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Gauteng
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Explore Gauteng for Johannesburg’s culture, Pretoria’s heritage, gold-mining history, township life and the Cradle of Humankind.

Gauteng is South Africa’s smallest province by area but its most influential urban and economic region. The province stretches across the Highveld, a broad elevated plateau of dry grassland, rocky ridges and summer thunderstorms. Johannesburg occupies the southern-western centre, Pretoria lies to the north, and Ekurhuleni forms a large industrial and residential belt around the international airport. Beyond these metropolitan areas, Gauteng includes historic mining settlements, rural landscapes, game reserves and the fossil-rich valleys of the Cradle of Humankind.
Read more about Gauteng
Johannesburg is the province’s commercial and cultural powerhouse, shaped by the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886. Its districts range from the dense urban core and regenerated cultural quarters to leafy northern suburbs, while Soweto provides an essential perspective on the political and social history of twentieth-century South Africa. Museums, galleries, music venues and restaurants reflect the city’s diverse population and its continuing role as a centre of business, fashion and the arts.
Pretoria, officially within the City of Tshwane metropolitan municipality, has a more spacious and administrative character. Jacaranda-lined streets, diplomatic districts, historic churches and government buildings sit among museums, gardens and monuments connected with the country’s complex political past. Ekurhuleni, including Germiston, Boksburg, Benoni and Kempton Park, reveals another side of Gauteng: railway history, aviation, industry, lakes and rapidly changing urban communities. The provincial landscape becomes more rural around the Vaal River and the northern and western uplands.
Gauteng’s oldest story is preserved in limestone caves and archaeological sites west and north-west of Johannesburg. The Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has yielded important hominin fossils and offers visitors a scientific account of human evolution through museums and guided cave experiences. Elsewhere, protected areas and botanical gardens provide opportunities to see Highveld vegetation, birds and smaller wildlife close to the metropolitan area.
Food and culture are equally varied. Traditional South African dishes, township specialities, Indian-influenced cooking, pan-African cuisine and contemporary restaurants all form part of the provincial scene. Visitors can combine major museums and historic precincts with local markets, live music, art spaces, heritage tours and short excursions into the countryside. Gauteng is best understood not as a single city, but as a connected province in which urban ambition, mining history, political memory and deep human prehistory meet.

When is the best time to visit Gauteng?

Best: August–October · 20–27°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January26110
February26100
March2490
April2150
May1820
June1610
July176
August (best)2010
September (best)2530
October (best)2760
November2680
December28100

Getting to and around Gauteng

How to get there

Gauteng is served by O. R. Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, within the City of Ekurhuleni, which is the principal international gateway for the province and South Africa. Lanseria International Airport, north-west of Johannesburg, handles a smaller range of domestic and regional services. Long-distance trains and coaches connect Johannesburg and Pretoria with other South African cities, while the main road approaches include the N1, N3, N4 and N12. Visitors arriving through neighbouring provinces may also use Bloemfontein, Polokwane or other distant gateways, but these involve substantial onward travel.

Transportation

The Gautrain provides a fast rail link between O. R. Tambo International Airport, central Johannesburg, Sandton, Rosebank, Pretoria and selected stations along the corridor. It is useful for airport transfers and major urban journeys, but it does not reach many museums, townships, rural sites or the Cradle of Humankind directly. Johannesburg and Pretoria have additional bus and taxi services, although routes and operating practices vary. For dispersed attractions, wildlife areas and rural heritage sites, a hired car, reputable taxi or pre-arranged guided excursion is generally more practical. Traffic can be heavy during weekday peaks, especially between Johannesburg, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni.

Top city travel guides in Gauteng

The cities of Gauteng, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Gauteng

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Gauteng

Gauteng’s attractions range from major urban museums to open Highveld landscapes. In Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Gold Reef City and cultural districts in the inner city explore political history, mining and contemporary urban life, while Soweto offers guided heritage experiences connected with the struggle against apartheid. Pretoria provides museums, gardens and national monuments, including the South African National Zoological Gardens, the Pretoria National Botanical Garden and institutions around the city’s historic centre. The Cradle of Humankind is the province’s most distinctive archaeological and scientific destination, with Maropeng and guided access to fossil-bearing cave areas such as Sterkfontein. Ekurhuleni adds aviation, railway and industrial stories alongside lakes and suburban nature spaces. Visitors seeking open-air recreation can find walking, birdwatching and wildlife encounters in provincial reserves and botanical gardens, including the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden and private reserves near the metropolitan edge. Because many sites are separated by busy roads and broad suburbs, an itinerary organised by area works better than attempting to cross Gauteng repeatedly in a single day.

