Not sure what it says about a city when its number one tourist attraction is a beer museum. I'm also not sure what it says about Dani and me that we contributed to such a statistic (and had a blast!) The tour is advertised everywhere in Johannesburg - it's a one and a half hour guided tour organized by SAB brewing (partners with Miller-Coors in the USA) complete with a 3D adventure, an IMAX-style movie, real life machinery depicting the beer making process, and lots more. Oh, and did we mention the tasting?

Included as part of the tour: a taste of traditional South African home-brew, a pint of SAB's Castle, and two more pints from any SAB partner at the end (we had European beers Peroni and Pilsner Urquel), all included in the amazing 25 rand price tag (or three USD per person).

Doing a review of South African's Castle beer is a bit of a cop-out (and we hope to visit Zululand where we can choose a more traditional option). With that said, the elaborate SAB museum warrants some praise. The truth is we like the fact that Castle is a good South African union-made, union-bottled, union-delivered brew - that reminded me a lot of its US counterpart - Miller Light. And while Miller may not be the first beer that comes to mind when I list my favorites, it's affordable, it tastes consistently slightly better than average, and the company provides good jobs.

It would feel weird to make this a "must do" when visiting Jozi - for pete's sake spend a day at the Apartheid museum or touring Soweto - but if you're spending a little too much time on the ground, have a free Saturday afternoon, then we promise you it will be a good time. Plan well though, no walk-ins, as the tours book days in advance.

15 President Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001, South Africa‎
011 836 4900‎
www.worldofbeer.co.za/

Google map: tinyurl.com/ydp8q5j

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We stayed at Bob's Bunkhouse because they are the darling of the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree for hostels in Johannesburg, South Africa. The place was nice enough for a hostel (we even had our own bathroom) - but it's also in the middle of nowhere - and to get anywhere in Jozi expect to pay very hefty taxi fees. Bob and his wife are very nice, and they try hard to provide a safe and social environment - but the reek of cigarettes is everywhere, the place is filthy, and there are no local restaurants, either in walking distance or for delivery (except for very average pizza). With that said, Bob's has quick DSL, a coke machine that dispenses beer, and loads of hot water.

40 Saint Anne Road
Hurlyvale, Lethabong, Gauteng 1609, South Africa
011 453 2294
www.bobsbunkhouse.co.za/

Google map: tinyurl.com/ybxvhy4

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Stay at a lion park in Johannesburg and get a chance to feed the animals, play with a lion cub or take a cheetah for a walk.

Amazing opportunity to actually play with both normal and white lion cubs before they get big enough to bite. Then see the prides up close from your own car or a park tour vehicle, including a completely white pride.

If you volunteer you get to interact with the animals much more than the standard park visitors. You can also stay at the park in some of their on site luxury tents.

Cnr Malibongwe & R114
Lanseria
Johannesburg
South Africa

Tel: +27 (0)11 691 9905
Fax: +27 (0)11 691 9904

www.lion-park.com

Google map: tinyurl.com/y9ug2j5

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Do not be fooled by the more commercial 'human zoo' township tours, which will take you in a bus around the township, drop you for half an hour to see the Hector Pieterson museum before whizzing you past the houses of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. The Lonely Planet
recommends a couple of low-key tours led by locals and I opted for a tour which included two days being shown around by a local girl and a
night's stay in a typical shack. I got on so well with my guide that we went out drinking in the evening and I slept on her shack floor instead of in my own place. On the Sunday we cooked lunch all together and I let her daughter and nieces highjack my camera for a while -
they managed to take far better photos than I could have done!

Google map: tinyurl.com/y9uv4po

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For those staying in Johannesburg, and want to get away from the malls and the bustle of the city then in easy driving distance are two great places. If wildlife is what you want to see and Kruger is too far away, then head to the Pilanesberg game reserve. You can see all of the 'Big Five' there, and is located in the fantastic crater of a former volcano. It is quite a distance for one night, so visitors could go to Sun City, which is very close to the game reserve.

The other place near Johannesburg is Magaliesberg, which has a wide array of things to do.

www.pilanesberg-game-reserve.co.za/
Google map: tinyurl.com/y9pfaze

www.magaliesberg.co.za/adventure.html
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If you're looking for an authentic South African meal enjoyed in the company of locals this is the place. Friday nights are busy with young urban types, visiting after the end of a gruelling work week.

6980 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto
+27 11 939 4427
www.sakhumzi.co.za/

Google map: tinyurl.com/y9djkeg

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Built on the site of the notorious Old Fort prison in Johannesburg, the court is as much a historical site as it is a working museum. It must be the number one spot in the country to appreciate South Africa's past, present and future. Also the architecture is great, uniquely South African and the new court building works very well with the old prison and its walls. The views over the Joburg city centre are also quite amazing.

www.constitutionalcourt.org.za
Hospital Street, Johannesburg

Google map: tinyurl.com/y8ru9vz

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