Johannesburg

This huge entertainment complex is essentially a theme park full of thrill rides, but was designed to recreate Victorian Johannesburg during the gold-rush era. Situated five miles (8km) south of the city centre via the M1 motorway, the park was built around the No.14 Crown mineshaft that began operations in 1887 and closed in 1971. During its production years, 1,400 tons of gold came out of the shaft. Visitors can now descend into the old mine shaft to experience life at the rock face, and watch gold being poured and minted. Gold Reef City also houses a number of museums, and offers performances by traditional gumboot dancers and the like. Youngsters particularly enjoy rides like the Anaconda roller coaster and Thunder Mountain River Rapids. The range of rides ensures that there is plenty for all age groups and a good mixture of the mellow and adrenalin-pumping. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars, a massive casino, and a Victorian hotel for those wanting to stay the night.Gold Reef City is a must for families spending a bit of time in Johannesburg and is also located conveniently close to the Apartheid Museum, creating the ultimate touristic marriage of hard-hitting history and theme-park fun.

Website : www.goldreefcity.co.za

The Johannesburg Zoo is a favourite place for locals to take a stroll. Its numerous enclosures house more than 320 species of animal, including polar bears that can be viewed underwater in their pool. Of course, the Big Five (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo) are all in residence, while other highlights include lemurs, gorillas, caracals, Siberian tigers, hippos, orangutans, brown bears, and cheetahs. The zoo's various monkeys are also very entertaining. Visitors will appreciate the large collection of birdlife, and parents will enjoy treating their kids to the farmyard section's activities. A tractor tram does circuits of the zoo for those who don't fancy walking. Travellers should check the official website below for details on feeding times. The penguins and seals are particularly active during feeds. The zoo is dedicated to conservation and rehabilitation and conducts some breeding programmes. It also hosts some interesting exhibits and events. The Museum of Military History on the zoo's eastern edge has some interesting exhibits like tanks, fighter aircraft, and submarines. Visitors will find many restaurants and food stalls for refreshments.

Address : Jan Smuts Avenue, main public entrance on Upper Park Drive, Parkview

Website : www.jhbzoo.org.za

Situated in the Bojanala region of the North West Province, the 'Las Vegas of South Africa' is one of the largest entertainment centres for adults in the world. Visitors can look forward to casinos, golf courses, live shows, and the architectural wonder of the Lost City. The vast resort complex is one of South Africa's top attractions for gambling, entertainment, and opulence. Guests will find a luxurious palace at its centre, where frescoes, palm fronds, mosaics and elephant tusks complement the resort's life-sized model animals. Lakes, forests, and a tropical beach surround the Lost City. Along with a variety of water sports, guests can enjoy The Valley of the Waves, which is the most advanced waterpark in the country. Among other things, it has a wave machine capable of generating seven-foot (2m) waves. The waterpark's numerous slides and wonderful Lazy River are fabulous fun for the whole family. Buying a day pass for the Lost City waterpark allows visitors to explore the extensive grounds and access the casino.There are a number of Sun International hotels on the property and the resort complex also borders on the Pilanesberg National Park. Home to the Big Five, it is a popular game-viewing destination.

Website : www.suninternational.com