• Johannesburg

    What to know more about Egoli? Want to know more about backpackers in Johannesburg? Let your eyes wander.....
  • Soweto

    A name synonomous with mines and Apartheid

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Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the starting point for many backpackers coming to South Africa. If you are looking to do a safari it is the best city in South Africa to go from. there is an excellent choice of backpackers in Johannesburg.

The City of Gold

Egoli, the City of Gold, draws people in search of fame and fortune from all over Africa. More open-minded, progressive and energetic than any other city on the sub-continent, Jo’burg is one place where the rainbow nation has become a reality.
It’s also the Big Bad City of South Africa and many travellers believe they should avoid it. But give the Urban Jungle a chance and you’ll discover more live music, theatre, shopping malls, casinos, big screens, things to do and massive raves than you’d ever imagined.
So go and get Jo’burged out. It’s exciting.

South Africa’s smallest province makes more than a third of the country’s GDP which means that Jo’burgers (no, it’s not a new McDonalds burger) work hard and play hard while the rest of us just take holidays. The province includes part of the Magaliesberg Mountains and the gold-rich Witwatersrand.

Have a blast in Jo'burg

The big, bad city of Jo’burg. Where urban legends get mugged and young people have a blast.

Jo’burg doesn’t have a mountain or any ocean to get lost in, so people actually do things. Like drink and party a lot.

Just some of the things to do in Jo'ies

Go to the Lost City and win a million bucks*
Greet your hostel owner with “this is a hold up”
Go down a mine shaft and roll in gold dust.
Visit the miniland at Wemmer Pan Santarama
Gasp at the Lippizaner horse show in Kyalami
Go down a working gold mine at Gold Reef City.
Do a real gold mine tour thru the Chamber of Mines
Do a Soweto tour
Go to Wondergat and the Rhino Park with their impressive caves and all their animals.
Go to the Lion Park which has plenty of fat sassy lions who look bored but have been known to eat Taiwanese tourists who get out of their car to take pics of the pretty pussys.
Hit a rave - some of the biggest and best in SA with cool venues.
Visit the Breweries Museum, learn about the history of this golden nectar and enjoy a pint of Charles Glass’s best brew.
Visit the Kim Sacks and Everard Reed galleries.
Go to the Market market (Saturdays only), Bruma (7 days/week), Rosebank Rooftop (Sundays), Michael Mount Organic Market (Tues nites and Saturdays)
Things to do in Gau'teng-aleng-aleng!

Things to do in and around Gauteng
• Visit Sun City and get lost (ha ha), surf the Valley of the waves and win a million bucks.
• Check out the Lippizaner horse show in Kyalami – the only place other than Spain in which these magnificent horses perform.
• Pop into the Jo’burg Lion Park where cuddly lion and hyena cubs are often available for happy snaps.
• Venture down a working gold mine, wander through Jo’burg’s past at Gold Reef City, roll in gold dust and try to steal and an ingot without anyone noticing.
• Take a day trip to Soweto, the vibrant township which is a study in contrasts.
• Visit the Apartheid Museum for in-depth information on the history of the people’s revolution.
• See the Cradle of Mankind, the Wonder Caves and Sterkfontein Caves. Mrs Ples (the missing link) lived here thousands of years ago. Watch an archaeological dig in progress.
• See black eagles in the city at Wits Botanical Gardens.
• Take a historical flight in an old DC3 plane or float in a balloon at sunrise
• Check out 88 facet diamonds at the Cullinan Diamond Mine, where the world’s largest diamond was discovered.
• Take your pick from around 40 parks and reserves all within easy reach.
• Hunt down the Big Five at Pilanesberg (no malaria), see cheetahs and wild dogs at De Wildt and track down rhinos and lions at the Rhino and Lion Park.

 

Places to Stay

  • 2B Happy

    Yeoville is cosmopolitan, vibrant melting pot of people and cultures.
  • Accoustix

    Ex Sleek Hostel, they've re-created the whole place from the ground up and are huge fans of live music (it's all soundproofed, don’t fret).
  • Auckland Park Manor

    Centrally situated in Johannesburg and close to WITS - a perfect venue for Profs and Researchers - kids are welcome too
  • Bannister Hotel and Backpackers

    This backpackers in Braamfontein is on all the routes: to gourmet food markets, art districts and Johannesburg's vibrant night life.
  • Four Seasons Guesthouse

    Just north of Fourways, this backpackers offers comfortable self catering accommodation amidst the peaceful tranquility of country life with first-class shopping and dining amenities a mere 10 minutes away. Enjoy an ice-cold drink from the bar fridge, play a game of tennis at the nearby tennis court or take a dip in the swimming pool. This Johannesburg backpackers is close to Montecasino, Fourways Mall, the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, Cradle of Humankind and the busy hub of Johannesburg.
  • Gemini Backpackers Lodge

    Set in a big garden, Gemini backpackers offers a restaurant, shop shuttles and pick-up or drop-off in Johannesburg.
  • Shoestrings Airport Lodge

    This Johannesburg backpackers is situated on a large property 3km from Johannesburg international airport.

What to do

  • MoAfrika Tours

    Giving you mo'Afrika for your moolah from shark-cage diving to spa packages.

Transport

Tourist Offices

 Feeling lucky?
(randomly selected service providers from all regions)

Myxo’s Cultural Tours
Myxo’s Cultural Tours
(Manzini,Swaziland)

The Baz Bus
The Baz Bus is a South African backpacker hop-on hop-off any time bus service. They have no time limit on their ticket, so you can travel whenever you like, and, what’s more, start from anywhere on the route.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)

WildRooster Backpackers
This Backpackers is perched on a hill where hutted green hills roll down to the river mouth and to the sea - an oasis of tranquillity
(Mdumbi,Wild Coast)

Island Vibe Flashpackers Port Elizabeth
Island Vibe Flashpackers is a very comfortable Backpackers Lodge situated in the up market suburb of Summerstrand
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)

Away With The Fairies
Set on a huge property with lovely gardens and overlooking the mystical Hogsback Peaks, this is a wonderful backpacker.
(Hogsback,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)

Shonalanga Lodge
Shonalanga lodge in St Lucia is in the centre of town and more of a lodge than a backpackers.
(St Lucia,Zululand)

Rouxville Backpackers Lodge
En route to Lesotho, between the Wild Coast and Jo'burg.
(Rouxville,Free State)

The Backpack
Cape Town's first backpacking hostel is still going strong and offers excellent facilities.
(Cape Town City Bowl,Cape Town)

Beach Lagoon
This Jeffrey's Bay backpackers is located next to the lagoon and has miles of nature reserve - a truly lovely spot.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)

All Out Projects
This Swaziland based Volunteer group offers real budget safaris, trips to Mozambique and volunteeer opportunities. The best in Swaziland.
(Manzini,)