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Best landmarks in Gauteng

Johannesburg’s skyline and mine-dump landscapes embody the city’s rise from the 1886 gold discovery, while Constitution Hill remains a powerful architectural and political landmark built around a former prison complex and later constitutional institutions. In Soweto, Vilakazi Street is associated with two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial commemorates the 1976 student uprising. Pretoria’s Union Buildings dominate a hill above the capital and remain a major symbol of national government, while the Voortrekker Monument presents a particular Afrikaner interpretation of nineteenth-century history that should be read alongside other perspectives. Freedom Park offers a broader memorial landscape connected with the country’s long historical narrative. Far older than the cities, the cave systems and fossil sites of the Cradle of Humankind are landmarks of global scientific significance. The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden’s waterfall and quartzite cliffs provide a notable natural counterpoint to Gauteng’s built environment.

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Explore Gauteng on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Gauteng

Gauteng’s dining scene reflects the province’s migration, mining and metropolitan history. Johannesburg and Pretoria offer South African cooking alongside Indian, pan-African, Middle Eastern, European and contemporary international influences, with formal restaurants concentrated in business, cultural and affluent suburban districts. Traditional dishes such as pap with meat or relish, chakalaka, stews, grilled meats and township-style plates appear alongside modern interpretations, while bakeries and cafés provide everyday urban dining. Ekurhuleni and the Vaal area add neighbourhood restaurants, family venues and informal food traditions shaped by diverse communities. Farmers’ markets and carefully selected local markets are useful places to encounter seasonal produce, baked goods and prepared food, although standards vary and visitors should choose busy, well-managed stalls. South African wines, craft beer and locally produced spirits are widely available, but the province’s culinary identity is better understood through its varied people and foodways than through a single signature dish.

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Best bars in Gauteng

Evening life is concentrated in Johannesburg, Pretoria and selected suburban centres rather than spread evenly across Gauteng. Johannesburg offers cocktail bars, breweries, restaurants, live music, comedy, theatres and late-night clubs, particularly around established entertainment and cultural districts, although venues and atmospheres change frequently. Pretoria combines student and professional nightlife with restaurants, pubs, live music and more relaxed evening venues. Soweto has a strong culture of music, social clubs and locally rooted dining, best experienced through reputable local recommendations or organised events. Ekurhuleni’s evening scene is more dispersed, with neighbourhood pubs, sports bars, restaurants and occasional live entertainment. Outside the metropolitan areas, evenings generally centre on guest-lodge dining, country venues and traditional pubs rather than large clubs. Check current arrangements and use trusted transport after dark, especially when travelling between suburbs.

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Best nightclubs in Gauteng

Evening life is concentrated in Johannesburg, Pretoria and selected suburban centres rather than spread evenly across Gauteng. Johannesburg offers cocktail bars, breweries, restaurants, live music, comedy, theatres and late-night clubs, particularly around established entertainment and cultural districts, although venues and atmospheres change frequently. Pretoria combines student and professional nightlife with restaurants, pubs, live music and more relaxed evening venues. Soweto has a strong culture of music, social clubs and locally rooted dining, best experienced through reputable local recommendations or organised events. Ekurhuleni’s evening scene is more dispersed, with neighbourhood pubs, sports bars, restaurants and occasional live entertainment. Outside the metropolitan areas, evenings generally centre on guest-lodge dining, country venues and traditional pubs rather than large clubs. Check current arrangements and use trusted transport after dark, especially when travelling between suburbs.

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Best shops in Gauteng

Shopping in Gauteng is varied because the province combines major commercial centres with traditional high streets, craft markets and informal trading areas. Johannesburg’s established districts and shopping malls provide fashion, design, books, art and international brands, while neighbourhood markets are better for locally made jewellery, ceramics, textiles, food and contemporary craft. Pretoria offers independent shops, galleries, antique dealers and speciality food retailers alongside large malls, with different districts having distinct commercial characters. Ekurhuleni has substantial suburban shopping centres and local markets serving its many communities. Visitors looking for South African gifts can consider beadwork, wire art, woven goods, ceramics, leatherwork, locally produced food and books on the country’s history, but should check provenance and buy from responsible sellers. At informal markets, ask permission before photographing goods or people, compare prices courteously and carry purchases discreetly. Retail opening arrangements vary, particularly for smaller independent businesses and weekend markets.

