Introduction:
Johannesburg - nicknamed Egoli (place of gold) is the capital of the Gauteng Provence the wealthiest province in South Africa.

Johannesburg is the principal gateway to South Africa and has excellent flight connections through to the rest of this beautiful land. Johannesburg may be seen as a stop off point for tourists traveling into South Africa, but if time allows include a few extra days in your itinerary to discover the history of this fascinating city.

Main Attractions:
Johannesburg maybe the main transit point for connecting flights to popular holiday destinations like Cape Town, Kruger National Park and Durban, but read on to discover the attractions Jozi has to offer.

(1). To get your bearings visit the tallest building in South Africa - the Carlton Panorama with fantastic views of the city from its 50th floor. (2) An educational visit to Constitution Hill is highly recommended. During its 100-year history Constitution Hill was a prison and military fort that incarcerated 1000's men and women of all races and political agendas, including Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Albertina Sisulu and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. (3). Johannesburg Zoo. The Zoo offers a peaceful and secure respite from the city's busy streets and shopping malls, and also provides a great opportunity for visitors to experience the zoo's expansive collection of animals from all over the world.

Other Attractions:
(1). Spend some time at Gold Reef City, its a reproduction of the city of Johannesburg in the early 1900's. Gold Reef City Theme Park and Casino is 5 miles from the city center and has museums and curiosity shops (housed in replicas of the original Victorian and Edwardian buildings). You will also find one of the largest roller-coaster in the southern hemisphere and a 60-table casino. (2). Visit Kruger National Park. A reserve the size of Wales and a great place to spot the Big Five and many other species, with accommodation for all needs from luxury cottages to campsite enclosures. This is one of Africa's top game parks.

Public Transport:
Johannesburg has a large public transport system but is not always reliable, however the city's new public-transport infrastructure, such as the Gautrain rapid-rail system and the Rea Vaya bus service are safe and efficient. The Gautrain links central Johannesburg (from Park Station) with the main business districts of the north.

Johannesburg Taxi's
Metered taxi services are available 24 hours a day and can be booked via phone or found at major hotels, reception staff can quickly make taxi arrangements for tourists & visitors.

Sightseeing Tour: The City Sightseeing Bus is a hop-on hop-off open top bus, a great way to see most of the city's main attractions, the two hour journey includes an audio guide. The popular Red City Tour includes downtown Johannesburg and the south of the city and stops at the Apartheid Museum, Carlton Centre, Constitution Hill and the Origins Centre.

Car Hire: Car Rental is the favored method of transport as well as coach excursions to the surrounding areas of interest, including various man-made attractions, the famous game parks of the northeast and the tourist coastal regions.

Driving:
Driving in South Africa: The roads are generally excellent and traffic is reasonably light outside the main cities, toll roads operate on major routes. In general, public roads in South Africa are well developed and well sign-posted with driving done on the left hand side of the road. Speed limits are usually 60 km/h in built-up areas, 100 km/h on the open road, and 120 km/h on highways. It is generally unwise to assume that everyone on the road will drive safely. Some petrol stations in South Africa only except cash as some of the smaller filling stations do not except credit cards.

Self Drive Tours in South Africa: South Africa, with its diverse and dramatic scenery and wide variety of accommodation is a wonderful destination for a self drive holiday. Book your hotel accommodation in advance for the best discount rates and special offers. At Flight4.com you'll find a wide range of hotels ranging from good quality 3 star accommodation through to luxury 5 star properties. Start comparing hotel prices now and see how much you can save, stay an extra few days and add a little extra comfort and value to your South African adventure.

Security: Security has been much improved over recent years, although visitors should exercise the same caution as in any big city or popular tourist area. Top Tip: keep your valuables out of sight, there are still many unsafe zones in Johannesburg so always take a metered taxi and pre-book your taxi in advance, and always listen to local people’s advice.

Johannesburg Airport (JNB). Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport is located in the Kempton Park district of Johannesburg, 23 km north-west of the city centre and 46 km south of Pretoria city centre.

Johannesburg Airport has a capacity to handle up to 28 million passengers annually. The airport serves as the hub for South African Airways. Direct flights from London Heathrow to Johannesburg JNB operate with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Airport Transport and Shuttle Services:
The Gautrain rapid rail system is due for completion very shortly and will link the airport with Sandton, Johannesburg and Pretoria. Taxis and minibus transfers to down-town Johannesburg can be pre-booked at the airport.

Car Hire. The best option is to pre-book your car rental for pick-up at JNB on arrival. All major car rental companies are represented at Johannesburg, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.