Things to Do in Johannesburg and surrounds

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in Cresta is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

Linked to South Africa's largest Pick n Pay Hypermarket, East Rand Mall is conveniently situated seven kilometres away from OR Tambo International Airport.Here visitors will find a large assortment retail options with over 180 stores representing all of South Africa's major chain stores and numerous minor specialised stores.East Rand Mall also offers a wide-ranging assortment of entertainment facilities ranging from a nine-theatre Cinema Complex, restaurants, coffee shops, and a tempting Food and Entertainment Mall.Undercover parking consists of 1 500 undercover bays with an additional 3 000 open parking bays. Disabled parking bays are conveniently situated at each entrance.

Johannesburg Zoo is a top attraction in Parkview, a leafy, upmarket northern suburb in Johannesburg. The zoo is internationally accredited and highly respected for its husbandry practices, which includes maintaining a high standard of animal welfare, nutrition and ethical conduct, ensuring the physical and psychological well- being of all its animals. The zoo was opened in 1904, when a piece of land was donated to the citizens of Johannesburg as a recreational venue. The land came with 10 animals and today the zoo has seven classes of animal life: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and arachnids, amounting to 365 species (1868).The zoo’s animal collection includes charismatic White and Tawny Lion, Cheetah, Puma, Polar Bear, Brown Bear, Ringtailed Lemur, Siamang and Forest Cobra. See also the Spectacled Bear, Snow Leopard and Stripped Hyaena, which are rare in zoos. Endangered species are: Siberian Tiger, Margay, Wild dog, Lowland Gorilla, Sumatran Orang-utan, Red panda, Black and white Ruffed Lemur, Wattled Crane, and Cape vulture. In addition to animals from other parts of the world, there is a large collection of South African animals such as African Hippo, Giraffe, Zebra, Baboons, Meerkat, Honey Badger, Springbok, four of the big five - Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant and Lions and majestic birds such as Secretary Birds and the Bald Ibis. In the walk- through aviary, visitors can almost touch the birds. The zoo’s plant collection consists of public gardens and landscapes plants in animal exhibits, which recreate their natural habitat and indigenous & historical gardens such as Medicinal, Rose and Herb gardens.The zoo also provides Animal Talk and Feeding sessions about Chimpanzees, Vultures, Polar Bears, Wild Dogs and more. These take place every weekend and public holiday from 9h30 and run through out the day. Zoo keepers narrate personal stories of zoo animals, how they live, their relationships, origins and social norms. Children can visit the farm yard where they can see and even touch friendly farm animals such as Nguni and Bapedi Sheep. There are very small to giant breeds such as Shetland pony and Shire horse. Children can also play on the zoo’s play ground gyms.The zoo offers a range of excellent guided tours: Day, Night, Dinner and Behind the Scenes Tours, which allow for splendid experience of seeing, smelling and hearing real animals. Each tour is different and has its own unique features.Day Tours start with everyone getting on a zoo ferry to visit several areas, like the apes, Amazonia, Heart of Africa and the pachyderms. A Tour guide introduces you to the animals by sharing facts and interesting stories and giving some animals a treat. This tour is charged on a sliding scale of R85, R75 and R65 for groups of 15, 20 and 35 sizes. School groups are charged a flat rate of R50.Night Tours allows visitors to see the zoo’s night life explore their world, such as Honey Badger, Owl, Tiger, Lion, Hippo, Civet, Caracal, Margay, Porcupine, Genet, African Wild Cat, Red Panda, Serval, etc. Visitors bring a picnic meal, torches and wear comfortable shoes and get ferried around the zoo on a journey of discovery. The Tour guide explains the nocturnal animals’ natural behaviour as the group sees it happen.After the tour, everyone enjoys their picnic and the zoo provides a hot cuppa and marshmallows to toast around a camp fire. See a different and wonderful life at night. This tour is charged on a sliding scale of R95, R85 and R75 for groups of 15, 20 and 35 sizes. School groups are charged a flat rate of R50.Dinner Tour is an opportunity to enjoy an outdoor meal while listening to the zoo’s night sounds, like the dominant lion Numzaan’s gruff roar. The group visits several camps, similar to camps visited by the night tour. Tour cost R200.Behind the Scenes Tours provide a chance to get close to zoo animals where only Keepers are allowed. The tour visits the zoo kitchen, where animal feed is prepared, the hospital, where veterinary care and a place to recuperate are provided, and night rooms used by animals to relax and shelter from inclement weather. This tour shows the importance of zoos and lets you get closer than ever before. Tours cost R 85.Opening Hours: 8:30 – 17:30 with the last entry at 16:00Admission price: Adults – R50 Children & pensioners – R30

Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention Entertainment Resort encompasses a truly world-class experience with a variety of accommodation options, a state-of-the-art convention and exhibition centre, a thrilling and dynamic casino, superb entertainment, endless dining choices and fun-filled children’s activities.Set in the heart of the resort is the dazzling and vibrant casino with 1 724 slot machines and 67 gaming tables offering Blackjack, Roulette and Poker. The gaming experience is both thrilling and manifold with the latest and most innovative gaming fun on offer, from multi-line video high hit jackpots to themed novelty slots, from floor-wide mystery jackpots and progressive slots, all available in a convenient cashless environment played via smart card.Emperors Palace has also become the home of Poker with the beautifully appointed Fortuna Poker Room, dedicated to devotees of Texas Hold ’Em!The jewel of the gaming empire is the epic Palace Court Privé, considered one of the most beautiful in the world, with dedicated services for the ultimate in high limit private gaming.A new Betting World facility in the Entertainment Emporium offers a variety of sports and fixed odds betting options.World class entertainment happens in the 756-seater Theatre of Marcellus. Extensive international and local dance extravaganzas, musicals and plays with an impressive list of performers have graced its stage. The Entertainment Emporium is the Nu Metro movie theatre experience comprising six cinemas with a total of 1250 seats, one of which, The Pantheon boasts 500 seats and is the largest cinema on the African continent. Another two offers spectacular digital technology and a third is a permanent 3D cinema.Wining and dining throughout the resort offers delectable dining choices catering to every taste. A brand new childcare facility, Jupiter’s is managed by qualified and experienced child minders and offers a safe, secure and stimulating environment for younger children. A new games arcade caters for teens (and adults) with the latest video and arcade games. Emperors Palace is the ultimate family destination.

The Coca Cola Dome is one of South Africa's most versatile venues with features that are suitable for both large and small scale events. The ground level 12 500m² floor space can be adapted to present an amazing variety of exhibitions. It is also a popular live concerts venue with space for 18 000 people standing or 12 000 people seated. Up to 4 000 people can be seated for banquets. The 2 500m² mezzanine level boasts five hospitality suites ideal for conference breakaway rooms, media offices, cocktail functions, VIP dinners or board meetings.

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in Broadacres is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in East Rand is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

Home to South African football, Soccer City is the stadium where the 2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony took place and where the final whistle was blown. South Africa’s national football stadium, Soccer City was built in 1987 and is headquarters to the South African Football Association. Host to the 1996 African Cup of Nations, Soccer City is South Africa’s prime football venue and it will be the most important venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup – the kick-off site for the opening and the final match. The original seating capacity for 80 000 people was enlarged to accommodate 94 700 people. Along with this, the precinct now has a fully functional transport hub including a railway station. The rail system will serve future industrial, commercial and residential developments planned for the area after the football tournament. Besides the rail station, the transport hub has taxi, bus and rail drop off and pick up points. The total public transport capacity of the hub is projected to be 23 280 an hour. Why we love it? Soccer City is the main match venue for South Africa’s football squad, Bafana Bafana, as well as the simmering contests between local Soweto club rivals, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

Shop till you drop, get a bite or catch a show. Be spoilt for choice at Fourways Mall, a large retail shopping centre with cinema complex, supermarket, restaurants offering a unique and exciting shopping experience to the community and tourists alike. Fourways is conveniently situated in the heart of one of Jozi's most prestigious suburbs with easy access to the N1 freeway connecting Johannesburg and Pretoria as well as excellent link ups to Johannesburg International Airport.

Prepare to be deeply moved and overwhelmed by the striking Apartheid Museum. Situated opposite Gold Reef City, this interactive museum graphically testifies to the horrors and downfall of the Apartheid regime through extensive multi-media exhibits.Anyone who grew up during the Apartheid era should make their pilgrimage for this uncensored look at government-endorsed racism. On view is the footage that people around the globe were able to view except South Africans themselves. And if you were lucky enough to be born since democracy reshaped our nation, then this is a great resource to understand how we became a unity.Visitors are welcome to make a recording of their experiences under Apartheid or donate items such as photos and passbooks that are now deemed ‘artefacts’. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Situated in the heart of Sandton, The Blues Room is an upmarket nightclub and restaurant delivering up live blues, jazz, fusion, comedy, and sometimes even rock 'n' roll.

You'll find more than awesome cocktails at this buzzy, trendy spot in Rivonia. The News Café is a high street café and cocktail bar offering a unique, relaxed and entertaining dining experience. It's also very popular as an Internet venue.

