Best Things to Do in Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg, also known as Joburg, is South Africa’s largest city and a key destination alongside Cape Town. Known as the “City of Gold” due to the 1886 gold rush, Johannesburg is rich in history, nature, and unique travel experiences. If you're flying from Cape Town (TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN CAPE TOWN), expect a two-hour flight into O.R. Tambo International Airport. Depending on how long you stay, even two days is enough to explore some of the top things to do in Johannesburg, South Africa. Here are three must-visit attractions.

The Lion & Safari Park

Located in the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park offers a scenic bushveld backdrop and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Established in 1966, it has grown into a popular tourist and conservation center. Don’t miss the Cub World, where visitors queue up for a rare moment to interact with lion cubs,  one person at a time, with just two to three minutes allocated per visitor (PLACES TO VISIT IN SRI LANKA).

The highlight is the 8-kilometer, 40-minute guided safari ride, where you’ll spot the rare white lions made famous by the award-winning film White Lion. Along the way, expect to see impalas, wildebeest, zebras, springboks (South Africa’s national animal), cheetahs, and hyenas. Guests are reminded to stay quiet and listen to the guide throughout the tour.

Sun City
About two hours from Johannesburg in the North West Province, Sun City is one of South Africa’s top holiday resorts. Called Africa’s Kingdom of Pleasure, it features luxury hotels, the Valley of Waves water park, golf courses, a casino, and lush forested ground.  Set inside an extinct volcanic crater, the area is also home to rare plants, Stone Age sites, and unique rock formations that attract geologists and nature lovers (WHAT TO DO IN SAPPORO, JAPAN).

 

If you’re staying at a Sun City, such as Sun City Resort Hotel, be sure to close your windows. Local baboons or monkeys are known to climb into rooms searching for food.

Pilanesberg National Park

Often paired with a Sun City stay is a visit to Pilanesberg National Park, just nearby. Set within an ancient volcanic crater, this 572-square-kilometer park is home to over 7,000 animals, including the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos.

 

A guided open jeep safari takes you through its diverse terrain, from grasslands to woodlands - offering rich wildlife viewing and stunning scenery. You’ll likely pause at a café during the drive before continuing to spot elephants, rhinos, antelope, and more. Silence is key while animals roam nearby, and the experience is ideal for both nature lovers and photographers.