Gauteng

Gauteng is a dynamic province. Considered the commercial heart of the country, its energy and vibe are tangible from the moment you arrive. From historical and cultural attractions that speak of the country’s turbulent past to world-class cities that are distinctly African, Gauteng has much to offer visitors.

Sandton City CBD

Travel tips & Planning info

Who to contact

Gauteng Tourism Authority:
Tel: +27 (0)11 639 1600

Johannesburg Tourism Authority:
Tel: +27 (0)11 214 0700

Tshwane Tourism Authority:
Tel: +27 (0)12 328 5961

How to get here

Fly direct from any of South Africa’s major cities into OR Tambo International Airport at Johannesburg. If you’re driving, from Durban take the N3 motorway to Johannesburg and from Cape Town take the N1 motorway to Johannesburg.

Best time to visit

Gauteng is an all-year-round destination. Spring to autumn (September to May) is beautiful and warm, with hot summer days that usually bring rain. Winter days are mild, but morning and evenings very cold.

Where to stay

Gauteng covers the full spectrum of accommodation options. Major international and local hotels chains are concentrated around Gauteng Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Sandton.

Around the area

Sterkfontein Caves, Maropeng Visitors Centre, Wonder Cave, the Vaal River, the Vredefort Dome, Pilanesburg, Sun City, and Dinokeng are popular attractions on the outskirts of the Gauteng Province.

Tours to do

Tours of Soweto and walking tours of Parktown and Westcliff are popular. Newtown has an excellent self-guided Workers Heritage trail. Gauteng tour operators will tailor a tour to suit your particular interests.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Gauteng attraction, Cradle of Humankind, produced some of the world's oldest hominid remains.

Gauteng South Africa is the commercial powerhouse of the country. However, its offerings are not limited to commerce and industry, Gauteng's tourism contribution is equally impressive, with Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, Cullinan and Magaliesburg all ranking as top Gauteng attractions.

Anchored by the historical cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria, Gauteng provides plenty in the way of shopping and entertainment through its network of malls, casinos, flea markets and suburban stores.

Both cities house a number of museums, including the Hector Peterson Museum, Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Museum of Military History, Pretoria Art Museum and MuseumAfrica.

Johannesburg and Pretoria are also home to several theatres and playhouses, offering authentic South African musical performances, drama, ballet and side-splitting local comedies.

Soweto is a very popular Gauteng destination. This is largely due to the pivotal role it played in South Africa's struggle for freedom but also, because of the unique cultural experiences it offers. Adventure tourism is also taking off and visitors can bungee swing from Soweto's iconic Orlando Towers.

On the outskirts of these bustling metropoles, the cityscapes give way to Highveld grasslands that stretch out to the province's borders.

In Johannesburg, this extends south to the Sedibeng region and the Vaal River, and west towards the popular Cradle of Humankind, Sterkfontein Caves and the charming country village of Magaliesburg.

At Pretoria, it extends north into the Dinokeng tourism region, which is home to the quaint mining town of Cullinan with its diamond history, and vast savannahs that feature a number of game reserves.

Aside from township tours, visitors to Gauteng can also delight in other cultural experiences, which include visits to the Credo Mutwa Cultural Village in Soweto, Heia Safari Ranch in Muldersdrift and the Zuluka Tribal Village just outside Pretoria.

Shopping is a must, with many excellent curio shops to be found at Sandton City, Rosebank Mall and Nelson Mandela Square - where you'll also find the enormous statue of Nelson Mandela - great for photographs and lunch.