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Highveld
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Explore South Africa’s Highveld for Johannesburg’s history, Pretoria’s monuments, open grasslands, gold heritage and high-country landscapes.

The Highveld is the elevated interior of South Africa, a broad plateau of open grassland, summer thunderstorms and cool, dry winters. It is not a single province or tightly bounded administrative area, but a geographical and cultural region stretching across much of Gauteng and adjoining parts of Mpumalanga, the Free State and North West. Its altitude gives the landscape a distinctive clarity: broad horizons, long roads, rocky ridges and immense skies are characteristic, even where the plateau has been transformed by cities, mines, farms and industry.
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The region’s principal urban centres are Johannesburg and Pretoria, whose contrasting identities provide a useful introduction to the Highveld. Johannesburg grew rapidly from the discovery of gold in 1886 and remains South Africa’s commercial and cultural powerhouse, with major museums, galleries, neighbourhood markets and a constantly changing food scene. Pretoria, the national administrative capital, is known for jacaranda-lined streets, government architecture, museums and monuments. Around both cities, former mining landscapes, townships, peri-urban settlements and expanding suburbs reveal the complicated relationship between wealth, labour, segregation and modern development.
Beyond the metropolitan core, the plateau becomes more spacious and agricultural. Bloemfontein, in the Free State, has a quieter civic character and is surrounded by open grassland, while the eastern Free State’s sandstone hills provide a more rugged edge to the Highveld landscape. Mpumalanga’s inland towns, including Dullstroom, are associated with trout waters, upland farming and access towards the dramatic escarpment; the warmer Lowveld lies beyond that escarpment and should not be confused with the Highveld itself. The Vredefort Dome, west of Johannesburg and recognised for its enormous geological impact structure, adds a deep-time dimension to the region’s scenery.
The Highveld’s history is visible at sites ranging from the Cradle of Humankind’s palaeoanthropological caves to gold-rush buildings, mine dumps, memorials and museums dealing with apartheid and democracy. Its cultural life is equally varied, encompassing township music and cuisine, contemporary art, Afrikaans and English literary traditions, Sesotho and isiZulu cultural influences, and the cosmopolitan communities drawn to its cities. Traditional dishes and modern interpretations of South African food appear alongside migrant cuisines from across the continent and beyond.
Outdoor experiences are shaped by altitude and season rather than by dense forest or tropical wildlife. Visitors can hike among rocky koppies, explore protected grasslands, cycle on country roads, fish in upland waters or watch summer birdlife after the rains. Distances are substantial, and the region rewards an itinerary that combines an urban base with selected rural journeys rather than attempting to cover the entire plateau in a single day. In the cities, plan around neighbourhood geography and traffic; outside them, daylight, road conditions and limited public transport require more careful organisation.

When is the best time to visit Highveld?

Best: September–November · 20–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January26120
February26110
March24100
April2180
May1740
June1420
July1320
August1620
September (best)2040
October (best)2370
November (best)25100
December26120

Getting to and around Highveld

How to get there

The Highveld is served most conveniently by O.R. Tambo International Airport in Gauteng, located between Johannesburg and Pretoria and outside the central areas of both cities. Lanseria International Airport, north-west of Johannesburg, is another gateway for some domestic and regional services. Johannesburg and Pretoria are linked to the national rail network, and the Gautrain connects O.R. Tambo with central Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria and nearby stations. Long-distance roads approach from Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha, Botswana and the Free State; Bloemfontein is a principal southern Highveld gateway. Check current flight and rail arrangements before travel, as routes and services can change.

Transportation

Johannesburg and Pretoria have the region’s broadest public transport options, including the Gautrain on its limited corridor, commuter rail on selected routes, buses, metered taxis and app-based ride services. Public transport is less comprehensive in outer suburbs, small towns and rural parts of the Highveld, where a hired car or organised excursion is often more practical. Distances between attractions can be considerable, and traffic around Gauteng is frequently heavy. Drive defensively, keep valuables out of sight, use secure parking and avoid unfamiliar rural or urban routes after dark. Cycling and walking work best on designated routes, in managed reserves or within well-known central areas.

Top city travel guides in Highveld

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

Destinations in Highveld

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

Best attractions in Highveld

The Highveld’s attractions range from internationally important palaeontological sites to major urban museums and wide-open upland landscapes. The Cradle of Humankind, north-west of Johannesburg, allows visitors to explore the region’s deep human past through cave sites and interpretation centres. Johannesburg offers the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, the Maboneng precinct and Gold Reef City, whose attractions reflect different aspects of the city’s political, cultural and mining history. Pretoria contributes the Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument, the National Zoological Gardens and museums covering natural, military and cultural history. Outside the metropolitan core, the Vredefort Dome provides geological scenery and outdoor activities, while Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve preserves grassland and rocky koppies close to Johannesburg. The upland districts of Mpumalanga and the Free State bring fishing, hiking, birdwatching, farm landscapes and historic towns, although travel times are significant. The region is not primarily a conventional safari destination: its appeal lies in the combination of urban history, archaeology, industrial heritage, high-altitude grassland and accessible nature reserves.

