Pretoria

• Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa and, although it's only 30 miles from Johannesburg, it is much more relaxed. Pretoria has some interesting history as well. It was the headquarters of the apartheid state and the place Nelson Mandela was inaugurated. It is also the home of current president Thabo Mbeki. Pretoria maintains a strong Afrikaans base but most of its culture now comes from the thousands of students who attend university there.
  
  

Freedom Park

• Freedom Park, located in Pretoria, is dedicated to the people killed not only in the Boer Wars and the World Wars but those killed by apartheid as well. In March 2009, people such as Steven Biko, Oliver Tambo and Helen Joseph were chosen to be included in the monument as "liberation struggle heroes." The park features a long wall with names of the people honored, an eternal flame that burns for the unknown fallen and a gallery of photos of the people celebrated there.
  
  

Johannesburg

• Johannesburg, also known as Jo'burg, had been synonymous with racism for most of the 20th century. But behind the flashy news headlines is an economic and cultural city that is worth visiting. Though there is some truth to those stereotypes, and section of Jo'burg are dangerous, a revitalization movement has breathed new life into the city. Among its many attractions are its Apartheid Museum, which chillingly traces the evolution of South Africa's horrific racist legacy. Perhaps the city's biggest attraction is the Montecasino, which is a splashy stab at Tuscan architecture that includes a casino, shops and restaurants.
  
  

Soweto

• Soweto is a township south of Johannesburg designed to house black people during apartheid. Most of the fight over apartheid took place in Soweto. With many shops and restaurants, it is a popular tourist destination that also features the site where the Freedom Charter was written. The Mandela Museum is where the former president used to reside in Johannesburg. It is also home to one of the largest hospitals in Africa. One interesting option is taking a Soweto overnight tour, where you can experience life there firsthand.
  
  

Magaliesberg

• Magaliesberg is stretch of mountains that extend from the southern grasslands to the northern savanna. These mountains provide great hiking opportunities that traverse deep gullies, waterfalls, sharp cliffs and clear streams. It is also a good place to view birds. For those looking for something more adventurous, there are ample opportunities for rock climbing and abseiling. Magaliesberg is easily accessible from Johannesburg and Pretoria and makes for a great weekend getaway.