Johannesburg (ask known as Joburg or Jozi) remains South Africa’s most visited city, and this isn’t just because it is the main hub and stop-over point for various international flights from places like Doha, Seoul, London, Lagos and New York.
South Africa is a diverse country, in terms of its cultural, historical and natural landscape. Once predominantly farmland, the city was founded and fueled by the discovery of gold. Since then, the population has grown exponentially and is today the second largest city in Africa.
Johannesburg is the largest city in the world that is not located on a coastline, and has been aptly dubbed ‘the world’s driest port’. Johannesburg is also the country’s wealthiest city.
South Africa has three capital cities. Cape Town is the legislative capital, Pretoria is the administrative capital and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital. Although Johannesburg is not one of these, it is where the constitutional court is situated.
Joburg’s more recent history is also a source of interest for many tourists. Soweto (South Western Township) was once separate from Johannesburg proper by law. Today, it is the largest township in South Africa and it is incorporated into Johannesburg.
Joburg is not only embedded with gold underground. The city is rich in its community spirit and cultural diversity as well. Jozi was once home to Nobel Peace Prize winners Nelson Mandela as well as Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It is therefore not a destination to be missed if you want to go on a historic pilgrimage to understand the courageous history of the struggle against apartheid.
Book cheap flights from Johannesburg – O. R. Tambo International Airport
O. R. Tambo International Airport, (Johannesburg Airport) is the busiest airport in Africa. In 2017 the airport handled more than 21 million travellers. In second place is the airport of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with just over 13 million passengers. As you can see, O. R. Tambo Airport is way ahead of the other airports in South Africa.
Source: Wikipedia – 2017 Statistics – Top 10 busiest airports in Africa by passenger numbers
As you can imagine there are many airlines operating flights to and from Johannesburg. Popular domestic flights to Johannesburg include:
Book cheap flights from Cape Town to Johannesburg using the flight booking tool at the top of this page. There are several airlines that operate flights from Cape Town to Joburg. Some of the cheapest flights from Cape Town to Joburg are with Kulula and Mango airlines.
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7 things you didn’t know about Joburg
Joburg isn’t only about history and culture. Below are some little-known facts about this remarkable city. They make Jozzi a one-of-a-kind city that you will fall in love with even before you see it for yourself.
1. This city is the world’s largest ‘urban forest’, with over ten million trees (and counting).
2. Within close proximity to Joburg is the Cradle of Humankind, one of the 9 UNESCO world heritage sites in South Africa. It is estimated that the Johannesburg region is home to more than 40% of the human fossils that have been unearthed all over the world.
3. Johannesburg is home to the only two polar bears in Africa. They are in Parktown Zoo, which is more than a century old.
4. O.R. Tambo International Airport holds the record as the busiest and largest airport in Africa.
5. There is a town called Johannesburg in California in the USA. It was named by miners who had worked in Joburg.
6. It takes one minute longer to boil an egg in Joburg than it does in Cape Town or Durban.
7. Gold Reef City, an amusement park in Johannesburg, has the tallest and fastest roller-coaster in Africa. It is called The Shaft of Terror.
Something for everyone
Jozi isn’t the coastal paradise that many holiday-makers yearn for, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a prime destination among South African travellers and foreign tourists alike.
Tourists depart from Heathrow International Airport, and JFK International Airport among many other locations spread all over the globe. Internally, airlines such as Mango, SAA and FlySafair provide cheap flights to the major cities within the country. Most local airlines allow you to book flights online.
Johannesburg is a city of several dimensions, catering to the tastes of many an intrepid traveller. If time is limited, you won’t be hard pressed to find a reasonably priced way of travelling to all the main attractions in Jozi. Between the hop-on-hop-off bus, the infamous e-tuk-tuks and Uber, you’ll find your way to the best sites in the city.
Soweto is a popular trip for those interested in gaining a more in-depth understanding of the Apartheid struggle. Aside from historical sites and museums, other must-see attractions in Soweto include the LoCrate Market. There are also various activities for the thrill-seeker, such as bungee jumping and rock climbing.
Joburg has some fun, out-the-box tourist attractions as well if you are looking for something different. If you are feeling brave, you can experience the longest ‘Zorb’ ride in the country by climbing into an inflatable ball and rolling down a slope of 200m. Or spend a day with the family at Bounce, an entertainment area with 50 trampolines. The whole family will have fun at Amazing Mazes, wandering through a variety of mazes and secret gardens. Or if you enjoy sport, spend a fun-filled day with kids playing action cricket. This takes place at various venues throughout the city.
Explore Joburg’s cultural scene
Johannesburg isn’t just a pretty face, it is home to a creative community that will blow your mind if given half a chance. Whether its comedy, theatre or the movie scene that floats your boat, Johannesburg can keep you entertained.
Kitchener’s at the Miler Hotel is not just famous because it is more than 100 years old. It also draws comedy fans from around the city, with its Thursday night comedy night.
If you are keen to have a cinema experience with a difference, visit Bioscope Independent Cinema where you can also enjoy pizza and beer. The Market Theatre has been making waves since Apartheid days and still does.
Eating Out in Joburg
Food says a lot about a city, and this city’s range of diverse restaurants reflect the cosmopolitan melting-pot that is Johannesburg. Enjoy the ambience with spectacular views over Sandton on a Wednesday night when you visit Sir James Van Der Merwe’s.
If you feel like a taste of Africa, try Pata Pata and you can linger a bit longer for jazz that is out of this world. Delicious culinary experiences are a stone’s throw away in Joburg if you look in the right places. The earlier you book flights online, the more likely you are to get a seat and experience them for yourself.
Johannesburg flight bookings
You can book flights to Johannesburg with a number of airlines”
British Airways flights to Johannesburg
FlySAFair flights to Johannesburg
Mango flights to Johannesburg
Emirates flights to Johannesburg
Qatar Airways flights to Johannesburg
Kulula flights to Johannesburg
Use the flight booking tool at the top of this page to book your flights to Johannesburg.