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The best bucket list activities in Johannesburg you won’t regret!
- Check out ancient wonders at Sterkfontein Caves
- Bounce and spin at Total Ninja
- Hit the fast lanes at Kyalami Race Track
- Reconnect with nature at Johannesburg Zoo
- Shop at the quirky 27 Boxes
- Fall in love with architecture at Northwards House
- Wander among masterpieces at Nirox Sculpture Park
- Take a sky-high leap with the Johannesburg Skydiving Club
- Face scaly crawlers at Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park
- Unwind in nature at Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge
- Ride the thrills of Gold Reef City Theme Park
- Soar above the city at Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway
- Reflect on history at the Apartheid Museum
- Step back in time at Lindfield Victorian House Museum
- Bungee jump at Soweto Towers
Joburg is no ordinary city, and that’s not just the local pride speaking for us. I mean, one morning you could be free-falling from a plane, then cap the day off in a UNESCO heritage site with million-year-old “creatures.”
Rightfully so, we put together a bucket list that packs the City of Gold’s best activities: the pulse-quickening, the calm, the wild, and the outright fascinating.
What to do and where to find them are all down here.
Check out ancient wonders at Sterkfontein Caves
From kyle_bollert
Address: Kromdraai Rd
Contact Details: +27 14 577 9000
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
Website
Right in the Cradle of Humankind, Sterkfontein Caves is a so-called “portal into the past.” How far back, you ask? Prehistoric!
On our literal deep dive into the cave system, we came across hominin fossils, including the quite popular Mrs. Ples and Little Foot. The former is around 2.4 million years old, while the latter is 3.67 million, which surprised us considering how intact it was.
Tip: Pick your clothing and footwear carefully. The path here is cold, slippery, and rife with tight spots and stairs.
Bounce and spin at Total Ninja
From totalninjang
Address: Shop U61, Stoneridge Centre, Hereford Rd, Modderfontein
Contact Details: +27 10 630 0611
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 10 am to 9 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 9 pm
Total Ninja is totally awesome! For starters, it’s Africa’s largest inflatable obstacle course, inspired by American Ninja Warrior, one of the most thrilling shows out there.
On top of that, you’ll be on top of a lot of things here: walls, slides, climbing frames, and trampolines. The tiniest ninjas can jump into the action as well, thanks to the soft-play zone with rollers and stepping stones.
Now, if you ask us what’s the most blood-rushing, well, that depends on your definition of fun. Is it playing dodgeball, balancing on beams, hanging onto bars, running up a curved wall, or dodging spinners?
Tip: Parking is available, so you can drive.
Hit the fast lanes at Kyalami Race Track
From keegan_visuals
Address: Cnr R55 & Allandale Rd, Kyalami, Midrand
Contact Details: +27 11 466 0204
Website
Kyalami Race Track might’ve been running since 1961, but the circuit, which has hosted F1 and Grand Prix championships, is yet to show any signs of slowing down.
How to spend your hours there is completely your call. Most just sit back and watch a race or a gathering from the sidelines.
Meanwhile, folks who really need speed in their lives prefer testing out the track. You can do the same thing, as BMW and Audi offer driving experiences here.
Tip: It’s more fun to stop by during an event.
Reconnect with nature at Johannesburg Zoo
From joburgparkszoo
Address: Shop U 30 Keyes, Jellicoe Ave, Rosebank
Contact Details: +27 11 646 2000
Operating Hours: Daily – 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Website
The wild side is thriving, roaring, soaring, and crawling at Johannesburg Zoo. In fact, visitors can bump into 2,000-plus animals of 320 species…if their legs are game to roam the 55-hectare haven.
If not, booking a tour is the right move. We hopped on one last year and saw the Big Five (lion, buffalo, leopard, elephant, and rhino) in a single day.
The Amazon critters deserve a peek, too, especially for wildlife buffs who’ve never seen pumas or spider monkeys.
Tip: Consider renting a golf cart to avoid exhaustion. Call 010 590 4448 for the deets.
