- 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
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
- Brown Sugar Backpackers
A perfect backpackers to stay at when in Johannesburg.
- Diamond Diggers Backpackers
This Johannesburg backpackers is close to Malls and the CBD. They offer a free airport pick-up.
- 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.
- Ghandi’s Backpackers and Lodge
A Johannesburg backpackers which is where it’s rumoured that Ghandi stayed here 100 years ago.
- Johannesburg Backpackers
This dedicated backpackers in Joburg organises everything from car hire to safaris.
- Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers
A Johannesburg backpackers with a unique opportunity to experience township life.
- Melville International Backpackers
This Backpackers is in Melville the vibrant and cultural hub of Jozi!
- MoAfrika Backpackers
A vibey country lodge only 10 minutes from the airport in Benoni.
- Rosebank Backpackers Lodge
All roads lead to Rosebank or at least the important ones do...
- Shoestrings Airport Lodge
This Johannesburg backpackers is situated on a large property 3km from Johannesburg international airport.
- The Backpackers Ritz of Johannesburg
Built in the days when castles were homes
- Vienna Gem Mini Backpackers
Hey Backpackers, here's a safe place to stay in the presigious suburb of Randburg for under R100 a head!
What to do
- Diamond Diggers Adventure Tours
Do Jo'burg and surrounds in depth.
- Johannesburg Airport Safaris
Get off the plane and into safari mode.
- Jozi Tours and Safaris
Cultural, historical and nature tours of Johannesburg and Soweto
- Lebo's Soweto Bicycle Tours
See Soweto the eco-friendly, local way.
- MoAfrika Tours
Giving you mo'Afrika for your moolah from shark-cage diving to spa packages.
Transport
- AroundAboutCars
0860 HIRE CAR - kinda says it all…
- Pub Crawl South Africa
A safe way to get around Jo'burgs night time hotspots.
Tourist Offices
- Wicked Campers
An international company specializing in Campervan Hire
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
The Spot backpackers is a charming little backpackers set just a few meters from the beach on the south Coast of Natal.
(Port Shepstone,South Coast)
Train to become a paraglider or just hang around groundside.
(Bulwer,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
They also do horse trails.
(Vredenburg,West Coast)
A fantastic place to stay in the centre of Sea Point.
(Sea Point,Cape Town)
Help research the movements of lions in the Addo.
(Addo Elephant Park,Sunshine Coast)
This Windhoek accommodation is a civilised stop on the edge of the wilderness.
(Windhoek,Namibia)
For the best Scuba diving on the South Coast and some of the best scuba in the world.
(Umkomaas,South Coast)
An independent interactive site that rocks. Ask, book, hire, find out everything here.
(George,)
Situated on Oudsthoorn's biggest hill, this spacious and upmarket Tudor-style mansion is owner run and has a full adventure centre.
(Oudtshoorn,Garden Route)
Years of experience and 24 trips that last from 3 to 16 days.
(The Kruger National Park,)
