Category: Johannesburg

  The Irene Dairy Farm is located just off the biggest highway in South Africa, the N1, which links Joburg to Pretoria. When you arrive at the farm, it feels as though you’ve driven 100 years back in time. In fact, Irene farm was founded in 1895 when the first European settlers entered the area.…

    If you have more than a day in Johannesburg and you’re with kids, head to Zoo Lake. Open since 1908, Zoo Lake is modern and fresh. It offers a clean, free playground with three areas arranged by age level or a fabulous Afro-chic restaurant called Moyo with a children’s playspace (for the cost of…

  The Shosholoza Meyl runs from Johannesburg to Cape Town four times a week. It is surprisingly inexpensive, even when you book a “coupé” in Tourist Class, meaning a closed compartment with fold-down beds. Children under nine pay half-fare. I traveled with my son Tommy, who is absolutely crazy about trains. We prepared him for…

  Suikerbosrand is an amazing nature reserve less than an hour’s drive outside of busy Johannesburg. It boasts the highest point in the entire region and features wild herds of wildebeest, zebra, and eland. It’s the perfect place to introduce children to hiking and biking in a pristine natural setting. Suikerbosrand [SAY-ker-boss-rand] means “sugar bush,” named after…