2 Best Sights in Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg epitomizes South Africa's paradoxical makeup—it's rich, poor, innovative, and historic all rolled into one. And it seems at times as though no one actually comes from Johannesburg. The city is full of immigrants: Italians, Portuguese, Chinese, Hindus, Swazis, English, Zimbabweans, Nigerians, Zulus, Xhosas. The streets are full of merchants. Traders hawk skop (boiled sheep's head, split open and eaten off newspaper) in front of polished glass buildings as taxis jockey for position in rush hour. Sangomas (traditional healers) lay out herbs and roots next to roadside barbers' tents, and you never seem to be far from women selling vetkoek (dollops of deep-fried dough) beneath billboards advertising investment banks or cell phones.

The Greater Johannesburg metropolitan area is massive—more than 1,600 square km (618 square miles)—incorporating the large municipalities of Randburg and Sandton to the north. Most of the sights are just north of the city center, which degenerated badly in the 1990s but is now being revamped.

To the south, in Ormonde, are the Apartheid Museum and Gold Reef City; the sprawling township of Soweto is just a little farther to the southwest. Johannesburg's northern suburbs are its most affluent. On the way to the shopping meccas of Rosebank and Sandton, you can find the superb Johannesburg Zoo and the South African Museum of Military History, in the leafy suburb of Saxonwold.

Union Buildings

Built in 1901, this impressive cream-sandstone complex—home to the administrative branch of government and now a national heritage site—was designed by Sir Herbert Baker, one of South Africa's most revered architects. This is where Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the country’s first democratically elected president in 1994. The complex incorporates a hodgepodge of styles—an Italian-tile roof, wooden shutters inspired by Cape Dutch architecture, and Renaissance columns—that somehow work beautifully. Expansive formal gardens step down the hillside in terraces, which are dotted with war memorials and statues of former prime ministers. What is most striking is the 9-meter-tall bronze statue of Mandela with outstretched arms by South African sculptors André Prinsloo and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren. Although there's no public access to the building, the gardens are perfect for a picnic lunch.

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden

Roodepoort

More than 240 bird species and a variety of small mammals add to a biodiverse garden named in honor of late ANC stalwart Walter Sisulu. The Witpoortjie Falls dominate the garden, providing a backdrop to a succulent rockery, cycads, an arboretum, bird and butterfly garden, wildflowers, a children's section, and bird hides. The garden is famous for a pair of Verreaux eagles that breed in early spring (August/September). There are four self-guided walking trails, the most popular of which is a brisk trail to the top of the waterfall where you can get a closer look. Eagle's Fare Restaurant serves breakfast, light meals, and hearty dishes throughout the day beneath the shade of the trees or on the sunny deck. Most of the garden is accessible by wheelchair. Guided tours are offered (R170). Email is the best way to contact the Gardens with any questions.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg

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