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The pulse of South Africa
Gauteng
Sandton City CBD
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.
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.
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.
Get around
Public transport options in Gauteng include Metro buses, the Reya Vaya BRT, metered taxis, and the Gautrain high-speed rail link that will soon connect Johannesburg, Sandton, and Pretoria.
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.
What to eat
Cuisine in Gauteng is truly international, reflecting the many nationalities that live in the province. You’ll find from international fast food chains to foods from across Africa, AsiaAsia, and Europe, as well regional South African food genres like Cape Malay and Boerekos.
What's happening
Gauteng hosts a number of food and wine shows throughout the year, as well as business and leisure expos, and music concerts, and parades.
National Day festivals like Youth Day on 16 June, and cultural festivals like Diwali and Chinese New Year are also celebrated.
Best buys
Commemorative gold coins and gold jewellery, African curios, ready-to-wear couture from local and African designers and artwork.