Gauteng attractions

Built for irrigation purposes in the 1920s, Hartbeespoort Dam created a reservoir and a recreation hot spot that now draws visitors to what has become a small resort town. Nestled in the Magaliesberg, Hartbeespoort offers a mountain escape complete with scenic views and everything from cruises to paragliding.

You don’t have to visit the big game reserves to appreciate the variety of South African wildlife—it’s all on display at the Johannesburg Zoo. The sprawling 136-acre (55-hectare) site includes spacious habitats for more than 320 species, with a focus on the physical and psychological wellbeing of the animals on display.

The Hillbrow Tower is a tall tower located in the Hillbrow suburb of Johannesburg. Originally known as the JG Strijdom tower, the structure was completed in 1971 and is one of the tallest constructions in the Southern Hemisphere. The Hillbrow Tower was also a major telecommunications for the city.

Liliesleaf is one of South Africa’s most important apartheid-era heritage sites, best known as the former secret headquarters of anti-apartheid activists including members of the African National Congress. Today, guided tours take visitors through preserved buildings, underground meeting spaces, and exhibitions that trace the country’s liberation struggle.

Spanning almost 750 acres (300 hectares, the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden centers on the 230-foot (70-meter Witpoortjie Falls. With a breeding pair of Verraux’s eagles plus areas devoted to bush veldt and wildflowers, the garden has a wild feel to it—but collections of ferns, succulents, birds, and butterflies impress.

Set in a converted migrant workers’ compound, Johannesburg’s Workers’ Museum memorializes the oppressive conditions in which African migrants labored for much of the 20th century. The permanent exhibition includes punishment rooms, displays of photos and personal stories, and dormitories lined with icy concrete bunks.

Tranquil gardens and grassy picnic areas surround a scenic reservoir, providing the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg. The botanical gardens meld a mix of herbs, succulents, and roses—all lining walkways and water features. The reservoir offers ample opportunities for fishing, paddling, and sailing.

Opened in 2003 by the political leader himself, Nelson Mandela Bridge is the largest cable-stayed bridge in southern Africa and a gleaming icon of Johannesburg’s rejuvenated city center. The bridge soars over more than 40 rail lines, linking the Newtown and Braamfontein neighborhoods and symbolizing the unity for which Mandela was known.

Once home to Mahatma Gandhi, Satyagraha House is an elegant and sustainable guesthouse with a small museum. It was in this thatched cottage inspired by native designs that Gandhi came up with his idea of satyagraha (a type of nonviolent resistance). It would shape not only India’s but also South Africa’s future.

The Playground comes to life in Johannesburg’s Braamfontein district every Saturday. Located in the space of the former Neighbourgoods Market, The Playground is a weekly artisan marketplace and creative community space that combines food, fashion, art, music, and more, with vendors, pop-ups, and regular events.

The Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies just an hour from Johannesburg, and the Origins Centre makes a great preview. The three-story museum, close to the city center, tells the tale of humanity’s African beginnings through interactive exhibits, video, tapestry, a spectacular collection of rock art, and more.

Located in Johannesburg’s sprawling Montecasino complex, the bird gardens offer a sunny respite from the bustle of the city. As you wander the manicured grounds, you’ll spot colorful tropical birds, inquisitive red-ruffed lemurs, and sleepy lizards basking in the sun. Thanks to the reptile and bird shows hosted throughout the day, it's a favorite destination for families.

With a collection spanning the gamut from oxcarts, tandem bicycles, and horse-drawn trams to steam trains, retro buses, and fire engines, the James Hall Museum of Transport is the biggest land transport museum in South Africa. The museum houses more than 2,500 vehicles, historic photos, informative displays, and occasional temporary exhibitions.

Museum Africa, Johannesburg’s main cultural and historical museum, occupies an imposing building that was once the city’s main fruit and vegetable market. Interactive displays examine the importance of gold for South Africa, the Treason Trial, Jo’Burg’s dazzling musical heritage, and the hundreds of cultural and ethnic groups in South Africa.