Useful tips for Johannesburg bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Johannesburg. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Johannesburg. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Johannesburg highlights.
Johannesburg is a sprawling city, marked by rich and poor, industry and nature reserves. It"s a place of diversity, where you could equally likely to be shaking your head in confusion or gasping in wonder. Many people ignore the city"s sights, and stay just one night in Jo"burg before heading off elsewhere in South Africa. Yes, it doesn"t have a stunning mountain like Cape Town, or a warm friendly beach like Durban. But its fascinating mix of cultures and experiences make it an essential place to explore. Attractions are spread across the city and a rented coach is a perfect opportunity to see everything safely and conveniently.
The world"s second largest slum started as a place where poor black workers lived during the gold rush. They would do the hard graft for white bosses who kept the money. Its 2million plus people are still very poor, but many of them wouldn"t swap Soweto for anywhere else. Colors dominate the area; graffiti is plastered to everything, clothes come in all shades of the rainbow, and even the urinals have been painted. If South Africa is the rainbow nation, then Soweto is the real life representation of this metaphor.
Soweto is safe to visit and just walking around is an experience, but the main attractions are in the Orlando West area. Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu both lived on Welekazi Street, making it the only street in the world where you"ll find two Nobel Prize winners. Nearby, the Hector Pieterson museum shows the remarkable tale of the student uprising against apartheid in Soweto where innocent school children were shot for protesting. Many coaches of tourists are seen in Soweto so don"t think you"re going to stand out. Friendly locals will wave hello, and for some of the cheapest souvenirs in the whole country visit the market stalls behind the Hector Pieterson museum.
From the poor to the rich of Johannesburg, Sandton is the city"s most affluent district. Hotels shine and prosper, restaurants focus on fine dining, and the wide streets are a stark contrast to the narrow alleys of Soweto. Opulent shopping malls and business skyscrapers dominate the centre, but this neighborhood does have a lot of character. Visit any of the bars and you"ll immediately have some new friends, black and white, and the tucked away boutique restaurants showcase African cuisine at its finest.
This UNESCO world heritage site is one of the most important in the world for understanding human evolution. Inside stunning caves excavators have found the world"s biggest collection of hominin fossils, relating to a species that predated humans. Completely set within a lush nature reserve it makes for an ideal break from the city. After admiring the fossils get personal with the Lion King cast at the Lion and Rhino nature reserve. Then say sorry to the animal world and devour zebra and impala steaks at the Carnivor restaurant.
Before Sandton"s expensive markets, locals shopped in markets that sold everything from gourmet food to second hand socks. A trip through these markets is an atmospheric journey through the continent, as traders come from all over the world. Sample food delicacies at the central food market, or walk through Indian markets selling elaborate material and award winning samosas. Or haggle for fruit and veg with Malawians and Zimbabweans. Finally, check out the local flea market that you find on many street corners. You know all the second hand clothes you donate to the Red Cross or an African charity. These clothes end up being sold at these markets for nominal fees, and huge piles of coats or t-shirts lie in piles on the floor.
South Africa"s most comprehensive museum dedicated to apartheid is a must for understanding both the history and the present of the country. It has dedicated exhibitions to some of the forefathers of the apartheid fight, and some shocking examples of the brutality of the regime. Through photos, films and testimonials it does a good job of painting a realistic picture of what life was like during apartheid.
Soccer City was built to host the 2010 World Cup final and its 90,000 capacity might seem a bit over the top for a country that still has much poverty. However, the stadium is still used by the country"s two top teams, Orlando Pirates and Kaiser Chiefs. Each attracts a huge crowd and tickets cost less than €5.
Read more about trips, transport, tours, taxis and bus rental in Johannesburg, or find information about sights, transport services and travel in the province of Gauteng. You can receive competing quotes for bus hire in Johannesburg directly by completing this quote request form. Getting offers for chauffeured coach or minibus hire in Johannesburg has never been easier!
Would you like to organize a bus tour to see all these beautiful highlights? Request quotes and compare the different bus and coach hire companies:
