Getting around
Joburg is a vast city with a public transport system that isn't easy to work out for the non-adept.
The best way to get around is by Uber.
Another useful and very safe form of transportation, in case you want to go a bit further (for example you want to visit Pretoria), is the Gautrain.
Walking should be done with care during the day and is not an option at night.
While there are a number of neighbourhoods that are fairly safe (see suggestions below), it is advisable to avoid carrying around expensive things (e.g. laptops, camera’s) especially when walking. If you do, keep them out of sight.
Places to stay near UJ
o The View Boutique Hotel
o Pathways Guesthouse
o Plumpudding Guesthouse
o Twickenham Guesthouse
Getting a local SIM card
The easiest option is to get one at the airport, there are a number of providers (MTN, Cell-C, Vodacom) who have shops near the arrival’s hall in the airport. The process is fairly easy here: in order to register the SIM card you will need to show your passport.
Neighbourhoods to consider visiting in Johannesburg
Linden – Brian and Lara, Tonic, Van Der Linde Restaurant, The Whippet, Choo Choo Junction.
Rosebank – Art galleries (Everard Read, Goodman Gallery), Rosebank Mall (Restaurants, cafés, shops – also check out: Rosebank art & craft market – Rosebank Sunday Market)
Melville – places to go eat and drink (Xai-Xai, Lucky Bean, La Stalla, Hell’s Kitchen, The Ant Cafe, 27 boxes
Auckland Park – Piza e vino, Rocco Mamas, Rand Steam Shopping Centre, 44 Stanley.
Parkhurst – Rockets, Nice on 4th, 4th Avenue Parkhurst
Some places to see in Johannesburg
There is loads to see in Joburg. Here are some of the short-stay highlights:
Constitution Hill
The Apartheid Museum
Origins Centre
Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam
Johannesburg Zoo
Zoo Lake
More places and suggestions can be found here.
Day trips near/in Johannesburg
Cradle of Humankind
Lebo's Soweto walking tour
Lion and Safari Park
Some places to see/visit in the City of Tshwane (Pretoria)
Here are some of the short-stay highlights:
Union Buildings
Voortrekker Monument
For bird enthusiasts: Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary
Pretoria National Botanical Garden
More places and suggestions can be found here.
Nature reserves near Johannesburg
Dinokeng Game Reserve: really close to Pretoria - 116 km from Joburg
Plumari Game Reserve: 82.5 km from Joburg
Groenkloof Nature Reserve: 54 km from Joburg
Rietvlei Nature Reserve: 54 km from Joburg
National Game Parks
Kruger National Park: 410 km from Joburg
Pilanesberg National Park: 249 km from Joburg
Restaurants in Melville