Topic Wiki

Cape Town

Trip Reports
CbsLink
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UPDATED: Kosher Info from Beth Din in Cape Town (last updated Dec. 2020) http://www.uos.co.za/kashrut/ct_kosher.asp

Kashrus Note According to link above, all meat is glatt however milk is NOT Chalav Israel.

Restaurants

NameTypeHoursContactLocation & Description
Avron's Place (Sea Point)
Meat
S – T: 11am – 3pm; 5pm – 10pm; F: 11am – 2:30pm
+27 (0)21 439 7610 Link
19 – 33 Regent Road - Oldest kosher meat restaurant in SA. The humbly adorned, family-friendly eatery, serves a wide variety of dishes, including beef ribs, burgers, mixed grills, boerewors, Cape lamb curry, vegetarian platters, pastas and sushi. Prices rather reasonable. On Tuesdays there's a special on its beef burger and chips (R49 instead of the usual R59). Offers takeaways and catering and packed Shabbat meals for visitors. For the Sephardim the meat is Bet Yosef. But check to make sure.
The Press (Sea Point)
Meat
S – T: noon – late; F: 11am – 3pm; Sat: 1 hour after Shabbat till late
+27 (0)21 434 7724 Website
176 Main Road - Restaurant and Bar (many craft beers on tap).
Coffee Time (Gardens)
Milk
M – T: 8am – 3:30pm; F: 8am – 3pm
+27 (0)21 461 8414
20 Breda Street - Set in an old house in a lush, garden environment. Lawn seating with views of Table Mountain. Breakfast, brunch or lunch. Menu includes scrambled egg, salmon and humus wrap, fish bobotie with homemade chutney, tuna lasagne, sandwich, salad, quiche or smoothie. Early-morning special between 8am and 11am (a combo of two eggs, grilled tomato and mushrooms goes for R25) and also serves a delicious, and incredibly popular, buffet lunch every Wednesday between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Gluten-free and sugar-free options. Offers catering. Proceeds support the Astra Centre.
Café Riteve (Gardens)
Milk
S – T: 8:30am – 5pm; F: 8:30am – 3pm
+27 (0)21 465 1594
Website
88 Hatfield Street - Located on a piazza that’s part of the same centre as the historical Gardens Shul, the South African Jewish Museum, the Cape Town Holocaust Centre and the Jacob Gitlin Library. Large and varied menu includes three-egg omelette, sushi salad, grilled hake, falafel with dukkah wedges and humus, tuna and mushroom cannelloni, smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich and chocolate ganache-filled croissant. Also sells range of shakes and juices as well as kosher wine and liquors. Offers catering, takeaways, no delivery. They had some CY, just ask. The earlier you go the more likely the have.
Goldies Deli and Diner (Sea Point)
Meat & Pareve
S – T: 8:30am – 8pm; F: 8:30am – 4:30pm
+27 (0)21 439 3008
Link
174 Main Road - Meat and parev deli and bakery - next door and connected to The Press. Menu include burgers, steak rolls, schwarmas, bagels, salads, fish cakes, breakfast plates and more. Specials every Wednesday and Friday (deals like a three-course meal for four for R120). Delivery is free in Sea Point. Bakery treats include carrot cake, cinnamon twists, chocolate brownies, doughnuts, cupcakes, apple crumble, croissants and teiglach. Offers Shabbat meal orders.
Café B'tayavon @ Highlands House
Milk
021 461 1100
9 Gorge Rd, Highlands Estate - Snacks and Light Meals
Jean's Kitchen @ The Kaplan Centre
Milk
021 650 3064 info@jeanskitchen.co.za
The Kaplan Centre - University of Cape Town - Tea, coffee,
sandwiches, gourmet salads, falafel etc
Baskin Robbins @ Mojo Market (Sea Point)
Note: This is the only kosher B & R
All ice creams, ice cream cones, milkshakes and waffles are Kosher, milchik.
The following topping ONLY are kosher: Crushed Almonds, Crushed Cashews, Fudge, Mini Astros, Mint Crunch
NB: Cakes are NOT KOSHER

Bakeries, Groceries & Ice Cream
Checkers Sea Point- 76 Regent Road - They have a large selection of kosher products including a kosher take out and bakery.
Spar Sea Point - 96 Regent Road - They have a large selection of kosher products including a kosher take out and bakery.

