Ekurhuleni is the brand new name of the former Gauteng’s ‘East Rand’ municipality.
It includes various outskirts, townships and little satellite suburban territories and towns to the eastern side of Johannesburg city.
It reaches all the way up to the side of the Tshwane (Pretoria) range in Northern Gauteng up to the boundary of Mpumalanga.
The Oliver Tambo Airport can also be found within the premises of this town and municipality (Gae Tung).
The Ekurhuleni territory is a standout amongst the deeply mined ranges in the nation.
It has long been the mining and modern capital of South Africa.
The numerous mine dumps and hardware bear confirmation to this.
In spite of the fact that intensely industrialized, the towns likewise have calm tree-lined local locations, schools and great framework.
Best time to Visit Ekurhuleni
The quaint town of Ekurhuleni has one of the best atmospheres in South Africa.
It is an ideal tourist destination where every guest can explore throughout the entire year.
Come summer or winter, the area for the most part encounters sunny, windless days that are the ideal jump off point for showing one of the pillars of South Africa’s thriving economy.
In summer, there are frequently fleeting, late evening storms;
in the downpour free months of winter the nights are nippy however the days are generally cloudless and generally warm.
Thus there are all kinds of sights and variety of entertainment to make your stay in Ekurhuleni memorable.
Be sure to experience the lively vibe of the downtown areas, the fantastic nightlife, local markets, spacious recreational parks, zoological and botanical gardens, tropical nature and wildlife reserves, historical centers and preserved World Heritage Site structures and old churches.
The idyllic province is likewise an amazing starting point in South Africa for anybody longing to visit one of the various Big Five wild and natural reserves where you can spend a day while admiring the great safari region of Africa.
The winter months (June to August) are the best times to see all the animals running along, grazing, and going around their natural habitat and not hindered by the humid heat of summer.
It is also around this time when the grass is more verdant and the lush vegetation looks more pleasing to the eyes than the parched, dry land during the summer season.
Best things to do in Ekurhuleni
Here are my favorite things to do and places to visit when you are in the province of Ekurhuleni…
Apartheid Museum
The Apartheid Museum is an impressive museum with an understated display of apartheid and what it meant to the great people of South Africa.
Walking through the halls of this museum gives everyone an idea or a sneak preview of what happened during that anxious and troubled era.
There are films, graphic posters, signs, cars, weapons;
photographs that can take you back immediately to that time.
Also, what is told about Nelson Mandela is impressive and gives a good picture of the person and his legacy.
It is almost a cultural obligation for anyone who comes to Ekurhuleni to pass by this museum for a visit.
It is located next to the Gold Reef City theme park and has a large car park.
The feeling of apartheid is immediately apparent when you must pass two separate entrances with the signs “blankes” and “nie-blankes” signifying the distinction of the whites from the black people.
In the museum you can find all kinds of historic and educational materials that are meant to educate the young generation about the horrors of it.
A lot of attention is obviously poured to Nelson Mandela.
If you like to visit the museum, then you need to calculate a lot of time here because it is incredibly large.
It is a major (history) lesson that happened not so very long ago but must be seen by everyone to become socially aware of what apartheid really is.
What else to do in Ekurhuleni
Gautrain
The Gautrain from Johannesburg to OR Tambo Airport is an excellent option for those with little luggage and want to quickly get to the airport starting from Sarton region where the offices of most companies Sul Africanas Technology or Financial Institutions are.
Catching a taxi to the airport is more expensive than going by train.
The train is very safe, fast, modern, comfortable, and well maintained.
From the airport, you can go to some neighborhoods of the city quickly and great for those who want to go to Pretoria also.
The downside is that it does not reach far more places and an expansion would be welcome because it provides excellent service.
You must purchase the fare ATM card and type the Gautrain corresponding to the portion of the covered credit.
My favorite places to visit in Ekurhuleni
South Western Townships
The South Western Townships is the largest district in the town of Ekurhuleni where former South African President Nelson Mandela lived for several years.
