Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the capital of South Africa and is fast becoming one of South Africa’s top destinations, with 150 heritage sites, most of which are national monuments within its city limits its easy to see why.

Having celebrated its centenary in 1996, twenty years after the students uprising in Soweto, the Johannesburg of today is a very different one to the capital in 1976 and reflects and celebrates the cultural makeup of its population rather than oppresses it.

With so much cultural celebration going on in Johannesburg given the current turn around of political stances there’s always something to do while you are staying there including taking in The Newtown Cultural Precinct which is the centre point of Jozi culture all year round. Providing dance and theatre productions this center is a focal point of understanding the people of Johannesburg when visiting.

Other places to visit include any of the numerous craft markets that are open to the public including the Art Africa market on Tyrone Ave in the Parkview area and the Michael Mount Organic Flea Market, in the Bryanston area on Thursdays and Saturdays. Giving an insight into the traditions and cultural makeup of this diverse city these craft markets also make the ideal spot to pick up a few gifts for those back home.

If you are looking to tour South Africa, it comes highly recommended that you hire a car, take some time and go on safari in the 8.2 million acres that make up the countries vast National Park. Driving down from Johannesburg you will pass over a mountain range and while appreciating the stark differences in life in and outside of the city descend into the low lying Kruger Park region. This National Park offers a chance to get up close and personal with some of the most amazing animals on the planet in their natural habitat, which while exciting, doesn’t mean that you have the right of way! Every animal in the Kruger Park takes precedence over humans so even when on safari it is essential that you respect the rights of the animals.

Your best chance of finding affordable flights to South Africa is by checking out online travel sites like Travelzoo or Cheap Flights – the cheapest flights to Johannesburg we found were only £391 including tax, flying from Heathrow.