Johannesburg — affectionately known as Joburg, Jozi, or the City of Gold — is South Africa's largest city and the undisputed gateway to African adventure. Whether you're visiting for a weekend layover or spending a full week, this vibrant metropolis offers world-class culture, history, food, nightlife, and wildlife experiences that will leave you speechless.
As locals who've called Joburg home for over a decade, we've curated the definitive guide to the top 10 things to do in Johannesburg in 2026. Every activity has been personally tested by our team at Bakubung Safaris & Tours.
1. Take a Guided Soweto Township Tour
No visit to Johannesburg is complete without experiencing Soweto — South Western Townships — the birthplace of the anti-apartheid movement and home to two Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
What you'll see:
- Vilakazi Street — the world-famous street where Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu once lived
- Hector Pieterson Memorial — honouring the 1976 student uprising
- Regina Mundi Church — known as "the People's Cathedral"
- Orlando Towers — the iconic cooling towers turned into an adventure playground
- Traditional township lunch with local families
Pro tip: Our guided Soweto tours depart daily from Johannesburg CBD and Sandton. A guided tour gives you access to stories and communities you'd never find on your own.
Duration: Half-day (4–5 hours) or full-day (7–8 hours)
Price: From $109 per person
2. Visit the Apartheid Museum
The Apartheid Museum is consistently ranked among the world's most powerful museums. Through film footage, photographs, newspaper clippings, and interactive displays, it chronicles the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa.
Highlights:
- The entrance experience — you're randomly assigned a "white" or "non-white" entry ticket
- 22 exhibition spaces documenting South Africa's painful history
- The Pillars of the Constitution representing human rights
- Nelson Mandela's legacy gallery
Allow at least 2–3 hours for a meaningful visit. Guided tours with a historian add incredible depth.
Price: Museum entry from R150 | Guided tour with transport from $85
3. Explore the Cradle of Humankind
Just 40 minutes from Johannesburg lies the Cradle of Humankind — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where some of the world's oldest hominid fossils have been discovered. This is where the story of humanity literally begins.
Must-visit sites:
- Maropeng Visitor Centre — an interactive journey through 4 million years of human evolution
- Sterkfontein Caves — where "Mrs Ples" and "Little Foot" were discovered
- Wonder Cave — spectacular limestone formations
Duration: Half-day tour (4–5 hours)
Price: From $99 per person including transport
4. Safari Day Trip to Pilanesberg or Lion & Safari Park
You don't need to fly to Kruger for an incredible Big 5 wildlife experience. Pilanesberg Game Reserve is just 2 hours from Johannesburg and sits in the crater of an ancient volcano — offering some of the most scenic game drives in South Africa.
What you might spot: Lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, hippos, zebras, giraffes, and over 360 bird species.
For a shorter option, the Lion & Safari Park is just 30 minutes from Sandton and offers close encounters with lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, and giraffes.
Pilanesberg full-day safari: From $149 per person
Lion & Safari Park: From $99 per person
5. Wander Through Maboneng Precinct & Arts on Main
Johannesburg's Maboneng Precinct is the beating heart of the city's creative renaissance. This revitalised inner-city neighbourhood is packed with galleries, street art, boutique shops, rooftop bars, and some of the best coffee in Africa.
Don't miss:
- Arts on Main — weekend market with art, crafts, and street food
- Living Walls — massive murals by local and international artists
- Hallmark House — designed by architect David Adjaye
- Rooftop bars with skyline views
Best time to visit: Saturday mornings for the market buzz
6. Tour Constitution Hill & The Old Fort
Once a notorious prison where Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and thousands of ordinary South Africans were incarcerated, Constitution Hill is now the seat of South Africa's Constitutional Court.
Highlights:
- The Old Fort prison complex
- Women's Jail (where political prisoners were held)
- Number Four (the infamous Black section)
- The Constitutional Court — one of the most important buildings in modern South Africa
Duration: 2–3 hours with a guide
Price: Included in our full-day Johannesburg city tour ($129)
7. Experience Gold Reef City Theme Park
Built on the site of a real gold mine, Gold Reef City combines thrilling rides with a fascinating glimpse into Johannesburg's gold rush history.
Top experiences:
- Underground mine tour (descend 220 metres!)
- Watch gold being poured into bars
- The Tower of Terror — a 50-metre free-fall ride
- Victorian-era architecture and live entertainment
Perfect for families and thrill-seekers alike.
8. Taste Your Way Through Johannesburg's Food Scene
Joburg's food scene is exploding with creativity. From township braais to fine dining, the city offers an incredible culinary journey.
Foodie highlights:
- Shisa Nyama (township BBQ) in Soweto — nothing beats the flavour of meat grilled on an open flame with pap and chakalaka
- Marble Restaurant in Rosebank — celebrity chef David Higgs' acclaimed flame-grilled experience
- Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein — Saturday morning foodie heaven
- Bunny Chow — Durban's famous curry-in-a-bread-loaf has taken Joburg by storm
9. Visit the Johannesburg Zoo & Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden
For a peaceful escape from the urban buzz:
- Johannesburg Zoo — one of Africa's oldest, home to over 2,000 animals across 55 hectares
- Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden — a tranquil haven with a stunning waterfall, resident Verreaux's Eagles, and beautiful hiking trails
Both are perfect for families and nature lovers.
10. Catch a Sunset at Northcliff Ridge or The Westcliff
End your perfect Johannesburg day with a spectacular sunset. Northcliff Ridge offers panoramic 360° views of the city skyline, while the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff terrace serves sundowner cocktails with breathtaking views over the northern suburbs and zoo.
Ready to Explore Johannesburg?
At Bakubung Safaris & Tours, we offer guided Johannesburg day tours that combine the best of culture, history, wildlife, and food — all with expert local guides who bring the city to life.
Popular Johannesburg tours:
- Soweto Half-Day Tour — from $109
- Full-Day Johannesburg City Tour — from $129
- Cradle of Humankind Tour — from $99
- Pilanesberg Safari Day Trip — from $149
Book your Johannesburg tour today and let us show you why Jozi is Africa's coolest city. 🦛