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Johannesburg, South Africa

"Err ... where are the guys with the guns ..."

Unknown

"... They go to Johannesburg, and there they are lost, and no one hears of them at all ..."

"... All roads lead to Johannesburg ..."

Alan Paton, Cry, The Beloved Country

Johannesburg is affectionately known as the "City of gold" or "Egoli" which is a local translation. The city was at the centre of the gold rush during the 1890s and has kept it's rapid pace of growth and frantic lifestyle to this very day. Johannesburg is the busiest city in Africa, notably in finance (when considered as part of Gauteng Province, its ranked as the 3rd largest economy in Africa and the largest metropolitan economy in Africa), it is one of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in in the world and also the worlds largest city not situated close to a water body (river, lake or coastline).

Johannesburg has O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) as its main airport, O.R. Tambo International is the largest and busiest airport in Africa. In the 2010/2011 year it handled about 18.5mil passengers. O.R. Tambo is also home to South Africa's flag carrier airline, South African Airways.

To book the cheapest flight to/from Johannesburg, check the airfare of every airline operating flights between Johannesburg and Nigeria, or simply use our handy online booking tool which compares the airfares by all airlines on the route and gives you the cheapest results.


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Flights from Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport


These are the airlines flying from Lagos International Airport to Johannesburg

Airliner Airports Stops
DIRECT NON-STOP FLIGHTS
Air Nigeria Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) to Lagos (LOS) non-stop
Arik Air Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) to Lagos (LOS) non-stop
South African Airways Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) to Lagos (LOS)
4 weekly flights in Boeing 747-400s
non-stop
CONNECTING FLIGHTS
Egyptair Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) to Lagos (LOS) 1-stop (17 hours)
Cairo (CAI)
Emirates Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) to Lagos (LOS) 1-stop (21 hours)
Dubai (DXB)
Ethiopian Airlines Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) to Lagos (LOS) 1-stop (23 hours)
Addis Ababa (ADD)
Kenya Airways Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) to Lagos (LOS) 1-stop (12 hours)
Nairobi (NBO)
Qatar Airways Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) to Lagos (LOS) 1 stop (23 hours)
Doha (DOH)
Turkish Airlines Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) to Lagos (LOS) 1 stop (34 hours)
Istanbul (IST)

Flights from Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport


These are the airlines flying from Abuja International Airport to Johannesburg

Please note there are no direct flights to Johannesburg operating from Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International, only flights that connect via Lagos Murtala Muhammed International.

Airliner Airports Stops<
Arik Air Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) to Abuja (ABV) 1 stop (13 hours)
Lagos(LOS)
Ethiopian Airlines Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (JNB) to Abuja (ABV) 1-stop (23 hours)
Addis Ababa (ADD)

Shortest flight path between Nigeria and Johannesburg


Below follows a map with the lowest flight path between Lagos and Johannesburg

flight path between Lagos and Johannesburg

The distance between Lagos and Johannesburg is some 4511 km


Map of Johannesburg



View Larger Map


Things to do in Johannesburg


What most people think when they first disembark in Johannesburg is "Err ... so where are the guys with the guns ?" Johannesburg is well known throughout the world and has a fearsome reputation for violent killings and armed robberies, but in reality it's not too frightening. Signs of the violence are the bricked up walls that hide the Sandton homes. The walls are accompanied by electric fences and razor wire as well as signs that boldly read "armed response"

Johannesburg is a true representation of the South African spirit and on your visit to South Africa make sure that you visit. Mine dumps are a hop away and a hop away from the mine dumps are the fruits of the gold which they produce - shiny modern skyscrapers in between 19th century architecture in the midst of Indian bazaars and muthi shops (where the traditional healers dispense medicine as well as advice on love,life and everything else).

Here is our list of the top things to do in Johannesburg


Mrs Ples and Little Foot

Located at the Sterkfontein Caves which lie at the Cradle of Human Kind (a world heritage site), Maropeng. These are our earliest "ancestors" and the basis of much research into South Africa. Also make a turn at the Origins Centre at Wits University, there you will revel in ancient rock art, cultures and history of the Khoisan and get insight into the origins of humankind.




King's of the Jungle

Grab an opportunity to pet the baby lion cubs at the Rhino and Lion park. Also make sure that you visit the Elephant Sanctuary which is located close to the Hartebeespoort Dam.

Some of the baby cubs at the Lion Park.

Soweto

This iconic township lies at the heart of the South African anti-apartheid struggle and is one of the most well known places in South Africa. One can choose a number of tours (cycle, drive, walk). Visit the Hector Petersen Memorial and Museum. Eat a grilled sheep's head which is known locally as a "smiley". Bungee jump off the Orlando Towers or eat at Wandie's restuarant in Soweto. Soweto is one place not to miss and a day is not enough time to see all it has to offer.


Apartheid History

Visit the Apartheid Musuem which will allow you to enter the former 'whites' or 'non-whites' entrance. Constitutional Hill is also a sight not too miss. It is where the Old Fort Prison Complex used to be and both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela were once detained there.


Carlton Centre

The Carlton Centre holds the title of the tallest building in Africa. You can witness and enjoy magnificent views of the Joburg Metro.


Gold Reef City

True to its name, this park is actually built on the site of an old gold mine. One of the rides allows you to be plunged below ground into a mine-shaft.


Shopping, Shopping

A shopping trip to Sandton is truly world class and can easily be compared to New York, Paris or Dubai shopping trips.

Sandton City Shopping district

View of Sandton City (a bit like New York don't you think ?)



Sport

Between Ellis Park, The Wanderers and Soccer City there is enough to satisfy most sporting enthusiasts. There are a number of sporting activities with the Soweto Derby between the two biggest SA football clubs, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, standing out as a true sporting experience.

The legendary derby

The Soweto derby always pulls in record numbers of fans.



General Info : Crime, Culture, Climate, Economy



Crime

Johannesburg is a fearsome city and although crime is not very visible it is everywhere. Key Areas that have significant crime statistics are : Alexandra (Alex), Berea, Booysens, Bramley, Brixton, The CBD district, Hillbrow, Jeppe, Rosebank and Yeoville. Please note this list only reflects some problematic areas, one should always be careful and alert. If you rent a car watch out for hijackings and take note of hijack hot spots. At nightime be cautious of traffic lights as well-organised crime gangs operate there. Muggings and carjackings are also frequent in the CBD.


Culture

Johannesburg is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with many attractions. It is filled with many, many people and is fast-paced. Johannesburg people and culture can be compared to those of New York or London. In fact Johannesburg is a sister city of New York and shares many similarities to it. For example in Johannesburg when people flash their indicator lights to show they are about to cross-lanes instead of waiting for a space to open up or a courteous driver to allow them some room they will rather indicate and without hesitation cross-in to the lane, such is the fast-paced nature of Johannesburg. Take a walk along 4th Avenue in Parkhurst, the streets of Greenside, Melville or Norwood to experience the culture first hand.


Economy

Johannesburg is a big industrial, metropolitan city. It contributes over a third of South Africa's GDP and 11% of Africa's GDP. I think these facts speak for themselves.

Views of Johannesburg's cbd

A view of Johannesburg's CBD



Transport

Johannesburg has a extensive transport system that will link you to all major South African cities as well as the rest of the world. O.R. Tambo International Airport is the biggest airport in Africa and also one of the busiest in the world. By Bus one can catch the BRT (bus rapid transport ) buses to most of Johannesburg. They offer speedy comfortable rides and have wheelcahir assistance. If one is looking to travel to other parts of the country then You can also get on a number of inter-city busses. The Gautrain is a marvel of South Africa and offers speedy rides to Sandton, the airport and other parts of Johannesburg. The metro train service also provides excellent inter-city transportation. If you looking to do long distance travel then there are train services to Durban and Cape Town.


Climate and Geography



Johannesburg is the largest man made forest in the world. It boasts over 10million trees. Most of the trees date back to the 19th century, when they were planted to provide wood for the mining industry. In terms of weather Johannesburg is not too bad. There are wet warm summers and dry cold winters. Johannesburg is also well known for it's electric storms that are common place in Summer.

Johannesburg during sunset

The sun setting over Johannesburg

Resources
South Africa's official tourism website
South Africa's page on Wikipedia
Official Portal of the South African Government
South Africa official gateway
Cheap flights, car rentals, hotels, cruises and ballooning


News


17 May 2012

Air Nigeria, the reincarnation of Virgin Nigeria, recommences flights between Joburg and Lagos.

8 Mar 2012

The SA Government apologises to its Nigerian counterparts for deporting 125 Nigerian nationals, accused of trying to enter the country with fake yellow fever certificates.

6 Mar 2012

In an apparent tit-for-tat, Nigerian officials deport 56 South Africans who arrived at Lagos' Murtala Mohammed International Airport onboard SAA's SA 061 flight from Johannesburg. Nigeria believes that South Africa's requirement for yellow fever vaccination documents is unnecessary.

Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, said that "This is the first time in all my career in the foreign service where a supposedly friendly country would send 125 Nigerians back home on the flimsy excuse that they are carrying fake yellow cards (vaccination against yellow fever). Even if those deportees were actually carrying fake yellow cards, the worst the South African authorities could have done was to have quarantined them and given them the necessary inoculation". Ashiru added that "Nigeria would react in a matured and calculated way to this assault on our people. We will deliberately show that we mean business."

And in an ominous warning for South African companies doing business in Nigeria, Arishu added that the administration would look into the activities of SA corporates operating in Nigeria, saying that they are bringing half-baked graduates into Nigeria to occupy positions which could be filled by Nigerian citizens.

5 Mar 2012

Arik resumes flights between Lagos and Johannesburg

2 Mar 2012

Arik Air Nigeria - Joburg flights are suspended as a result of 125 passengers being denied entry into South Africa as a result of not having yellow fever innoculations. Arik Air resumes flights on the 5th March 2012.


View of Joburg from Carlton Centre

Johannesburg metro stretches into the distance from atop the Carlton centre.