Johannesburg Attractions – Parks and Gardens
Although nearly all of the city center of Johannesburg is filled with high-rise buildings and space is at a premium, first impressions are deceptive. The city council administers more than 600 parks and open spaces, most of which are dotted around the suburbs.
Braamfontein Spruit Trail
Visitors can also explore Greater Johannesburg’s remaining streams and ridges on a number of self-guided walking trails. Detailed trail brochures marking sites of historical, archaeological and elogical interest are available from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Tourism Association. Many city parks are linked by the Braamfontein Spruit Trail which meanders through central Johhanesburg, Randburg and Sandton to the Klein Jukskei River. The trail is a distance of about 25km, almost without touching concrete.
Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary, Delta Park
The largest park along the Braamfontein Spruit Trail is the 100 hectare Delta Park which contains the lovely Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary. Both dams here are rich with birdlife, you can watch from several specially constructed hides.
Randlords Heritage Trail
Another trail which is Randlords Heritage Trail where you can admire some of the grand homes built from the original Gold Rush pioneers.
Melrose Bird Sanctuary, James and Ethel Gray Park
Melrose Bird Sanctuary in the suburb of Melrose includes a dam surrounded by extensive reed beds, providing nests for a large variety of weaver birds. It is part of the James and Ethel Gray Park, a 10 minute drive from the center of town.
Johannesburg Zoological Gardens, Herman Eckstein Park
More than 3000 mammals, birds and reptiles where 30 of them are on the endangered list, are housed at the Johannesburg Zoological Gardens inside the Herman Eckstein Park in Saxonwold. There are enclosures for big cats, elephants, giraffes and large apes, guarded only by moats and free of iron bars. Across Jan Smuts Avenue at popular Zoo Lake, also in the park, there are rowing boats for hire, a restaurant and children’s playgrounds.
Johannesburg Botanical Garden
For a peaceful stroll away from the noise and dirt of the city, try the Johannesburg Botanical Garden in Thomas Bowler Street, Roosevelt Park Extension which is a half an hour drive from the city center on the banks of Emmarentia Dam. This tranquil spot covers 148 hectares and contains a rose garden, a bonsai garden, pools, fountains and oaks. The dam itself is a pleasant stretch of water, popular with windsurfers and sailors.