Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and will play host to the opening match of the tournament, as well as the World Cup Final in July 2010.
The City of Gold has a rich history, and throughout the city there are a number of museums and landmarks that highlight the struggles of the past - including the Nelson Mandela Museum, the Apartheid Museum and Walter Sisulu Square - as well as traditional villages such as the Lesadi Cultural Village which show a traditional side to the city.
The city centre is a bustling metropolis, housing many art galleries, theatres and the Gold Reef Amusement Park. There are a wide variety of shopping malls and restaurants to explore and enjoy, giving you the opportunity to take some time out to relax and shop in between matches.
Outside of the city limits there are many natural attractions to explore within the Cradle Of Humankind, a vast area, located around 50km northwest of Johannesburg that has a number of cave systems, which house impressive rock formations and important fossil sites, which can be reached independently by car or by guided tour.
There are also a number of opportunities to walk on the wild side during your stay in the city. Within the city itself you will find Johannesburg Zoo - located within the Parkview area - which'll cost around 40R for adults and 20R for children - as well as the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens (located around 6km from the city centre) to explore and enjoy.
Drive outside of the city limits and you'll find a number of nature reserves - including the world famous Pilanesberg Nature Reserve and Kruger National Park - giving tourists the opportunity to view some of South Africa's most recognisable creatures - such as springbok, impala and lions - in their natural habitat. The surrounding grasslands can be experienced on the ground and from the air, and there are a wide range of tours available by jeep and hot air balloon.
