We offer exciting day trips around Johannesburg and Gauteng, from exploring the city's rich history and vibrant culture to venturing out into nearby nature reserves for a taste of the wild.
As proud South Africans - we are excited to share the beauty and diversity of our country with travellers from far and wide. Take a look through our wide range of trips and let’s start planning your next unforgettable adventure!
Our Day Trips
Apartheid Museum
Soweto
Mandela House
Hector Pieterson Museum
Maboneng
Mary Fitzgerald Square
Cradle of Humankind
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Hartbeespoort Dam
Magaliesberg
Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
Pretoria
Pretoria Botanical Gardens
Lesedi Cultural Village
Apartheid Museum
The Apartheid Museum offers visitors insights into South Africa’s past and demonstrates how the system of apartheid has affected the history of the country. Born from collaborations between a large number of historians and stakeholders and opened in 2001, the museum delves into the injustices of the past and effectively takes visitors through the experiences of South African’s during the tumultuous times before democracy dawned in 1994. The museum is a must-visit to understand modern South Africa and South African people.
Hector Pieterson Museum
16 June 1976 - a fateful day in South African history. School children had begun a peaceful protest against apartheid government policy and were subsequently gunned down by state police. Iconic photographs of one of the students killed, Hector Pieterson, were smuggled out of the country and allowed the world to see the true nature of apartheid South Africa. This museum commemorates Hector and the other students who lost their lives during the protests and aims to be a place of remembrance and reflection on the aftermath of the 1976 uprising.
Maropeng/Cradle of Humankind
Maropeng is a cultural centre and museum situated north-west of Johannesburg. The area is full of caves that preserve numerous fossils, including the largest concentration of human ancestral remains worldwide. As such, the Cradle is a World Heritage Site where visitors can observe fossils and stone tools of our early ancestors. There are also interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn about the evolution of our universe and humankind.
Magaliesberg
The Magaliesberg is an ancient mountain range that formed more than 2 billion years ago. It extends for approximately 120km and is an officially protected natural environment. Today it’s known as a hiking and outdoor activity adventure hub. Visitors can access the summit via the aerial cableway or zipline through the forested valleys. Adventurous visitors can hike into the mountains.
Pretoria Botanical Gardens
These gardens are 76 ha in size and were opened to the public in 1984. They are situated in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria and offer an oasis in the urban space of the city. The undeveloped natural areas still present in the gardens are complemented by a medicinal garden, succulent garden and cycad garden.
Soweto
Soweto is a historic urban settlement situated south-west of central Johannesburg. It was created in the 1930s and formally named in the 1960s. Originally a shantytown or township, it has progressed beyond these migrant camp and slum beginnings to become a large urban complex. It played an important role in the demand for equality in apartheid South Africa, where residents were at the forefront of civil uprising against the apartheid state. Today, Soweto is known for its vibrant street life and Nelson Mandela’s house on Vilakazi Street.
Maboneng
Maboneng is an inner city district in eastern Johannesburg. It is a privately developed precinct that has become a place symbolic of urban revival and revitalisation. It is a mixed-use neighbourhood that incorporates numerous restaurants and retail and event venues with creative factory spaces, apartments offices and hotels. Maboneng has a bustling street vibe and street art displays.
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Just outside Pretoria and a short drive from Johannesburg, Rietvlei Nature Reserve offers the opportunity to connect with nature right on the outskirts of the city. Home to a number of animal species and plenty of birds, the reserve surrounds a large dam that supplies Pretoria with water. It has been a popular place for nature lovers since the reserve was proclaimed in 1948.
Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
West of Johannesburg city centre are the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. The gardens are set against the backdrop of a lovely waterfall, the Witpoortjie Falls, and were created in 1982. The gardens themselves are surrounded by a nature reserve and home to a variety of wildlife, including 240 bird and 600 native plant species. A pair of Verreaux’s eagles use the garden for breeding and can often be seen flying overhead.
Lesedi Cultural Village
Lesedi is a tourist village north of Johannesburg. It showcases the traditional way of life of different cultural groups who call South Africa home. Visitors are given village tours and experience tribal dance ceremonies, presented by the different groups of indigenous peoples who represent their tribes at Lesedi village.
Mandela House
Nelson Mandela and his family had their roots at this family home on Vilakazi Street in Soweto. Although Mandela didn’t spend much time at the home due to his political history, both his wives lived here and two of his children grew up here. Part of the family history from 1946 until the 1990s, this unassuming face brick home is testament to the people who fought tirelessly against the apartheid regime.
Mary Fitzgerald Square
Named for the first female trade unionist in South Africa, Mary Fitzgerald Square is situated in downtown Johannesburg and has the capacity to accommodate over 50 000 spectators at outdoor events. The area is decorated with wooden heads carved from old railway sleepers and the struts of the highway overpass are home to decorated with large murals and other street art.
Hartbeespoort Dam
Situated at the base of an ancient mountain range, Hartbeespoort Dam was completed in 1923 and has a maximum depth of 45m. The dam is within close proximity to both Johannesburg and Pretoria and is a popular weekend destination. The dam wall is 56m high and of an arch-type design. There is also an aerial cableway that allows access to the top of the mountains and panoramic views of the dam.
Pretoria
Pretoria is South Africa’s capital city and home to the impressive Union Buildings. The city is also known for its jacaranda tree displays in spring each year and is surrounded by the Magaliesberg mountains. Also of interest is the Voortrekker Monument.
