only one with national status. It is located in Pretoria, for more information please visit: http://www.zoo.ac.za/

Gold Reef City

A day of fun, fantasy and fact for the whole family awaits you at Gold Reef City. With over 30 thrilling fun-rides on offer, a casino, a museum, a 4-D theatre, restaurants, a heritage tour, speciality shops, tribal dancers and a farmyard, all set around an authentic 19th Century Gold Mine, it is bound to provide many hours of entertainment.

http://www.goldreefcity.co.za

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens

This spectacular nature reserve displays over 600 different types of flowering plants, as well as many reptiles, small mammals and over 200 bird species. It was previously called the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden, and is situated in Roodepoort, Johannesburg. Take along your own picnic lunch (no braai's or open fires are allowed) or enjoy a meal at the Eagle's Fare Restaurant. There is also a tuckshop available for cooldrinks and light snacks, as well as a nursery and gift/book shop.

For more information please visit: http://www.sanbi.org/frames/sisulufram.htm