Cresta Centre is conveniently placed in the middle of the affluent residential suburbs between Sandton, Randburg and the Johannesburg CBD.The extensive, elegant mall features three levels – each one offering an extravagant assortment of contemporary products, services and entertainment.Upbeat and market driven, this proactive 33-year old shopping centre has sustained its reputation in an environment that has an overabundance of retail choices.Easy parking and accessibility, an upbeat atmosphere and a diverse selection of merchandise continue to make it a popular one-stop shopping experience all under one roof.Opening hours:Monday to Thursday open until 18:00Friday until 19:00, Saturday until 18:00 and Sunday until 15:00Public Holidays open until 15:00Selected major and national stores trade over and above the stated hoursEntertainment venues, restaurants and sidewalk cafes are open daily till late

This incredibly popular square with its impressive statue of Nelson Mandela is an awesome place to chill between frenetic bouts of shopping. Relax at one of the many surrounding restaurants, enjoy the sunshine, and watch open air performances and the passing traffic of people. The square incorporates a theatre, a library and is attached to the well-known Sandton City Shopping Mall. A must on your trip to Jozi!

Jozi’s magnificent world-class theatre always ensures that vistors receive a warm welcome when walking through the door.With its posh furnishings and luxuriant atmosphere, this lavishly styled 1 100-seat theatre recalls the opulence of the world's great opera houses.The Lyric is regarded as one of Jozi's top entertainment venues, presenting superlative Broadway and West End productions, local and international musicians, ballet, comedy and numerous shows. Tickets for all shows are available at Computicket or The Lyric Theatre Box Office on +27 (0)11 248 5168  ⁄ 5229 ⁄ 5000.

Situated in the heart of Jozi, Coca-Cola Park was the leading venue for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup with the opening ceremony and final game taking place there. And in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola Park hosted five first round matches, a second round match and one of the quarter-finals. Home turf of the Golden Lions, Super 14, Lions, Orlando Pirates Football Club and also the premier concert event in South Africa, Coca-Cola Park was formerly known as Ellis Park Stadium. In 1995 rugby fever hit the country with South Africa's hosting of the Rugby World Cup, the biggest event on the global rugby calendar. Coca-Cola Park was the venue for the Rugby World Cup Final which was played on 24 June 1995. In this spectacular final, New Zealand and South Africa ran onto the field at 14:45 to a thunderous roar of 62 000 spectators and millions of spectators glued in front of their televisions. South Africa won this game 15-12 after extra time was allowed. Coca-Cola Park and the quality of rugby it represents became the symbol of South Africa's achievement as a nation united.

Sandton Convention Centre is one of southern Africa’s most technologically advanced, multi-purpose convention venues.The twelve-storey building is designed to provide a range of convention, exhibition, meeting and special event space.Conveniently situated in the hub of Sandton's business, hotel and entertainment district, the centre offers easy access to over 5 000 hotel rooms.It also lies in Gauteng's top shopping and entertainment regions. Parking is never a problem with over 11 000 secure parking bays.

Carnival City Casino and Entertainment World is one of the hottest gambling and entertainment playgrounds in Gauteng.World class entertainment and gaming facilities, two hotels, a plethora of restaurants and fun-filled family entertainment keeps the crowds coming back for more thrills!Jozi’s casino gaming space features no less than 1,750 gaming machines and sixty table games. Forming part of the Sun International Group, you can expect nothing less than the highest level of service and enjoy superior entertainment.The casino is best described as ‘a glittering festival for the senses, a thrill a second, a wonderland of games where fun comes in every shade of a neon rainbow!’

Wanderers Cricket Stadium, recently renamed BIDVest Wanderers Stadium, is the premier cricketing stadium in South Africa. Topnotch facilities and a seating capacity of 34 000 made it an ideal choice to host the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup Final. In addition, it hosted the ICC World T20 Final, the IPL Final and is one of two venues for the ICC Champions Trophy. Pavilion spectators are permitted to bring cooler boxes – these must be stored below the seats. Spectators on the grass embankment are free to bring in their own food, cold drinks in plastic containers and chairs.

Get up close and personal with rare white lions The Lion Park offers terrific close encounters with lions, other predators and large herbivores indigenous to Africa. You can also expect some superb filming and photographic opportunities.The Lion Park is home to over 80 lions including the rare white lions and many other carnivores such as cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena, striped hyena, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, side-striped jackal, and a wide variety of antelope which roam freely in the antelope area.Visitors have an opportunity to interact with some of the animals in the Cub World area. A giraffe feeding platform puts you at eye level with the tame resident giraffe creating a fun experience for all ages. The hugely popular cub interaction allows guests to touch the cubs and take photographs.Need to know? The Lion Park is open every day of the year. Opening hours: weekdays 8:30am to 5pm;Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays 1 September to 30 April 8:30am to 6pm; 1 May to 31 August 8:30am to 5pm