Gauteng offers warm, still summer days with crisp, clear winters. Gauteng has a mild climate, with warm African sunshine from October to March in summer. Summer temperatures range between 15°0 and 26° C, with plenty of rain, offering frequent but short thunder and lightning storms (and occasional hail) in the late afternoon, cooling the humidity down to a comfortable level to cool, balmy evenings. There is a short chilly but dry winter spell from July to August, with temperatures cooling to between 4°C and 17°C, often leading to early morning frosts.

The Cradle of Humankind

Its true, scientist point to this region as the cradle of humanity. Yes - your ancestors did indeed come from here. Now this is worth a visit of self discovery. This scientifically relevant site provides an archaeological corridor into our far off distant past, a time when our earliest ancestors were starting to evolve. Over 47 000 hectares, this region comprises of a strip of 12 dolomite limestone caves, home to the fossilized remains of hominoids, animals and plants. An eco system that started out as coral reefs in warm shallow waters, some two billion years ago. This is an awe-inspiring place to experience, history, culture and nature. Explore the caves, go on a game drive, or hike the many trails, because there’s a bit of everybody here!

Sterkfontein Caves

Now if you want to meet part of your family tree, and show your respects, look no further, visit Mom and Dad at the Sterkfontein caves. One of the most productive and important palaepanthropological sites in the world, where over the years the caves have revealed fossils over three million years old, including fragments of early hominoids. This is were the most ancient adult ape-man was found, discovered by Dr Robert Broom and John Robinson in April 1947. Believed to be the cradle to humanity this now famous skull of “Mrs Ples” is dated at some 2.5 million years old. The site is also renowned for studies carried out on fossilized fauna, wood and stone tools which were made, used and left behind by hominids. The Sterkfontein Caves can be found about 10km from Krugersdorp in the Edwin Stegmann Reserve. A section of the cave is open to the public, with a viewing platform available to see the actual excavation site.

The Lion Park

Just North of Johannesburg, near Lansuria airport is a 208 hectare park, filled with a host of Africa’s great carnivores, living in their natural habitat. The setting is beautiful and the animals stunning. See the famous white lion, the extremely fast cheetah, the endangered wild dogs, the elusive leopard, bone crunching hyenas, and a host of other interesting animals in the antelope areas. Go for a day drive or for a difference, try a night drive, this is when the big cats really do their hunting. There’s also the popular Cub World full the parks fledglings, from lion cubs to hyena cubs. Pick one up, play a little. With restaurants, gift shops the Lion Park is, wild Africa at its entertaining best.

Soweto Township

Almost world famous, this vibrant township with a couple of million inhabitants is a must for any visitor to Johannesburg. Take a guided tour, see the in the sights, sounds and smells of the township, from open-air butcheries and herbalists to the traditional Shebeens (drinking houses) where residents enjoy local beer. Delicious lunches are available at one of Soweto's township restaurants. Taste traditional fare such as samp and beans or for the stronger stomach, tripe and steamed bread. Experience how many South Africans survive in a squatter camp as the friendly locals show you around their homes, with local children putting on a spontaneous dance! For a good experience use an established tour operator, and see this world within a world.

The Hector Pieterson Museum

The Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto was built to pay tribute to over 500 people who died in violent conflict with the police on June the 16th 1976 - when students marched through Soweto to protest the use of Afrikaans as the primary language of educational instruction. The museum was named after the first casualty of the uprising Hector Piterson – captured in a chilling picture of the fatally wounded child being carried off by a terrified student and accompanied by Pieterson's screaming sister. The museum is next to Pieterson's memorial where visitors can see exhibits and television footage, with the help of knowledgeable tour guides including Pieterson's sister, Antoinette Sithole. If you’re politically inclined, this visit is considered a non negotiable imperative!

The Johannesburg Zoo

Only ten minutes from the city centre, the Johannesburg Zoo houses over 2000 individual animals, including 375 species of animals, birds and reptiles. The Johannesburg Zoo offers a number of interesting tours, including day and night safaris within the zoo and even up close and personal behind the scenes tours and exhibits. The Johannesburg Zoo prides itself on the accommodation, enrichment, medical care and breeding of wild animals, and is geared towards conservation, education and research, offering a great opportunity to see and learn about wild animals that would otherwise be difficult to view – this is a place where your kids turn spellbound for a while.

The Apartheid Museum

If you want to understand the why, what’s and where for’s of South Africa’s turbulent past take a visit to this place. Just outside of Johannesburg the museum stands as a symbol of hope to show the world how South Africa is accepting the past and working towards a better future. The exhibits have been designed by a team of curators, film-makers, historians and designers, a multi media mix of film, photographs, text and artefacts illustrating the casualty to humanity under the idealism of the apartheid system. A series of 22 individual displays takes the visitor through an emotional exploration of racial segregation in a society - to understand South Africa's past and its journey to the future, this is a definite destination. Another politically inclined compulsory visit folks.

Gold Reef City

Experience the days of old in this recreated gold mine, and glimpse the history of gold mining in Gauteng, the place of Gold. Take an underground tour of a gold mine, see molten gold transform onto gold bars or just turn nostalgic at the olden day charm of the recreated town, with authentic hotel, period costumes, the whole 9 yards. But there’s more, much more, a thrilling world class entertainment park, adventure rides, restaurant, tours, a working mint and grand slam casino. You may want to come here a couple of times, Gold Reef City has lots and lots to do.

