Life starts and ends in Johannesburg

Johannesburg heart of South Africa

There is an old saying in South Africa which says: "Life starts and ends in Johannesburg, the city of gold and happiness."

In keeping with this sentiment, Johannesburg is situated right in the very heart of South Africa, and because of its central position it draws many people together, creating a thrilling city in which many different cultures mix, producing a delightfully varied experience for any tourist.

Spend the morning enjoying a fine breakfast at Melrose Arch, just five minutes from Sandton. After visiting local treasures like Rosebank Craft and Arts Market, take a drive eastwards to the Alexander township and later Midrand. When there, look for the popular ‘braai place' (locals refer to it here as Tshisa Nyama) where you will be served with indigenous delicacies.

After lunch, flex your wallets and head to Sandton Towers, the best shopping centre in the city and treat yourself (or the ones you love) to some well-deserved gifts. Or if the theatre is more to your taste then the Market Theatre in the heart of the city is something not to be missed, which showcases a wide variety of different performances.

As night falls it would be a great shame not to experience the popular nightclub Taboo, a favourite of tourists and locals alike, where dancing is a must.

If the more historical side to Johannesburg interests you, then you might want to use your second day in the city to learn more about it and there are plenty of resources at hand.

Constitutional Hill is the best place to start and from there the Apartheid Museum, a vital storehouse for evidence of the struggles which led to Johannesburg developing into the wonderful city we know today.

The township of Soweto should feature somewhere in your plan for the day, just a short drive out of Johannesburg, where you can taste more delicious traditional food in countless restaurants.

Once full, you should find the time to visit Vilakazi Street, the former home of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, another source of celebrated heritage which it would be a shame to miss out on.

If you have any energy left after all that, at nightfall take the opportunity to have some more fun by visiting Afrodisiac and Voodoo Lounge!