Wilro Tours

This is the perfect tour for first-time visitors to South Africa's commercial and financial capital - Johannesburg - the City of Gold, known amongst locals as Egoli, Jozi or Jo'burg. Our tour route covers all the major points of interest, from Sandton in the north to Soweto in the south:

* the suburbs of Sandton, Rosebank and Houghton (drive past Nelson Mandela's home)

* Braamfontein, home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa

* the downtown area, City Hall, Diagonal Street, Newtown, Nelson Mandela Bridge

* the Carlton Centre, see the city from the "Top of Africa" enclosed viewing deck on the 50th floor

* Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

* Regina Mundi Catholic church

* Hector Pieterson Memorial

* Vilakazi Street - Nelson Mandela's former home and Bishop Desmond Tutu's home

NOTE - the tour route may vary, depending on the pick-up and drop-off points

We drive through the northern suburbs of Saxonwold, Houghton and Parktown, to the hustle and bustle of Hillbrow, home to African immigrants from all over the continent. We stop to visit Constitution Hill, the new home of the Constitutional Court of South Africa (closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays & public holidays!), which is built on the site of the "Old Fort" that later became a notorious prison. At the Carlton Centre in the heart of downtown Johannesburg, we take the elevator to the "Top of Africa" enclosed viewing deck on the 50th floor (closed on Sunday afternoons).

Time permitting, our next stop is the Museum Africa (closed on Mondays!) in the Newtown Cultural Precinct, where a variety of exhibits tell the fascinating story of Johannesburg, from the Iron Age, through the discovery of gold in 1886, right up to the first democratic elections of 1994. From here we continue across the Nelson Mandela Bridge into the business district of Braamfontein, then past the University of the Witwatersrand to Fordsburg with its Oriental Plaza and Mosque. We then travel along the elevated M1 or M2 motorways which provide spectacular views of the Johannesburg skyline.

Two of our most popular tours, WJSO Johannesburg & Soweto orientation and WASO Apartheid Museum & Soweto, are combined to give visitors one full day to experience South Africa's commercial and financial capital - Johannesburg - the City of Gold, known amongst locals as Egoli, Jozi or Jo'burg.

Our tour route covers all the major points of interest, from Sandton in the north to Soweto in the south:

* the suburbs of Sandton, Rosebank and Houghton (drive past Nelson Mandela's home)

* Braamfontein, home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa

* the downtown area, City Hall, Diagonal Street, Newtown, Nelson Mandela Bridge

* the Carlton Centre, see the city from the "Top of Africa" enclosed viewing deck on the 50th floor

* Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

* Regina Mundi Catholic church

* visit Hector Pieterson Memorial

* Vilakazi Street - Nelson Mandela's former home and Bishop Desmond Tutu's home

* lunch stop at a local tavern - optional, can be arranged in advance

* visit the Apartheid Museum

PLEASE NOTE - the tour route may vary, depending on the pick-up and drop-off points

The City of Pretoria lies only 58 km (36 miles) north of Johannesburg and provides a complete contrast to the City of Gold. South Africa's administrative capital was founded in 1855 and named after the Voortrekker leader, Andries Pretorius. Often referred to as the "Jacaranda City", this nickname refers to the thousands of trees lining the streets, their purple blossoms heralding the approach of summer each October.

Our tour begins with a visit to the Voortrekker Monument, a striking memorial built to honour the early pioneers. We then continue to the central part of the city which has retained the name of Pretoria, visiting Kruger House Museum and Church Square, where the statue of Paul Kruger looks down on the passers by. Melrose House is a classic example of a Victorian suburban townhouse and a visit can also be included, subject to time permitting (closed on Mondays!). We then continue to the imposing Union Building, which houses the offices of the State President, Deputy President and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Our stop here provides an impressive view over the city and completes the tour, before returning to your hotel.