Things to do in Johannesburg
Johannesburg, planned before you land.
The history of the country, the cradle of our species and a Big Five safari, all within a day of the city.
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What to do in Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the arrival city for South Africa and most visitors pass through fast. The reasons to stay a day or two: Soweto and the Apartheid Museum tell the story of the country better than anywhere else; the Cradle of Humankind is an hour away; and Pilanesberg, a malaria-free reserve with the Big Five, is a two and a half hour drive. Kruger is a separate trip. Tours collect from hotels across the northern suburbs and Sandton.
01
Soweto and the Apartheid Museum
Vilakazi Street, where Mandela and Tutu both lived, the Hector Pieterson memorial and the museum that lays out the whole system. A full day with a guide from the township.
02
Cradle of Humankind
The Sterkfontein caves where some of the oldest hominid fossils were found and the Maropeng visitor center. Half or full day, an hour from the city.
03
Pilanesberg safari day trip
An open-vehicle game drive in a malaria-free reserve with lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo, about two and a half hours away. Pre-dawn pickup, back after dark.
04
Lion and Safari Park
A half-day reserve with lions, cheetahs and giraffes 45 minutes out, for a short visit or a long layover.
05
Constitution Hill and Maboneng
The old fort and prisons turned into the home of the Constitutional Court, then the galleries and food of the Maboneng precinct. A city day on foot.
06
Pretoria half day
The Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument and Church Square, 45 minutes north. Often combined with the Cradle.
Tour links open Viator in a new tab. All Travel Fun earns a commission on bookings made through them; it does not change what you pay. Hours, closing days and drive times above are approximate; the listing has the current details.
Top-rated in Johannesburg right now
Live from Viator, ranked by traveler rating. Prices are per person, from the lowest option, as of the last refresh; the listing has today's.
Pretoria,Johannesburg,soweto & Apartheid Museum tour
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Exploring Johannesburg through Skateboarding - incl. skate lesson for beginners!
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Johannesburg and Soweto Tour (6-7 hours)
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Meet Africa's Gentle Giants: Elephant Encounter from Johannesburg
5.0 (30 reviews)5h
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4-Day Kruger National Park Safari from Johannesburg
5.0 (26 reviews)96h
From $2,014 per person→
Why book through Viator
Book the Johannesburg tours before you fly, without locking yourself in.
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- Reviews from people who went
- Ratings and reviews come from travelers who booked that exact tour. Read the recent ones before you choose.
- Compare before you land
- The hotel tour desk sells what it has left that morning. Booking ahead means you pick the operator, the time and the pickup, with the price in front of you.
Cancellation and payment terms are set per listing and shown on Viator before you book. Check them for the tour you pick.
Good to know
- Move by car, not on foot
- Johannesburg is a driving city. Ride apps and tour pickups are the way around; walking between sights outside the guided areas is not.
- Dry season is safari season
- May to September is dry, the grass is low and animals gather at water. Kruger is a five-hour drive or a short flight and needs two or three nights.
Before you go
A one-day plan for the city, with the safety notes.
Questions before you book
Can I do a safari in a day from Johannesburg?
Yes. Pilanesberg is the real one, with the Big Five and a full game drive, as a 14 hour day. The Lion and Safari Park is a half day with guaranteed sightings in a smaller area.
How do I get to Kruger?
Five hours by road or a 50-minute flight to Skukuza or Nelspruit. Plan two or three nights; it is not a day trip.
How do I book these tours?
Each "See tours" button opens Viator's listings for that experience in Johannesburg, with live prices, dates, reviews and the cancellation terms. You book and pay there. All Travel Fun earns a commission on bookings made through those links; it does not change what you pay.
Can your agents book tours over the phone?
Our agents book flights. Call to price the flight to Johannesburg; book the tours on Viator once your dates are fixed.
Flights to Johannesburg
Where to stay: Johannesburg hotels by area
More trips in the region: Flights to Africa by Phone
More things to do in Africa
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