Shuls
Sea point is the main Jewish area.
Green and Sea Point Hebrew Congregation (Marais Road Shul)
Chabad


Hotels with Points near a Shul (Walking Minutes)
Protea Sea Point

Airport Transfer Options
Cab -
Executive Bus -
Public Bus -
Train -

Major Activities
Name
Cost
Distance from CPT
Description and Notes
Boulders Beach
R17035 min• "I found that there were two different entrances, boardwalk and beach. The boardwalk has a higher density of penguins but if you want a better experience, I recommend visiting the beach side- especially at low tide. Because of the tide I was able to walk past the few dozen folks on the beach, climb under and over some boulders, and encounter effectively a different private beach- with penguins!!"
• For budget travelers, take the train to Simonstown and from there a cab to Boulders beach - R20.
Betty’s Bay
1.25 hoursAlso features African Penguins though less crowded than Boulders beach, though further.
Chapman's Peak Drive
R45/car45 min• Beautiful scenery, you have the mountain on one side and the ocean on the other side, great pics, great to make a BBQ come during daylight hours.
NOTE: You need Rand or an SA issued card to pay for the Chapman's Peak toll.
Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point
R360/pp1.5 hours• LONG but AMAZING drive
• almost a full day activity
Lions Head
• Hike - not difficult
• Paragliding - around $85 (prices might be outdated). Book ahead
Robben Island
Tours depart three times a day and take about 3.5 hours, consisting of a ferry trip to and from the island, and a tour of the various historical sites on the island that form part of the Robben Island Museum. These include the island graveyard, the disused lime quarry, Robert Sobukwe's house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers, and the maximum security prison. Nelson Mandela's cell is shown. Reviews are mixed
Table Mountain (Cable car or hike)
~R350• Follow on Twitter for updates on if open or closed
• Cableway costs ~R350 rand pp - depends if morning or afternoon
• Can repel down
• 895 rand pp (prices might be outdated)
• repel for like 15 mins
• hike back up is 25 mins
• Closes 6pm
• BOOK IN ADVANCE
Signal Hill
Go there for a sunset with bit more a "local" flavor. Views aren't great compared to Lion's Head and can be quite crowded at sunset.
V & A Waterfront
The Garden Route
long scenic drive

Kirstenbosch Gardens
Shark Diving
$88 +$34 for video (prices might be outdated)2 hoursCan do in Gansbaii. Links:1, 2, 3

Sandboarding
Bring goggles!
Skydiving
$170 (prices might be outdated)
Cheaper
Quad Biking (ATVs)

Hout Bay market

Kayaking at Hout Bay
Link
Amazing experience. Views may very but can often see Heaviside dolphins jumping right in front of you
Cheetah Outreach
Where you can go and pet cheetahs and other animals super cool. Website

Aquila Private Game Reserve

2 hoursPricey but quality accommodations for overnight stays. Good for people who aren't leaving Cape Town area but want to see wildlife. Some dismiss as a "glorified zoo"
Cango Wildlife Ranch

5 hours


Winelands
[Likely way more then listed but those are the few I remember]
(Might be worthwhile to make a trip to the winelands, even if one does not enjoy wine, for the scenery. Only about an hour or two from CPT)
  • Franschoek
  • Kleine Dracken - Kosher
  • Backsberg - Kosher

Johannesburg

Trip Reports
CbsLink
MarkusLink
YaaliliLink
Yehuda57Link
Ponash123Link
YehoshuaLink

Restaurants
http://www.uos.co.za/kashrut/restaurants.asp

http://yeahthatskosher.com/2013/04/kosher-restaurants-travel-advice-for-johannesburg-south-africa-joberg/

