Take A Virtual Tour Of Major Cities In South Africa
People in many countries have locked themselves down at home in order to battle COVID-19 but while you cannot travel right now, you can enjoy a virtual vacation.
Read on to learn more about Johannesburg, Pretoria and the Mother City of Cape Town, ready for taking a trip to South Africa once the coronavirus pandemic is over.
1. Johannesburg – City of Gold
Johannesburg is the capital of Gauteng Province and bears the nickname “Egoli” or City of Gold. The city started as a gold mining settlement in the 19th century and is still surrounded by the original gold mines.
A sprawling, modern city, Johannesburg is a multi-cultural place with plenty of shopping malls to visit, as well as world-class restaurants. The history of the city can be seen in the Soweto Township, once home to Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. The former president’s home in Soweto has been transformed into the Mandela House Museum. In this area, it is possible to visit other museums relating to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, including Constitution Hill, the former prison, and the Apartheid Museum.
Northeast of the city center, visitors can enjoy Herman Eckstein Park, home to the Johannesburg Zoo and a boating lake. The nearby Gold Reef City theme park takes gold-mining history to a different level with a number of thrill rides and an underground tour of the gold mines.
Heading out of the city center, Sandton City is a pleasant visit with its iconic statue of Nelson Mandela and a shopping mall with top class goods for sale. Neighboring Rosebank offers a rooftop market each Sunday with African entertainment, food and crafts on offer.
2. Pretoria – Jacaranda City and capital of South Africa
The administrative capital of South Africa, Pretoria also lies in Gauteng Province. The city bears the name “Jacaranda City” for the thousands of colorful trees that line its streets. Pretoria is also home to a number of government buildings and universities, with striking architecture. These include the Union Buildings with the president’s offices and the Voortrekker Monument close by. The latter honors the 19th century settlers that moved here from the Cape Colony.
Of interest to visit are Kruger House, the former home of Transvaal President Paul Kruger between 1883 and 1901. The neo-Renaissance Ou Raadsaal stands in Church Square in the city, along with the Palace of Justice, both of which were constructed during the late 19th century.
The family will enjoy a visit to the sprawling National Zoological Gardens, where a number of rare and endangered species can be seen, including Komodo dragons. Meanwhile, the Groenkloof Nature Reserve offers enjoyable game safaris to view African wildlife.
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3. Cape Town – the Mother City
Nestled on the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape of South Africa, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It rightfully bears the name “Mother City” as the place where settlers’ ships first arrived in the country.
The city is backed by the striking, two mile-long Table Mountain, where you can enjoy a cable car trip up to the top. It is then possible to stroll around the flat plateau enjoying panoramic views over the city, harbor and Robben Island, the former prison home of Nelson Mandela.
The city’s harbor has grown into the V&A Waterfront, a fantastic place to visit for dining, shopping, boat trips and entertainment. The Waterfront is also home to the Two Oceans Aquarium. Historic sites in the city include the 17th-century Castle of Good Hope, the colorful Bo-Kaap residential area and more.
Spreading along the coast on either side of Table Mountain, visitors can enjoy spectacular beaches, including Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay on one side. On the other, enjoy picture-postcard views of Table Mountain from Bloubergstrand, one of the best places for windsurfing in the country.
Make a point to mentally bookmark South Africa for a future vacation once the world returns to normal!
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