Johannesburg, or Jo’burg and Jozi, as it is known by locals, is South Africa’s largest and most energetic and progressive city and its economic and cultural capital. It’s definitely worth a visit if you have the opportunity to make a pit stop here.
The city has been enjoying somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, attracting young professionals, creatives, and visionaries, offering much for eager travellers to experience.
What to pack
Blessed with a mostly sunny and subtropical weather climate, Johannesburg is a great option to visit any time of year. The hot summer season brings rain and awe inspiring thunderstorms while winter days are fairly mild and drier although the nights can become cold. So, be guided by that. (Yes, do pack an umbrella -just in case.)
Local lingo
All 11 official languages are widely spoken in Jozi, but most people you come into contact with can converse in simple English. A few local phrases to try:
“sawubona” – hello in iSizulu
“enkosi” – thank you in Xhosa
“howzit” – the slang greeting for “how are you doing?” used by English and Afrikaans locals.
Go see and do
A city this size means there is a lot to see and so it is wise to have a well planned itinerary ahead of your arrival. Some places to make sure you put at the top of your list are:
- Soweto and the apartheid museum – South Africa’s largest and oldest township, be sure to take a stroll alongVilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Equal parts disturbing and inspiring, the apartheid museum is a must visit for anyone interested in the history of South Africa and it’s racial struggle, while also depicting the new up and coming South Africa.
- The Cradle of Humankind – Located 40 minutes from jozi, famous for the place where humankind began, the first-ever hominid fossil, Australopithecus africanus, discovered in 1924, is proudly displayed here in this Unesco World Heritage Site
- Lion and Safari Park – This 1,000ha animal sanctuary gives visitors the opportunity to see some of South Africa’s most magnificent wild animals on guided game drives, or self drives.
- Johannesburg Art Gallery – Featuring around 9,000 works of art displayed throughout its halls and gardens, the Johannesburg art gallery is the largest public collection of art and sculpture in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Maboneng Precinct – the best vantage point to observe young Jozi locals who want to show off their creative style and flair, Fox Street in the Maboneng Precinct, is covered in art, fashionable markets, rooftop bars and hipster fashion pop-ups.
A taste of the city
Some must-visits for foodies are…:
- Restaurant Vilakazi – the place to try local South African dishes.
- Chief’s Boma Restaurant )Indaba Hotel) – great for African meat choices and entertainment.
- Yeoville Dinner Club – here you will find a ‘Pan Afrikan Plate’ long table dinner with ingredients sourced from the local neighbourhood.
Stop and shop
- Neighbourgoods market – an open air roof market popular with the young hipster culture.
- Market on Main – a multi-level market selling everything from jewellery and fashion to fresh produce and local beers.
Jozi bonus travel tips
- Safety – be confident, but not cocky and keep valuables well hidden in your possession at all times as the city is notorious for opportunistic crime.
- Transport – hire a car as public transport is not well developed, or all that safe.
If you’ve been to Jozi, where would you recommend? Let us know – use the comments below.
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