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Gauteng essentials

Currency and Payment
Gauteng uses South Africa’s national currency, the South African rand (ZAR). Banks, hotels, shopping centres and established restaurants commonly accept international cards and contactless payments, though a card transaction may require verification. Carry modest amounts of cash for informal traders, some markets, small businesses and occasional transport payments, while avoiding conspicuous displays of money. ATMs are widely available in major commercial areas; use machines in secure, staffed locations and notify your bank before travelling.
Safety
Visitors should take ordinary urban precautions seriously: keep valuables out of sight, use trusted transport after dark, remain aware in crowded places and follow local advice about walking routes. Gauteng’s metropolitan areas vary greatly from one neighbourhood to another, so do not explore unfamiliar districts on foot without informed guidance. At nature reserves and the Cradle of Humankind, follow marked routes and instructions around wildlife, cliffs and caves. Highveld storms can bring lightning and heavy rain in summer, while driving requires care around congestion, minibus taxis, pedestrians and poorly lit roads.
Emergency Situations
For emergencies in South Africa, dial 112 from a mobile phone; 10111 is the national police emergency number, and 10177 is used for ambulance services in many areas. Ask your accommodation provider or local operator for the most appropriate municipal fire or medical contact if a situation is not immediately life-threatening. Keep your accommodation address and identification details accessible, and report lost passports to the police and your embassy or high commission. In caves, reserves or remote countryside, use a registered guide and follow the site’s own emergency procedures.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress respectfully at religious, memorial and cultural sites, and ask before photographing people, ceremonies or private property. Follow instructions at museums, monuments, caves and wildlife areas, and do not climb on archaeological or historic structures. Tipping is customary in restaurants and for several personal services when service has been satisfactory, but it is not a substitute for fair treatment. In townships and residential communities, visit with a responsible local guide where appropriate rather than treating neighbourhoods as open-air spectacles. Queueing, patience and courteous conversation are valued in public services, as they are across South Africa.
Local Tips
Allow separate days for Johannesburg, Pretoria and the Cradle of Humankind, because traffic and the province’s wide urban spread can make short transfers unpredictable. Combine major museums with a guided heritage walk or township visit to gain context beyond the headline attractions. Pretoria’s museums and gardens are especially rewarding in the warmer months, while winter offers clearer skies and cooler conditions for outdoor sightseeing. For food, look beyond formal restaurants to carefully chosen markets and township kitchens, using reputable local recommendations for quality and safety.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHallo[ha-lo]
GoodbyeTotsiens[tot-see-ens]
YesJa[ya]
NoNee[nee]
Please/You're welcomeAsseblief/Geen probleem[as-se-bleef/gein pro-bleem]
Thank youDankie[dahn-kee]
Excuse me/SorryVerskoon my/ Jammer[ver-skohn mai/yah-mer]
How are you?Hoe gaan dit?[hoo gahn dit]
Fine. And you?Goed. En jy?[khoot. en yay]
Do you speak English?Praat jy Engels?[praat yay eng-els]
I don't understandEk verstaan nie[ek fer-stahn nee]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseEk wil graag die spyskaart sien, asseblief[ek vil khrahg dee spies-kart seen, as-se-bleef]
I don't eat meatEk eet nie vleis nie[ek eet nee flys nee]
Cheers!Gesondheid![ge-son-dheid]
I would like to pay, pleaseEk wil graag betaal, asseblief[ek vil khrahg be-taal, as-se-bleef]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Gaan weg![khaan vek]
Call the Police!Bel die Polisie![bel dee po-lee-sie]
Call a doctor!Bel 'n dokter![bel 'n dok-ter]
I'm lostEk is verlore[ek is fer-lo-re]
I'm illEk is siek[ek is seek]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ek wil graag koop...[ek vil khrahg koop]
I'm just lookingEk kyk net[ek kike net]
How much is it?Hoeveel kos dit?[hoo-feel kos dit]
That's too expensiveDit is te duur[dit is te dur]
Can you lower the price?Kan jy die prys verlaag?[kan yay dee prys fer-lahg]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hoe laat is dit?[hoo laat is dit]
It's one o'clockDit is een uur[dit is een oor]
Half past (10)Half 10[half 10]
MorningOggend[oh-ghend]
AfternoonMiddag[mi-dahg]
EveningAand[ahnd]
YesterdayGister[ghis-ter]
TodayVandag[van-dahg]
TomorrowMôre[more-eh]
1Een[een]
2Twee[twee]
3Drie[dree]
4Vier[veer]
5Vyf[fife]
6Ses[ses]
7Sewe[seh-we]
8Agt[acht]
9Nege[nee-geh]
10Tien[teen]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Waar is 'n die...?[vaar is 'n dee]
What's the address?Wat is die adres?[vat is dee a-dres]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kan jy my wys (op die kaart)?[kan yay mai vays (op dee kart)]
When's the next (bus)?Wanneer is die volgende (bus)?[van-heer is dee fol-gende (bus)]
A ticket (to ....)‘n Teken (na ...)[‘n tee-ken (na ...)]

