Johannesburg – The City of Gold

The dynamic city of Johannesburg is Africa’s most urbanized economic jungle, flourishing with 10 million trees which give grounds to the city’s label as the world’s biggest man-made forest. Not only big on plants, but big on travel too, the city’s airport is the biggest and busiest in Africa.

Once known as the ‘Gold Capital of the World’, Johannesburg is visited by many and is still being referred to as Egoli, thriving as The Place of Gold. As the driving force behind South Africa’s growing economy, the city bursts with an ever busy atmosphere and buzzes with the fast paced lifestyles of its locals.

Filled with creativity, fashion and artistic expression; Johannesburg’s locals are all about bigger, bolder, and beautiful glitz and glamour, knowing all too well that what may be in today might not be fashionable tomorrow. Museums, theatres and galleries litter the city streets and preserve the creative and historic spirit of Africa while the booming cafê culture of the youthful adds finesse to the life of the city.

Although the northern Johannesburg areas, from Rosebank, Randburg and Melville, to Sandton and Midrand, are characterized by leafy urbanization and a sprawling economy, the southern regions of Johannesburg contrasts blatantly with the conflict of poverty.

Soweto is sea of shantytowns which played a major role in the fight for freedom during the Apartheid regime. Johannesburg is an amalgamation of historic importance, cultural vigour, stark economic contrasts and artistic expression which can be found nowhere else but in Africa.

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The best season in Johannesburg

The Highveld climate of Johannesburg has a dry, sunny climate which is interrupted by late afternoon, early evening thundershowers predominantly during the months of October to April. Maximum temperatures during these summer months average to 25.6 °C (78.1 °F), with an average maximum temperature during June of 16 °C (61 °F). Winter is characterized by mild days and cool nights, minimum temperatures of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F) may be expected during June and July.

Suggested Stay

There is more to Johannesburg than a transit hub. It is worth spending a couple of days exploring some of the interesting historic an cultural places of interest. There are great golf courses and shopping opportunities to bide your time.

Advice from Safari Russ:

“Johannesburg is the economic centre of Southern Africa and its infrastructure has high end hotels and world class shopping options.
With the right guidance and planning, a couple of days to explore the cultural and historic aspects blended with great hospitality make it a worthwhile transit city”