It was in this township that the apartheid movement began and today it is one of the most visited neighborhoods by people who want to see the historic places in South Africa.
The house where Mandela once lived still preserved the objects and furniture of his time and is open for the public to appreciate.
It is a neighborhood of contrasts where simple homes, but well cared for and the famous house is just a few blocks away from the place of slums.
In a way, there is still joy in the face of this impoverished population, much like the city’s favelas which despite all the difficulties imposed by life, the smile and joy do not leave the face of the residents.
Pay attention to the two huge chimneys of power plants that were left in place and printed with graffiti by the residents that has turned into a landmark site.
Satyagraha House
The whole family can spend a night at the museum hotel of Satyagraha House.
One of the best parts of this resort is the Kallenbach Cottage.
The experience of the museum-hotel is unique and the design is refined and elegant, and the best place for rest and meditation.
It truly feels the presence of the not so distant prominent past. The staffs are charming and attentive. You can have simple dinner in the living room of the main house.
Beware though, the house is not necessarily easy to find, even with a GPS as it sits deep in a secure driveway with no indication or landmarks on the street.
This is a nice place, carefully maintained, and very serene. You can walk and discover the parts where Gandhi lived, see his letters, photographs and other personal memories left behind by his stay.
You can sit in the main building around a grand fire chimney and read books.
You will be happily greeted by Mr. Elselhab, the French owner of this place and the one responsible for this site who will gladly answer all the questions about the hotel museum’s famous guests and role in the history of Ekurhuleni.
What to do around Ekurhuleni?
Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary
The Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary is a beautiful place in which it is possible to see the monkeys in their natural environment through wooden walkways laid out within a forest.
It’s a bit far from the town of Ekurhuleni but you can arrive safely in the car without any problems in a short time.
The tour takes about an hour and is accompanied by a guide for the entire journey.
The guide at the center will give you information about all the animals that you will encounter.
It is a nice visit that is highly recommended to those who have a morning or an afternoon to spend in this side of town.
A visit will be fun and advisable for those traveling with children.
Beside the monkey park, you can also visit the Elephant Sanctuary.
There lemurs in this area and all the other animals that do not belong to the African fauna.
Anyway, everything in here is worth the visit as well as the observation of monkeys.
There is guaranteed fun on this tour.
You have all the time to walk among trees and see many monkeys where some of them will gamely interact.
One should be careful with personal belongings because some monkeys may try to pick up your cell phone or open pockets – but on this, the guides will warn again and again.
Because the place is all outdoors, it is not worth going into during the rainy days although they do not close, but be warned that you will not enjoy it since animals tend to hide and stay inside their sheltered cages more.
Top Ekurhuleni tourist attractions
Maboneng Precinct
The Maboneng Precinct is an interesting place that should definitely be visited by every visitor to Ekurhuleni.
It is a cool neighborhood with chic hotels, hipsters, and ballads.
If you roam around the area on the event that you are there on a Sunday and searching for something else for lunch, then go to the Maboneng Precinct and visit their business sector.
You can get African curried stew, hamburger rolls, Ethiopian delicacies, deli sandwiches, pancakes, container cakes, and numerous different pleasures – all washed down with a choice of non – alcohol and cocktail drinks.
Grab your lunch and take a seat around some round tables and seats beside local strangers that are ready to socialize and mingle.
What else to see in Ekurhuleni?
Constitution Hill
The Constitution Hill is where you can learn more about the history and politics of South Africa.
It is a nearly half-hour guided tour into the political past and future of Ekurhuleni.
Upon entrance, an expert guide will first explain the importance and the previous use of the building on Constitution Hill and the plight of the people who got detained there, men and women from the liberation movement of the oppressed black majority.
The injustices documented therein make the place more dramatic and makes every guests eager to learn more about.
It signifies that once in this place of ill-treatment and death kept the flame burning in South Africa until the Constitutional Court was established.
