Visiting Gauteng - Business or Vacation
Climate
Gauteng has a delightful climate, the envy of the rest of the country. Summer days are warm to hot but with the low humidity, are seldom uncomfortably hot. Rainfall occurs mainly over the summer months, usually as afternoon showers or thunder showers. Thunderstorms can be intense with torrential downpours, but are short lived and soon clear.
Winters tend to be dry with clear blue skies, day after day. Over a period of 6-8 weeks, nights can be frigid in the higher altitudes with severe frosts (for example, Johannesburg), but days are mild and refreshing.
Temperatures are in Fahrenheit. Pretoria is on average warmer than Johannesburg by 2-3 degrees.
Acknowledgements: http://www.climate-zone.com
Gauteng's business and convention venues and facilities rank with the best in the world. The province is the prime choice for business tourism in Africa.
The 12-story
Sandton Convention Center, located near one of the nation's finest shopping malls and several large 5-star hotels, provides 22 000 m² (237,000 sq feet) of exhibition and convention space on five levels. The facilities cater for seated groups as small as 350 and up to 4500.
The Coca Cola Dome has a huge entertainment arena for live concert events, with the flexibility for use for banqueting and exhibitions.
The Gallagher Convention Center, located in Midrand between Johannesburg and Pretoria, is one of Africa's largest conference and exhibition centers, with separate venues able to accommodate from 2000 to 12000 people.
Other conference and exhibition venues include the OR Tambo Conference Center located near the International Airport and the MTM Expo Center south of Johannesburg.
Shopping
The Province has many large modern malls and shopping centers to satisfy the most discerning of shoppers, including the high-end Sandton City Mall and the Mall of Rosebank (below, left), both located in the elegant northern suburbs of Johannesburg.
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Gauteng at Night - Entertainment and dining out
Gauteng excels in the wide variety and quality of entertainment available. The region hosts top class international shows, musicians, bands and performances (example: Riverdance and Cirque du Soleil). Several superb casino and gaming centers throughout the province also provide entertainment and excellent restaurants Examples include Montecasino, Emerald Casino Resort, Caesars Palace, Emperor's Palace and Gold Reef City Casino Hotel.
Bassline (Newtown, Johannesburg) hosts jazz and blues performances by top local and international artists, in a 1000 seat concert venue. Bassline has become an institution amongst local music fans.
Melrose Arch (Johannesburg) below right, is a remarkably popular meeting place providing entertainment, 5 star hotel, open-air cafes and eateries, coffee shops and eclectic dining experiences. For visitors to Africa, the vibe, live music and exotic African food of Moyo's will be a memorable experience.
Many of Gauteng's malls host great places to eat, with fine dining at the many superb hotels and boutique hotels in the region.
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Outdoor Activities, Parks and Wildlife
Despite being the most urbanized province in South Africa with a population of 8 million people and relatively small size (6,500 sq miles), Gauteng has many places to "escape from it all".
The province has a number of hiking trails, especially in the vicinity of the Magaliesberg, the northern part of the province as well as in Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve in the South East. The open grasslands, wooded gorges and woodlands of Suikerbosrand support antelope, baboon, zebra, 200 varieties of birds and a small number of cheetah and brown hyena. 40 miles (65 km) of trails criss-cross the reserve.
In other locations, facilities exist for mountain biking, horseback riding and 4x4 trails.
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens on the West Rand (Roodeport) covers an area of almost 750 acres (300 hectares) of landscaped gardens and natural bushveld and provides a great escape and picnic site for residents of Gauteng. The Witpoortjie Waterfall provides a backdrop to the beautiful gardens that host over 220 varieties of bird as well as some reptiles and antelope.
Both the big cities, Pretoria and Johannesburg, also host large Zoological gardens that are well worth visiting. Both are well stocked, internationally accredited zoos with landscaped public areas for picnics and relaxation.
Pretoria (dubbed the Jacaranda City) has done much to maintain a more serene ambience within this attractive city, with Jacaranda lined avenues and 70,000 trees flowering in a blaze of mauve every Spring (October).
A short distance from Pretoria city center, short horseback trails can be arranged at the Voortrekker Monument - or through the Premier Reserve near Cullinan Diamond Mines. The reserve boasts a few white rhino and a number of eland antelope.
Pretoria is also home to the natural history Transvaal Museum, which hosts a display of "Mrs Ples", the australopithecine fossil found at Sterkfontein caverns in the Cradle of Humankind.
