Johannesburg Holidays

The Cradle of Humankind is a huge area peppered with limestone caves, its two standout attractions being the Maropeng Visitor Centre and the Sterkfontein Caves.

The Visitor Centre itself is interesting to look at, built in the form of a mound. When you enter, you take a journey through the earth’s history; a gentle ride on a small circular boat while learning about how the earth evolved. The ride takes you to the exhibition area where you could spend hours. The award-winning exhibition shows the development of our ancestors over the past few million years.

Sterkfontein’s dark, limestone caves are fascinating. You will walk down into these huge underground caverns with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. Mrs Ples is the reason that Sterkfontein became renown being one of the oldest fossil skulls to ever be discovered at more than two-million-years old. The other famous discovery here is Little Foot – a nearly complete, millions-of-years-old Australopithecus fossil skeleton.

On this fascinating tour you will be taken by a well-known local to see the incredible street art of Newtown and explore the vibrant area of Maboneng.

Newtown is a powerhouse of some of the most talented street artists across Africa. At Mary Fitzgerald Square, under a bridge you’ll find around 25 pillars of back-to-back street art. Your guide will explain just some of the stories that are behind the murals and graffiti artwork.

You will then travel to Maboneng. Here there has been major reconstruction of old infrastructure in this once run down neighbourhood known as Jeppestown. Mabenong translates as ‘place of light’ and its rejuvenation now spreads over seven kilometres. Here you will find art galleries, craftwork, a variety of restaurants and music spaces.

Cycling is one of the best ways to see the Soweto township. You’re out there and there are no barricades between you and the people. It’s one thing to see buildings and houses, but it’s another to meet the people and get to shake their hands.

On this four-hour tour, you will cycle first to a place where you will have a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of Soweto, where you will be introduced to what the township is about, and touch on the history and current affairs. Then you will head  to Mzimhlophe, Zone 11, which started as a community for the men brought in to work the Johannesburg gold mines. Stop at street stalls or local shops to taste some typical snacks. Cycle to Meadowlands, which is somewhat middle class by Soweto standards. It’s where those who were forcibly removed in the 1950s from mixed communities such as Sophiatown were resettled.

From here, move on towards the Hector Pieterson Memorial. The Memorial marks the events of 16 June 1976 when student protestors were shot at by police, and many died. From here travel along the famous Vilakazi Street, where two Nobel Peace Prize winners used to live. You will see Nelson Mandela’s house and speak about his contribution and then Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s house. Last stop is at the backpackers for a taste of some traditional sorghum beer.