Sandton is one of the opulent areas of South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg, situated around 14 km northeast of the heart of Johannesburg. The prosperous Sandston is widely noted as a shoppers’ paradise, home to a grand and recognized shopping centre, Sandton City, one of the largest in Africa. Nelson Mandela Statue is one of the most important landmarks of Sandston. Sandton coordinates with 26°6.42′ S latitude and 28°3.1′ E longitude and spans over an area of 143.54 sq. km.

History of Sandton:

The name Sandton is a blended form of its two suburbs Sandown and Bryanston. Sandton once had municipal status in 1969, but that melted with the reunification of local governments in South Africa. The Tswana people are one of the original settlers of Sandton prior to the arrival of Europeans.

How to reach Sandton?

O.R. Tambo International Airport is the airport serving all areas of Johannesburg, including Sandton. It is the most important airport of South Africa, handling flights to several global cities, including New York, London, Frankfurt, Mumbai and Paris. The distance of 30 km between airport and Sandton can easily be crossed by bus or airport taxi or pre-booked private transfer.

Minibus taxis are the prevalent options to get around Sandston that can be found at West Street or Maude Street.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Sandton:

Sandton is prosperous in all sectors, including culture, with a palatial Sandton Convention Centre, which is at Maude Street.

Sandton City is the primary option for shopping in Sandton, which is also famous as a great entertainment centre.

Things to do in Sandton:

• Shopping
• Your Africa tour
• Visiting spa, casino and museums

What to see in Sandton?

Nelson Mandela Statue:

Situated at Nelson Mandela Square, the Nelson Mandela Statue is one of the highlights of Sandston. This bronze statue measures a height of 6 meters and is famous among all kinds of tourists, especially a favorite of photographers.

Sandston Gallery:

The Sandston Gallery is located on the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton City shopping area, where both South African and international arts are exhibited regularly. It is open for visitors from 9AM to 6PM (Monday to Saturday).

Sandston Theatre:

Like many prominent cultural centres of Sandston, the Sandston Theatre is also situated on the Nelson Mandela Square. Classical South African shows are generally exhibited between 6PM and 9PM. Admission fee is R100.

Sandton City:

The Sandton City is an iconic shopping centre, considered as one of the largest shopping malls in Africa. Visitors can be visited this vibrant shopping centre between 9AM and 6PM (Monday-Saturday) and 10AM to 4PM (Sundays). The mall surely takes a whole day to explore.

Village Walk Shopping Centre:

The Village Walk Shopping Centre is relatively smaller than Sandton City shopping mall, but worth a visit. This pleasant and colorful shopping centre is located at Cnr Maude and Rivonia Rd and is generally open from 9AM to 6PM.

Other places of interest in and around Sandton include:

• Montecasino
• Liliesleaf Farm & Museum
• Cocktails and Canvas
• Orient Spa
• Sandton Convention Centre
• The Fairlawns Spa
• Renaissance Spa
• Old Kromdraai Gold Mine
• Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
• Mandela Family Museum
• Johannesburg Art Gallery
• Top of Africa

When to visit Sandton?

Like the rest of Johannesburg, Sandston experiences a subtropical highland climate. From May to August is the best time to visit Sandston.

Where to stay in Sandton?

It is difficult to find budget hotels in Sandston as it is a highly affluent suburb with plenty of top end and mid range hotels. So budget travelers are needed to reach surrounding areas of Sandston to get convenient accommodations. Some top end hotels in Sandston include:

• Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa
• DaVinci Hotel and Suites
• Michelangelo Hotel
• AtholPlace Boutique Hotel
• Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton
• Faircity Falstaff Hotel
• Holiday Inn Sandton
• Michelangelo Towers
• Cedar Park Hotel & Conference Centre
• Faircity Quatermain Hotel
• Garden Court Sandton City
• Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel
• The Regent Luxury Apartments
• Southern Sun Katherine Street Sandton
• Moloko Executive Apartments and Hotel

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Midrand is one of the major localities of the largest city of South Africa, Johannesburg. It falls under the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, located between the towns of Sandton and Centurion, in the Gauteng province. Midrand headquarters the South African Civil Aviation Authority and Pan-African Parliament and also houses Gallagher Estate, South Africa’s largest conference centre and Nizamiye Mosque, one of the largest mosques in South Africa.

