Johannesburg, South Africa

Plenty on offer for a one or two night stay

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Johannesburg, known to the locals as E'Goli or City of Gold, is the pulsating heart of South Africa's industrial and commercial life where gold mining still continues. If your holiday requires an overnight stay here, there are some truly superb hotels to choose from and fascinating tours on offer such as cultural visits to Soweto, the Apartheid Museum or even a working diamond mine. Arts and craft galleries abound and this is a very good place to buy diamonds.

Pretoria lies only 30 minutes north of Johannesburg, and so can be used as an alternative overnight stay if you prefer. Pretoria is famous for its flowering jacaranda trees in springtime when the city is blanketed with purple blossom. Pretoria offers much historical interest such as Jan Smuts House, Church Square, the Union Buildings, and the Voortrekker monument.

If you prefer to spend a couple of nights in the area, you can stay in the beautiful hills of Magaliesberg, only an hour's drive from Johannesburg. Visit the Cradle of Humanity World Heritage site where the earliest human remains have been found or perhaps enjoy an early morning hot air balloon ride over the hills? The Elephant Sanctuary allows you to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.