Things to Do in President Park

One of Africa’s largest conference, event and exhibition venues, Gallagher Convention Centre (GCC) is conveniently positioned in the rapidly developing investment hub of Gauteng. The dedication to a five star experience is evident from GCC’s facilities through to the service delivered by all levels. GCC security conforms to stringent international security standards and has experience in providing a location for secure events such as the Pan-African Parliament meetings. With five purpose-built single level exhibition venues offering 27 000 square meters of exhibition space, nineteen multipurpose venues and state of the art facilities, GCC also offers conveniently located parking facilities for 10 000 vehicles. Other features include 12 versatile conference and boardrooms, the Gallagher Grill which includes foyers and cocktail bars, a ballroom, an auditorium seating 414 and various tranquil venues for intimate celebrations. An internationally acclaimed team of chefs caters to every taste or cultural requirement, and the kitchens have also been certified by the National Independent Halaal Trust. Technical support services, on-site office requirements, state of the art equipment, video conferencing, satellite and interpretation facilities are available. Together with floral and décor services, GCC is equipped with the experience and expertise to ensure the success of any conference, exhibition or event. +27 (0)11 266 3000

You'll find more than awesome cocktails at this buzzy, trendy spot in Rivonia. The News Café is a high street café and cocktail bar offering a unique, relaxed and entertaining dining experience. It's also very popular as an Internet venue.

Situated in the heart of Sandton, The Blues Room is an upmarket nightclub and restaurant delivering up live blues, jazz, fusion, comedy, and sometimes even rock 'n' roll.

Sandton City is regarded as the most glamorous international standard shopping mall in southern Africa. Here you can be sure to find an ubundance of sophisticated, Afro-cosmopolitan experiences from one-of-a-kind South African artworks to the latest shoes from Milan. There's also a plethora of restaurants, bars and even a hotel. Sandton City is a gourmet melting pot of cultures and countries,hosting international and local shoppers alike. Located in Sandton'sprestigious Central Business District, Sandton City offers an excitingshopping and leisure experience in stunning surroundings.The famous Sandton Square with its statue of Nelson Mandela is adjacent to Sandton City.

This incredibly popular square with its impressive statue of Nelson Mandela is an awesome place to chill between frenetic bouts of shopping. Relax at one of the many surrounding restaurants, enjoy the sunshine, and watch open air performances and the passing traffic of people. The square incorporates a theatre, a library and is attached to the well-known Sandton City Shopping Mall. A must on your trip to Jozi!

Sandton Convention Centre is one of southern Africa’s most technologically advanced, multi-purpose convention venues.The twelve-storey building is designed to provide a range of convention, exhibition, meeting and special event space.Conveniently situated in the hub of Sandton's business, hotel and entertainment district, the centre offers easy access to over 5 000 hotel rooms.It also lies in Gauteng's top shopping and entertainment regions. Parking is never a problem with over 11 000 secure parking bays.

Gauteng's premier entertainment destination, Monte Casino, is a distinctive complex with casino, shops, movies, fun arcades, restaurants, outdoor bird garden, Boogaloos New Generation Skate Park, Pieter Toerien theatre, Parker's Comedy & Jive venue and lots more. Styled just like a Tuscan village, the casino is in the centre with all the shops, restaurants, cinemas and theatres surrounding it.

Shop till you drop, get a bite or catch a show. Be spoilt for choice at Fourways Mall, a large retail shopping centre with cinema complex, supermarket, restaurants offering a unique and exciting shopping experience to the community and tourists alike. Fourways is conveniently situated in the heart of one of Jozi's most prestigious suburbs with easy access to the N1 freeway connecting Johannesburg and Pretoria as well as excellent link ups to Johannesburg International Airport.

Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention Entertainment Resort encompasses a truly world-class experience with a variety of accommodation options, a state-of-the-art convention and exhibition centre, a thrilling and dynamic casino, superb entertainment, endless dining choices and fun-filled children’s activities.Set in the heart of the resort is the dazzling and vibrant casino with 1 724 slot machines and 67 gaming tables offering Blackjack, Roulette and Poker. The gaming experience is both thrilling and manifold with the latest and most innovative gaming fun on offer, from multi-line video high hit jackpots to themed novelty slots, from floor-wide mystery jackpots and progressive slots, all available in a convenient cashless environment played via smart card.Emperors Palace has also become the home of Poker with the beautifully appointed Fortuna Poker Room, dedicated to devotees of Texas Hold ’Em!The jewel of the gaming empire is the epic Palace Court Privé, considered one of the most beautiful in the world, with dedicated services for the ultimate in high limit private gaming.A new Betting World facility in the Entertainment Emporium offers a variety of sports and fixed odds betting options.World class entertainment happens in the 756-seater Theatre of Marcellus. Extensive international and local dance extravaganzas, musicals and plays with an impressive list of performers have graced its stage. The Entertainment Emporium is the Nu Metro movie theatre experience comprising six cinemas with a total of 1250 seats, one of which, The Pantheon boasts 500 seats and is the largest cinema on the African continent. Another two offers spectacular digital technology and a third is a permanent 3D cinema.Wining and dining throughout the resort offers delectable dining choices catering to every taste. A brand new childcare facility, Jupiter’s is managed by qualified and experienced child minders and offers a safe, secure and stimulating environment for younger children. A new games arcade caters for teens (and adults) with the latest video and arcade games. Emperors Palace is the ultimate family destination.

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in Broadacres is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

Hosting numerous electrifying performance and events, the Theatre of Marcellus is a superb multipurpose state of the art theatre. Situated at Emperors Palace adjacent to the casino floor, it is a popular venue for product launches and exclusive banquets. The theatre can accommodate over 900 people in cinema style seating and comfortably accommodates 500 for a banquet. The theatre harks to its namesake in Ancient Rome and features extensive international and local dance extravaganzas, musicals and plays. The impressive list of performers to have graced the stage includes Nataniël, Johnny Clegg, Steve Hofmeyr, Kurt Darren, Barry Hilton and Casper de Vries. Television productions for ‘Jerry Springer’s Saturday Night’, ‘Noot vir Noot’ and ‘Dis Hoe Dit Is’ have been filmed here and international shows ‘Tap Dogs’, ‘Bounce’ and ‘Earth, Wind and Fire’ have featured on the bill.

The Irene Trading Post is more than just a shop – it's an experience! The store specializes in antiques, novelties, art, gifts and various pieces of locally made furniture. The owners only support small entrepreneurs, artists and crafters – offering visitors and the artists an opportunity to connect. Their unusual tea garden aims to inspire and revitalize everyone’s own creative juices. Delicious cakes and light lunches, all home cooked, are on offer. In winter the wood burning stoves are fired up and soups and homemade bread is available. Kids are welcome – the bunnies love being fed. Open 7 days a week from 09:00 – 17:00. www.irenetradingpost.co.za

Wanderers Cricket Stadium, recently renamed BIDVest Wanderers Stadium, is the premier cricketing stadium in South Africa. Topnotch facilities and a seating capacity of 34 000 made it an ideal choice to host the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup Final. In addition, it hosted the ICC World T20 Final, the IPL Final and is one of two venues for the ICC Champions Trophy. Pavilion spectators are permitted to bring cooler boxes – these must be stored below the seats. Spectators on the grass embankment are free to bring in their own food, cold drinks in plastic containers and chairs.

Africa's Greatest Shopping AdventureEastgate Shopping Centre is situated in the suburb of Bedfordview, on a prime site on the major freeway between Johannesburg International Airport and Johannesburg City Centre. Easily accessible from the high way, this super regional shopping centre is home to over 280 stores catering for all tastes and lifestyles. This ultimate shopping destination offers an out of this world retail experience, attracting an abundance of local and international shoppers. In addition to numerous smaller speciality stores, Eastgate is anchored by South Africa’s leading major retailers, including Checkers Hyper, Game, Edgars, Stuttafords and Woolworths.A large Ster Kinekor Cinema complex and a host of restaurants situated in an open air piazza area, make Eastgate the ideal venue of choice for the entire family. Eastgate’s evolution as a trend setting destination continues with the introduction of its high fashion quarter and action wear zone. “Eastgate offers everything for everyone, from popular brands, amazing Friday night entertainment and loads of fun for the entire family”. Eastgate Shopping Centre... Africa’s Greatest Shopping Adventure.

