Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg lacks the coastal scenery of Cape Town, but it's the country's transport and business hub, and its Apartheid Museum and Soweto township tours give it a historical weight distinct from the rest of South Africa. O.R. Tambo Airport is the busiest in the region and a common connecting point for onward safari travel.

Top attractions

• •The Apartheid Museum
• •Soweto, including the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Vilakazi Street
• •Constitution Hill, a former prison now housing South Africa's Constitutional Court
• •The Cradle of Humankind fossil sites, a day trip from the city
• •Maboneng, a redeveloped arts and dining precinct downtown

Practical tips

• •The Gautrain runs directly between O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Sandton in about 15 minutes, and is the safest, most convenient way into the city.
• •Johannesburg has genuine security concerns in some areas — stick to well-recommended neighborhoods and use registered transport after dark.
• •Many international safaris and onward regional flights connect through Johannesburg — factor in a buffer if your itinerary depends on a tight connection.

Frequently asked questions