Johannesburg
Johannesburg. Joburg. Jozi. The city of gold (and endless names). Whether you live here or plan to visit Johannesburg, check out the guides and tips to make the most out of your stay!
You’ll likely land in Joburg when you visit South Africa. If Kruger National Park is on your itinerary, you’ll get off in Joburg and take the 5 hours car ride there. You really should take 2 full days to explore some of what this incredible city has to offer. There is nothing like it.
Without access to a beach like Cape Town, Joburg had to be innovative. The city has so much to offer from restaurants and cafes to art galleries, local shops, and plenty of city nature escapes.
Although we moved from Joburg in December 2023, our three years there really opened our eyes to this unique city. The city is ever-changing. Please double-check restaurant and shop hours as well as different areas around the city. One year a neighborhood will be poppin’ and the next it’s dead. Such is the nature and beauty of a city!
This post contains affiliate links.
The Best Joburg Itinerary
Start here with the best Joburg itinerary for all you need to do and know to plan the perfect trip jam-packed with adventure!
Top 10 Things to do in Johannesburg
- Ponte City: Dlala Nje operates tours of this famous residential apartment and the surrounding neighborhoods in downtown Joburg. Go for sundowners to get great sunset city views. OR wake up early and race up to the top during the monthly Ponte City Challenge.
- Soweto: This is the largest township around Joburg. Take a tour of Soweto with One Day Africa.
- Joburg’s CBD and downtown neighborhoods: Visit Johannesburg’s colorful and hip neighborhoods in Central Business District (CBD), like Maboneng, Braamfontein, and Newtown. Take an uber and check out the art shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars that line this street. Or get a guide so you can explore everything.
Read about the top 10 things to do in Johannesburg in the post!
Parks in and around Johannesburg
Joburg’s Food Scene
Joburg is such a foodie city. Check out all my reviews and guides to help you plan your foodie journey. Start with my guides!
Joburg Activities
Weekend Trips from Johannesburg
Got a weekend or more to explore around Joburg, check out my trip ideas including hotel reviews and itineraries for the perfect stay.
Visiting Joburg
Safaris near Johannesburg
For a safari around Joburg, consider something like Pilanesberg or Welgonden Game Reserves. A 2-night stay is probably all you need at a lodge to see the animals and enjoy if you’re doing a full room+board lodging option. Check out the Safaris in South Africa page for more details and tips!
Joburg Safety
You should practice vigilance when in any city but here are some extra tips to keep you out of trouble:
- Do not walk around CBD (central business district) unless you are with a guide or on a tour. We got too comfortable and were robbed while walking in the CBD. You can read all about it here.
- Phone snatching is very common. Do not walk around with your phone in your hand. Do not put your phone on the table while you’re at a restaurant. Keeping your phone out of sight applies even to what you may think of as “nice” areas. Just don’t do it.
- If you are not sure about the parking situation, Uber is the best way to get directly to your destination. I’ve tried Bolt but the drivers don’t know the city as well from my experience. We don’t drive to Maboneg because you may have to walk a bit from your car to the destination.
- Carjackings are not unheard of, especially in areas that are deserted. I’ve mostly received alerts for carjackings at highway exits. Sometimes there are signs on the highway that will tell you not to stop… So don’t. If you get caught, don’t fight for your car, just let them have it.
- Nighttime safety: Joburg’s neighborhoods do not usually have streetlights. It is not safe to walk around at night. Even if your hotel or Airbnb seems close, it is not safe to walk at night between locations. It may seem silly, but you should take an uber even to go around the corner at night.
How to get around Joburg
There is no need to rent a car in Joburg as Ubers are cheap and easy to get. Most of the things to do in Joburg, are in Joburg.
It’s safe and easy to Uber around. Just don’t hold your phone out on the streets at night, wait inside a restaurant and wait for your uber to say it’s here. Do not be tempted to use Bolt or other e-hailing apps. Their drivers have gotten lost every time I’ve used it even though the fare is a little cheaper. It’s not worth it.
However, if you want more control of your time and the option to go on day trips, then I suggest you use Discover Cars, which is what I suggest for finding the best car rentals globally.
O.R. Tambo Airport Tips
OR Tambo is a large international airport!
Transport
Uber is safe and there is a new (in Oct 2022) Uber pick-up area. Uber has good directions on the app. Go up one level and then cross the indoor bridge to the parking lot by the South African Police booth.
You can also use a certified taxi. You’ll be able to tell if it’s certified when the driver shows you his ID and you should ask to pay via card. There is a taxi stand in the welcome area. It’s on the left side of the building when you exit. Ask to see the cost of the neighborhood on the price sheet. If you’re feeling up for it, you can use the Uber app to try to negotiate a lower price; say ‘Well, I’ll just wait for the Uber then since it’s R200 less” or something, and see if they offer you a lower price.
Don’t take a taxi that demands cash; just wait for an Uber then. I’ve taken Ubers all times of day and night from the airport (even at 3am in the morning) and it’s safe.
You can also use the Gautrain to get to the airport!
Sim Cards
When you exit the welcome area, keep to your right. There is an MTN and Vodacom shop. You need your passport to register a sim card. I suggest getting MTN becuase you can top up data with an international card whereas Vodacom will require a SA card, so you’ll need to go to a shop to top up data or airtime. A 1-month package is normal (that’s what we have). I suggest getting the 2 or 3 GB+ airtime package. This will allow you to make calls as well. I use about 3GB a month (as long as I have wifi for the ‘gram).
