Province · Joanesburgo, Pretória e o planalto

Gauteng

Gauteng, the gateway to South Africa: Johannesburg and Soweto, the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Pretoria and the Union Buildings, and the Cradle of Humankind.

In the photo: Jardín Botánico Nacional de Pretoria

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The province

Get to know Gauteng

Gauteng is the smallest province in South Africa and the most populous. It sits on the high plateau at about 1,700 metres and includes Johannesburg and Pretoria, which form the country’s largest urban area. Wealth came from the gold discovered in 1886, which made Johannesburg South Africa’s economic city.

In Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum tells the story of racial segregation, and Constitution Hill, a former prison where Mandela and Gandhi were held, now houses the Constitutional Court. In Soweto, Vilakazi Street has the house where Mandela lived, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial recalls the 1976 student uprising. Neighbourhoods like Maboneng bring together galleries and markets.

Pretoria, the country’s administrative capital, is about 50 km away. The Union Buildings, the presidential seat, sit atop a hill with terraced gardens, and the Voortrekker Monument commemorates the Boer migration. In October and November, the jacarandas often paint the streets lilac.

Northwest of Johannesburg, the Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage Site, preserves caves with hominid fossils millions of years old, such as Sterkfontein, with the Maropeng visitor centre. On the table, the braai and pap, a maize porridge that accompanies the meat.

When to go

The climate is mild year‑round. From October to March is summer, with hot days and heavy afternoon rains. From May to August winter is dry, with sunny days and cold nights. Pretoria’s jacarandas usually bloom in October and November. Gauteng is 5 hours ahead of Brasília.

Getting there

O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg is the main gateway to South Africa. Connections with Brazil may be direct or with a stopover, depending on season and airline. Check before booking. The Gautrain links the airport to Sandton, downtown Johannesburg and Pretoria. Johannesburg is also the departure point for domestic flights and roads to Kruger, Pilanesberg and the rest of the country.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Gauteng

How many days to stay in Johannesburg and Pretoria?

Two to three days allow for the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Soweto, Pretoria and the Cradle of Humankind.

How to get from Johannesburg airport to Pretoria?

By Gautrain, which departs the airport and has a station in Pretoria, or by car, about 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Can you go from Johannesburg to Kruger?

Yes. Kruger is about a 5‑hour drive, and there are short flights to Mbombela, Hoedspruit and Skukuza.

What is the Cradle of Humankind?

An area of caves northwest of Johannesburg with hominid fossils millions of years old, a World Heritage Site, with visits to Sterkfontein and the Maropeng centre.

Tap a province to see its destinations. Limites: South African Municipal Demarcation Board / OCHA ROSEA / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.