Johannesburg

Plan This Trip

Search flights and hotels for Johannesburg right here — no extra tabs.

Prefer another search engine? Kiwi.com →

Why go

Johannesburg is where South Africa’s story is easiest to read — the gold-rush city, the museums that explain apartheid, and Soweto’s streets — with open grassland and wildlife less than an hour away. Four or five days covers the history, a township day, a morning with big cats, and enough time in Sandton’s restaurants to make it feel like a holiday rather than a checklist.

Where to Stay — Johannesburg

From glass towers in Sandton to quiet courtyard hotels and palazzo-style resorts, here’s how to choose a base.

Sandton High-Rises

Sandton is the city’s business and shopping hub, with the Gautrain station, big malls and the widest choice of restaurants within walking distance. A safe default for a first visit.

Courtyard & Pool Hotels

Modern hotels built around a quiet courtyard and pool — a calm base after a busy day of museums and driving.

Suites & Lounges

Top-end hotels with high-ceilinged lounges and club floors, worth it if you want evening drinks without leaving the building.

Palazzo-Style Resorts

Italianate resort hotels with big pools and landscaped grounds — a resort feel without leaving Gauteng.

History & Soweto

The two things most first-time visitors build a trip around — the museums that explain apartheid, and the township where Nelson Mandela lived.

Apartheid Museum & Constitution Hill

The Apartheid Museum tells the story of apartheid and the struggle against it through film, photographs and documents — allow at least three hours. Constitution Hill, a short drive away, is the former prison complex that now houses the Constitutional Court, and the two make a natural first-day pairing.

Mandela House, Soweto — Nelson Mandela’s former home on Vilakazi Street is now a small museum; walk the street afterwards for lunch.

Orlando Towers — the painted cooling towers are Soweto’s best-known landmark, and a base for bungee and swing activities.

Wildlife & Day Trips

Within roughly an hour of the city, game parks and reserves put big cats and giraffes in front of you — and you’re back in time for dinner.

Game Drives & Big Cats

Lions, giraffes and other wildlife are easy to see on a half-day trip from the city. Book a guided drive or visit a licensed park, and for the full Big Five plan an overnight at Pilanesberg or Kruger, a few hours’ drive away.

Up-Close Encounters

Several parks around Johannesburg offer closer encounters with big cats. Choose operators that put animal welfare first, and avoid any that offer cub petting or walking with lions.

Cradle of Humankind — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the world’s richest hominid fossil sites; the Maropeng visitor centre is the usual starting point.

Lesedi Cultural Village — a village experience with traditional music, dance and food, in the same corner of Gauteng as the Cradle of Humankind.

Gold Reef City — a theme park and gold-rush museum village south of the city centre, good for families.

Sun City — the Palace of the Lost City resort in the hills of North West province, roughly two and a half hours from Johannesburg by road.

Dam & Lake Cruises — a calm break from the city on one of the sightseeing cruises that run on the dams around Johannesburg.

Hot-Air Ballooning — sunrise balloon flights drift over open grassland, with game visible below.

Food & Views

South Africans take meat seriously, and the city’s restaurants know how to make the most of a view.

Steak, Braai & Dinner with a View

Grilled steak is the national comfort food, from neighbourhood steakhouses to high-end restaurants with city views at sunset. Book a table with a view ahead, especially at weekends, and try a braai (barbecue) with local sides at least once.

Getting There

O.R. Tambo International Airport

One of Africa’s busiest airports, east of the city. The Gautrain runs from the terminal to Sandton in roughly 15 minutes, with onward links to Rosebank, Park Station and Pretoria; ride-hailing apps cover the rest.

A Simple 4-Day Route