On the edge of downtown Johannesburg, 44 Stanley is a collection of 1930s residential buildings that have been transformed into an urban oasis for creatives. The block is dotted with boutiques, eateries and micro galleries that wouldn’t look out of place in a Melbourne laneway. Pick up a one-of-a-kind poster at Drum Archive, a store that repurposes archival images from the long-running local Drum Magazine into unique keepsakes. Learn about Bean There Coffee Company’s commitment to sustainably sourced organic beans over a single-origin African brew, then rest your feet under the towering trees in the courtyard while live music plays.

Feel the electricity of South African culture with a visit to Vilakazi Street in Soweto, a colourful town nestled southwest of Johannesburg. This lively strip is the only street in the world to have had two Nobel Peace Prize winners as residents – Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and the late Nelson Mandela, whose house is now open to the public. Around the corner is Sakhumzi Restaurant. Go for a Soweto-style buffet featuring dishes such as umngqusho (samp and beans), mogodu (tripe) and dombolo (steamed bread). As you wander through the community, keep an eye out for the Soweto Skeleton Movers, a breakdancing group from the area that now tours internationally.

Situated in the trendy suburb of Rosebank, Marble’s floor-to-ceiling windows offer uninterrupted views of the skyline and Magaliesburg mountains – and the best time to visit is during golden hour, when the sky is tinted in pastel hues. The menu has been designed around a grand wood-fired grill imported from Michigan, with offerings ranging from flame-kissed cuts of premium Ribeye steak to local meats including kudu (a large woodland antelope). There’s also a robust selection of vegetarian options such as charred King oyster mushrooms or broccoli served with dukkah and almond salsa. Ask your waiter for recommendations on which local wines best complement your dish, or elevate your meal with a Margarita infused with rooibos (a herb native to the region).

Just a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Johannesburg’s CBD is Pilanesberg National Park, where lion prides and herds of zebras roam the expansive 550 kilometre-square reserve. While guests can opt for a one-day safari adventure, there are several multi-day offerings available should you wish to linger a little longer in one of three luxury lodges within the park, including the intimate Mbazo Safari Lodge located on the private Black Rhino Game Reserve. Check into one of five exclusive chalets, each with a king-size bed and private veranda, then head to the rooftop at night to hear the distant rustle of elephants moving through the thicket.

Nestled on the Witwatersrand hillside, an escarpment of gold-bearing rock, Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff is fringed by dense trees and neatly manicured hedges – immersing guests in nature without needing to leave the city. The property features nine villas connected by winding cobblestone paths and grand water features that give it a European feel. Food can be enjoyed on the privacy of your sun-drenched veranda or you can venture to the onsite Flames Restaurant for traditional braai-style (barbecue) fare including tender pork belly and harissa spiced chicken. Some of the best views of the neighbourhood can be seen from the light-filled gym, conveniently located next to the pool, which is ideal for cooling down after a workout.

Luke Dale-Roberts is synonymous with South Africa’s culinary scene. The acclaimed British-born chef honed his craft in a string of successful kitchens across South-East Asia while serving as executive chef for the international Accor Hotel Group before settling in South Africa. He’s best known for The Test Kitchen, which was crowned Africa’s best restaurant in 2018 at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards. The fine diner closed its doors in 2021 but you can still savour his culinary creations at several venues, including Johannesburg’s The Shortmarket Club in Rosebank. The eatery combines Dale-Roberts' European techniques with modern Asian flavours. You might begin with Japanese pancakes dressed in yuzu and a burnt honey and soy glaze before moving onto barbecued pork belly with coconut and lemongrass. The Pina Colada-inspired coconut sorbet is an essential for dessert lovers.

Small-batch natural wines take centre stage at Winebar in Kramerville, a 20-minute drive north of the CBD. By day, the warehouse serves as a cafe and roastery for local favourite Father Coffee, and by night, experimental drops such as a pineapple pet nat from Swerwer Wines – a winery in Malmesbury in the Western Cape – are uncorked. Each week the bar puts its own spin on a South African braai, inviting local DJs to keep the barbecue celebration buzzing into the night. There’s also a rotating selection of bar snacks on offer ranging from crisps with charred romesco salsa to cheesy croquettes. If you find a wine you’d like to take home there’s also an onsite bottle shop and a second wine store in Rosebank.

In 2018, eSwatini-born artist Banele Khoza founded BKhz Gallery, a studio space on 21 Keyes Avenue, to display his own work as well as that of other rising South African talents. It has since become a leading gallery in Johannesburg featuring a lineup of local artists, such as Athi-Patra Ruga, whose work is part of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art's permanent collection and has been exhibited internationally. BKhz Gallery also showcases exhibitions from the city’s longest-running annual art fair, FNB Art Joburg.