Shop at the quirky 27 Boxes
Address: 76a 4th Ave, Melville
Contact Details: +27 81 719 8238
Operating Hours: Tue to Sun – 9 am to 5 pm
Website
Africa’s shopping capital is in Johannesburg. Adding to that reputation is 27 Boxes, which is a shopping centre made of repurposed shipping containers, a creative concept that reflects what you can score here.
Simply put, it’s mainly for retail therapies involving arts and crafts, with some coffee, barber and cronut joints on the side. The sweet part? It’s a platform for local talent and businesses, with a playground for the kiddos.
Tip: Weekdays are calmer, but the weekend bustle can be fun if you’re out to connect or socialise with artists.
Fall in love with architecture at Northwards House
From leonecoetzee
Address: Knockando Halls of Residence, 21 Rockridge Rd, Parktown
Website
Sir Herbert Baker made Northwards House. Given the English architect’s prestige, the 52-room manor is predictably a beaut.
The Art Nouveau architecture defines its character. Organic lines and shapes flow through the home, accentuated by detailed metalwork and windows, which overlook a courtyard.
Indoors, you’ll walk past grand chandeliers, a sandstone hearth, vaulted rooms, and period decor. The tour guide will even spice it up with historic tea, and I don’t mean the drink.
Tip: Wear cosy shoes. The tours can last up to 4 hours.
Wander among masterpieces at Nirox Sculpture Park
From niroxfoundation
Address: R540 Kromdraai Rd, Kromdraai, Krugersdorp
Contact Details: +27 60 886 2407
Operating Hours: Sat to Sun – 10 am to 4 pm
Website
We used to say that grassy stretches aren’t that bucket list-worthy…until we rocked up to Nirox Sculpture Park. The 30-hectare space lived up to its “Where Art Happens in Nature” tag.
During the visit, we ambled by 50 permanent art installations, sculpted by global artists. The pieces explore thought-provoking concepts, including temporal change, emancipation, and political consequences.
Tip: You can cut the R150 entry fee by booking the resto. Call to do so.
Take a sky-high leap with the Johannesburg Skydiving Club
From johannesburgskydivingclub
Address: Airfield, Carletonville
Contact Details: +27 83 759 3483
Operating Hours:
- Sat – 8 am to 6 pm
- Sun – 8 am to 2 pm
Any bucket list article that doesn’t mention the award-winning Johannesburg Skydiving Club just feels…wrong. Just think about it: these adrenaline junkies have been jumping off planes since 1977.
And no, you don’t need years of free-falling to join their “leaps of faith.” The club offers training programs that’ll get you that license fast.
Or you could simply go with their Tandem Skydiving experience, wherein a seasoned pro is strapped behind you, literally watching your back. What’s sweet is that you can pay extra for the handcam or a videographer.
Tip: Avoid footwear with hooks. Skating or running shoes are fine.
Face scaly crawlers at Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park
From croccity
Address: Corner of Cedar Road & R114 Nietgedacht 535 Chartwell, Chartwell
Contact Details: +27 83 657 7561
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 4:30 pm
Website
Do you really want to kick the bucket without meeting the cold-blooded creatures of Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park? We went there last week, so you know our answer to that.
The trip was more thrilling and informative than scary. We started with the hourly guided tour (9 am to 4:30 pm) before popping by the venomous snake show (Sundays and public holidays only), which busted myths and let us safely pet a puff adder.
That said, the most heart-racing part took place at the Croc City Flyover zip line, the first of its kind in Africa. If the name didn’t give you a hint, you’ll zip through a 75-m line, with Nile crocs watching below.
Tip: If you want to see crocodiles getting fed, visit on a Saturday or Sunday, from 12 pm to 3 pm.
Unwind in nature at Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge
From cradlemoongamelodge
Address: Plot 59 Beyers Naude Drive, Muldersdrift
Contact Details: +27 11 919 5000
Check-in: 3 pm
Check-out: 10 am
Website
Good luck dealing with those “don’t want this holiday to end” blues after crashing at Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge. Hidden in a 1,500-hectare conservancy, this stay offers zebras and hippos instead of deadlines.
You’ll sleep in thatched yet modern rondawels, each featuring a verandah for golden hour sundowners and hotel-like amenities, such as bathrooms and cosy beds. And for added comfort, the digs are a hop from scenic restos.
