Growing out of the earth and dust of the gold mines, Johannesburg is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, modern metropolis offering the visitor countless exciting places to see and things to do. This economic powerhouse of South Africa has a gentler side with the tree-lined suburbs contrasting with the towering office blocks of the city centre.
           
There is something for everyone – museums, art galleries, theatres, monuments, nature reserves, parks and more. The Lion Park offers the opportunity to get up close to one of Africa’s Big 5 from the safety and comfort of your vehicle. Many other species of wild life and birds are to be found in the countless ‘green’ areas in and around Johannesburg. The Johannesburg Zoo is well known for the wide range of animal species to be found in its sprawling 54 ha site.

Many points of historical interest include Constitution Hill, the prison where activists like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were held, the Cradle of Mankind where around 40 percent of all known hominid fossils have been excavated and Gold Reef City theme park with its trip down an old Johannesburg gold mine and the recreated turn-of-the-century gold rush town. A visit to Soweto, the largest township in the country, is a must. Soweto, a city in its own right, is synonymous with anti-apartheid resistance but it is much more, it has soul. Enjoy a night out in a local tavern, enjoying good company, local beers and hearty township food.

No visit to Johannesburg would be complete without a visit to Sandton. A city within a city, Sandton is just 30 minutes from Oliver Tambo International Airport on the new super fast train, the Gautrain. Fast rivalling Johannesburg city centre as the commercial hub of South Africa, Sandton has fast become the base for many local and multinational organisations. In the heart of Sandton lies the incomparable Sandton City, a mecca for shoppers, the ultimate shopping experience. From curios to culture, Sandton City fuses sophistication and tradition. International shoppers can feel at home while experiencing a taste of Africa amidst cosmopolitan coffee shops, restaurants and stunning shops.

A wide variety of sporting activities including golf, tennis, squash, bowls, angling, skydiving, bungee jumping, gliding, mountain biking, rock climbing and last but not least, sand boarding down the mine dumps, the remains of early deep level gold mining, are all available in and around Johannesburg, the City of Gold.

The 2010 Football World Cup has brought out the best in South Africa. New stadiums have been erected around the city to cater for this prestigious international event and will remain as testaments to the love of soccer by all South Africans. The Flagship stadium, Soccer City Stadium in Diepkloof, some 10 km southwest of the city centre and close to the old west reef gold mines, is a notable example of our architectural achievements. The stadium will be in use for generations to come and will be remembered as the venue for the opening game and the grand finalé.