Map of Kosher Johannesburg

NameTypeContactLocation & Description
Corner Cafe (Glenhazel)
Milk
+27 11 440-3160 Link
Corner of Queens square and cross road in Glenhazel. Corner Café is the best place to go (or maybe the only) for kosher gluten free muffins. I’m told they’re very good. They also have great breakfasts and pastas, but I usually stick with a toasted cheese and chips.
Dee-Jays (Sandton)
Milk
+27 11 883-2265 Link
Morningview Shopping Centre, 100 South Road, 2196 - Dee-Jays provides casual dairy food that is perfect for a breakfast out with the family. Their fishballs are really good and if you need a cake in the Sandton area, they’re the place to go.
Market Cafe (Norood Mall)
Milk
Cholov Yisroel cafe
KosherWorld, Mi Vami Kosher and Chop N Wok (Glenhazel)
+27 11 440 1402 Website
1 Long Avenue, Johannesburg, 2192
Gelatisimo (Glenhazel)
Across the road from Kosher World, authentic Italian gelato. Chalav Yisroel. Absolutely fantastic.
Michelos (Glenhazel)
Milk
+27 11 885-1500 Link
17 Northfield Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Michelos is the second best pizza restaurant. They are very centrally located (in the Jewish area of Glenhazel) and their food is nice. Never go there the night after Pesach because you’ll wait hours but most other times are good, plus they serve chalav yisrael.
Nandos Kosher (Savoy)
Meat
+27 11 885-1496 Website
553 Louis Botha Ave, Savoy, Johannesburg, 2090, South Africa - Nandos is a large chain of Portuguese chicken restaurants, but there is only one kosher Nandos in South Africa, so be aware that you can’t step into any of them! They serve top notch chicken but be sure to also try their beef burger (and order extra sauce).
Next Door "Non-CY" (Norwood)
Milk
+27 11 728-2577 Link
80 Grant Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Next Door is rated as a top restaurant in Johannesburg, kosher and not, so you know it must be pretty good. It is usually full so booking is highly recommended. While their sushi may not be top class, their pizzas certainly are and, if you’re around in Summer, definitely try their fish braai (barbeque in South African).
Pie Works (Sandringham)
+27 11 485 2447 Website
74 George Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Their pies (clearly) are the best kosher pies in the country and are perfect if you want to buy some to take home and reheat. Their burgers are delicious and the have a milk side with pizza that is really good. They’re situated on what is known as the Kosher Strip, so any Jew will be able to direct you.
RTG "Ready to Go" (Norwood)
A fast food place next door to ... Next Door. While they do offer steak and a Chinese menu, the focus is their extensive burger and hot dog menu.
The Deli Store (Sandton)
011-656-3142 / 4915  info@thedelistore.co.za, http://thedelistore.co.za/menus/main-menu/
Shop 52, (opposite Woolworths) Morning Glen Shopping Mall Cnr Bowling & Kelvin Road Gallo Manor - Reviewed in CBS's TR, as having excellent food for very low prices. According to Google is "Permanently Closed".
So Sushi (Glenhazel)
Jozi Blue (Glenhazel)
Milk
They have some items Cholov Yisroel, which they will serve on disposables on request


Bakeries, Groceries & Ice Cream
Kosher World - http://www.kosherworld.co.za/

Shuls

Hotels with Points near a Shul (Walking Minutes)

Airport Transfer Options
Cab - Uber
Executive Bus - Shuttle from HLA airport to anywhere in Sandton for R80 per person.
Public Bus -
Train - Gautrain from JNB airport is R135-155 depending on destination. Must purchase gold card before for R13.

Major Activities
Apartheid Museum
Flea Market
Gold Reef City - amusement park, along with other African themed attractions (tribal dancing, old "gold mine tour")
Lion Park - see lions from your car up close, pet lion cubs.
Monte Casino - Casino and shopping mall, with cool "outdoor" Tuscan style
Soweto Tour
Pilanesberg Safari- If you can't make it to Kruger for malaria, time or other concerns,  this is a much smaller park with less wildlife, and not as good of an experience, but definitely well worth it. About 2 hours out of Joburg, it can be done in your own vehicle, but will be a lot better with a guided game drive.
Sun City Right outside of Pilansberg
Elephant & Monkey Sanctuary- About an hour out of Joburg. Get close to elephants, touch, feed and ride them. The monkey sanctuary has a massive enclosure with hundreds of various monkeys and lemurs. No feeding or touching, unless one jumps on you. If you do go to Pilansberg, this can be done on the way.

Kruger National Park

Trip Reports
CbsLink
shmebebleLink
txtmax4Link
Jomaster28Link


Tour Options

Major Activities

Near Kruger:

The Panoramic Route includes a half dozen waterfalls; Lisbon, Horseshoe, Bridal Vail, Mac Mac, Sabie and others; The Potholes, G-d's Window, Wonder View, The Pinnacle, The Three Rondawels and views of the stunning Blyde River Canyon (third largest canyon in the world).

AJK SA trip route planning - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=33867.msg669659#msg669659

« Last edited by mendelk on February 20, 2022, 11:02:13 PM »

Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread  (Read 467208 times)

Offline moko

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1180 on: March 09, 2018, 03:18:06 PM »
If this case is as I understand it, it could happen anywhere. My understanding is that it was caught right away and was dealt with immediately. If my Mashgiach had his back turned and then turned around to discover they tried sneaking in non kosher product, I would also probably terminate hashgacha even if the product was never used.
We had a story in Boston where a Mashgiach called in sick and the proprietor called to notify us at 9am. I told him I'm on my way to open for him and would find a replacement for that day. I got there a half hour later to find he broke the seals on the walk-ins and cooking equipment and had started to prepare to cook. We took the teudah off and asked if he wanted to discuss how to move forward the next day. He started getting mad and that was the end of his hashgacha.

Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1181 on: March 10, 2018, 02:19:07 PM »
The Beis Din consists of very qualified and well-respected choshove dayanim, and as you wrote: "The Kashrus department has always impressed observers from outside hechsherim." -- That particularly pertains to the shechita under the Beis Din - which I agree, it is the best operation in the world.  However, they have issues to fix -- and in South Africa, it's a challenge, and I hope they will be able to fix everything without getting Zumafied.
Says who?
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Online Yehuda57

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1182 on: March 10, 2018, 09:02:19 PM »
Says who?
I don't know that it is the best in the world, or even close, but there are rabonim who have been brought down to inspect the shechita who now make a point of eating mehadrin commission meat from South Africa wherever available.

Offline Dawie

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1183 on: March 10, 2018, 10:19:01 PM »

Offline Sh18

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1184 on: March 14, 2018, 09:37:15 AM »
I’m going to Africa next week and from my reasrch it seems like that down south the animals are more  Condense at this time of the year so I think I’m gonna be staying in hazyview for three days any recommendations which gate to go in from ?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1185 on: March 14, 2018, 10:07:48 AM »
I’m going to Africa next week and from my reasrch it seems like that down south the animals are more  Condense at this time of the year so I think I’m gonna be staying in hazyview for three days any recommendations which gate to go in from ?
More info needed. Which gate where?

Offline Dawie

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1186 on: March 14, 2018, 10:22:44 AM »
More info needed. Which gate where?
Hazyview = Krugerpark
the answer would be Numbi or Kruger

Offline Saulius

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1187 on: March 14, 2018, 10:52:03 AM »
Hazyview = Krugerpark
the answer would be Numbi or Kruger

Phabeni would be the closest.

Offline Sh18

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1188 on: March 14, 2018, 11:00:10 AM »
Is there any difference which gate I go in from. Also any specific recommendations about self driving. Since I’m traveling with my son I planned on doing Kruger self drive in a closed vehicle (doctors recommendations) and the following week in Pilanesberg in a open vehicle. Any thought on this ?

Online Yehuda57

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1189 on: March 14, 2018, 11:41:11 AM »


Is there any difference which gate I go in from. Also any specific recommendations about self driving. Since I’m traveling with my son I planned on doing Kruger self drive in a closed vehicle (doctors recommendations) and the following week in Pilanesberg in a open vehicle. Any thought on this ?

Doing pilansberg after Kruger is like eating a cube of overcooked beef stew after a filet mignon.

Not sure how much time you are spending in pilansberg, but 3 days in Kruger, plus extra in pilansberg is probably overkill. Maybe use some of the time in hazyview to see the views and waterfalls on the panoramic route.

As for the gate of entry, I don't think it makes much of a difference. I'd probably just go for the closest gate to your hotel, and drive as far as you can. Say, enter through numbi and exit at Kruger.

Offline Sh18

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1190 on: March 14, 2018, 01:09:30 PM »
I’m looking into Pilanesberg for the open Safari your experience some our doctor told us not to take our son in a open car in Kruger (malaria). We do plan on doing the panoramic drive and blyde canyon on the way to Kruger.

Offline gsquared

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1191 on: March 19, 2018, 03:20:26 PM »
i trust you will be taking anti-malaria meds in Kruger. There is no way that keeping the windows closed will do much especially since mossies mainly come out at dawn and dusk.

Offline Sh18

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1192 on: March 26, 2018, 12:32:50 PM »

Offline Dawie

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1193 on: March 26, 2018, 12:36:00 PM »

Offline mijo

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1194 on: March 27, 2018, 05:49:35 AM »
Where would you stay? Somewhere farther away?

Radisson Blu le Vendome is almost always cheaper. Quieter, great lobby, bars, business center, staff know about Shabbat, free parking (Protea has limited pay), closer to the beach, actual sea view (Protea is partial), much more attentive staff

The above is based on being in Sea Point almost once a month

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1195 on: March 27, 2018, 09:03:39 AM »
Radisson Blu le Vendome is almost always cheaper. Quieter, great lobby, bars, business center, staff know about Shabbat, free parking (Protea has limited pay), closer to the beach, actual sea view (Protea is partial), much more attentive staff

The above is based on being in Sea Point almost once a month
Nice, that was my first choice too, but I had Marriott points and none for Radisson. Only downside is it's slightly farther from Morasha, but during nice weather it's no big deal.

