Brushstrokes of South Africa

ABOUT THE DESTINATION: Johannesburg is the port of entry for the majority of tourists visiting South Africa and its largest city. First time visitors may also not be aware that Johannesburg and Pretoria are only 60km from each other, but the two cities are worlds apart, and the contrast is fascinating. South Africa's largest city is cosmopolitan, quirky and vibrant with glorious weather and friendly people. One of Johannesburg endearing characteristics is that it is a truly international and very cosmopolitan place. Johannesburg is unapologetically and unmistakably African with enough First World infrastructure to make for comfortable tourism. Newtown and the Market Theatre area are the city's cultural precinct. Braamfontein, the university area, has a great Saturday market, lively night life, is very artsy. Don’t miss the stunning Apartheid Museum. The most well-known and celebrated of South Africa's townships is Soweto, the sprawling mix of shanty town and formal housing estates that lies approximately 30km outside of Johannesburg in Gauteng. Johannesburg offers lots of interesting and often quirky things to do, be willing to scratch beneath the surface and you'll find enough to happily occupy a few days and provide excellent context to help you understand the turbulent history that has made South Africa what it is today.