Johannesburg is not necessarily one of the most beautiful cities, but it certainly is one of the greenest. In fact it is classified as an urban forest. I lived in this fascinating city for more than 15 years, and if you are interested in some ideas for outings and shopping that is not in your travel agent’s brochure, keep reading.
Rosebank Area
- Shopping: If you want to experience a market flair with lots of African vibe take a trip to Rosebank (corner Baker/Craddock Street). There are 2 markets for you to visit; the Rosebank Rooftop Market opens every Sunday from 9 until 5. You will find evrything from African art and craft to jewellery and food. If this is not enough, go downstairs through the mall to the African Craft Market. This market is open 7 days a week and only has African Craft to offer. Of course there is also the Rosebank Mall and plenty of shops opposite the mall. If you prefer to shop for African Art in nicer ambience make your way to Parkview (a view minutes away from Rosebank). On Tyrone Ave you will find “Art Africa”, the place to go when it comes to African craft from old to modern. I have spend 1000s in that shop!!
- Food: The best places to eat in Rosebank are Fournos (with the best Croissants you have ever had in your entire life, plenty of bread and baked specialties; Jo’burgers go out for breakfast there, maybe you even get lucky to see Johnny Clegg who is a frequent customer), Ocean Basket (great family restaurant if you enjoy prawns and all sorts of fish) or Sophia’s Mediterranian Restaurant (upmarket but reasonably priced place with fantastic pizza). All 3 places are situated either in or just outside the Mall.
- Entertainment:The mall has a very nice Cinema Art Nouveau with an excellent selection of interesting movies. Have drinks afterwards at one of the plenty bars just outside the mall. About 5 minutes away from Rosebank is the Johannesburg Zoo on Jan Smuts Ave, a very nice and responsible place with loads of fun things for kids. And if there is still time left in the day, opposite the Zoo is the Zoo Lake, one of the most popular weekend destinations for local families. You can hire a boat or go for a really nice drink at the Moyo restaurant, African style presented to perfection. They are having brunch buffets on weekends, which are very busy (don’t worry if you have to wait for a table, they have a very interesting art shop and a walk through their sculptured garden will let time go by fast).
Bryanston and Fourways
- Shopping: Best place to enjoy a morning out is the “Bryanston Organic Market“, open every Thursday and Saturday from 9 until 3. They have very strict rules on quality, and you won’t find any sort of cheap rubbish there! You will find it in Culross Road (off Bryanston Drive). African Art, handmade crafts, organic food and other unusual things are available. Very enjoyable to visit is also the Design Quarter on William Nicol Drive (entrance from side road) with lots of trendy gift and decor finds, but also very nice restaurants.
- Food: Around the corner from the Organic Market on corner Bryanston Drive/Culross Road is a small health centre with a Weleda Pharmacy visible from the road. On the property you will find the Cafe Organica, a family run restaurant with excellent healthy meals.
- Entertainment: It’s one of the well known places in Jo’burg, the Monte Casino on William Nicol Road. Safe parking 24 hours together with loads of entertainment, fun and food for all ages. My kids always loved to just walk around as the whole place looks like an old Italian City with old cars parked here and there, a little river and all kinds of other things to discover. Jusy outside the Casino is the Bird Park giving very interesting tours.
Soweto
Tours: in every hotel you will be offered the usual Soweto tour. Try something different with a Soweto Bicycle Tour! The guys have good bikes, the route is very safe and entertaining! Here is the number to call: +27 (0)11 936 3444.
Outside of Johannesburg
If you don’t have much time to travel to large game reserves to take your “Big 5” photographs, visit the Lion Park on Malibongwe Drive. They have most big animals and because of the size of the park you will get to see them all! For children they have most of the time some of the very young lions to get really close to and maybe even touch.
Have a good time in SA! Send me a note on the success of my suggestions or visit me on http://www.motherstouch.weebly.com.
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