For me, though, the activities are the real draw. There are plenty, but the highest-rated ones are fly-fishing or swimming in the 32-hectare lake, game rides, and trail running or biking.
Tip: Staying for two nights is cheaper than a one-night stay.
Ride the thrills of Gold Reef City Theme Park
From goldreefcitysa
Address: Northern Pkwy & Data Cres
Contact Details: +27 11 248 5000
Operating Hours: Wed to Sun – 9 am to 5 pm
Website
Gold Reef City already scores points for standing on an actual gold mine that shut down in 1971. The 30-plus rides, often rated on sheer fear factor, just crank the appeal even further.
Tower of Terror is a bold first stop, though not a bad one, considering it’s one of (if not) their most famous attractions. It will yank you down a 90-degree, 50-metre drop, at the breakneck speed of 100 km/h, so maybe leave the white pants at home.
If that’s too extreme, kid-friendly rides with nearly zero fear factor are on site. Think safari trains, wave swings, lazy boats, and more classic attractions, just with mining-related twists.
Tip: Scout the deals first to make your visit cost-efficient.
Soar above the city at Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway
From harties_cableway
Address: Plot 3, Melodie Melodie agricultural holdings, Hartbeespoort
Contact Details: +27 12 253 9910
Operating Hours:
- Wed to Fri – 9 am to 4 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 4:30 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 4 pm
If gazing at the Magaliesberg ranges from a bird’s-eye view courtesy of Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway isn’t bucket-list material, nothing is.
Seriously, the region’s open waters, rich bushveld, and abundant African wildlife look more magical when you’re perched on a Swiss-made, weatherproof cableway that’s 1,592 metres above ground.
Some might find that too tame, though. Good thing the cableway also has a 15-metre-high aerial obstacle course and 360-degree walkway as alternatives.
Tip: This one is totally cashless. Bring your cards.
Reflect on history at the Apartheid Museum
From apartheidmuseum
Address: Northern Parkway, Gold Reef Rd, Ormonde
Contact Details: +27 11 309 4700
Operating Hours: Wed to Sun – 9 am to 5 pm
Website
For us, the Apartheid Museum is a can’t-miss spot because it’s far from your usual museum experience. This one vividly explores the city’s dark past, specifically the 40 gruelling years of apartheid (including its rise and fall) and centuries of colonial rule.
The permanent exhibits illustrate that best. Segregation, The Turn to Violence, and Apartheid, for instance, detail the grim period’s policies and way of life, while displays like The Pillars of the Constitution mark the path towards reform.
Tip: Guided tours must be reserved.
Step back in time at Lindfield Victorian House Museum
From akydus
Address: 72 Richmond Ave, Auckland Park
Contact Details: +27 11 726 2932
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 5 pm
Website
Katherine Love’s Lindfield Victorian House Museum is true to its name, which is reassuring since there aren’t many left in Jozi.
Inside, Katherine herself leads visitors through ornate rooms with Victorian-era antiques dating from 1837 to 1901. The tour is centred around the story of a Victorian family for immersion purposes.
What’s cool is that you can slip into accurate period clothing, such as petticoats and corsets. Getting served tea and cakes in the Victorian kitchen is a highlight as well, especially since it’s usually followed by a visit to the, you guessed it, Victorian garden.
Tip: You can take snaps or vids, but make sure to discuss it with Katherine during the booking process.
Bungee jump at Soweto Towers
From calvin_mkiva
Address: Chris Hani Rd, Klipspruit 318-Iq
Contact Details: +27 71 674 4343
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 10 am to 5 pm
- Fri to Sun – 10 am to 7 pm
The Soweto (or Orlando) Towers is credited as the globe’s OG site for “bungee jumping between two cooling towers.” That alone proves that the 100-metre-high drop deserves a spot on your bucket list.
What’s more, bungee jumping isn’t the only adventure here. You can set paintball matches at the base, take the world’s highest SCAD freefall, give base jumping a go, or scale up the Western Cooling tower for those immaculate 360-degree panoramas.
Tip: You have to pay separately for the photos (R100) and videos (R150).
