Gauteng Province

Gauteng is the smallest province in South Africa and also the country's business center. The major cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg as well as Soweto, the largest township and also a city with over a million inhabitants, are located close to each other. Gauteng is therefore more densely populated than almost any other region in South Africa. However, tourist attractions are few and far between and, in contrast to what else the country has to offer, rather unexciting. Unless you have very specific preferences, an overnight stay here will suffice.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg is usually the start or end point of a trip to South Africa for tourists. Unfortunately, the security situation in the city center and some suburbs is still not ideal, but there are some bright spots, such as the up-and-coming artists' district of Maboneng. The best way to experience the sights of the "City Of Gold" is on a guided tour. The northern suburbs around Rosebank and Sandton are quite quiet with many restaurants and shopping centers. There are several theme and amusement parks such as Gold Reef City, a former gold mine with a funfair attached. A visit to the Apartheid Museum is recommended for those interested in culture and history.

Pretoria

Pretoria is the country's capital and shares the seat of government with Cape Town. There are some interesting buildings, squares and monuments to visit here, for example the Union Buildings, the newly designed Church Square or the Voortrekker Monument. There are also some good museums to visit, such as the Paul Kruger House. A highlight of the city is the Jakaranda blossom in October, when entire streets are transformed into purple flowering avenues. Like any big city, Pretoria naturally has a good selection of restaurants and shopping opportunities.

Sterkfontein Caves and Soweto

About an hour's drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria are the Sterkfontein Caves, known as the Cradle of Humankind. Fossils of human species that lived over two million years ago have been discovered in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are among the oldest hominin finds in the world. Soweto is the largest township in South Africa with over one million inhabitants. There are now some up-and-coming and more affluent districts here, but there are still corrugated iron huts without electricity or running water. Culturally, Soweto is very much on the up. There are pubs, restaurants and nightclubs, and even some hotels and guesthouses have now opened here. However, tourists should only visit Soweto in the company of locals who know the area or on a guided tour. Then, however, a visit to the township is a real cultural experience.