Over the past few years the city’s CBD has been undergoing a regeneration. The Johannesburg Development Agency has been instrumental in this in support of the city’s vision for Jo’burg 2030. There are a number of exciting day-trip opportunities in the Johannesburg area.  From Sandton, head south on the N1 towards Soweto and visit Constitution Hill, a living museum documenting South Africa’s political history from the South African War and Apartheid through to South Africa’s current constitutional democracy. Visit the Sophiatown Heritage Experience and relive Joburg’s past.

Nearby, the Origins Centre offers visitors a unique experience of Africa’s rich, complex and sometimes mysterious past, combining cutting-edge technology with the creative vision of South Africa’s foremost artists, and its restaurant offers an ideal lunch break. From there you’re very close to 44 Stanley, and the Newtown Cultural Precinct. Newtown is a dynamic, cosmopolitan cultural quarter in an historic area of Jo’burg’s CBD and is rich in theatres, studios, workshops and museums. Walk around and see the urban regeneration of the inner city taking shape.

From there, visit Gold Reef City Theme Park, where visitors can taste life in turn-of-the-century Johannesburg and discover how miners worked, lived and were entertained in the early 1900s. The Apartheid Museum tells the story of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and oppression. Johannesburg is home to numerous museums and art galleries, such as JAG, which houses exhibitions both historical and contemporary.

Drive on south towards Soweto and visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Vilakazi Street, Kliptown and eat at Sakhumzi’s, Wandie’s or The Rock. The city’s townships have long been places of political struggle and today they are being upgraded and become exciting and rewarding places for visitors.

Closer to Sandton, Liliesleaf in the leafy suburbs just north of Sandton offers insight into the struggle. The heritage precinct comprises the historic buildings and structures of the farm on which most of the Rivonia trialists were arrested. Explore the gallery and shopping districts around Rosebank and choose an accompanied tour into Alexandra township.

Drive just 40 minutes out of town and you’re in the picturesque Magaliesberg mountains and the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Maropeng, which means “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, is a world-class attraction and is set to become Gauteng’s cultural and corporate hub. The Sterkfontein Caves, a well known visitor attraction and world-famous for their fossil finds, including Mrs Ples and Little Foot, showcase our archaelogical heritage.