Krugersdorp Game Reserve is no substitute for the vast and wild Kruger National Park and the other Wildlife Reserves around the country, but provides a great opportunity for city dwellers to escape and see Africa's animals in natural habitats. The Reserve is a 45 minute drive from the center of Johannesburg and hosts a number of zebra, giraffe, buffalo, antelope and hippo - with a small number of lion retained in a separately fenced off area of the Reserve.
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Cullinan's Premier Diamond Mine
Historic Village and Mine Tours
Cullinan's Premier Diamond Mine has produced more than a quarter of the world’s largest precious diamonds. The mine is also the only significant source of rare and highly valuable blue diamonds.
A 26 and a half carat rough blue diamond was discovered at Cullinan in 2008 and after cutting and polishing in South Africa, the exquisite blue diamond was sold for close to nine-and-a-half million dollars – the highest price ever for a blue diamond sold at auction.
In 1905, Cullinan Mine earned its place in history with the discovery of the world’s largest diamond ever found. The huge Cullinan Diamond was cut into nine major stones and numerous smaller stones.
The largest, at over 530 carats, is the pear-shaped Star of Africa. This stone is set in the scepter of the Crown Jewels, a famous attraction at the Tower of London. The 317 carat Cullinan II is in fact the most valuable gem and is set in the Imperial State Crown.
Tours include a surface tour of the mine and the Big Hole, as well as an exciting underground tour of the working mine.
The quaint Cullinan village is a living museum, with its well preserved miners’ houses, historic buildings and overnight accommodation providing an ambience that is true to the period. Explore Cullinan’s quaint shops and arts and crafts and the excellent cuisine and atmosphere of the local restaurants.
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Cullinan's Premier Diamond Mine and Village
[5:05 min] [Produced by FindTripInfo.com]
This famous diamond mine and village is a great overnight diversion for travelers arriving or departing via OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa. Cullinan is one of the world's largest producers of precious diamonds, including rare blue diamonds and the famous Cullinan Diamond.
Visitors can take an underground tour of the working mine. |
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Family Entertainment and Activities
There is a long list of fun activities and venues providing for family entertainment within Gauteng. The climate of Gauteng is ideal for outdoor and open air activities - and rain or shine, numerous resorts provide outstanding indoor facilities for family enjoyment. Some popular venues include:
Bird Parks
Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary (Muckleneuk, Pretoria) - a 30 acre (12 hectare) picnic spot for families with streams and wetlands, water birds, a guided walk and restaurant.
Lory Park Animal and Owl Sanctuary - located in Midrand with a wide variety of birds, including Birds of Prey. Public feeding of some of the resident birds and animals of the park takes place on a daily basis and a tea garden provides refreshments and light meals for visitors.
Montecasino Bird Gardens - home to over 1000 birds (140 species), as well as reptiles, mammals, amphibians and other small creatures, in a setting of magnificent gardens, walkways and a walk-through aviary.
Steam Train Rides
Friends of the Rail (Pretoria) - vintage steam train family outings to a variety of destinations, including Cullinan.
Reefsteamers (Roodepoort, West Rand) - scenic excursions through the Magaliesberg countryside. A vintage catering car provides refreshments, snacks and light meals.
Animal Parks and Farms
Ann van Dyk Cheetah Center - De Wildt (Magaliesberg). De Wildt is renowned for breeding endangered southern African animal species including the King Cheetah.
Croc City Crocodile Farm - crocodile hatchlings to large 16 foot (5 meter) adults are on display. Services and facilities available include a guided tour, souvenir shop and restaurant.
Animal World - Emerald Resort and Casino (Vanderbijlpark, southern Gauteng). Families can enjoy a game drive and on-site zoo, with exotic birds, reptiles and land mammals. Animal World is home to approximately 500 animals (88 species) - and a Fun Farmyard.
Acknowledgements - above images: Emerald Resort and Casino [Animal World]
Zoos
Johannesburg Zoo - 130 acres (over 50 hectares) with more than 2000 animals (365 species).
Pretoria Zoo - the largest zoo in South Africa with 3.5 miles (6 Km) of walkways. The zoo includes a large marine aquarium and reptile park.
Theme Parks
Gold Reef City - This exciting Theme Park, just 5 miles (8 km) from Johannesburg city center, provides world class facilities, thrilling rides and numerous restaurants and theater. Rides include a heart stopping Tower of Terror, several roller coasters (The Anaconda is a truly high adrenaline ride) and Raging River Rapids. Many rides suitable for small children are also available. Helicopter flips are also available at the Park as well as historic period attractions.
