Blending old and new, the town of Randburg comprises 32 suburbs northwest of Johannesburg, between the towns of Sandton and Roodepoort in Gauteng province. Ferndale on Republic, formerly known as Brightwater Commons, is the area’s main feature, designed as an urban shopping space. Golden Harvest Park in Northwold spans more than 124 acres and includes native bushveld and resident geese. Sparrowhawks zigzag overhead, and you can cast a line or two for bass at the dam in the park. Just east of there, Johannesburg Botanical Gardens sits just south of town, combining more than 30,000 trees, a rose garden spanning seven terraces, and a herb garden with traditional medicinal and cosmetic herbs.

The province of Gauteng has a sunny, subtropical climate. The spring season runs from August to mid-October, and winter (May through July) is a bit cooler. Summer (December through February) is warm, but you may get caught in the odd rain shower or thunderstorm during the afternoon. September brings the Jozi Book Fair, where bibliophiles travel far and wide to attend book launches, author interviews, and forums. Autumn runs from mid-February to April. Although the temperature drops, it is still pleasant, and there are plenty of opportunities for a traditional braai (barbecue) washed down with a local beer. Winter days are warm, but it can get chilly at night. The Randfontein Show in March combines beer gardens, a strongman show, and fairground rides.

Delta Park

One of the largest green spaces in Randburg, Delta Park extends over more than 240 acres of woodland and grassland. There are tree-lined dams, birdwatching hides, and walking trails to explore, as well as a sensory trail that immerses you in the heart of nature. The park is also home to the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary nature preserve and the Delta Environmental Centre, which offer wildlife-related courses for all ages.

Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

This unspoiled green space just south of town in the trendy suburb of Melville, is a World Heritage site thought to be nearly three billion years old. The rocky ridge is a remnant of what Johannesburg’s surrounding hills looked like before gold was discovered there in the late 19th century. Today, the 420-acre reserve is broken into three sections and offers a handful of guided and self-guided hikes, where you can spot hares, hedgehogs, and more than 200 bird species.

Newtown Pillars

In central Johannesburg, these gigantic concrete pillars that hold up the highway have been transformed into ever-evolving artworks by some of the country’s most renowned graffiti artists. Head to Henry Nxumalo Street to take in the latest street art, which has spread onto neighboring walls.