Sports & Outdoors

Sports
JOHANNESBURG is the sports capital of southern Africa, with six major stadiums, of which four have the facilities to host the biggest international events. Two World Cup finals have been played in Johannesburg (rugby in 1995 and cricket in 2003), and a third, the soccer World Cup, will be played here in 2010. Johannesburg also hosted the All Africa Games in 1999.

Apart from the major sports like football, rugby, running, horseracing, the city is also well known for ballooning, tennis, golf, boating and horse-riding and numerous other spectator sports. The South Africans are well known for their ‘braai or barbecue’ and their love for sunshine and sport!

Outdoors
JOHANNESBURG is a sunny, sporty, outdoorsy kind of city, so don't expect the West End or Broadway! However, Johannesburg is blessed with a number of large green lungs intersected by meandering streams. Here is a selection of the best, with superb views to help counter the stress of city life. As with any large city, be cautious when walking in parks - don't carry valuables and don't walk alone.

Tours are easily arranged in Johannesburg for those interested in visiting the black suburb of Soweto (the name is an abbreviation of Southwestern Townships). The tours begin with the ultramodern township hospital and continue through all types of neighborhoods ranging from shanty towns and worker’s hostels to the modern home of Nelson Mandela (he lived there for only a short while upon his release from prison). The tour also includes Mandela’s earlier and more humble home where he lived when he was arrested more than 30 years ago.

Take a half-day trip to see the fossils at Sterkfontein Caves (a half-hour drive from town the site itself takes several hours to tour) which is generally regarded as the richest pale anthropological site in the world, and named a UNESCO world heritage site because of this.

Visit Johannesburg‘s Zoo, a source of enjoyment and relaxation for locals and foreign visitors alike. It occupies sprawling grounds in central Parktown, with numerous trees, water features and beautiful walks around the various enclosures. The stars of the show are, of course, the animals and the collection is impressive, including lions, tigers, elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, sable antelope, bat-eared foxes, polar bears and many other species.

Presumably you’ll want to see animals in the wild. With the wide variety of wildlife in South Africa there is something for everyone. There are several reserves within a short distance of the city.

Pilanesburg Game Reserve
Northwest Province A good two-and-a-half-hour drive from Johannesburg. The large reserve lies near Sun City, a tacky casino resort with a wonderful Gary Player-designed golf course. and has all of the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), as well as hippos, giraffes, chameleons, hyenas and more birds than you could possibly name. The large reserve lies near Sun City, a tacky casino resort with a wonderful Gary Player-designed golf course.

Elephant Sanctuary
Off the Rustenberg Rd An hour north of Johannesburg, you can spend an hour or two strolling with tame elephants. A day programme offers a guided walk, education about these intelligent creatures and lunch. There are five friendly elephants—Maroela, Mosadi, Khumba, Jabu and Thandi, all accustomed to close contact with humans. While African elephants can be dangerous and even deadly in the wild, this is a rare opportunity to get close with the giant beasts. You can also spend the night in a pleasant 12-bed lodge that backs onto the elephant stables.

Mabula Game Reserve
Mabula If you can get away from Johannesburg for a night, consider making the three-and-a-half-hour journey north-east to Mabula, a quiet game park overlooked by the Waterberg mountains. Here you’ll find the “Big Five” (buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino) as well as the “small five” (ant lion, leopard tortoise, buffalo beaver, elephant shrew and rhino beetle). Accommodation is in attractive safari-style chalets. The lodge boasts accommodation in attractive safari-style chalets and a restaurant with a varied menu and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Horseback safaris are also on offer.

Places of Interest

Wildlife
Visit one of Johannesburg's many wildlife parks.