Once the exciting heart of Johannesburg's nightlife, Yeoville today is a little frayed around the edges but remains exciting thanks to its cosmopolitan mix of African cultures where you can buy goods from all over Africa, and hear a Babel’s Tower of languages. more

Gay Johannesburg celebrates in public style during its annual Gay Pride March in September, but in the meantime its gay-friendly bars, café-culture, trendy restaurants and steam baths maintain the tempo year round. From township venues to dance spots, Jo'burg's gay rhythm never lets up its exciting beat. more

City Sightseeing open-top bus tours in Johannesburg are a great way to see the City of Gold. You can hop on and hop off at any one of 12 interesting stops and then continue your tour when and where you feel like it. more

Find the Top of Africa at the top of the Carlton Centre in downtown Johannesburg. At 50-storeys it’s Africa’s tallest building and though it may not be as glitzy as New York’s Empire State Building, the views are magnificent – particularly on a clear day and at sunset. more

In major cities around the world, open-top bus tours are often the best way to see the main attractions in a day. Cape Town has so much to offer that the biggest open-top bus tour company, City Sightseeing, has two different tours on offer. more

Home to Arts on Main, Main Street Life, 12 Decades Hotel, Revolution House, The Main Change, Fox Street Studios and more, the Maboneng Precinct is a haven of creativity and commerce in the heart of Johannesburg. more

From the pivotal role it played during the South African War to its ancient cultural and premier wildlife attractions, Mahikeng (formerly – and commonly – known as Mafikeng) has transformed itself from a dusty farming town to a modern city and the gateway to the North West province. more

Mbombela, the capital of the Mpumalanga province, is a vibrant, sub-tropical city that combines a rich history with all the wildlife and nature adventure activities and attractions a traveller could hope for. more

Kimberley, thanks to the fevered diamond rush of the 1870s, has a glittering past and present. Take a guided tour of a once-operational diamond mine, which descends a staggering 840m below the earth. For those who prefer being above ground, visit the city's glittering choice of jewellery stores. more

In the mornings, sidewalk cafes on Florida Road in Durban are the haunt of friends, colleagues and shoppers. The buzz continues through the day and well into the night, when the street’s clubs and bars come into their own, earning Florida Road its reputation as one of Durban’s top night spots. more

One of Johannesburg’s many claims to fame is that it boasts the biggest urban forest in the world. But its natural attractions don’t stop there. Just outside of the main industrial centres you’ll find parks, gardens, nature reserves and a wealth of natural attractions to take your breath away. more

Melville was once the vibrant and trendy centre of Johannesburg’s bohemian life. Although shifting populations and an economic downturn have dimmed its image somewhat, it still maintains a buzz with a busy student population, great restaurants and funky bars. It’s also home to the lovely Melville Koppies Nature Reserve. more

Johannesburg – like many cities worldwide – is transforming its inner city. A visionary project is Main Street Life. Once a drab industrial building, it’s now an edgy and vibrant space to live, work and eat. Check out the creative offices, shops, restaurants and cinemas, along with a daringly different boutique hotel. more

Situated between Zoo Lake, the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam, the leafy Johannesburg suburb of Greenside, with its many purple jacaranda trees blooming brilliantly in spring, is known for its wide variety of excellent restaurants varying from traditional Indian and Italian to pavement coffee shops and a colourful, vibrant shebeen. more