Johannesburg

Advertisement

carved wooden masks, Bruma Market, Johannesburg

Introducing Johannesburg

Travel Alert: Crime is a serious problem in Johannesburg; see the Dangers & Annoyances section for details.

Advertisement

Jo’burg, or ‘Jozi’ as it’s more commonly known, is without a doubt the great big beating heart of South Africa, and has long played a Jekyll-and-Hyde role in the global consciousness. Often the stage on which the epic of this extraordinary nation has been played out, the colossus of Jo’burg – with all its thrills and foibles – is today a fascinating, multitudinous city, where all the ups and downs of 21st-century South Africa can be witnessed in three, multicolour dimensions.

In the past, the city’s darker personality proved the most enduring. The Jo’burg of the newsflash was a city where fear and loathing reigned supreme; a city where spiralling gun crime and poverty had manifested itself in a society where one half of the population stagnated, while the other looked on impassively through coils of razor wire.

As ever, there is an element of truth to the stereotypes. Jo’burg does bear scars of South Africa’s turbulent 20th century, and many will take time to heal. Stark inequalities persist, but armed with a new self-confidence – ironically most pronounced in the infamous township of Soweto – Africa’s giant hub is beginning to introduce itself to a healthier diet of urban renewal and social regeneration.

Last updated: Apr 16, 2009

Tips & articles

  1. South African safaris for first-timers: 8 tips

    18 December 2011

    Update: Kruger National Park was affected by flooding in January 2012. Most of the camps are now open, but some...

    Read more

  2. The 10 great Oscar destinations of 2010

    5 March 2010

    When it comes to virtual travel, nothing beats a movie. The best movies capture a destination perfectly - think the...

    Read more

  3. Best things to do in 2010

    27 November 2009

    Rest up while you can, dear travellers, because 2010 is going to be an action-packed year!Total eclipse from Easter IslandSunday...

    Read more

See all tips & articles for Johannesburg

Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. Musafir01 avatar
    Re: Bus Service between Johannesburg and Gabarone (Botswana)

    by Musafir01 14 September 2011

    Hi Kira Please give me the name of the rental company which let u take the car to Botswana. I checked with Budget, they don't allow their…
  2. Kira avatar
    RE: Bus Service between Johannesburg and Gabarone (Botswana)

    by Kira 14 September 2011

    Yes, seem to remember it was a monopolized route ... So glad I had a rental car ..... would have been driven to madness finally! Kira…
  3. Jeroen avatar
    RE: Bus Service between Johannesburg and Gabarone (Botswana)

    by Jeroen 14 September 2011

    I took this bus a few months ago - departs in the afternoon from Park station terminal, takes about 6 hours, drops of in central Gaborone.…

See all Thorn Tree forum discussions for Johannesburg

In our shop

See all shop products

Hotels & Hostels in Johannesburg

See all hotels and hostels in Johannesburg

Travel Insurance

Going to South Africa? Make sure you're covered.

Get a quote

See all travel services

Advertisement