Jozi's best live music and entertainment venue, restaurant and bar is smack in the middle of Bryanston. Kick back to cool tunes and tuck into traditional Argentinean, Italian or homestyle fare. Besides their a la carte menu, they have a variety of set, buffet, and snack menu's. They are fairly flexible with regards to the content of the menu, giving you the freedom to create your own meal. There's so much happening at this vibey spot and the programme changes almost daily. Live performances are mostly from local musicians and stand up comedians. Tanz Café have over 12 years experience in booking all the top South African bands, DJs and stand up comics so you are assured of receiving top quality entertainment from South Africa’s best talent. The Buzz Shopping Centre, corner of Witkoppen and Nerine Roads, Fourways.

Firehouse, Exclusive Gift and Accessories DestinationFirehouse is an exclusive retail destination store for gifts and décor accessories stocking a selection of local and some imported products with a preference for locally produced and organic wares. Bringing to consumers and corporations unique products produced in South Africa. “We adore the talent of our local designers and support the up-liftment and sustainability of previously disadvantaged communities,” says co-owners Roberta Caon and Simona Panayiotou.Caon and Panayiotou have created a space of refined understated elegance filled with home essentials, luxuries, gifts and exclusive art pieces. The atmosphere instils serenity through colour, visual display and warm notes of world music. The visitor feels enticed to meander through the store thrilled by the discovery of each new item and pervaded by the feeling of “must have it, can’t leave without it”.Caon and Panayiotou aim to have fun while doing something that they are passionate about in an honest and fair way.“We believe in building long term relationships with suppliers and clients. We support local enterprise because we love the creativity that is on offer and we believe and encourage self employment and sustainability with respect for our people and our environment. We want to distinguish ourselves as a gift and decor store by offering products of design beauty created with love in our land, through suppliers that cultivate a philosophy of sustainable living and fair trade,” say Caon and Panayiotou.Firehouse offers an experience that the client will remember and share by offering beautiful and exclusive products with incredible customer service, during and after sales. The store is set apart through unique and gorgeous gift wrapping and presentation.The Firehouse team has put together a range of exclusive products and met with most of the product owners in person to establish a relationship and have established the history and culture of the companies with which they are doing business.

Undulating golden grassy hills, vleis and a brilliant blue dam characterise the Rietvlei Nature Reserve. Situated 18 kilometres from the centre of Pretoria, the reserve is an idyllic home to 1 600 head of game – and you can spot them easily from your vehicle.Blesbuck, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, eland, Burchell's zebra, waterbuck, reedbuck, springbuck, mountain reedbuck, steenbuck and grey duiker all roam the open plains.Don’t forget to pack a picnic basket – the Marais Dam is a great place to take a break from driving. There’s a fabulous bird hide, shady spots where you can braai and ablutions. While you munch your boerewors roll you can watch the antics of the hippos and waterbirds. Twitchers are usually delighted by some new bird to tick off at Rietvlei Nature Reserve.And that’s not all – brown hyena, black-backed jackal, ant-bear, aardwolf, porcupine, springhare and bush pig can often be seen on guided night drives. These trips end at the popular Rietvlei Nature Reserve Lapa for a memorable braai under African stars.You can also have amazing encounters with white rhino, cheetah, leopard and buffalo on guided hiking trails and horse riding trails. Day and weekend trails are on offer. Booking is essential for all activities.