Museum Africa

Learn the story of South Africa. Originally a fruit and vegetable market, this converted museum now houses an impressive collection of paintings, objects and photographs collected since 1935, telling the story of South Africa. The themed permanent exhibits show urban life in Johannesburg, including that of a gold miner, shack and township dweller, and about township jazz. There is also a thought provoking display of the 1956 Treason Trial during which Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Other displays show early man and bushman rock art – see all aspects of South African life, past present, and get a glimpse of the future too.

The Walter Sisulu Gardens

This is one 300 hectares of beautiful landscape gardens set in Roodeport. Breathtaking waterfalls, an abundance of wildlife, over 220 species of bird, reptiles, small mammals, like antelope and jackal and the only pair of Verreaux’s Black Eagles nesting within urban Johannesburg, comfortably on a waterfalls rock face. Try and match your schedule with the regular art exhibitions and symphony concerts. Great relaxed atmospheric tourism destination.

Cellar Rats Wine Festival

The Cellar Rats Wine Festival is a must for those wanting to enjoy a day of wine tasting, picnicking and natural surroundings. Set in the month of August, along the banks of the Against River, amongst mellow shady trees, soft grass and abundance of birdlife. Over 350 wines produced by some 60 odd cellars are available for tasting. Bring the children, lots of space to run, and ‘cause you will, bring a designated driver, they get in for free, or why not - just stay over before heading back to the city. A wine time folks.

Joy of Jazz

Some 35 local and international jazz artists make this line up, the Joy of Jazz is the biggest annual jazz festival in Johannesburg. Taking place in August, it showcases a range of music styles, with events happening throughout the city. From International jazz, South African influenced jazz and recognized newbie artists give debut appearances. This is a jazz like you’ll only see in Africa, African style brother.

Arts Alive

This annual arts event, held at the beginning of September has been going for some 15 years now. Features a mix of dance, visual art, poetry and music at venues throughout the Johannesburg. Enjoy four days of local and international talent, with a main concert, culminating the event at Johannesburg Stadium. The festival closes with popular Jazz session at Zoo Lake. For the artistically hip or just go and watch anyway.

Adventure Balloon Safari

Simply unique and special describes a hot balloon safari over the Magaliesberg Mountains. Panoramic views over sips of champagne. Hovering in suspended silence over a tapestry of rivers and valleys, punctuated by a distant bird call or the occasional blast of hot air. Touch down for a delectable breakfast before moving on for the day, with a lifetime experience bagged in one morning.

The Voortrekker Monument

When it comes to monuments this is about as impressive as your going to get. The architect, Gerard Moerdijk, built this monument to “Stand a thousand years” to describe the history and meaning of the Great Trek, to its descendants. Honouring those Voortrekers (pioneers) who made the Great Trek from the coast over virgin land into the interior of South Africa. Certainly an epic feat in anybodies book. Gigantic teak doors leads into an awesomely high domed hall, with glossed marble floors, a stunning frieze consisting of 27 panels, sculpted from Quercetta Italian marble, depicting the trials and tribulations of such a journey, a passage that took almost 20 years to achieve, from 1835 to 1852. “We for thee, South Africa” is symbolic of the Voortrekkers religious commitment. These words carved into the Monuments focal Cenotaph are illuminated once a year by sun light through the roof arches. These folks stand a proud people, an interesting insight into South Africa’s cultural profile.

Constitution Hill

A full century of South African history is on display at this national heritage site. This old prison is now a living museum, dedicated to South Africa’s legacy of human rights and protection of freedom. Here an exacting chronicle reflects this turbulent past. The Boers fighting the British in the early 1900, the apartheid legacy, the struggle for freedom in the Soweto uprising, and finally the new beginnings of democracy and the building of South Africa’s new constitutional court. See where hero’s like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela were once held captive, see British prisoners and treason trialists. Constitutional Hill tells it like it really was, see it for real, and understand South Africa. Political buffs, peg this one also, as must see.

Lesedi African Lodge

Want to experience the atmosphere of true rural African culture? Take a two day visit to the Lesedi African Lodge for a complete experience. Tour Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho, Ndabele and Pedi homesteads. Enjoy traditional song and dance at the central boma and sample an avalanche of local cuisine and tasty delicacies from all over Africa. Remember to buy a craft market special. If this is your thing, its the best there is.

South African Museum of Military History

This one of a kind museum chronicle Southern Africa’s military history in a captivating array of military hardware, from vehicles, weapons, uniforms, ammunitions, photographs, medals to memorabilia. A showcase of over 44 000 pieces, divided into 37 categories. Foremost of which is the impressive collection of rare aircraft, including, for the aviation nut, the only night fighter version the Me 262 B - la/U1. Aviation besides, South Africa’s full history of war and conflict is shown, right from the Anglo-Zulu war up to Unkhonoto-we-Sizwe resistance movement. One of those Historical nostalgic types? Don’t miss this one.

Standard Bank Gallery

This gallery boasts a dynamic exhibition of award winning works, with a reputation for being South Africa’s foremost fine art galleries. Situated in the heart of downtown Johannesburg both local and international artists are showcased. With excellent acoustics, concerts and recitals are regularly hosted.

Shopping

This is the economic heart of South Africa, and this wealth needs places to spend. Come to Gauteng for some of the biggest shopping malls in the country. Major malls in Gauteng include Menlyn Park in Tshwana (Pretoria), Sandton City in Johannesburg's finance district, Eastgate near Johannesburg International Airport, and Southgate close to Soweto Township. The many shopping malls offer the usual chain stores, cinemas, designer labels, curios, local produce and restaurants. Shopping trends and restaurants deliver to top international expectation but also offer a more eclectic mix of local produce providing any shopping and eating experience a choice to experiment our more local delicacies and tastes.