Activities in Johannesburg – spas, golf, hiking
Posted on 21. Mar, 2010 by admin in Johannesburg
Johannesburg is a city of great contrast, with wonderfully lavish and peaceful areas and horribly hectic ones to match. There are a number of fun things to do in Johannesburg, however, in order to get away from it all. Why not take a township tour, indulge in a round of golf, browse the flea markets or relax in a soothing spa? So check out the comprehensive JF guide to activities in Jo’burg.
Visit:
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
Artillery Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 714 3744 or +27 (0)11 714 4625, Tour Times: Wednesdays at 11am
A tour around SABC is a lot more fun than it sounds. You can watch the radio DJs in action and try your hand presenting in the mock television studio. You can also see how South Africa’s most popular game shows and soap operas are made.
Jozi Food Market
Parktown Quarter, 7th Ave, Parktown North, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)83 306 5818
Opening Times: 8:30am – 1:30pm every Saturday
Jozi Food Market is the best of all the food markets in Johannesburg with a wide variety of fresh produce to rival most European markets. Stock up on Italian meats and pesto, French bread and cheese and organic fruit and vegetables
Johannesburg Spas
Spas in Johannesburg are plentiful and the impeccably trained therapists offer some of the most innovative treatments in the world alongside traditional African remedies. After a few days in the hectic pollution of the city, you will no doubt feel the need to be pampered in a Jo’burg Spa.
Check out these spas in Johannesburg:
Octavias Spa
64 Jones Road, Kempton Park, Tel: +27 (0)11 928 1815
Octavias Spa offers a range of packages from hair treatments to massage in a luxurious setting
Life Day Spa
2 Design Quarter District, Leslie Ave East, Magaliesig, Fourways 2055, Tel: +27 (0)11 465 7777
Life Day Spa boasts a steam room, Roman baths and Swedish showers
Soweto Township
Visiting Soweto is a must-do when in Johannesburg and a great experience for tourists and South Africans alike. Various companies run safe and informative tours to this fun and colourful Johannesburg township with a turbulent history behind it. You can partake on daytrips to Soweto or stay overnight in one of the hotels or guesthouses in Soweto.
Check out these Soweto tour companies:
Soweto.co.za
Tel: +27 (0)11 315 1534
Soweto.co.za offers a whole range of tours including half-day and evening tours
Vhupo Tours
11749 Mampuru Street, Orlando West Extension, Soweto, Tel: +27 (0)11 936 0411, Email: info@vhupo-tours.com
Vhupo Tours provides Soweto and other township tours under a number of categories such as historical and cultural tours
Themba Day Tours
Randburg 2125, Tel: +27 (0)11 463 3306, Email: nik@global.co.za
Themba Day Tours specialise in Soweto township tours and cater for groups
Do:
Mountain biking with JMBC
Tel: +27 (0)83 775 5871. Ride Times: most weekends of the year
The Jo’burg Mountain Biking Club has been running since 1989 and has around 100 permanent members. Social rides take place most weekends and different groups cater to different fitness levels. A great way to see the local scenery is by mountain biking in Johannesburg and new members are always welcome
Row Boats on Zoo Lake
Corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and West World Street, Saxonwold, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 646 5803, Opening Times: 9:30am – 5pm from September to May. 9:30am – 4:30pm from May to August. Closed on Mondays.
Zoo Lake is a hive of activity and only 15 minutes from central Jo’burg. You can fit up to six people in a rowing boat and it’s the best way to feed the ducks
Cruise the Vaal River
The Vaal River and Dam are just an hour to the south of Johannesburg and a great place for a daytrip or a longer adventure. You can hire your own boat and equipment or go on organised tours. Many tour companies serve up a lavish lunch to their guests, which is worth the trip alone.
Check out these Vaal River cruise companies
Liquid Lounge
Depart from the Emerald casino Resort or the Riverside Hotel, Tel: +27 (0)83 664 3394, Email: info@liquidlounge.co.za
Liquid Lounge offers lavish Vaal River tours and also caters for parties and weddings
Riviera Hotel and County Club
Tel: +27 (0)861 967 485, Email: reservations1@zorgvliet.com
Corporate and normal cruises aboard the floating restaurant
Play golf:
Golf in Jo’burg is very popular as there are a variety of world-class and affordable greens. Some golf courses in Johannesburg have hosted European PGA Tours as well as South African Sunshine Tours.
Check out these golf courses in Johannesburg:
Observatory Golf Club
5 Steyn Street, Observatory, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 648 9579 8402
At 90-years-old this is Jo’burg’s oldest golf course. The Observatory Golf Club has a fun 18-hole course
Parkview Golf Club
Emmarentia Avenue, Parkview, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 646 5400, Email: pkvwgolf@netactive.co.za
Parkview Golf Club boasts a modern clubhouse and 18-holes of parkland course
The Wanderers Golf Club
Corner Corlett Drive and Rudd Road, Illovo, Sandton, Tel: +27 (0)11 447 3311, Email: peter@wanderersgolfclub.com
The Wanderers is a friendly club that welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Friday
Hike
Escape the hustle and bustle and hike to Melville Koppies. On the way you will see a huge variety of animals, plants and snakes and some of the oldest rocks in the world. All this is only five kilometres from the Centre of Johannesburg in the Melville Koppies nature park. There is also a 50,000-year-old Stone Age camp here that was only uncovered in the 1960s.
