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1. Apartheid Museum
Many visitors passing through this world-class museum find themselves emotionally unsettled by its meticulous chronicling of apartheid history....
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- Culture
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3. Johannesburg Art Gallery
Predictably, the city's first gallery was financed with the sale of a diamond. In 1904, Lady Phillips, wife of the first chairman of the Rand Mines...
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4. Carlton Centre
- At 228 meters/728 feet tall, the Carlton Centre is the tallest building in Africa, making it one of Johannesburg's most popular landmarks. Built... read more
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5. Museum Africa
- Located at the Newtown Cultural Precinct, Museum Africa carries a variety of exhibits, most of which pertain to the rich history of Africa. Of... read more
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- Culture
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6. Witwatersrand (Wits) University
- Although generally not open to the public, Wits University, founded in the 1920s, does offer a tour of their facilities to those of an academic... read more
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7. South African National Museum of Military History
- The South African National Museum of Military History comprises one of the most comprehensive collections pertaining to South Africa's role in... read more
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8. Bunny Park
- Pack a blanket and a large picnic basket with snacks and goodies, and take a trip to this verdant park where farm animals abound. Cows, donkeys,... read more
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- Picnics, Parks & Gardens
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9. Johannesburg Zoo
- Featuring park-like surrounds, the Johannesburg Zoo offers a glimpse at over 3,000 animal species. Night-time tours are also offered, giving a... read more
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10. Regina Mundi Church
- When in Soweto, you have to visit the Regina Mundi church. Don't let the rather plain exteriors of the church fool you. The interiors are beautiful... read more
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- Religious Sights
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The Best of NileGuide
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Johannesburg is country with a long, fascinating, and sometimes dark history. Visiting gives you a chance to explore this history, and to see how far the city has come.
Probably the oldest historical place to visit around Johannesburg is the Cradle of Humankind. This series of caves is a World Heritage site, and is home to a large number of flora and fauna fossils, including some hominid fossils. Hundreds of hominid fossils have been discovered in the past couple decades, making this the site with the highest density of hominid fossils in the world. Tourists can go on an underground boat ride to see the caves.
More recent history can be found in the museums and other monuments dedicated to the city's and country's struggle through apartheid. The Apartheid Museum is beautifully designed and is quite a moving experience, and gives historical background going back far before colonialism overtook the continent as well as the more recent tumultuous events. The Old Fort and Constitution Hill also serve as an impressive apartheid prison museum.
One of the main attractions of southern Africa is of course its landscape and wildlife, and there are plenty of opportunities to see both around Jo-Burg. The nearby Lion Park is a smaller version of the larger game parks, but is only a short drive from the city and offers plenty of chances to see lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and more. While Kruger Park is much larger and maintained in its natural state as much as possible, it's more of a trek out of town. Or more tame parks like the Bunny Park, in town, can be a better place to visit with smaller children.
Shopping is also a reason that travelers flock to Johannesburg. The mall of Rosebank is one example, which is a grandiose shopping complex that has both designer stores and an arts and crafts market that is perfect for souvenir shopping. Or go straight to the source and visit one of the many artist's galleries around town, which have sprung up in recent years.
