- Johannesburg
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South Africa
I am a South African (from Cape Town) who has just toured Johannesburg with my UK friend for five days. We used Jozi Experience. We lived in private houses, went to private parties, personalised Soweto/cultural tours. We felt part of the local community, not tourists.
Website: www.joziexperience.co.za
77, 4th Road, Kew. Johannesburg
Tel: +27 11 4400109
Linger Longer, in the suburb of Sandton–French style food with South African flavours, fantastic place to eat (not for the budget conscious though!), in the elegant dining rooms or on the shady terrace. We had a selection of mouthwatering starters (porcini, enormous oysters, scallops, crocodile curry, langoustines, and more) which barely left room for the delicious main course and delicate desserts!
The sommelier can tell you all you need to know about South African wines. Book to avoid disappointment.
The Apartheid Museum is not to be missed - you need at least three hours to get round and take in all the information. The museum is experiential - as you walk around you ‘live’ the experiences: walk through cages, past cells, around one of the riot tanks they used in Soweto.
The information is presented on panels, on TV screens transmitting key speeches and reports of events under apartheid, there are audio recordings, memory boxes, videos and audio tapes. There is an attempt to trace the origins of racism and apartheid back to the first settlers, but it is the lived history of apartheid and the bloodshed of the first years of liberation which leave the deepest impression and remind us that the torture techniques and tools of repression used in South Africa under apartheid are still being used today.
I left with many questions and a heavy heart, but full of admiration for those who resisted and their descendants who are trying to rebuild a country where the commonality of human experience is more important than difference.
Nelson Mandela’s favourite restaurant...
I am dragged to Moyo, feeling quite nervous of what I will find. Well knock me down with a feather … Newtown is taking its rightful place as the heart of Josie!
This is a park where they breed lions, both white and tawny, and the public can meet them.
There are also hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, giraffes and several species of antelope.
The biggest attraction is Touch-a-cub, where guests are welcome to stroke lion cubs. It's a real treat to be so close to these beautiful animals.
www.lion-park.com/home2.htm
R114, Junction R512 Hans Strijdom, Honeydew, Johannesburg
Cresta is a Shopping Mall in Jo'burg. It has more down-to-earth shops than the largely touristy Sandton City/Nelson Mandela Square. You will find Woolworth’s, PicknPay, sports, clothing, bookshops etc, and it will be busy as it is very popular. Car parking is safe as it has the usual 'stewards' in every area.
This building, with a mall inside, is the tallest building in Africa with a view deck and restaurant on the top floor. From the top you'll get a great view of Joburg, Soweto, the airport and Sandton. On a clear day you can also see Pretoria (about 30 miles away). Entrance fee to the top (50th floor) is R20.
Downtown.
Visit Mandela square in Sandton City. A vibrant shopping mall with a square that sizzles in the evening from all those lovely restaurants. A good place to eat is Montego Bay. Under the watchful eye of the biggest Mandela statue - you'll enjoy a nice seafood or other dinner.
This is very nice hotel in Fourways. You'll need to rent a car as it is about 10 miles from downtown Joburg. They have the best breakfast buffet on the planet. You can relax by taking a stroll within the safe walls of the hotel, at the swimming pools, bird watching ormake a trip to Fourways mall. Three-star with a five-star service.
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