Safari Holidays to South Africa and Namibia for independent travellers.

Some of the best accommodation options in Johannesburg are found in the wealthy and exclusive northern suburbs around the Sandton area.  Accommodation ranges from spacious and modern homes set in lovely gardens with swimming pools, to luxurious country manors with self-contained cottages, and 5* hotels.

Wherever you decide to stay, you will be sure of a warm welcome and comfortable surroundings, and your hosts will be more than willing to assist with recommending restaurants and things to do. 

Sandton City and Sandton Square

The Sandton City and Sandton Square shopping malls are situated right next door to each other, where you can shop for everything and anything.  The malls are a shopper's paradise, with over 300 major retail outlets, fashion stores and curio shops.

A Food Court provides relief from shopping for a while, or the many restaurants which crowd around the outside square offer an ideal place to sit and watch the world go by, while enjoying quality cuisine at affordable prices. 

A shopaholic will be pleased to know that, as well as being able to shop here 7 days a week, as a tourist it is possible to claim back any VAT on non-consumable goods that are purchased, as long as a valid receipt can be produced. 

More about claiming back VAT can be found in the South Africa - Visitor Information - Tipping and VAT page on this website.

Brightwater Commons

The Brighwater Commons (formerly the Randberg Waterfront) is a small, pleasant shopping and dining complex, built around an attractive (but artificial) lake and large, grassy common.  Only a short drive from Sandton, it is a fun way to spend a few hours.

There is a small, bustling fleamarket area, with over 300  stalls selling everything from curios and clothing, to pet name tags and take-away Chinese food. 

Outside the restaurants, visitors can sit at the water's edge while enjoying their food, and a number of shops provide more opportunity to part with your money, including an art gallery, gift stores and computer game and internet shops.

Monte Casino

For anyone who has been to Las Vegas, and stayed in The Venetian or Cesar's Palace, the Monte Casino Village will certainly feel extremely familiar.

Monte Casino is a world of make-believe Italy.  Wander through small Italian streets, eat at pavement restaurants, or gamble your money away in the casino - all under one very large roof, complete with painted sky. 

The Italians love their shopping, and Monte Casino is home to many fine jewellery and fashion outlets.

You will not go hungry at all - apart from the usual KFC, Steers and Wimpy fast food outlets, Monte Casino offers a superb restaurant choice from Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Mediterranean or African. 

There are 3 casinos in total, 2 smoking and one non-smoking.  The non-smoking casino is the centrepiece of the 'village', and has 70 table games, including blackjack, roulette and poker, and 1,700 slot machines.

The 15 screen cinema complex, theatre and Bird Gardens complete the attractions for this extremely kitsch but well-done complex just north of Sandton.

Rosebank Mall

The recently refurbished Rosebank Mall has over 100 stores, offering the keen shopper a little of everything.  In addition, the African Craft Market and the Rooftop Markets add a unique aspect to the shopping experience.

With over 140 stalls, the Craft Market has a vast range of high-quality, hand-crafted artifacts and antiquities from all over Africa, ranging from small trinkets to large carvings. 

The Rooftop Markets, with over 600 unusual stalls, are only open on Sundays and public holidays, but offer live entertainment and the chance to buy anything from arts and crafts to handmade giftware and furniture.