Cape Town Chronicles: Trip to Johannesburg/ 5 Things to Do in Jozi

While you’re abroad in South Africa, you have to make sure to visit “the City of Gold” aka Johannesburg! Two other cute nicknames are “Jozi” and “Joburg”. Johannesburg has a vibe that is different to Cape Town. It’s not a city that is centered around tourism. Which one could argue makes it an even cooler place to explore. I learned that the best way to find activities is to ask people from there. My friends and I went for four days with a list of suggestions and a blank itinerary. This was new for me because I am used to very detailed and packed schedules when on a trip. I had very high expectations for this trip because I was told by so many people that I would love it there. It would be more diverse than Cape Town. I was also told that it was like the ATL of South Africa. .

With all of this in mind, I had prepared myself to step off the plane and experience a culturally rich African city with fly people all around me. It wasn’t until I arrived that I understood why people thought I’d love it. I saw people who looked like me enjoying the city and not just catering to me as a foreigner, which is what I felt at times while in Cape Town. Another thing I noted was how little walking people did. I knew going to Johannesburg that it would not be as walkable as Cape Town, but it was such a shock. The ubers too… everywhere seemed to be 15+ minutes away from everywhere. Another thing I noted was how friendly people were. We would meet someone at a market, and they’d invite us to join them for an activity the next day. Because we had limited time in Jozi, I wasn’t able to explore it as much as I would’ve liked to. 

When I return, hopefully not too far in the distant future, I’d definitely want to explore with someone from there. I think as a foreigner you cannot truly experience all the goodness the different parts of Johannesburg have to offer without someone who is familiar with it. However, I think your trip is what you make it, and if you go with an open mind and good energy, you’ll have a wonderful time. This video blog gives 5 activity suggestions, and you are likely to get more ideas while you are there.