Midrand is geographically positioned between 25°59′57″ S latitude and 28°7′35″ E longitude and spans over an area of 152.87 sq. km. Like the rest of Johannesburg, Midrand experiences a subtropical highland climate.

History of Midrand:

Midrand was founded as a municipality in the year 1981, but it no longer held municipality title as it became a part of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in 2000. The Midrand Graduate Institute is a new addition to Midrand’s education sector, joined in 2012.

How to get Midrand?

Midrand is catered by the OR Tambo International Airport, situated around 35 km away from Midrand. The airport operates flights to many global cities, including Mumbai, New York, London, Frankfurt and Singapore.

There are buses frequently plying between all the suburbs of Johannesburg, including Midrand. To move within the city, airport travel and sightseeing proposes, visitors can hire taxi or rental cars at the local travel agency. Advance booking can be done to hire cars and bikes.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Midrand:

The Gallagher Estate is the focal point of Midrand’s culture, used for regular cultural activities, for both local and international concerts.

Shops are dozens in number in Midrand and some tourist favor hotels in Midrand include:

• Thava Indian Restaurant
• La Fiorentina
• Midrand Adega

Things to do in Midrand:

• Soweto Tours
• Mashaba Tours & Transfers
• Skiing

What to see in Midrand?

Gallagher Convention Centre:

Being the largest conference centre of South Africa, the Gallagher Convention Centre is one of the identities of Midrand. It was constructed on the location of former Laerskool/Primary School Halfway House and is home to the Pan-African Parliament. It witnessed the Miss World 2009 Grand Coronation Night.

Nizamiye Mosque:

The Nizamiye Mosque is one of the largest mosques of South Africa, featuring the classical Turkish style of architecture. The mosque was built with a substantial contribution of the Turkish-born construction magnate, Ali Katircioglu.

Lory Park:

The Lory Park is situated at 181, Kruger Road in Midrand and is a perfect spot for those who are fond of birds. The park houses a wide range of animals, including white lions, jaguars, tigers and big cats. It will be an amazing experience for visitors.

StokeCity Wake Park:

Located at Cnr R562 & Olifantsfontein Road in Glen Austin, Midrand, the StokeCity Wake Park is a cable tow wakeboard park, offering different thrilling activities, including skiing. Entrance fee is R30 and game price starts from R150/one hour.

Grand Central Airport:

The Grand Central Airport is a small airport, receiving flights occasionally but it is allowed for visitors 24 hours of the day. It is situated few kilometers away from the heart of Midrand, can be reached by bus or rental car.

Other places of interest in and around Midrand include:

• The Apartheid Museum
• Chérie De Villiers Gallery
• James Hall Museum of Transport
• Ferreira’s Mine
• Gold Reef City
• Montecasino Bird Gardens
• Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
• Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
• Lesedi Cultural Village
• Lion Park
• Constitution Hill
• Absa Money Museum

When to visit Midrand?

Midrand is a year round destination, though the tour of Midrand can be experienced between May and August when the weather remains in condition.

Where to stay in Midrand?

As a part of the global city Johannesburg, Midrand owns opulence hospitality industry with a plenty of high-class hotels with world class amenities. Some well known and tourist friendly hotels in Midrand include:

• Premier Hotel Midrand
• Protea Hotel Samrand
• Protea Hotel Midrand
• SUN1 Midrand
• Pfamoni Executive Accommodation
• Ever Fare Lodge
• African Footprints Lodge
• Blue Hills Lodge
• Ipe Tombe Guest Lodge
• The Celtis Manor GuestHouse
• By Bush Telegraph Lodge
• Bag End Guest House B&B
• Tuareg Guest House
• Midrand Wild Goose B&B
• Constantia Hotel Midrand

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Johannesburg is the largest city of South Africa and functions as the capital of the opulent province of the country, Gauteng. It holds the highest economy among any Sub-Saharan African metropolitan regions. Johannesburg is home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa and is internationally recognized as the gold mine capital of the world, with its prosperous gold and diamond resources. Johannesburg is also renowned by holding the largest and busiest airport in Africa, O.R. Tambo International Airport. Johannesburg offers dozens of attractions for visitors, mainly museums that showcases the complete and grand history of Johannesburg’s gold mining.

