18 Must-Do’s in Jozi: Your Ultimate Family Travel Guide to Johannesburg, South Africa
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Johannesburg, lovingly known as Joburg or Jozi, stole our hearts during our nearly six-month stay in South Africa. As a family of four living abroad for the first time, we discovered just how incredibly welcoming, vibrant, and kid-friendly this city truly is.
Whether you're planning a short visit or an extended stay, this guide features our top 18 must-do activities in Johannesburg, complete with travel tips for families and the best kid-friendly experiences. We’ve also included top dining spots for all ages and day trip ideas to help you make the most of your South African adventure.
Where to Stay in Johannesburg
Sandton is our top pick for family travelers. Known as Jozi's business hub, it's one of the safest neighborhoods for walking, especially during the day. We stayed in an Airbnb here and loved the walkability, proximity to the Sandton City Mall and Nelson Mandela Square, and the variety of family-friendly restaurants.
Other great options:
Rosebank — Safe, close to the African Craft Market and The Apartheid Museum. Beware of petty theft.
Melrose — Stylish, safe, and packed with dining and entertainment options at Melrose Arch.
Our Must Do’s in Johannesburg with Kids
Johannesburg Zoo — Feed giraffes, visit elephants, or picnic by the monkey enclosure. Don’t miss family events like the Mother’s Day concert!
Nelson Mandela House in Soweto — A historic must-visit. Save this one for when your kids are old enough to understand the significance of Mandela’s legacy.
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens — One of the city’s hidden gems with wide open spaces, a waterfall, and fountains kids love.
Carlton Centre - Top of Africa — Africa’s tallest building with a 360-degree observation deck perfect for city views.
Farmers Markets — Midway through our time in Jozi, we were tipped off to the farmer’s markets, and afterwards, we made it a mission to visit at least one each weekend. Some of our favs:
Fourways Farmers Market: Our fave!
Bryanston Organic Market
Norwood’s Family Market
Rosebank Sunday Market
Maboneng Street Art — Explore vibrant street art and creative energy in this downtown neighborhood.
Montecasino — Great for all ages with bird gardens, arcades, restaurants, shops, and even lemurs (beware if your kids fear them like ours!).
Mall of Africa — One of the largest malls on the continent with everything from groceries to mini golf.
Nelson Mandela Square — Weekly live music, great food, and the iconic Mandela statue.
Gold Reef City Theme Park — An amusement park built on an old gold mine with thrill rides, shopping, and a casino.
Trampoline Parks — I’m pretty sure we visited every trampoline park in Joburg at least once during our stay! We got to know all of the options and our two favorites were:
BOUNCE Inc. at Fourways — where we celebrated Lowina’s third birthday!
Rush — the best seating for adults to relax while kids jump!
Acrobranch — Tree-top obstacle courses for all ages starting from 3 years old.
World of Golf — John was eager to play as much golf as possible while abroad, and luckily he was able to do just that getting at least one round in bi-weekly! We made it a family affair by visiting World of Golf so the kids could play while the daddy’s played.
Enjoy the many golf courses in town — John’s two favorites while in town were Randpark and The Wanderers, both of which were quite close to each other and to where we stayed in Sandton!
Hamley’s Toy Store — Found in many malls throughout the city but our favorite was at Sandton City Mall. This wonderland includes a train, full-story slide, and carousel.
Apartheid Museum — World-renowned museum showcasing South Africa's complex past. Best for older kids and teens.
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre — A STEAM-based children’s museum with dinosaurs, rock walls, and a mirror maze.
Artjamming — Paint your heart out! Great for all ages and perfect for family bonding.
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Johannesburg
While in Jozi, we also got to indulge our foodie side! If you are traveling with kids in the city, you’ll find more family friendly spots than you could ever imagine. Many restaurants have playgrounds and even child minders to watch the kiddos so you can enjoy your meal! Here are some of our favs:
Papachino’s — Indoor/outdoor playgrounds, child minders, and diverse menu (yes, even sushi!).
Smoke Daddy’s — BBQ-focused menu with kids play areas and attentive staff.
Nando’s — Iconic flame-grilled chicken. A South African must-try.
Kauai — Smoothie haven and perfect for pregnancy cravings!
Tang — Luxury Asian-fusion in Nelson Mandela Square. Great for a date night or girls' night.
Truffles on the Park — Centrally located in Mushroom Park, ideal for outdoor meals while kids play.
Tasha’s — Chic brunch spot and family favorite right in Sandton City Mall.
Delta Café — Casual with a fun playground right on the edge of Delta Park.
Baja Taco — Mexican food, tequila shots with tajin, and all the fiesta vibes.
Bambanani — Upmarket with a full-on kids zone — dress-up, crafts, and media rooms.
Salvation Café — Outdoor alley seating in Milpark, cozy indoor space for chilly months.
The Wild Side — Fun, funky vibe and delicious cocktails.
Mad Giant — Craft beer, tapas, and live music. Perfect for a Thursday night hang.
Whether you're growing your family through adoption, planning a multigenerational trip, or simply want to experience South Africa with your kids, Johannesburg is packed with unforgettable moments, and I’d love to help you make the most of it.
From safe neighborhoods to kid-approved adventures and stress-free day trips, I’ve personally navigated Jozi with my own family and would be honored to help you do the same. Let me take the guesswork out of your travel plans, whether it’s coordinating airport pickups with car seats, finding that perfect Airbnb near a playground, or building in magical safari memories along the way.
Ready to start planning your Johannesburg adventure? Let’s chat! I specialize in family travel, international adoption journeys, and unforgettable experiences built just for you.