Offline Wizmanison

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1196 on: May 27, 2018, 02:04:26 AM »
Hello! So I booked flights to South Africa on SA Airways earlier this week that leaves June 5th, which only leaves me with so much time to plan. I read through every TR, this entire thread, and countless other blogs and forums, as well as speaking to several people who have visited or live in SA and came up with this preliminary itinerary. I thought it would be easier to put it in a Calendar and post a picture of it but if not I would gladly type it up and send that in instead.



As time of posting this, absolutely nothing is booked except for my flight from LAX-JFK and JFK-JNB. 

I was hoping to get peoples advice before proceeding with any bookings! I also had a list of questions or ideas that I would like to hear peoples thoughts on. Appreciate all those that contributed to this thread already and I hope to add more with my TR and information I compiled from my readings!

- I understand that the general advice is to use T-Mobile for service in SA but since my provider is AT&T how should I go about it?

- Arriving in JNB on Wednesday. Since there is not much to do in JNB I thought it might be best to see VF and return to JNB for shabbat.
    - Could not find any availability on BA…So I guess redeeming through the UR portal/cash is my only option?
    - which side should I land on/leave from?
    - will I be able to do Chobe, visit both sides, and what other activities can/should I do?

- Seems there is not much to do in JNB besides restaurants and Lion Park… Am I missing something?
    - Has anyone stayed at the Genesis - all suite- hotel?

- What is the drive from JNB to Kruger like if I wanted to do the panoramic route?
    - How long will it take? Will I need to stop off somewhere?
    - Might not be worth it to pay for Safari if I intend to do panoramic route as it would take up nearly all day not allowing me to take advantage of game drives… Perhaps I should spend the night in a hotel near the reserve and then go in the morning

- Will likely book the Motswari Game Reserve as they have good reviews, someone from DDF said they enjoyed it, and I can use UR for the stay!
    - It’s around 47k UR a night ($715 but with 1.5 it comes out to that). But, it comes out to like $500 a night on other sites, not through the chase portal :(.

- Considering spending 3 nights at this reserve and then self driving Kruger on the 4th day, while staying at a random or Protea hotel or perhaps a camp inside the park. Or is 3 nights on the reserve enough?

-  I would then take a flight to either CPT or fly to George or Port Elizabeth and drive the scenic route to CPT.
    - Any thoughts or advice on the drive or is it skippable?

- I would spend shabbat  and then a day or two after that trying to go through the seemingly endless list of things to do/see in CPT.

- And then fly to either Seychelles or Mauritius for 3/4 days
    - Any advice on which is better?! As well as what to do or where to stay?

- Considering extending this trip and flying somewhere else for like a 4-5 day period after SEZ/MRU to either Israel, some part of Europe, or anywhere else someone can convince me to visit!
« Last Edit: May 27, 2018, 03:17:05 AM by Wizmanison »

Offline yitzyul

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1197 on: May 27, 2018, 02:45:13 AM »
1) SIm cards and airtime are very cheap I would just purchase one at the Airport. If dts is important such as gps then Tmobile is worthless there
2) No difference which side you fly. I would recommend flying to one and leaving from the other. I walked the falls on both sides in 1/2 day. hotels are better in Zim and stay one close to falls so you can walk everywhere. Make sure to buy the unlimited visa so you can go back and forth.

Offline Yaalili

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1198 on: May 27, 2018, 07:43:12 AM »
In JNB you also have Soweto, fun for few hours.

Offline Saulius

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Re: South Africa Master Thread
« Reply #1199 on: May 27, 2018, 10:10:24 AM »
In JNB you also have Soweto, fun for few hours.

Why schlep to Soweto, one can do a tour of Hillbrow, CBD (Central Business District), and Alexandra Township.

Also, worth a visit is the Museum of Military History, situated next to the Johannesburg Zoo. Lots of WW I and II fighter planes,
like the only surviving Me 262B-1 Night fighter (Nachtjäger) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_National_Museum_of_Military_History

SAB World of Beer tour with Beer Tasting: http://www.worldofbeer.co.za/pages/visit

Also, there is the Kromdraai Gold Mine and the Sterkfontein Caves.