Things to do in Gauteng

Gauteng is South Africa's smallest province and its busiest. Johannesburg runs the economy. Pretoria, forty minutes north by Gautrain, runs the government instead.

Two capitals and what lies between them

• Pretoria. Jacaranda-lined avenues and the Union Buildings, about forty minutes from Johannesburg by train or road.
• Cradle of Humankind. Sterkfontein Caves and fossil sites, under an hour northwest of Johannesburg.
• Magaliesberg and Hartbeespoort. The mountain range and dam most day trips north of the city head toward.
• Dinokeng. The province's own Big Five reserve, near Hammanskraal, about an hour and a half from Johannesburg.

What sets the province apart from its cities

Beyond the two cities, Gauteng keeps a slice of the bush most visitors don't expect this close to a capital. Dinokeng, an hour and a half from Johannesburg, is the province's only free-roaming Big Five reserve. You can drive yourself through it.

Hot air balloons lift off over the Magaliesberg on calm mornings. Wind cancels some flights. Walk-with-lions and elephant encounters near the city are captive, not wild, worth knowing going in.

Pilanesberg, the full safari day both the city and the province sell, actually lies just over the line in North West. It's worth knowing before booking either.

Practical

• Weather. Same highveld pattern as Johannesburg: warm, stormy summers (20-27C, October-March) and dry, sunny winters (4-20C, May-August), with cool nights year-round thanks to the altitude.
• Getting around. A car is the practical choice for reaching Dinokeng, the Cradle or Pilanesberg; none of them sit on a rail line.
• What to book ahead. Hot air balloon flights depend on calm morning weather and fill fast on weekends, so book with a backup day in mind.
• Money. Cards work at every lodge and reserve gate; carry a little cash for park entry and tips.