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You can keep the Cape! OutUK correspondent Adrian Gillan enjoys the buzzing cultural pulse and scene in Johannesburg, South Africa's biggest and most vibrant city.
Home to 3 million, urban Johannesburg - South Africa's largest city and its economic powerhouse - is often neglected by tourists and rather unjustly. 'Joburg' or just plain 'Jozi' is also nicknamed 'Egoli', meaning "place of gold", since 40% of Earth's gold comes from here. It's also a cultural goldmine too, brimming with top museums, theatres and restaurants - plus 'gay gold' and queer culture in its scene and prides. | |
| SA has one of the most pro-LGBT constitutions in the world, allowing gay marriage and more. That said, attitudes can lag laws so, as ever, beware. More generally, dress down, like the locals, and avoid rough or isolated areas, especially at night. |
Johannesburg skyline. Courtesy: South Africa Tourism. |
Moreover, HIV is still a widespread issue here, so play extra safe.
Visas are not needed for Brits on trips of up to 90 days. £1 = 23 rand approx, and will stretch far. Time difference: GMT +2 hrs, so no jet lag!
Best weather: November to March, known as the Southern Summer.
TO DOCENTRALOne of the best ways to see Johannesburg city centre is to use a guide company such as moafrikatours. Their local, knowledgeable, friendly and hyper-enthusiastic team offer a range of tours, on foot and using public transport, including the often hidden architectural gems in the high-rise CBD (Central Business District) in downtown. Neighbouring Gold Reef City is one of Africa's largest theme/fun parks, hubbed around a real 19th Century gold mine. Lunch at the luxury Four Seasons Hotel, with its fab lofty terraced poolside eatery, before touring Constitution Hill, site of a former jail that once housed Gandhi and Mandela - plus SA's Constitutional Court. Enjoy the Origin Centre, for insights into the biological and cultural evolution of humans, not least via ancient cave and rock art. |
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NORTH Hang out in buzzing Nelson Mandela Square, in the northern Sandton district or you can pay a visit to the chic Gallery District in Parktown North; or a hunt for unique furnishings in the Design Quarter. The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden is a garden and nature reserve that's home to an abundance of wildlife including more than 240 bird species. |
Nelson Mandela Square at night. Photo: homeh. |
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Check out the Montecasino leisure area too.
At Liliesleaf Farm, anti-Apartheid leaders - including Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu - plotted strategy, many being
subsequently tried for treason following a police raid. 200-hectare Lion and Safari Park is the drive-through home to prides of lions - you
can even touch and pet some hand-reared cubs that have been rejected by their mums. Also visit the Lesedi African Lodge & Cultural Village
- a cluster of typical traditional villages, showcasing tribal dance and customs, plus scrummy food at its excellent buffet restaurant.
Home of our ancestors, the fascinating 47,000-hectare Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
tells its 4 million years old story via fossils found here. Don't miss its award-winning Visitor Interpretation Centre at Maropeng or its world-famous Sterkfontein Caves.
SOWETO (ie SOuth WEst TOwn) TO BOOZE 'N BOPJoburg might not be quite as much a gay destination as its southern sister Cape Town. They do however have two pride festivals each year: Johannesburg Pride in mid-October and Soweto Pride in late September. | |
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There are also fine gay venues are scattered around town, including
Liquid Blue in 7th Street, Melville which is a very friendly, stylish lounge and restaurant.
For a really great night there's Babylon Bar in the Oxford Centre, Oxford Road, Illovo which has some sexy dancer boys and the bar is especially busy on Fridays. |
Johannesburg by night. Courtesy: South Africa Tourism.
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Underground Club 30 30 via Club 40 40 in the Bezuidenhout Valley towards the end of each week host some varied live performances. Divasontheloose on
Thursdays, Epic on Fridays and a night called Heat at the weekend.
Ratz Bar Melville is a cocktail bar popular with the LGBT+ crowd which makes it an iconic and inclusive safe space filled with good vibes,
food and music to match. Karaoke nights Wednesdays and Sundays are worth trying.
The GAY Club Boksburg offers one of the best Gay night club experiences. It's open Saturday Nights from 8pm on the corner of North Rand Rd & Gibb Rd, Boksburg. They often have events and dress up parties and their regular foam baths are legendary. The music is always good with guest DJs on some nights. Not far away in Kingfisher Ave, Sunward Park you'll find People Like Us Pub And Venue. It's a gay pub and entertainment venue with many live performances and regular drag shows. The Factory is known as one of the best sleaze venues in Joburg. They a have a dark maze, lounge area, large bar, and other fun rooms that make it a perfect playground for other like-minded men. The crowd is usually gay men mid 30s+. If you are looking for some adult fun in your birthday suit, this is a perfect place to start. GETTING STEAMYThe Rec Room is one of two notable male saunas. It's in the Phoenix Centre, juction of Malibongwe Drive & Tungsten Drive, in Randburg ands is the largest and busiest mens steam room in Johannesburg. Expect high standards of hygiene and a promotion of healthy lifestyles in a safe and secure environment for gay and bisexual men. They have themed nights and specials running every week. There's a fully licenced bar, large steam room, two video lounges and a large indoor jacuzzi as well as an outside, open-air garden. The other place to steam up Thursdays to Sundays is Furaha Ya Wanaume Bathhouse for Men. It's in Lower Ross St, New Doornfonte and there's a steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, a bar, private room and TV lounge. Just the place where you can relax and meet other guys after a long day out or make use their gym or enjoy a male deep tissue massage.TO STAYTen Bompas Hotel is a secluded boutique affair in leafy Rosebank, NW of centre, full of understated luxury; with top-notch eatery. Faircity Quatermain Hotel is an Anglo-styled hotel in the exclusive North Sandton area, complete with pool, sedate old-world lounges and an ab fab French-focused bistro, Sel et Poivre. |
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Revised September 2023. |