While the Cape offers beaches, vineyards, and glorious mountains, Gauteng offers excitement, incredible wildlife, sensational tours, and an eclectic culture. The smallest of the provinces definitely packs a punch when it comes to adventure.
A province this diverse, with a thrilling energy, makes it a top destination to travel to in South Africa. Not only does it offer the chance to explore the country’s heritage, but it also reveals one of a kind wildlife experiences and exciting activities.
6 Must-Do Adventures in Gauteng
With plenty of cheap flights to Johannesburg, with Mango Airlines and FlySafair, you won’t have an excuse for not discovering this wonderful province.
And with the Gautrain times running throughout the day, trips around the province couldn’t be easier.
1. National Zoological Gardens of South Africa – South Africa Zoo
The National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria is the country’s biggest zoo. World Atlas has even gone as far as to say the Pretoria Zoo is one of the top 10 zoos in the world. Meaning it should definitely be at the top of your South African Bucket list.
The zoo houses 3000 animals belonging to 209 mammal species, 202 bird species, 190 fish species, and 93 creepy-crawly reptile species. The sheer size of the park allows it to comfortably hold these creatures, with the total length of walkways adding up to 6km.
The zoological gardens offer a full-day packed with exciting adventures and activities. One of their most popular sites is the recreation of a waterhole that resembles the plains of the Savannah. Some of the most iconic African wildlife species gather at the waterhole, allowing you to watch giraffes, rhinos, and elephants cool off.
National Zoo Entrance Fee:
The current prices for Pretoria Zoo are R110 per adult, and R75 per child, but may change depending on season and time of year. Tickets can be bought online.
2. Magaliesberg Canopy Tour
For those looking at finding a little more adventure, and a lot more adrenaline, Magaliesberg canopy tours are an absolute treat. The canopy tour takes you through one of the oldest mountain ranges in South Africa, which is estimated to be around 2,500 million years old.
Situated just 1.5 hours from Joburg, and an hour from Pretoria, the rugged mountains and hardy vegetation create the perfect scene for adventuring through Gauteng.
Once you’ve arrived at the Magaliesberg Canopy Tour, you’ll embark on a 4×4 drive through the countryside, where you’ll spot impala, zebra, and wildebeest grazing.
The adventure tour is perfect for the entire family. Between 11 platforms you’ll whizz through the tall trees, and enjoy various vantage points and interesting sights. You’ll be kept completely safe with experienced guides, the necessary gear, and a safety briefing.
And when all the fun is over, you can enjoy light snacks and refreshments and look over the crazy photos you may have captured.
3. Hot Air Ballooning in The Cradle
For the ultimate flying experience, embark on a hot air balloon ride through the Cradle of Humankind. The area is a natural heritage site, where the remains of the oldest human fossils were discovered.
As well as holding history, the area includes game and nature reserves, which are absolutely magical to see from above.
Flyers also have the opportunity to soar above Lake Heritage, situated on Crocodile River. The banks of the river show off beautiful views and spectacular wildlife. Plus you may get lucky and spot herds of buck.
The tours begin just as the sun starts to rise or set, which allows you to enjoy the tranquillity of Africa. Gaze upon epic sunsets as you sip on a choice of champagne or fresh orange juice, perhaps even both.
4. Hiking Trails
While many venture to Gauteng for the wildlife spotting, the province also boasts some incredible hiking trails. For those who are really keen on hiking, booking yourself a weekend away for a 2-day hiking excursion is a must!
One of the closest hiking routes to Joburg and Pretoria is the Klipkraal trails. Situated close to Heidelberg, the trails wind across Hartebeesfontein, Strydfontein, and Rietfontein. But because they run through farms, you’ll need a permit to access them.
Another popular hiking route is the Sable Ranch hiking trail. The breathtaking trail is open on weekends and public holidays and situated just outside of Hekpoort. The 8km trail is ideal for a short day trip and offers the opportunity to spot various plant and bird species along the way.
5. Visit the Iconic Town of Soweto
Visit the most vibrant township in Africa, that over two million people call home. Not only is it famous for its colourful avenues, like Vilakazi Street, but it’s also one of the most culturally significant places in South Africa.
Most of the apartheid struggle occurred in Soweto, and it is also where the former president, Nelson Mandela, lived. Today, visitors can walk along the street of the ‘Soweto Youth Uprising’, feast on local meals, and visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial site.
If history isn’t quite enough for you, why not try something crazy, like bungee jumping off of the Soweto Towers. The towers have been beautifully decorated by local artists and the views from the top overlook a large portion of the town.
6. Kruger National Park
A trip to Gauteng isn’t complete without visiting the world-renowned Kruger National Park. It’s famous for being home to the iconic Big 5 – the lion, elephant, leopard, wildebeest, and rhino.
While the park offers incredible stays in luxury accommodation spots, day visits are also viable. If you’re travelling from Pretoria, the drive will take you around four hours. While leaving from Johannesburg will only take you half an hour longer.
Once you’ve arrived at the park, you can choose whether you want to self-drive through the park or join a game drive. The game drives are well worth your time, as experienced rangers know the right places to spot the animals, as well as share information on the wildlife.
To Conclude a Trip to Gauteng
Johannesburg and Pretoria both offer completely different cultures and experiences, but they’re both awesome places to base yourself for activities in Gauteng. And with lively restaurants in Pretoria and bustling bars in Johannesburg, your day of adventuring can carry on throughout the night.
So whether it’s adrenaline-seeking activities you’re after or something as luxurious as a hot air balloon ride, Gauteng offers a sense of adventure for any kind of traveller.