For the Personal Touch
Do you have a few hours between flights with nothing but the airport lounge to fill them? Instead of sitting there, let me show you a little
of the City of Gold.
I will customise a tour for you to fit the time available and your interests. Want some exercise? A drive to the National Botanical
Gardens will show you a cross section of the city, and a hike to the top of the waterfall will reward you with views of the city, the natural
vegetation and possibly a glimpse of our city-nesting Verraux's Eagles!
A trip to the Top of the Carlton, the tallest building in town, will allow a wonderful overview of the city in a short time. A drive to the site
of the first gold strike passes through old suburbs giving a glimpse of areas of early development and how people live.
Depending on time available, trips further afield, such as the Cradle of Humankind, or the Rhino and Lion Park can be arranged.
Johannesburg has unique museums and an intriguing history - all waiting for you!
Constitutional Court - Constitution Hill is on the site of The Fort that was built by President Paul Kruger in 1898 and used as a prison.
It was added to over the years until the complex contained Number 4 prison and a women’s prison as well. Today the site is home to the
Constitutional Court, the highest court in our land and a museum. This tour lasts about 1.5hr, and offers a glimpse of what anti-apartheid
activists endured in their battle for freedom.
Apartheid Museum - For 48 years the apartheid system was legislated in South Africa. It had its roots as far back as the 1850’s under
British rule, when Africans were required to carry passes, but was only legislated under the Nationalist government. This world-class
museum traces it’s history with an outstanding selection of displays and photographs. About 2-3hrs would be needed in the museum.
MuseumAfrika - This museum offers a glimpse of life as it was. The dwellings of early people, hostels and shacks, as well as later
mine managers and workers. In addition, there is an exhibition on clothing, the creation of the earth and its geology, and the Bensusan
Museum of Photography. All this in an historic building of unique structure.
Mary Fitzgerald Square - Site of the old market square, now hosting MuseumAfrica, the Workers Museum and Library, as well as
having the historic Turbine Hall and Electric Workshop buildings from Johannesburg’s first power station, this quare is well worth a visit.
Nearby is Brickfields, the site of the first removals to Soweto in 1906, and the Market Theatre, restaurants, bars and street markets.
Ferreiras Mine Museum - Under the Standard Bank head office, this old mine shaft has been preserved and beautifully presented,
with many photographs of old Johannesburg.
George Harrison Park - The site of the first gold strike, this old mine shaft was where the city of Johannesburg started.
Cradle of Humankind - This area has more than 150 caves, of which only about 12 have been investigated. These few have yielded
some of the most important fossil hominid finds ever, with a new specied announced in 2010. Walk down into Sterkfontein caves, and
see where Mrs Ples and Little Foot were found. Take a short walk around the dig, and view the locations of some of the other caves of
importance. Visit Maropeng, the visitor centre where we take a trip through the earth’s creation, and the forces that drive speciation and
evolution. The museum houses original fossils found in the Cradle.
Origins Centre - This wonderful museum at the University of the Witwatersrand displays the artifacts of our ancenstors - stone tools,
rock engravings and paintings. There is a wonderful San exhibit, with videos of the Trance Dance and explanations of their beliefs.
Johannesburg Safari - Just outside the city is the Rhino and Lion park. This small nature reserve houses a large selection of free-
roaming antelope, zebra and rhino. Take a slow drive through the park viewing the animals, and drive through the sections housing lion,
cheetah and African wild dog. The last two species are highly endangered. The visitor centre offers a zoo-type experience, and there are
hippo and ground hornbill as well.
Lesedi Lunch or Tour - Lesedi offers a cultural experience unique to South Africa. Arrive in the car park at 11h30 to a vibrant
traditional African welcome and a refreshing welcome drink. Browse in the Ndebele village and craft market, then attend a video
presentation on the history and origin of our people. Guests are taken on a guided tour of five homesteads: Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho,
Ndebele and Pedi. The Giant Ingoma - song and dance of all five villages takes place in the Traditional Dance Boma and culminates in
communal dancing with the guests around the fire. A Pan African Feast is served in the Nyama Choma restaurant with delicacies from
North, East and South Africa. You depart at around 14h00. Travel to and from the airport is about 1hr each way. The Tour option
excludes lunch and takes less time.
Botanical Gardens Walk - The Witwatersrand National Botanical Gardens is a beautiful site offering walks through various labeled
plantings and through groves of trees beside a stream., A climb up beside the waterfall passes the Verreaux eagles nest, one of very few
city-dwelling eagles in the world, with a return walk down natural slopes. This garden offers a wide variety of plants natural to the area,
lovely walks and a restaurant offering good food.
SOWETO - Soweto is synonymous with the 1976 uprising and the struggle against apartheid. A tour through Soweto includes Walter
Sisulu Square of Remembrance where the freedom charter was signed; Hector Pietersen memorial, a tribute to the 1976 student
uprising; Nelson Mandela House museum and Regina Mundi Church.
Any of the half-day tours listed can be taken as a layover tour for a small extra travelling fee.
Please remember - my speciality is customised tours.
I will quote on a customised tour or amend itineraries to suit you.
Your Guide
Johannesburg Airport Layover Tours
Turn several hours between flights into a wonderful experience