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Best landmarks in Highveld

Johannesburg’s skyline, old mine dumps and surviving gold-rush structures express the city’s origins in the Witwatersrand mining boom, while Constitution Hill occupies a former prison complex whose buildings are closely tied to South Africa’s legal and political history. In Soweto, the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Vilakazi Street commemorate the struggle against apartheid and the township’s place in the national story. Pretoria’s Union Buildings dominate Meintjieskop and remain the symbolic centre of national government; the Voortrekker Monument, on a hill south of the city, is a powerful and contested monument to Afrikaner memory. The sandstone civic architecture of Bloemfontein gives the Free State capital a distinct visual character. Further across the plateau, the Vredefort Dome marks the eroded remains of the world’s largest known impact structure, its hills and river valleys revealing an event far older than human settlement. The Highveld’s most recognisable landmarks therefore include political monuments, industrial traces and geological formations rather than a single style of historic architecture.

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Explore Highveld on the map

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Best restaurants in Highveld

Highveld dining reflects South Africa’s urban diversity as much as its inland farming traditions. Johannesburg and Pretoria have restaurants serving contemporary South African cooking alongside cuisines brought by communities from across the continent, the Indian Ocean world and Europe. Traditional options include braai, a social style of cooking meat over coals; boerewors; pap with savoury accompaniments; biltong; and baked or stewed dishes associated with different South African communities. In the Free State and farming districts, lamb, beef, maize, dairy produce and seasonal farm products are more prominent, while trout is associated with the upland waters around parts of Mpumalanga. Township restaurants and food markets can offer more direct encounters with local cooking, but organised visits are preferable where neighbourhood access is unfamiliar. Craft beer, South African wine from other regions and locally produced fruit or dairy goods appear widely in city dining scenes. Menus change quickly, so farmers’ markets, independent cafés, pubs and contemporary restaurants are useful ways to sample both regional ingredients and the cosmopolitan character of the plateau.

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Best bars in Highveld

Nightlife is concentrated in Johannesburg and Pretoria, with smaller but active evening scenes in Bloemfontein and selected Highveld towns. Johannesburg offers cocktail bars, live-music rooms, restaurants and late venues in districts such as Braamfontein, Melville, Rosebank and Sandton, although neighbourhood character and security can vary considerably. Pretoria has a strong café, restaurant and bar culture around areas including Hatfield, Sunnyside and Menlyn, with student and professional audiences contributing to different atmospheres. In smaller towns and rural districts, evenings generally centre on pubs, farm restaurants, guesthouse dining rooms and occasional live music rather than large nightclubs. Upland towns such as Dullstroom are more associated with early dinners, relaxed pubs and outdoor days than late-night entertainment. Use reputable transport after dark, check current venue arrangements locally and avoid assuming that a busy daytime area remains suitable for walking late at night.

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Best nightclubs in Highveld

Nightlife is concentrated in Johannesburg and Pretoria, with smaller but active evening scenes in Bloemfontein and selected Highveld towns. Johannesburg offers cocktail bars, live-music rooms, restaurants and late venues in districts such as Braamfontein, Melville, Rosebank and Sandton, although neighbourhood character and security can vary considerably. Pretoria has a strong café, restaurant and bar culture around areas including Hatfield, Sunnyside and Menlyn, with student and professional audiences contributing to different atmospheres. In smaller towns and rural districts, evenings generally centre on pubs, farm restaurants, guesthouse dining rooms and occasional live music rather than large nightclubs. Upland towns such as Dullstroom are more associated with early dinners, relaxed pubs and outdoor days than late-night entertainment. Use reputable transport after dark, check current venue arrangements locally and avoid assuming that a busy daytime area remains suitable for walking late at night.

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Best shops in Highveld

Shopping on the Highveld ranges from large metropolitan malls and specialist districts to market stalls, craft studios and small-town high streets. Johannesburg has the widest selection, including contemporary fashion, design, books, art, African crafts and food markets, while Pretoria combines established retail centres with independent cafés, galleries and craft outlets. Markets can be good places to find beadwork, woven goods, carved objects, textiles, art and locally produced food, but quality and authenticity vary; compare items, ask about materials and avoid purchasing protected wildlife products. Bloemfontein and smaller Free State towns offer practical high-street shopping, antiques, farm produce and regional crafts rather than extensive luxury retail. In upland Mpumalanga towns, visitors may find outdoor equipment, local foods, artwork and gifts connected with the countryside. South African products such as rooibos, biltong, preserves, leather goods and locally made ceramics are portable choices, provided food and plant products comply with destination-country import rules. Shop in daylight where possible and use secure transport for larger purchases.