History of Johannesburg:

San people were the indigenous people of Johannesburg, who acquired the surrounding regions of what is the location of today’s Johannesburg. Until the discovery of gold mine in 1880s, Johannesburg had remained as a town and the discovery completely changed its strategic value, promoted as the wealthiest and largest city of South Africa. Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg was the site of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.

How to reach Johannesburg?

The O.R. Tambo International Airport is the most important airport of Johannesburg. Including Mumbai, New York, London, Frankfurt and Singapore, the airport covers all the important world cities. The airport is situated around 40 km away from the centre of Johannesburg city.

Johannesburg is connected by both bus and train to all the major South African cities, including Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

Some car rental companies in Johannesburg include:

• First Car Rental
• Pace Car Rental
• Europcar Car Hire

Culture, Food and Shopping in Johannesburg:

Johannesburg hosts two highly recognized universities in Africa, the University of the Witwatersrand and University of Johannesburg.

Famous traditional market, African Craft Market is situated on Cnr Cradock and Baker Street in Johannesburg. Some popular restaurant sites of Johannesburg are Greenside, Melville, Norwood and Emmarentia.

What to do in Johannesburg?

• Gold mines tour
• Township Tour
• Sophiatown Heritage Tours
• Shopping

What to see in Johannesburg?

Johannesburg Art Gallery:

The Johannesburg Art Gallery is located at Joubert Park and is considered as the biggest art gallery in the continental Africa, exhibits artworks belonging both local and international artists. No entry fee.

Top of Africa:

The Top of Africa is the tallest building in Africa, situated on 150 Commissioner Street in Johannesburg. It can be climbed through a guide tour between 8AM and 7PM every day. Worth a trip.

Mandela Family Museum:

The Mandela Family Museum is a must visit museum in Johannesburg as it was the first house of the great personality, Mandela, now it has been turned into a museum to showcase the life history of Mandela with his belongings.

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens:

The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens is situated few kilometers away from the city centre of Johannesburg, home to a wide range of bird species, including the endangered Black Eagle. Entrance fee is R25.

Old Kromdraai Gold Mine:

The Old Kromdraai Gold Mine was one of the first gold mines to be discovered in Johannesburg. Visitors are allowed with an entrance fee of R1165. The mine is situated around 20 minute drive from the city centre.

Other places of interest in Johannesburg include:

• Workers Museum
• Ferreira’s Mine
• Gold Reef City
• Montecasino Bird Gardens
• Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
• Lesedi Cultural Village
• Lion Park
• Constitution Hill
• Absa Money Museum
• The Apartheid Museum
• Chérie De Villiers Gallery
• James Hall museum of Transport

When to visit Johannesburg?

Johannesburg features a subtropical highland climate with sunny days year round. The best time to visit Johannesburg is from May to August.

Where to stay in Johannesburg?

Being one of the leading commercial and tourism centre of South Africa, Johannesburg houses dozens of world class hotels with superior facilities and services. Here are some recommended hotels in Johannesburg:

• Tintswalo at Waterfall
• The Peech Hotel
• 54 on Bath
• The Residence Boutique Hotel
• African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel
• The Winston Hotel
• Thaba Eco Hotel
• Premiere Classe Suites
• Valverde Country Hotel
• 10 2nd Avenue Houghton Estate
• Genesis Suites and Conferencing
• Westpoint Executive Suites
• Garden Court Eastgate
• Southern Sun Gold Reef City Hotel
• Garden Court Morningside Sandton

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