It shows the willingness for reconciliation and desire for peace within the South African society.
A tour can last more than two hours to absorb everything it has to offer to all its valued guests and young students who are engaged into an educational tour of this historic place every week days.
South African National Museum of Military History
The South African National Museum of Military History is worth a visit when in Ekurhuleni.
From here you can see military aircrafts, tanks, German war planes, automatic weapons and military vehicles (mainly from the African Corps).
All of these are well maintained and neatly lined up for the full view of its visitors.
It is a great and simple museum with rich history of war and the armaments they have used.
A huge number of exhibits, there is even a submarine, and the first German jet warplane, Soviet tanks and a lot of small arms.
You can hang for a few hours and read all the interesting facts about the province during the war time era.
You can combine a visit to this armory and national museum with a visit to the zoo that stands right next door.
These attractions are worth the time to explore when in Ekurhuleni.
My favorite stuff to do in Ekurhuleni
Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam
The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam is an incredible venue for long walks and nature appreciation at the same time.
It’s near the city and can be explored without needing to drive outside the area of far from the town as possible.
The scene is run of the mill for the locale, at the end of the day fields with trees scattered here and there, in spite of the fact that there’s some perfect old trees.
There’s additionally a wetlands zone with running water sprinkled with moderate moving lakes.
Literally, this place is a dog’s haven.
Here is where puppies stroll along with their masters.
There are a few parking zones with enough security guards around the recreation center and dam zone, simply be careful and do not bring your dogs to places with sign boards expressing truly no dog strolling in the natural garden part of the parking area.
The recreation center is divided into two, one half being the picnic/botanic garden region, the other half left for the walkers, with some ideal paths and green slopes.
The dam is available from both territories.
Aerial Cableway Hartbeespoort
The Aerial Cableway Hartbeespoort is far from Johannesburg and the suburban area of Ekurhuleni, but it is still worth a go because of its amazing funicular experience.
The view from the top is beautiful with a 360 degrees panorama of the surrounding mountains and other landmark places.
It has a very good pizza at the restaurant, plus, the place is totally cool up there and definitely worth a visit even if it’s a bit away from Johannesburg, the view is marvelous and the people you meet from here are all friendly.
FNB Stadium
The FNB Stadium is beautiful; however, the region is away from the city center and with not much crowd activity.
It is sensational and still in perfect condition, it is the soccer city that changed the name from being managed by FNB.
It is home to the first football team of South Africa. The stadium is just fantastic. Its size is impressive. Lawn care is done daily and in perfect condition, just as the stadium itself.
It is a great visit for football lovers and sports fans. The guided tour takes you everywhere, including the players’ changing rooms which are simple and the special media room.
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is a truly beneficial outing for children of all ages.
Great exertion is made to keep the displays captivating, empowering, and intuitive.
The recently added dinosaurs ended up being a hit with the kids as well.
Entrance charges are affordable and the displayed pieces are of great quality.
Workshop and interactive events for kids are always offered here every weekend as well as great bonding activities for the entire family.
The science center offers a wide mixture of mind boggling related displays that are intuitive, and instructive.
There are likewise little amusements for kids and grown-ups much the same and general pop up displays that change as the year progressed.
The best part is the cheap entrance fee which is worth all the money for a day of family fun.
Famous activities in Ekurhuleni
Origins Centre
For those curious about how the history of archeology in Ekurhuleni is the Origins Centre is the type of archaeological museum that has a lot to show and teach.
If you have time, take the audio guide to enrich your visit because you will learn a lot.
It highlights the archaeological facts about the origin of man into splitting and very interesting sessions such as language and religion.
There are many displayed objects around here (mostly rocks and cave paintings).
All in all it is worth it.
On another side of the exhibition hall, there are also lots of academic books, historical references, and archived images stored in this area.
The museum is filled with good information, well done presentation and caring professionals.
It tells the whole story of human evolution from an African perspective.