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Highveld essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the South African rand, abbreviated ZAR, as throughout South Africa. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, established restaurants, shopping centres, museums and fuel stations in the main cities. Carry a modest amount of cash for smaller vendors, informal markets, rural businesses, parking arrangements and places with unreliable connectivity. Use bank-operated ATMs or secure indoor locations where possible, remain discreet when withdrawing money and notify your bank before travelling. Prices and card practices can vary between metropolitan districts and small Highveld towns.
Safety
Visitors should take ordinary urban-security precautions seriously, especially around transport interchanges, quiet streets, busy entertainment areas and isolated viewpoints. Use reputable taxis or ride services, keep phones and cameras discreet when moving between locations, and obtain local guidance before walking through unfamiliar districts. In rural areas, heat, altitude, sudden thunderstorms, long distances and poor visibility after dark are more relevant hazards. Secure accommodation and vehicle parking, do not leave luggage visible in a car, and follow advice from parks, guides and accommodation staff. Conditions vary considerably across this large region.
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. Fire and ambulance arrangements can vary by municipality, so confirm local procedures with accommodation staff. In a serious road incident, provide the nearest town, route number or distinctive landmark and avoid moving an injured person unless there is immediate danger. Outdoor visitors should tell someone their route, carry a charged phone and use an organised guide where trails are remote or conditions can change quickly.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress practically for strong sun, cool mornings and changing weather, and wear suitable shoes at heritage sites and on grassland trails. Ask before photographing people, homes, ceremonies or community activities, and follow restrictions at museums, memorials and religious buildings. Queue politely, respect local residents and avoid treating townships or former segregated areas as spectacles; choose tours that explain history and contribute responsibly to communities. Tipping is customary for good service in restaurants, guiding and hospitality, but it is not a substitute for fair treatment. Do not enter private land, protected areas or mine workings without permission.
Local Tips
Plan Johannesburg and Pretoria by district because their museums, dining areas and historic sites are widely spread rather than concentrated in one walkable centre. The Cradle of Humankind requires advance route planning, and some rural heritage destinations are best visited with a car or tour. Winter is generally dry and clear, while summer landscapes become greener but thunderstorms can disrupt outdoor plans. In the eastern Highveld, temperatures may be lower than expected, particularly in upland towns such as Dullstroom. Ask locally about road conditions, trail access and current security advice instead of relying solely on map applications.
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
HelloHowzit[haʊzɪt]
GoodbyeCheers[tʃɪrz]
YesYebo[jɛboʊ]
NoNo[noʊ]
Please/You're welcomePleasure[plɛʒər]
Thank youThank you[θæŋk ju]
Excuse me/SorrySorry[sɔri]
How are you?Howzit going?[haʊzɪt ˈɡoʊɪŋ]
Fine. And you?Good, and you?[ɡʊd, ənd ju]
Do you speak English?Do you speak English?[du ju spiːk ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ]
I don't understandI don't get it[aɪ doʊnt ɡɛt ɪt]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu please?[kæn aɪ siː ðə ˈmɛnjuː pliːz]
I don't eat meatI'm vegetarian[aɪm ˌvɛdʒɪˈtɛəriən]
Cheers!Cheers![tʃɪrz]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I get the bill, please?[kæn aɪ ɡɛt ðə bɪl pliːz]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![hɛlp]
Go away!Leave me alone![liːv mi əˈloʊn]
Call the Police!Call the cops![kɔl ðə kɑps]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![ɡɛt ə ˈdɒktər]
I'm lostI'm lost[aɪm lɔst]
I'm illI'm not feeling well[aɪm nɑt ˈfiːlɪŋ wɛl]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I want to buy...[aɪ wɑnt tə baɪ]
I'm just lookingI'm just browsing[aɪm dʒʌst ˈbraʊzɪŋ]
How much is it?How much does it cost?[haʊ mʌtʃ dʌz ɪt kɔst]
That's too expensiveThat's too pricey[ðæts tuː ˈpraɪsi]
Can you lower the price?Can you make it cheaper?[kæn ju meɪk ɪt ˈtʃiːpər]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time is it?[wɑt taɪm ɪt]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[ɪts wʌn əˈklɑk]
Half past (10)Half past ten[hɑf pæst tɛn]
MorningMorning[ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
AfternoonAfternoon[ˌæftərˈnun]
EveningEvening[ˈivnɪŋ]
YesterdayYesterday[ˈjɛstərdeɪ]
TodayToday[təˈdeɪ]
TomorrowTomorrow[təˈmɔroʊ]
1One[wʌn]
2Two[tu]
3Three[θri]
4Four[fɔr]
5Five[faɪv]
6Six[sɪks]
7Seven[ˈsɛvən]
8Eight[eɪt]
9Nine[naɪn]
10Ten[tɛn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[wɛrz ðə]
What's the address?What's the address?[wɑts ði ˈædrɛs]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you show me on the map?[kæn ju ʃoʊ mi ɒn ðə mæp]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[wɛnʔs ðə nɛkst bʌs]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to ...[ə ˈtɪkɪt tə]

