TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Water Sisulu Botanical Gardens and Nature Reserve
The Garden and nature reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife with about 240 bird species recorded on site. A breeding pair of Verreaux’s Eagles nest on the cliffs near the amazing waterfall. A surprising number of mammal species have been sighted, using camera trap technology. The presence of these rather secretive animals is a sign that the ecosystem of the estate remains viable, despite being surrounded by development. The Garden offers walking and short hiking trials, numerous areas for picnics, a restaurant, lovely spots to take photos, live shows and plays and many more.
Cradle of Humankind
The Cradle of Humankind is a World Heritage Site where many fossils, tools, and other traces of early humans have been found. These traces provide valuable information about human evolution. The region is called the Cradle of Humankind because some of the earliest ancestors of modern humans were born there.
Its mission is to protect, conserve and interpret the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
Apart from its scientific value, the site has been developed in order to create employment and regional economic development through the use of science, conservation and tourism as economic drivers aimed at alleviating poverty and stimulating the economy of the region. In so doing, the province has used conservation as a catalyst for economic change and regional development.
Lion and Safari Park
The Lion & Safari Park is home to a vast selection of indigenous species such as Lion (Brown and White), Cheetah, Hyena (Brown, Spotted and Striped), Leopard (including black leopard), Wild Dogs, Sable antelope, Kudu, Nyala to mention only a few.
Guests can enjoy a variety of different guided tours. The trained guides turn every tour into an informative and educational trip as they share interesting facts. Guests also have the option to drive their own vehicles through the lion and wild dog enclosures and the new extended route to the hyena enclosures will provide the opportunity to see many different antelope species such as Giraffe, Kudu, Gemsbuck, Warthog, Sable, Nyala and many more.
The park is also a paradise for children equipped with a beautifully designed playground next to the restaurants to keep the young ones entertained. This makes the perfect venue for kiddie’s birthday parties. A day visit to the park also provides the perfect opportunity for schoolchildren to learn about the animals and various research programmes that the Lion and Safari Park is involved in.
Everything About Soweto
Soweto, short for South Western Townships, is saturated with history and offers visitors everything from adrenaline-fueled activities to traditional cuisine and, of course, museums filled with potent history. Here’s our list of the top five things to see and do when visiting Soweto in Johannesburg. Just a few of the must visits in Soweto includes:
A Wander Wander down Vilakazi Street
Vilakazi Street is the most renowned street in the township. Former president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both lived here, making it the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Prize winners. Wander the street and spot public art, memorials and, of course, visit Nelson Mandela House.
The Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial
Memorial officially opened in 2002, near the spot where Hector Pieterson, a young Soweto boy, was shot on June 16, 1976 during the Soweto Uprising. 500 youths were killed on this day, now known as Youth Day in South Africa, and the iconic image of Hector Pieterson’s body being carried by a fellow student has been recognised the world over.
Explore Kliptown
A site where 3000 people came together in 1955 to write The Freedon Charter, a statement of core values that served as the foundation for South Africa’s liberal constitution. The Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, is also found here, which is filled with shops, galleries and traders of all sorts.
Bunjee- jump from Orlando Towers!
It consists of two massive cooling towers, known for their brightly drawn exteriors that are seen from miles away. Adrenaline junkies visiting Soweto can take the opportunity to bungee-jump or free-fall from the silos.
Taste Traditional Cuisine
Soweto is filled with the best spots to get a taste of true South African cuisine. The uBuntu Kraal and Soweto Brewing Company breweries are best for tasting local beers, while while Vuyos is a lively restaurant set in the heart of Soweto. Try the slow-cooked and crispy Mogodu (tripe) and finish the meal with a traditional malva pudding.