History of Gauteng

Early Hominin Heritage

The limestone cave systems west and north-west of Johannesburg preserve some of the most important evidence in the study of human evolution. Sites including Sterkfontein, Kromdraai and Malapa have produced hominin fossils spanning millions of years, helping scientists investigate the development of early human relatives. The wider Cradle of Humankind was recognised by UNESCO for its exceptional palaeoanthropological importance. Visitor centres and guided experiences interpret this scientific legacy, while the surrounding landscape retains a rural character despite its proximity to Gauteng’s metropolitan areas.

Iron Age and Precolonial Communities

Before the rise of modern cities and mining, the Gauteng region was inhabited and used by communities associated with farming, cattle keeping, metalworking and trade. Sotho-Tswana-speaking groups, Ndebele communities and other peoples shaped the region’s settlement patterns and cultural history. Archaeological evidence, oral traditions and surviving cultural practices provide a more complex picture than the later colonial narratives that often dominated South African history. The region’s present-day cultural diversity reflects these earlier communities as well as later migration and urbanisation.

Nineteenth-Century Boer Republics

During the nineteenth century, the interior Highveld became a centre of settlement by voortrekkers and the developing Boer republics. Pretoria was founded in 1855 and became the capital of the South African Republic, also known as the Transvaal Republic. The period brought new towns, farms, churches and administrative institutions, while also involving conflict, displacement and changing relations with African communities. Historic buildings and monuments in Pretoria and nearby settlements preserve parts of this contested political history.

The Gold Rush and Johannesburg’s Founding

The discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886 transformed the region from a sparsely settled farming landscape into the industrial heart of southern Africa. Johannesburg grew rapidly as prospectors, financiers, engineers, labourers and traders arrived from many parts of the world. Deep-level mining created immense wealth and a powerful infrastructure of railways, processing plants and company towns, but it also depended on racially unequal labour systems that shaped urban segregation. Mine dumps, historic districts and museums continue to reveal the consequences of the gold economy.

War, Union and Industrial Expansion

The South African War of 1899–1902 was fought partly over control of the Transvaal and its strategic mineral wealth. Pretoria was occupied by British forces in 1900, and the war left lasting political and social scars across the region. After the creation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, Johannesburg and the surrounding mining belt expanded as industrial, financial and transport centres. Ekurhuleni’s later development was closely connected with railways, manufacturing, aviation and the infrastructure supporting the Witwatersrand economy.

Apartheid and the Soweto Uprising

Racial segregation and apartheid profoundly shaped Gauteng’s towns, employment patterns and residential geography. Johannesburg’s townships grew as Black workers were restricted by discriminatory laws, while forced removals and unequal services altered communities across the province. On 16 June 1976, students in Soweto protested against the compulsory use of Afrikaans in schools; the uprising became a national and international symbol of resistance to apartheid. Sites such as the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum help visitors understand this history through personal testimony and documentary evidence.

Democratic Gauteng and Metropolitan Growth

South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994 reshaped Gauteng’s institutions and public identity. The province was created in its modern form in 1994 and became the country’s principal administrative, financial and commercial centre. Johannesburg, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni have since expanded through migration, investment, new transport links and large-scale residential development, while inequality and service pressures remain important realities. Contemporary Gauteng combines museums and memorials dedicated to democratic change with thriving creative industries, universities, technology businesses and increasingly diverse cultural precincts.

Gauteng in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Gauteng, South Africa

Discover Gauteng with Evendo: A 100% free app-based travel guide covering top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan and book your entire trip effortlessly.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.
  • Rich set of location details including images, descriptions, maps, and local tips.
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences.
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Explore Gauteng with Evendo, the ultimate free app-based travel guide. Discover top attractions, local tips, and book hotels, tours, and experiences all in one place.

  • History of Gauteng and travel essentials.
  • Local advice to maximize your visit.
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near Me' feature.
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience.
  • 100% free with no additional costs.
  • Global coverage with information on over 7,000 destinations.

Imagine stepping into Gauteng, South Africa, with a local expert right in your pocket. Evendo is your ultimate companion, offering detailed insights into the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities Gauteng has to offer. From the historic Union Buildings to the vibrant Maboneng Precinct, and the culinary delights of Marble Restaurant, Evendo provides rich information, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details.

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Evendo also enhances your travel experience with features like the history of Gauteng, travel essentials, and tons of local advice to ensure you get the most out of your visit. Navigate easily through the app and the city with the 'Near Me' feature, which shows you what's around you no matter where you are. Curated local tips let you experience Gauteng like a true local.

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