History of Highveld

Early Human Ancestors and the Cradle of Humankind

The limestone caves north-west of Johannesburg preserve some of the world’s most important evidence of human evolution. Sites including Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai have produced hominin fossils and archaeological material spanning millions of years. Together with the nearby fossil-bearing landscape, they form the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. The area does not represent a single uninterrupted settlement story, but a long record of biological and cultural change. Its importance places the Highveld within a global narrative of human origins and makes geology and palaeontology central to the region’s identity.

Ironworking, Farming and Precolonial Societies

Long before industrial cities appeared, farming and pastoral communities occupied the grasslands and river valleys of the interior. Ironworking, cattle keeping, pottery and trade connected communities across what are now Gauteng, the Free State and neighbouring regions. The Highveld later became a zone of interaction among Sotho-speaking societies, Ndebele communities, Tswana groups and others, with political authority and settlement patterns changing over time. Archaeological sites and surviving cultural traditions provide evidence of these earlier societies, although the written record is uneven and should not be reduced to a simple precolonial narrative.

Nineteenth-Century Frontier Transformations

The nineteenth century brought intensified competition for land, labour and political control. The expansion of Boer republics, British imperial intervention, African state formation and conflict associated with the Mfecane period reshaped the inland plateau. The Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria presents one Afrikaner interpretation of this history, while museums and memorial sites elsewhere offer perspectives on African communities, colonial power and the consequences of dispossession. The period established political and territorial arrangements that later influenced the development of the Union of South Africa and the region’s modern cities.

The Witwatersrand Gold Rush from 1886

The discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886 transformed a sparsely settled interior into the centre of South Africa’s mining economy. Johannesburg expanded with remarkable speed, attracting capital, workers and migrants from across southern Africa and overseas. Deep-level mining required extensive infrastructure, engineering and systems of controlled labour, while mine compounds and compounds’ surrounding settlements helped shape the region’s social history. Gold wealth stimulated railways, finance and urban growth but also entrenched racial and economic inequalities. Mine dumps, historic buildings and museums remain visible reminders of the industry’s lasting impact.

Segregation, Apartheid and Forced Removals

The Highveld became a central stage in the development and enforcement of segregation and apartheid. Johannesburg’s townships, Pretoria’s administrative institutions and settlements such as Soweto were shaped by laws controlling residence, movement, employment and political rights. Forced removals displaced communities and reconfigured urban space, while resistance included the 1955 Congress of the People at Kliptown, the 1976 Soweto uprising and many local campaigns. Sites such as the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill and the Hector Pieterson Memorial interpret these histories and connect them to the constitutional transformation that followed.

Democracy and the Contemporary Highveld

South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994 altered the political meaning of the Highveld while leaving major social and spatial inequalities unresolved. Johannesburg developed as a continental business and cultural centre, Pretoria continued as the seat of national administration, and townships and informal settlements remained important centres of community life and entrepreneurship. Mining declined in some places, although its environmental and economic legacies persist, while finance, services, manufacturing, education and creative industries grew. The contemporary Highveld is therefore both a historic industrial heartland and a region still negotiating urban growth, inequality, mobility and environmental change.

Highveld in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Highveld

Discover Highveld with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan and explore effortlessly!

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Evendo is your comprehensive, free travel guide to Highveld, South Africa. Discover top attractions, book hotels, and explore like a local with detailed insights and tips.

  • History of Highveld and travel essentials
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Welcome to Highveld, South Africa! With Evendo, your travel experience in Highveld is about to get a whole lot better. Imagine standing in front of the iconic Voortrekker Monument, effortlessly learning about its history through our app. Or perhaps you're wandering through the lush Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, where our curated local tips guide you to the best spots for a picnic. And when hunger strikes, Evendo directs you to the top-rated restaurants like Marble and The Grillhouse, complete with contact details, images, and local reviews.

Evendo takes the hassle out of travel planning by offering comprehensive information on Highveld's best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities. Whether you're looking to book a hotel, find the nearest bar, or plan an adventure tour, Evendo has got you covered. Our app features easy navigation and a 'Near me' function, so you can always find something exciting nearby.

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