Community Questions: What to do with 2 weeks in Johannesburg?
Jo Randall
This question was originally answered in The Detour in May 2024
Q: “How best to use two weeks to see a good range of everything and a few new countries if possible. Flying in and out of Jo'burg in April. Been to Cape Town and covered the south of SA a couple of times already.
So, contemplating a couple of nights to see Jo'burg, Kruger, would love to see Victoria Falls (ZiZa and Botswana??) or Namibia. Would love a few relaxing days too - Mozambique or a relaxing place elsewhere??
Thank you!!”
Hey there, reader! Two weeks will never be long enough to see everything, but I’ll give you a rundown of my favourite spots in Johannesburg and beyond.
Starting off with Gold Reef City—this is more than just a theme park! Yes, the Miner's Revenge ride was trauma inducing, and it may or may not make you cry. But it goes beyond that, too; there is a tour into the mine shaft, a mining museum (which is more interesting than it sounds!), crystal and precious stone scratch patches, and even the Apartheid Museum.
You can opt to stay overnight at the park, as well, which is well worth it if you’re lucky enough to catch a show—I got to see Trevor Noah there! Or if you’re so inclined, try your hand at either the slots or tables. Personally, I'm a blackjack girl! Maybe lady luck will favour you…
Next up is Wits Origins Center paired with the Cradle of Humankind. The Maropeng/Sterkfontein caves are absolutely amazing; you get to see active archaeological digs, and the museum is incredible.
It’s a strange emotional experience, leaving you feeling incredibly small and insignificant, but also acknowledging how impactful you actually are. The area around the caves is so unassuming, it’s a stark juxtaposition between how plain it looks vs how important it is. You’ll deserve a gentle refreshment break/craft beer tasting at Copperlake Breweries after that!
Maybe there’ll also be a day when you’re just interested in a nice, slow-paced walk in the city. 10/10 would recommend the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, which is a stunning and peaceful contrast to the city life buzzing around it. The park boasts tons of birdlife and tours, as well as a lovely restaurant on site.
Or for a bit of beachy downtime, you don’t even need to head down to the coast. A 2-hour drive from JHB will have you in the Valley of Waves at Sun City. Sun City is internationally best known for its golf courses (they have 2—for no reason! Surely 1 is enough?). They also have the Maze of the Lost City, which is the largest permanent maze in the Southern Hemisphere. And then there are loads of safari options in the area, as well as a nightclub and a casino on site with plenty of accommodation options.
The only food recommendation I'm prepared to put a star on is Fahrenheit. If you're a meat eater, you need the Thunder Fillet!
Feeling adventurous? How about a bungee jump…? You might be wondering how that's possible in an area not particularly known for its deep ravines. I’ll be honest, the landscape is pretty flat, and if you stand on a chair, you can see your dog running away for about 7-10 business days!
Well, us South Africans are a creative bunch, so we use towers. It's not only bungee, you can also wall climb and SCAD free-fall in the same place. If that’s your kind of thing, that is…
But honestly, the part of the country I love most is the Mpumalanga province, on the way up to Kruger National Park. You’ll want to follow the Panorama Route all the way there to make sure you catch all the best bits. Breathtaking gorges, huge waterfalls, weird rock formations—the list goes on. You can really spend ages taking it slow and soaking it all in!
If you’re set on bagging an extra country, consider Mozambique. It’s a tricky country to fly to on a budget, but from Jo'burg you can drive to the capital, Maputo, in around 7 hours, or take a bus in 9 hours. There’s loads to see in the historical capital itself, but it’s the coastline you absolutely have to see!
The ocean in Mozambique is as clear as it gets and as warm as a bath. The best-of the-best can be found further north on Bazaruto Island, with its 2-mile long coral reef literally teeming with life. But as you’ll likely be tight for time, I’d stick to peaceful Inhaca Island, which you can reach by boat from Maputo.
Hopefully that’s given you a few ideas, reader. South Africa really is vast, so take your time and enjoy every bit! Let us know how you get on, and send us a few pics when you’re back :-)
If you have any Johannesburg tips to share, drop 'em in the comments :-)