Parks and Outdoors
Acrobranch - James and Ethel Grey Park, near Melrose Arch - outdoor activities include traversing from tree to tree on nets, a zip line, ropes and a monkey bridge, testing balance, strength and focus. Acrobranch combines sport and adventure. Courses are available to suit all ages.
Water Parks
The Aquadome at Emerald Casino Resort (Vanderbijlpark, southern Gauteng) - an indoor climate-controlled water wonderland, with 6 heated pools, water slides and a shipwreck to explore. Attractions include a spa, lazy river, baby pool, gladiator pool, white water pool, outdoor deck area – and beach volleyball and basketball courts. Lifeguards are on duty.
Acknowledgements - above images: Emerald Resort and Casino [Aquadome]
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Gauteng's Heritage and Museums
Sterkfontein Caves
Sterkfontein Caves are limestone caverns located in the north west of Gauteng, 6 miles (10 km) from the city of Krugersdorp. The special significance of these caves over any other is the discovery of anthropologic treasures within the caverns – one of the richest and most prolific australopithecine sites in the world. This hominid family originated between 10 and 5 million years ago, with a single species of bipedal ape.
Significant finds within the caves include "Mrs Ples" (2,5 million year old) and an almost complete skeleton estimated to be about 3,3 million years old.
A section of the caves is accessible to visitors. Facilities on site include small museum and a tea room.
The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
The World Heritage site includes the Sterkfontein system of limestone caverns containing the fossilized remains of hominids and numerous excavated sites of rich anthropological value, game reserves, cultural villages and other attractions. It covers an area of 47 000 hectares (116,000 acres). The limestone (dolomite) formed around 2.3 billion years ago in a shallow sea.
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The Voortrekker Monument, Pretoria
The Voortrekker Monument, located in Pretoria, is a huge granite structure commemorating the Voortrekkers (pioneers) that left the Cape Colony in ox-drawn wagons between 1835 and 1854. This movement of early settlers from the Cape is known as the Great Trek. Located high on a hilltop, the Monument is prominently visible from many locations in Pretoria. The length, width and height of the monument are each 40 meters (130 feet).
The Monument's huge Hall of Heroes contains the largest marble frieze in the world, consisting of 27 bas-relief panels depicting the historic storyboard of the Great Trek.
Within the monument perimeter, 64 granite ox-wagons are circled in a defensive laager, commemorating the wagons used at the Battle of Blood River. Numerous bronze and stone sculptures also have significance in and around the Monument, as does the annual symbolic illumination of a central tablet of stone by the rays of the sun.
The Voortrekker Monument is a "must see" for anyone with love of great sculpture, architecture and history.
Museums
Gauteng has several museums that offer the visitor a unique perspective on South Africa's history and rich heritage, including:
Adler Museum of Medicine (Wits University Medical School)
The museum illustrates the history of medicine over the ages with an extensivre collection of more than 40,000 objects (medicine, dentistry and pharmacy) and a library of rare books. Traditional healing in South Africa is also showcased, including a display of an African herb shop and of a sangoma (traditional healer) treating a patient.
Museum Africa
Museum Africa is a place where visitors can learn about Africa and the customs and traditions of the people of Africa through a variety of exhibitions and literature.
The museum looks back at the origins of civilization in Africa with displays on ancient Egypt, Sudan and Somalia. It provides a focus on the cultures and history of Southern Africa including a section covering the rock art of the San people of Southern Africa.
Exhibits include more recent history, including gold mining, socio-economic impacts upon people working the mines during the apartheid era - and memories of Sophiatown and the shebeens. Squalid and insensitive living conditions that prevailed during the apartheid years and the events of Treason Trial from 1956 to 1961 are shown, when former president Nelson Mandela, Chief Albert Luthuli, Walter Sisulu and 150 of their comrades faced high treason charges following the adoption of the Freedom Charter.
The Apartheid Museum
22 individual exhibitions take visitors along a journey through the Apartheid era. The dramatic and emotional story is told through film, photographs, text and artifacts, of life during the years that South Africa was governed under a state-sanctioned system based on racial discrimination. The exhibition covers the struggles against the oppressive regime and the eventual triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
The white elected National Party government implemented the policy of apartheid in 1948. The majority of the people of South Africa (20 million people) were subjected to a life of servitude and humiliation, that finally ended in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela as President of the nation.
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Gauteng at a Glance
