TOURISM IN SOUTH AFRICA
Make the most of your African Experience.
With the FIFA World Cup Soccer starting in less than 90 days you may be interested to know what South Africa has to offer
The opening ceremony is at Soccer City in SOWETO on June 10th. Most visitors will attend and it makes sense to start with Gauteng.

Information
South Africa has 9 provinces:
1. Gauteng
2. Western Cape
3. Kwazulu Natal
4. Mpumalanga
5. Limpopo
6. Eastern Cape
7. Northern Cape
8. North West
9. Free State

Gauteng
This is the smallest province in South Africa with the highest population count. Gauteng is the area formally known as the PWV area. If you look at the map of South Africa you will notice that this is the triangle formed between Pretoria, Witwatersrand and Vereeniging.

Johannesburg

Areas of interest in and around Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the biggest city in South Africa. Johannesburg is also known as eGoli, the place of gold.

When gold was discovered in 1880 prospectors rushed to the area and Johannesburg was born. Within a few years the city grew to be the biggest in the country.

Johannesburg is still the heartbeat of South Africa’s economy. Just outside of Johannesburg, in Carletonville, is the famous Western Deep Levels. The deepest mine in the world at about 3580m underground.
There are lots of restaurants, night clubs, jazz clubs and galleries. Throughout the city you will find shopping centers and theaters.

S A Tourism Board
Contact details
Tel – (011) 333 8082
Address: - C/o Market & Kruis Streets
Johannesburg

Museums to visit:
The Museum Africa focuses on the people of SA. This museum is very special and worth a visit.
The Geological Museum
Bensusan museum of photography

Parks and Gardens
Herman Eckstein Park with the famous Zoo.
Melville koppies, a very important agrological site
Delta Park
Melrose bird sanctuary
Witwatersrand Botanical gardens. – See the photo of the Witpoortjie Waterfall in the botanical gardens.

Cultural sites.
Phumangena Zulu site
Lesedi Cultural site
Sibaya Zulu site

Other interesting places in and around Johannesburg

Sterkfontein Caves
West of Johannesburg is the Sterkfontein Valley. There are three very interesting things for you to see:
There are tours available every hour.

1. The Cradle of humankind.

2. The underground lake at the Sterkfontein Caves.

3. Wonder caves

Soweto

This satellite city is an integral part of the Johannesburg metropolis. Soweto is the biggest “black” city in the country. For years Soweto was the centre of the struggle against apartheid. Today Soweto is a peaceful city.

There are a couple of interesting tours available. It is safe to go and visit the city but take care to do this in an organized tour. Do not visit Soweto on your own. Crime is still a very big factor and there are not proper street maps available yet.

These tours normally end with drinks and a meal at one of the very famous shebeens.


HARTBEESPOORT DAM 1
Hartbeespoort Dam is a famous resort known for water boats, sailing, Water ski, fishing enthusiasts and camping.

Visitors may take the cable car to the top of the mountain for more sightseeing. Also try wind gliding.

The fresh water aquarium is one of the biggest in the country and well worth a visit. The Snake Park is also very interesting to see.
Look out for the street vendors if you are looking for African art and other mementos to take home.

De Wildt Cheetah and Nature Reserve
Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve – Hiking trails

Gold Reef City –
Experience life as it was in the early 1900 when Johannesburg was bustling with people looking for fortune. This long forgotten era is now brought back with horse carts and taverns complete with can-can dancers.

More attractions at Gold Reef City is the Casino, an adventure park and a trip on the Raging River Rapids.
Do not forget about all the shopping and restaurants available.

A visit to Gold Reef City must be your first priority.



Pretoria
Pretoria is known as the Jacaranda city and looking at this photo it is easy to see why. The city has more than 80 000 of these beautiful trees.

Pretoria is the Administrative Capital of South Africa.
SA Tourism Board
Tel: (012) 347 0600
Address: 442 Rigel Avenue
Erasmusrand

Apart from the normal cultural places to see, Pretoria has some of the most sophisticated shopping centers in the country.
The National Zoo is named as one of the best in the world.

Church Square in Pretoria
Union Buildings – This is where the President and Senior Cabinet ministers have their offices.

Sammy Marks Fountain
Paul Kruger Church

Die Stadshuis
Government House

The Voortrekker monument is a landmark in South African history.

Fort Schanskop
Fort Klapperkop
Museums
Transvaal Museum
Austin Roberts
Paul Kruger House
Melrose House – This is where the document was signed to end the Boer War in 1902. The document is called the “Vrede van Vereeniging”

Parks and Gardens
National Zoo – Named as one of the best in the world.
Wonderboom Nature Reserve
Tswaing Crater

Places of interest in Vereeniging
Vereeniging is located on the banks of the Vaalriver and well known for water Sport, Angling and picnicking.
You will find museums and nature reserves, restaurants and night clubs. A visit to Vereeniging will be well worth it.