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in East Rand is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

Johannesburg Zoo is a top attraction in Parkview, a leafy, upmarket northern suburb in Johannesburg. The zoo is internationally accredited and highly respected for its husbandry practices, which includes maintaining a high standard of animal welfare, nutrition and ethical conduct, ensuring the physical and psychological well- being of all its animals. The zoo was opened in 1904, when a piece of land was donated to the citizens of Johannesburg as a recreational venue. The land came with 10 animals and today the zoo has seven classes of animal life: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and arachnids, amounting to 365 species (1868).The zoo’s animal collection includes charismatic White and Tawny Lion, Cheetah, Puma, Polar Bear, Brown Bear, Ringtailed Lemur, Siamang and Forest Cobra. See also the Spectacled Bear, Snow Leopard and Stripped Hyaena, which are rare in zoos. Endangered species are: Siberian Tiger, Margay, Wild dog, Lowland Gorilla, Sumatran Orang-utan, Red panda, Black and white Ruffed Lemur, Wattled Crane, and Cape vulture. In addition to animals from other parts of the world, there is a large collection of South African animals such as African Hippo, Giraffe, Zebra, Baboons, Meerkat, Honey Badger, Springbok, four of the big five - Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant and Lions and majestic birds such as Secretary Birds and the Bald Ibis. In the walk- through aviary, visitors can almost touch the birds. The zoo’s plant collection consists of public gardens and landscapes plants in animal exhibits, which recreate their natural habitat and indigenous & historical gardens such as Medicinal, Rose and Herb gardens.The zoo also provides Animal Talk and Feeding sessions about Chimpanzees, Vultures, Polar Bears, Wild Dogs and more. These take place every weekend and public holiday from 9h30 and run through out the day. Zoo keepers narrate personal stories of zoo animals, how they live, their relationships, origins and social norms. Children can visit the farm yard where they can see and even touch friendly farm animals such as Nguni and Bapedi Sheep. There are very small to giant breeds such as Shetland pony and Shire horse. Children can also play on the zoo’s play ground gyms.The zoo offers a range of excellent guided tours: Day, Night, Dinner and Behind the Scenes Tours, which allow for splendid experience of seeing, smelling and hearing real animals. Each tour is different and has its own unique features.Day Tours start with everyone getting on a zoo ferry to visit several areas, like the apes, Amazonia, Heart of Africa and the pachyderms. A Tour guide introduces you to the animals by sharing facts and interesting stories and giving some animals a treat. This tour is charged on a sliding scale of R85, R75 and R65 for groups of 15, 20 and 35 sizes. School groups are charged a flat rate of R50.Night Tours allows visitors to see the zoo’s night life explore their world, such as Honey Badger, Owl, Tiger, Lion, Hippo, Civet, Caracal, Margay, Porcupine, Genet, African Wild Cat, Red Panda, Serval, etc. Visitors bring a picnic meal, torches and wear comfortable shoes and get ferried around the zoo on a journey of discovery. The Tour guide explains the nocturnal animals’ natural behaviour as the group sees it happen.After the tour, everyone enjoys their picnic and the zoo provides a hot cuppa and marshmallows to toast around a camp fire. See a different and wonderful life at night. This tour is charged on a sliding scale of R95, R85 and R75 for groups of 15, 20 and 35 sizes. School groups are charged a flat rate of R50.Dinner Tour is an opportunity to enjoy an outdoor meal while listening to the zoo’s night sounds, like the dominant lion Numzaan’s gruff roar. The group visits several camps, similar to camps visited by the night tour. Tour cost R200.Behind the Scenes Tours provide a chance to get close to zoo animals where only Keepers are allowed. The tour visits the zoo kitchen, where animal feed is prepared, the hospital, where veterinary care and a place to recuperate are provided, and night rooms used by animals to relax and shelter from inclement weather. This tour shows the importance of zoos and lets you get closer than ever before. Tours cost R 85.Opening Hours: 8:30 – 17:30 with the last entry at 16:00Admission price: Adults – R50 Children & pensioners – R30

Cafe Barcelona is a dynamic live music and entertainment venue offering restaurant and pub facilities. For over 10 years Cafe Barcelona has supported the music scene embracing famous names as well as unknown bands. Some well-known perfomers include The Parlotones, Karen Zoid, Arno Carstens, Albert Frost, Valiant Swart, Fokofpolisiekar, 16 Stitch, Watershed, Louise Carver, Koos Kombuis, Jan Blohm, Jackhammer and many more.