THINGS TO DO IN JOZI || JOHANNESBURG || SOUTH AFRICA || August 2016

I went to South Africa in August of 2016 and almost didn’t come back… but bills, smh. South Africa is one of my favorite places to be besides New Orleans, Louisiana. These are some of the things I did while I was there. I provided a recap for a friend who was going the next year. She asked for suggestions and here is what I gave her…

TO DO – JOHANNESBURG (JNB)

Weather

The weather is beautiful in August!

Lodging

Curiocity Backpackers [Hostel], Maboneng Precinct Neighborhood – they’re really cool here. Really nice hostel. I stayed in a shared girl’s room and met some cool girls there (still friends with one of them today). That’s how I learned about what other activities to do.

Currency

$1 = about 13 Rands so nothing should be too expensive.
There are money exchanges and ATMs everywhere (just google to see if your bank has any sister banks in South Africa so you won’t get charged fees). I believe the airport has the most expensive rate so I waited until I got to where I was going before exchanging money. Everywhere usually takes card as well. This is where a travel credit card comes in handy.

Transportation

Uber is hella cheap and it’s everywhere.
Moovn (black owned version of Uber) is in Johannesburg. Not sure about the rate.

Food

Nando’s – There are multiple locations including in the airport. The girls working at the one in the airport are nice. Go here and eat the peri peri chicken with the spinach. This was my favorite thing while I was there. I ate it almost every day! Sometime twice!
Chicken Licken – lol, just try it for the sake of it. It’s like local KFC.
Try Braai – South African BBQ
Sha’p Braai – literal hole in the wall. Bomb south African food! Cheap! I ate here every meal I wasn’t eating at Nando’s, lol. 20 Kruger Street, Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg
Try a Belgian waffle at Von Pickartz Belgian Waffles – they’re awesome and different than in the US.

Activities

Soweto (South Western Townships) – take a tour. Learn the history and the significance of this neighborhood during apartheid. Curiocity backpackers had daily tours you can sign up for.

Little Rose Centre, Kliptown – tour and spend some time with the kids. This is what made me want to quit my job and stay. I’m determined to make it back here and spend more time with them.

Apartheid Museum

Hector Pieterson Museum

Check out Vilakazi street – See Nelson Mandela’s and Dezmond Tutu’s houses. Grab local food. (If you do a tour don’t let the tour guide choose your meal for you. Insist on picking your own.)

Buy Fabrics – Fashion District, Johannesburg. It’s super cheap here. Some of the fabrics are featured in the Muddaland Exhibit

Kitchener’s [Bar], Braamfontein Neighborhood – they played good music when I was there. 2 different rooms. Get to party with locals.
Check out the street art all over the city.

Try Joburg Beer at The Shack (it’s really thick and frothy. I don’t like beer but I liked this.)

Near Joburg

Swaziland (now called Eswatini)– separate country inside South African border. Check out the cultural festival while you’re there. Buy fabrics!
Lesotho – separate country inside South African border.

I highly recommend going!

Thanks for reading all these words!

Love ya!

Taste Tutor

TRAVEL BLOG THURSDAY - JOHANNESBURG