Day 1
- Constitution Hill - fascinating but tough site with Old Fort Prison complex and the uplifting new Constitutional Court ; good geographic orientation to Johannesburg and excellent historical overview from Colonial times through to the democratic South Africa (Hourly tours 9-4 weekdays and 9-12 on weekends) Corner Kotze St and Hospital St Braamfontein 011 381-3100 www.constitutionhill.org.za.
- Get another somewhat more bird's eye view of Johannesburg CBD and its surrounds from the top of the Carlton (highest building in Johannesburg -223 m). Lifts to the top of Africa from the 2nd floor of the Carlton Centre. Suggest that incorporate this in a half day tour of Johannesburg city (from R475 per person)
- Origins Centre ; really world class museum of humankind's origins - Close to De Korte St entrance of Wits University 011 717 4700 (open daily 9-6: hour tours R45 adults and R2 children). Great Café and gift shop. www.origins.org.za
- Have a drink on the terrace at the very luxurious Westcliff Hotel overlooking the urban forest of Johannesburg - if you are lucky you will hear the lions roaring from the Zoo below (they are restricted by moats and not by cages.)
Day 2
- Soweto - need a whole morning or afternoon. Tours arranged in advance and range from R450 495 per person. See Soweto and Alex. (If you have more time and you are interested in the history of the struggle, fit in the Apartheid Museum - would form a day trip with Soweto - as it needs a good 3 hours). www.apartheidmuseum.org (closed Mondays) R25 entrance adults and R12 children and senior citizens; Excellent museum but quite 'text' heavy - few objects.
- If you are interested in a theme park experience of old Johannesburg visit Gold Reef City - worth it to go down an old mine shaft www.goldreefcity.co.za ; R70 weekdays and R90 weekends; Underground tours R60; Right next door to Apartheid Museum.
- Try dinner at Moyo's Melrose Arch (011 -684-1477) or in summer at Moyo's Zoo Lake 011 646-0058 www.moyo.co.za (not good at replying to email booking enquiries so I can always book for you.) Well-done Afro-fusion restaurant with great atmosphere.
Day 3
- Art Africa, 62 Tyrone Ave Parkview, for excellent gifts to take home (lots of small things to take with you and larger ones they will pack and send for you) 011 486-2052 Have a light lunch just down the road at Scusi (corner Tyrone and Ennis).
- Not to be missed Kim Sacks Gallery for exquisite African art and artefacts – a real must do.
- Lesedi Cultural Village - on the R512 towards Hartebeespoort dam - 012 205 1394 www.lesedi.com Booking essential. Tours from R955 per person. Very touristy but well-done: Mock villages introduce you to 5 of the rural ethnic groups of South Africa whose 'cultures' are theatrically re-enacted: amaZulu, amaPedi, amaNdebele, amaXhosa and abeSotho (no reference to urban living here!) 2 shows a day 11.30 to 2.30 and 16.30 to 19.30 ; If self-drive rates including lunch/dinner 285 pp; excluding lunch/dinner R190 pp. Do the late afternoon show when it is not mid-winter and stay for dinner at Nyama Chomo.
Day 4
- Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve (includes Wonder Cave) and in the Cradle of Humankind 011- 957-0106 www.rhinolion.co.za Open daily 8-15.45; Lion feeding 3pm Saturday and Sundays R70 adults and R30 children. R45 entrance to Wonder Cave. Guided tours lasting about 2 hours.
- Maropeng Information Centre (www.discoveryourself.co.za) in the World Heritage Site of the Cradle of Humankind; 011 668-3200 open daily 9 -5 R65 adults and R35 children; self guided and allow about 2 hours. Plus the Sterkfontein Caves if you did not go to Wonder Cave;
- Have supper at one of the excellent local restaurants. See Blog for suggestions
Day 5
- Pilanesberg Game Reserve - leave about 6.30; return at 6ish. Need to arrange in advance. A jewel of a game reserve about 2 hours away - malaria free and home to the 'Big Five'. From R850 per person www.pilanesberggamereserve.com (Can include Sun City as well.)
Day 6
- Mangwanani African Spa - Central Reservations: + 27 (0)860 55 00 55 Sheer indulgence, treat yourself - a fabulous African health spa in the bush; Can do a half day (Tues- Thurs R899 pp and Fri-Sun R1099 pp) or full day; Need to book well in advance; transport leaves from Monte Casino so you could see that too - info@mangwanani.co.za. Be prepared to be tired and very relaxed afterwards. www.mangwanani.co.za A very special experience .
Or if one of your days in Johannesburg is a Thursday or Saturday - the Organic Village Market in Bryanston is also fun (open 9-3) . Good natural fibre clothes for women. www.bryanstonorganicmarket.co.za. There is also a moonlit market on the Tuesday closest to the full moon. Fabulous in a summer's evening to browse and have a light supper there.
If one of your days in Johannesburg is a Sunday or Public Holiday don't miss: Rosebank Rooftop Market which is a fun vibey market with much unusual local 'stuff' - great atmosphere www.craft.co.za. You can undo all the good work of a Mangwanani Spa day by having afternoon tea at the Westcliff - Sundays only, booking essential; R90 per head - you won't need supper that evening!
And there's lots more, depending on your interests. A day in Pretoria, time to browse through some of the books on local history, art and heritage in Liz's library, contemporary art galleries, the Botanical Gardens, a local play at the Joburg Theatre and/or the Market theatre, Major Shopping at one of the Malls like Rosebank or Sandton and relax for a while in Mandela Square, make the most of one or more of the 8 golf course nearby, join the Zoo walk on a Sunday morning, people watch at a pavement café.
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