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Johannesburg: Things To See & Do
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Apartheid Museum
One of the most
compelling and unsettling museums dedicated to the apartheid period of
South Africa's history, this is a good place to go to find out more
about those troubled times. Many of the exhibitions deal with
difficulties of life under the race-based system, including the
horrific conditions suffered by the political prisoners of the regime,
but equally moving are the exhibitions honouring the many people, both
black and white, who fought against the system and slowly brought it
down.
Details
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Opening
Hrs:
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Tues-Sun
10am-5pm. Closed Mondays, Good Friday and Christmas Day. |
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Pricing:
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Adults: SAR25;
Children & pensioners: SAR12
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Contact:
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Phone 011/309-4700;
Fax: 011/309-4726; email: info@apartheidmuseum.org
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Getting Here:
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North Parkway &
Gold Reef Road, Ormonde, Johannesburg.
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Gold Reef City
This entertaining
entertainment park combines history, theatre and actors to recreate a
Johannesburg of the gold-rush era. Visitors can explore gold mines, even
going down the mine shaft, try their hand at poker in a saloon, see some
traditional gumboot dancers, get on some thrilling rides and more.
Details
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Opening Hrs:
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Theme park:
Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 6pm; open daily during Gauteng
school holidays; closed on Christmas day; |
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Pricing:
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Weekdays: R70,
which includes minor rides, and all shows and entertainment;
access to major rides costs an additional R20. Weekends and
holidays: R90 inclusive of all rides and entertainment. Mine
tours: R60. Concessions and family tickets available
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Contact:
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Telephone: (011)
248 6800; E-mail: info@goldreefcity.co.za
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Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum
Erected in memory of the
pivotal
1976 student protest, this moving museum contains video footage and
photographs of that event, including the iconic image of Hector
Pieterson as he died in the arms of a friend. This tragedy is often
cited as the starting point of the national struggle against apartheid,
and is one of the city's most visited historical sites.
Details
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Opening
Hrs:
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Mon-Sat
10am-5pm; Sun 10am-4:30pm |
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Pricing:
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Admission is R10
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Contact:
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Phone 011/536-0611
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Getting Here:
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Hector Pieterson
Sq., corner of Khumalo and Pela sts., Orlano West, Soweto
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The Museum Africa
This museum documents the
history of the city from its founding up to the present day, and
includes such individual attractions as a Museum of South African Rock
Art and the Market Theatre, which was once the venue for many protest
theatre productiosn during the apartheid era.
Details
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Opening
Hrs:
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Tues-Sun 9am-5pm
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Pricing:
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Free admission. |
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Contact:
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011/833-5624
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Getting Here:
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Address 121 Bree
St, Newtown
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Johannesburg Zoo
A popular place among locals
for a weekend visit, this is one of the biggest zoos in South Africa and
houses over 3,000 species of animals, from the Big 5 to the less common
polar bear. Interestingly, there is also a Military Museum located on
the edge of the zoo which is rather popular too.
Details
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Opening
Hrs:
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Zoo opens
daily 8.30am to 5.30pm; the museum opens from 9am to 4.30pm;
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Pricing:
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Admission: R32
(adults), R19 (children 3-12); other concessions available
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Contact:
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Telephone: (011)
646 2000; E-mail: info@jhbzoo.org.za
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Getting
Here:
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Address: Jan
Smuts Avenue, main public entrance on Upper Park Drive,
Parkview; |
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Lesedi Cultural Village
Learn more about the local
African cultures by visiting this village, which combines four traditional
homesteads - Zulu, Xhosa,
Pedi, and Basotho - into a single cultural attraction. Visitors are taken on
a guided tour of the village, as well as a traditional song and dance
session followed by a buffet meal.
Details
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Opening
Hrs:
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Tours
commence daily at 11:30am and 4:30pm
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Pricing:
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Prices SAR170
for tour only; SAR260 for tour with lunch or dinner
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Contact:
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Phone 012/205-1394
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Getting
Here:
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The village is
just off the
R512; phone for directions |
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