Johannesburg – Africa’s very own New York with bright city lights and wall to wall people is the judicial capital of South Africa, and is the also the country’s wealthiest city. Right at the very heart of the gold and diamond trade, the city is also the largest in the world one that is not on the banks of a river or perched on a picturesque coastline, that is.
The wet, hot and humid summers are paralleled by dry, warm winters which bring clear skies and cold frosty nights. There are number of communities and residential suburbs in and around the concrete jungle, many of them seriously wealthy estates – a playground for the rich and famous. Joburg is a city where locals work hard, but definitely know how to play hard as well. And when it comes to an exciting nightlife, Johannesburg really knows how to get down and party. So if you have arrived in the city and are looking for something exciting to do, here is our top 5 picks:
1. Sun City
Deep in the heart of the African bush, this massive entertainment region started out life as a luxury hotel on the cusp of the Pilansberg nature reserve. It has grown in leaps and bounds and is now a premier entertainment area consisting of no less than 4 hotels, theme parks, the Valley of the Waves, casinos, world class shopping, luxury spas and game drives.
2. Cocktail Hour
There are some premier bars, restaurants and cocktail bars that cater to an elite crowd. Business meetings and after-work gatherings are the norm, with events and functions being held all the time throughout the city. Plenty of celebrities and big media, business and professional moguls are all rubbing shoulders with models and artists. Join in on the mix from about eight in the evening in the swanky bars of elite areas like Sandton. Drinking and driving rules are lax in the country in general, but it’s not worth taking the chance. Always hire a cab.
3. Gold Reef City
This is premier South Africa theme park with more than 30 rides, heritage tours, dancers, museums, restaurants, a kid’s play area, a farmyard, South Africa’s only 4D movie theatre, a Victorian Hotel and much, much more. The Gold Reef Heritage Tour is not to be missed, and is a great way to find out all about the history of the gold rush in the 1800s in and around the city.
4. The Vaal Dam
When the stresses and strains of city life really start getting on top and the concrete jungle starts to close in, most locals and visitors head out to the Vaal Dam. There are no beaches in close proximity, so all the action happens on the dam. It is the premier boating and water sports destination and the perfect place for a day’s outing or a night out in the countryside.
5. Clubbing
When it comes to clubbing, parties, and entertainment, the city of Joburg is the trendiest place to party the night away. With everything from high-end wine bars, warehouse dance floors, intimate rooftop pubs, chilled lounge clubs and grunge locations, there is live music, resident local and international DJs ripping up dance floors every night of the week. Just party responsibly and get a taxi to the door of your club and back to your hotel again later.
Johannesburg is exciting and exhilarating. Have you booked your flight to South Africa yet?
Louise Trainor blogs primarily about travel. She enjoys sharing her travel expertise to help others have a better holiday. If you’re visiting South Africa, consider a trip to Johannesburg.
