Johannesburg began life in the late 1880s as a mining city when gold was discovered in farm land. It has since grown into an economic hub and leading tourist destination in South Africa, producing 40 percent of the world gold. Interestingly, the area is a source of many ’fountains’ emanating from the rocks and going as far as Orange River and the Limpopo. Take a Johannesburg weekend holiday to enjoy this picturesque city.
You will most likely use the city's major international airport, O. R Tambo, when you book package holidays in Johannesburg. Plan your flight from London to Johannesburg without worry as you don't need a visa to enter South Africa from Great Britain and Ireland. However, be sure to adjust your clock as Johannesburg is two hours ahead of the United Kingdom. There are eleven official languages in South Africa, with Zulu and Xhosa being the most widely spoken. However, most people also speak English so you should not have problems navigating the city on any weekend in Johannesburg.
The best times to explore Johannesburg is between March and May and from September to November. The temperature is about 24°C in March and goes down to an average of 19°C in May. It's much the same between September and November, and the weather is dry during these periods. Summer runs from December to February, and the city usually sees a higher number of visitors during this time. These numbers go down after February, which make this the opportune time for a flight and hotel in Johannesburg.
J’oburg hosts several festivals every year. There is the annual Standard Bank of Joy Jazz Festival held at the last week of September, and if you love performance art be sure to attend the Arts Alive Festival in the first week of September for a mix of traditional poetry, dances, contemporary music and drama from South Africa and abroad. The Fire and Feast Meat Festival happens in June. Consider city breaks in Johannesburg during any of these exciting events for a unique holiday.
Your flight to and hotel in Johannesburg will give you access to a vibrant city where you could:
What can you visit in Johannesburg?
There are numerous places you can visit as soon as you land from your flight from Manchester to Johannesburg. Points of interest include the Apartheid Museum where you learn about the country's fight against institutionalised racial segregation. You can also visit Constitution Hill, the Origin Centre Museum, and Satyagraha House, once owned by Mahatma Ghandi. Parks and game reserves around the city include Johannesburg Zoo, Delta Park, the Kruger National Park, and the Pilanesberg where you see a large variety of African wildlife. Other exciting places that you should visit include Arts on Main and Maboneng Precinct. Check if your package holidays in Johannesburg include any entry fees.
Johannesburg prides itself on food sourced from Africa and around the world. Here are dishes that you should sink your teeth into right after you land from your flight to Johannesburg.
If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in Johannesburg.
You will definitely want to take home a souvenir from Johannesburg at the end of your stay. Here are a few things to pick up:
If a city break in Johannesburg doesn't quite convince you, why not explore other exciting cities? Check out our amazing flight and hotel packages for your next holiday adventure!