Johannesburg in 2-3 days
Day 1
You have a lot of ground to cover if you want to make the most of a short visit to Jozi. Still, you’ll enjoy whatever you get to see.
Start your first day with a visit to the Apartheid Museum. By getting in as early as possible you’ll avoid coachfuls of tourists.
The Museum opens at 10am on Tuesdays to Sundays. You should pre-book a guided tour if you wish to take one. Enjoy a snack at the cafe or stop for lunch at Gold Reef City if you’re willing to pay the entrance fee.
Next, head over to Constitution Hill in the city centre. This will take up most of your afternoon. Newtown comes alive at night and it is the perfect venue for an authentic South African meal and fabulous entertainment.
Day 2
Take a Soweto tour today — there’s nothing quite like it. You will have to pre-book this as these tours are very popular. The tour will take up the best part of the day.
You will travel the streets of this massive township stopping at major
attractions along the way such as Nelson Mandela’s former home,
Baragwanath Hospital, Regina Mundi church and the Hector Pieterson
memorial.
You should be able to enjoy a decent lunch at one of the stops on the journey. See how the other half live by having dinner at Sandton City which is a short distance from Soweto.
Day 3
If you have a little extra time a visit to the Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg is worth it. The vibe is a large part of the experience and you may just pick up a few bargains along the way. Melville is an evocative option for the afternoon.
You can enjoy a relaxing ramble among the quaint shops and there are several cafes and restaurants which serve delectable nosh. If you hang round long enough you’ll see this sleepy suburb come to life in a surprising manner.
In one week
Follow the 2-3 day itinerary above then …
Day 4
Constitutional Hill makes for an interesting visit today. Excellent guided tours are on offer at this working Court. After this, head over to Newtown where you can explore Museum Afrika. Dinner and live music will make short work of your evening.
Day 5
Spend the morning at the Oriental Plaza where shopping is an event. Sample delicious samoosas and perhaps even a curry at the famous Golden Peacock. Glam up for the evening and make your way out to Monte Casino.
Be seen having dinner at a trendy restaurant and have a flutter in the casino afterwards. You may want to see a show at one of the theatres or just wander around the cobbled streets of this faux Tuscan village.
Day 6
Do something different today by taking a trip out to the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. Pack up a picnic and drink in the beauty of manicured gardens and the gorgeous Highveld weather. Don’t forget your hat and sunscreen.
Day 7
Uncover arty Melville today. Interesting little shops bring immense character to this suburb. The streets come alive at night as students and musos come out to play. Restaurants are small but delightful and a memorable evening is guaranteed.
