South Africa: Johannesburg & Gold Reef Map

The ‘Gold Reef’ area refers to Johannesburg and the area of the Highveld where mining is the main industry. The prosperity of the area is arguably entirely due to its mineral wealth – not only gold but also iron, coal, tin, platinum, zinc, titanium and vanadium are mined here.

Johannesburg (or Jozi to its affectionate residents) is South Africa’s richest and most happening city, alive with an urban beat that never ceases. Although very crime-ridden and marked by massive economic inequality, the city is an historical and cultural as well as a literal goldmine and has a frenetic commercial and social atmosphere to which glitterati and the upwardly mobile are almost magnetically drawn.

Johannesburg is also the air transport hub of South Africa. Attractions surround it. Only two hours away is Sun City, a kitsch and glamorous gambling resort designed and owned by billionaire Sol Kerzner, with its Gary Player golf course and Palace Hotel. The world-famous Kruger National Park is four hours’ drive away, home to the Big Five (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo).