About Johannesburg

Johannesburg is a city in South Africa's Gauteng Province. Johannesburg budget travel makes it easy to experience one of the country's premier cities without breaking the bank.

Johannesburg Budget Travel

Below is a list of Johannesburg's top activities, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Apartheid Museum Tour

View all activities in Johannesburg

Airports

Nearest Johannesburg airports include the following:
• OR Tambo Johannesburg International Airport

Birdlife

Johannesburg birdlife is fairly diverse, with a large number of nature reserves and key habitats around the city and surrounds. Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, which lies just outside the city, is one of the main birding areas in Johannesburg and offers excellent bird sightings of many species including secretary birds and falcons.

Conservation

There are a number of Johannesburg conservation efforts which range from lion projects to game farms, botanical gardens, Johannesburg Zoo, nature reserves and bird parks. Many conservation projects offer volunteer programs which to educate the public and allow more community involvement. Some of the key conservation issues within the area include habitat loss, pollution, as well as urbanisation and water restrictions.

Culture

Johannesburg cultures include the following:
• Music and dance play a key role in many ethnic groups cultures
• Film is an emerging culture trend
• Food and cuisine is influenced by a range of cultures and heritages
• Art plays an important role in modern and ancient cultures
• Literature is another integral part of Johannesburg culture

Customs

Johannesburg customs allows for free import of the following:
• 2 litres wine
• 1 litre spirits and other alcoholic beverages
• 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars or 250g cigarette or pipe tobacco
• 50ml Perfume and 250ml eau de toilette

Health

Johannesburg is a fairly developed city, with a range of hospitals, private hospitals, doctors, clinics, pharmacies, alternative medicine practices and other health facilities. State funded hospitals are often overcrowded and under-staffed; however private clinics and hospitals have good facilities with reasonable prices. There are no major health risks aside from a very high HIV/AIDS risk, and travelers should have a safe and healthy travel experience.

AIDS

Johannesburg HIV/AIDS basic precautions include the following:
• Don’t ever share needles or syringes
• Practice safe sex at all times
• Equipment should be sterilized
• If you require self-administered injections, take an adequate supply of your own needles
• Avoid tattoos, acupuncture treatment or body piercing from suspect or unsterile operators

Vaccinations

Recommended inoculations for travel to Johannesburg are:
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies
• Tetanus

Languages

Johannesburg languages include:
• Nguni 32%
• Sotho 24%
• English 18%
• Afrikaans 7%
• Tshivenda 6%

Malaria

• Johannesburg is a malaria-free city so no medication is needed
• If you are travelling onwards to a malaria-zone then you will need to start a course of malaria medication before you leave for your destination
• Consult your doctor to learn more about available medication
• Do not ever take malaria medication if it is not required ' side effects can be strong

Money

Johannesburg money and banking information includes:
• Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9h00 ' 15h00, and Saturdays from 8h30-11h30
• ATMs can be found across the entire city, especially within malls or shopping areas
• Online banking can be done at any internet cafe
• Foreign exchange facilities are widely available at malls, airport, hotels and banks
• Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at almost all shops, hotels and restaurants

People

Johannesburg people include the following groups:
• Black African 73%
• White 16%
• Coloured 6%
• Asian 4%

Phrase

Johannesburg local phrases in Sotho include:
• Hello - Dumela
• How are you? - O phela joang?
• I'm fine, thanks. And you? - Ke teng, wena o kae?
• Goodbye - Sala hantle
• Thank you - Ke a leboha

Vaccinations

Recommended inoculations for travel to Johannesburg are:
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies
• Tetanus

Plants

Johannesburg plants are fairly varied, with a number of ecosystems to be found across the city and surrounding velds, ranging from savannas to woodlands, with key wetlands to be found in addition to lush botanical gardens which house thousands of plant species. A number of succulents and cacti can also be found across many areas.

Religion

Johannesburg religion includes the following:
• Christian 53%
• Non-religious 24%
• Traditional beliefs 14%
• 3% Muslim
• Jewish 1%
• Hindu 1%

Safety Tips

• Johannesburg has a high crime rate, but if basic safety precautions are taken then it is safe to visit
• Robberies have been known to occur outside airports ' do not accept unsolicited help or lifts, instead call a reputable cab service
• Be cautious around ATMs, crowded areas, trains and remote areas and do not walk around alone, especially after dark
• Keep car windows up and doors locked when driving, and keep all valuables out of sight in the car when travelling or parked
• Do not walk around with valuables in plain sight, use a moneybag hidden under your shirt instead or lock valuables in hotel safe

Transport

Johannesburg local transport options include:
• Car
• Taxi
• Bus

Travel Books

Johannesburg recommended travel books include:
• Johannesburg: The Bradt City Guide by Lizzie Williams
• Johannesburg: The Elusive Metropolis by Sarah Nuttall, Achille Mbembe, Jonathan Hyslop and David Bunn
• Johannesburg Imagined South Africa Guide by Keith Beavon
• Handy Guide Johannesburg by Peter Joyce
• Soweto: Johannesburg's African City by Ellen Hellmann

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in South Africa

What To Buy

• Johannesburg guide book with a good map
• Plug adapter for UK and US visitors
• Good sized backpack plus a decent moneybag
• Sleeping bag if you are on a camping or overland tour

What To Pack

• Camera, spare batteries and film or memory cards plus binoculars
• Sunglasses, sunhat and sunscreen, plus swimming costume
• Casual clothes plus smart clothes for dinner or drinks at night
• Comfortable walking shoes plus sandals
• Warm jacket for cooler summer days and warm clothes for winter visits

When To Go

• The best time to visit Johannesburg is between September and April
• Winters run from May to July, with fairly mild weather
• Summers run from October to February, with humid and hot weather
• Summer thunderstorms are common, with short bursts of rain

Wildlife

Travellers can expect to see a wide range of Johannesburg wildlife, with a number of game viewing destinations ranging from beautiful game reserves to the famous Johannesburg Zoo, where over 2,000 animals can be found. Africa’s Big 5, which include lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, can also be seen at some of the game farms within the city and surrounds.