Greenlea Guest House and Conference Centre

Shopping

There are various shopping malls in the immediate and wider surrounds of Irene. Each has its own charm and offers high street shopping in one building and varies from chain stores to upmarket clothing and other speciality goods shops. These malls also have excellent restaurants with local and international cooking to chose from.

Shopping malls within easy reach of Greenlea Guest House are:

•Irene Village Mall
•Centurion Mall
•Menlyn Shopping Centre
•Sandton Shopping Centre
Restaurants

There are various options to chose from when it comes to fine dining or a quick dinner out in the area in and around Greenlea. Within walking distance from Greenlea, there is a working dairy farm with a coffee shop and a restaurant offering a good selection of reasonably priced food in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Also, close by is a traditional Italian restaurant and a pizza take-away that does free delivery.

Restaurants within a 10 minute driving distance includes seafood, steak, continental, Portuguese, traditional South African and Turkish.

Things to see and Do all within a day trip range from Greenlea
The Golden City was actually built on the gold trenches which have produced at least 40% of the world's gold. Although the gold rush ended in the 1970's, Johannesburg still stands as the most populated city in South Africa as well as the economic powerhouse of the entire continent. The nation's rich history and blend of cultures will enlighten visitors and reveal an endless list of places to go and things to do. Here are just a few options.

Carlton Panorama

A must see for tourists and locals, this experience offers the big picture of all that makes up Jozi. Also known as the Top of Africa, the Carlton Center is one of the tallest skyscrapers on the entire continent. Fifty stories high, the building's 360 design allows visitors to view the metropolis through giant windows from every angle. When skies are clear, even Pretoria (30 miles away) can be spotted from the Top of the Carlton. The tower's lower floors include a movie theater as well as a shopping mall, but the rooftop deck is definitely the main attraction. There is no view of the city that could possibly come close.

Apartheid Museum

The apartheid in South Africa was without a doubt one of the most painful eras a nation has ever walked through and survived. White government officials began a process in 1948 which ultimately robbed black South Africans of their citizenship and forced them to join one of ten tribal groups. The Apartheid Museum unfolds the moving story of violent uprisings, the killing of the innocent, and the fight for cultural equality which lasted until 1994. Photographs, text panels, film, and personal accounts are used to display how racial discrimination in a nation eventually ended victoriously.

Lion Park

There is nowhere else in Johannesburg where those who crave true Africa will be more satisfied. The large area is the homeland to nearly 80 tawny lions as well as the majestic white lions. Guests will venture into the wild as they drive through the main park where lions can come right up to the car windows. A variety of other wildlife will also be spotted including cheetahs, antelope, wild dogs, ostriches, hyenas, jackals, and zebras. The park includes a giraffe feeding platform where the tallest creatures in the world eat straight from your hand. The favorite of most, however, is the enclosed cub area where children and adults alike can play with baby lions and capture great photos. Anyone passing through Jozi would regret missing this up close safari adventure.

Oriental Plaza

There is no other market in South Africa where every vendor is the owner of his shop. In this cultural melting pot, one can find all kinds of unique foods, clothing, jewelry and more. More than 350 shops are brimming with deals and shopkeepers who are willing to barter. A large portion of the city center is the Indian market in Fordsburg. All the senses are engaged as one sees the colorful fabrics, smells the aroma of lamb curry, samples a variety of sweets and takes in the music of native India. Merchants are friendly and excited to see the millions of shoppers who come through Oriental Plaza each month. Imagine you've traveled abroad while exploring South Africa's matchless open-air market.

PRETORIA - CAPITAL CITY

Pretoria, Capital of the ZAR, the Union of South Africa, the Republic of South Africa and the new South Africa.

Pretoria, Capital of the ZAR, the Union of South Africa, the Republic of South Africa and the new South Africa. We visit the Voortrekker Monument, Church Square, Kruger House Museum (see more information below) or Melrose House (we drive past both, with a visit to one), the embassy area and more on this all-time favourite tour. One of our stops is at the Union Buildings, home to the president's office, from where you can delight in a panoramic view of the Jacaranda City.

SOWETO TOWNSHIP

In Soweto, South West of Johannesburg, an unforgettable experience of Sowetan culture, .

In Soweto, South West from Johannesburg, you'll catch a glimpse of the lives of its estimated 3 million residents. This popular tour includes a visit to attractions such as the Winnie Mandela and Family House Museum, the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial site and the Regina Mundi Church. We also visit a typical shebeen (local restaurant and bar) for refreshments and a chat with the locals. The tour is concluded with a drive past a taxi rank, a squatter camp (informal settlement), Vista University, and the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

GOLD REEF CITY

Gold Reef City is a theme park - built around an old gold mine - which shows Johannesburg as it was at the discovery of gold in the 1800's.

Gold Reef City is a theme park - built around an old gold mine - which shows Johannesburg as it was at the time of the discovery of gold. Included in the tour is a journey down the mine shaft (220m), a gold-pouring demonstration as well as tribal dancing, showing various dances from the whole Southern African region. A variety of entertainment is available at the Theme Park.

CULLINAN DIAMOND MINE

Enjoy a tour of the Premier Mine, opened in 1902, where the world's biggest diamond was discovered.

Enjoy a tour of the Premier Mine, opened in 1902, where the world's biggest diamond (3106 carats) was discovered in 1905. Premier Mine has produced 255 gem diamonds of over 100 carats, and nearly a quarter of the world's gem diamonds of 400 carats and over! This is also the only outlet in the world where you can buy the Cullinan Star Cut diamond - a unique 66 facet cut. Each stone is laser inscribed - your assurance of the stone's uniqueness.

On the surface tour visitors will see the big hole, the shaft and the diamond room where a selection of uncut diamonds and replicas of world-famous diamonds are displayed. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes as a fair amount of walking is involved.

On the underground tour, tourists are fitted with safety clothes and equipment, and then transported to the mine entrance via tram. We then go 763m underground and view the following: admin offices, workshop, rest area, refuge bay (for emergencies), loading and tipping of ore, crushing of ore and the conveyor belt transporting the ore. Back on the surface you will also visit the lookout point overlooking the big hole, the diamond cutting and polishing workshop as well as the diamond shop. This is a physically taxing tour and only recommended for someone really physically fit.

CRADLE OF HUMANKIND

The Cradle of Humankind - declared a World Heritage site in 1999 - is a 47 000-hectare area in the western part of Gauteng Province with around 40 different fossil sites where several of the world's most famous and important fossils have been discovered.

THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND WORLD HERITAGE SITE

The Cradle of Humankind - declared a World Heritage site in 1999 - is a 47 000-hectare area in the western part of Gauteng Province with around 40 different fossil sites where several of the world's most famous and important fossils have been discovered. We offer a half day tour to any one of the following, and a full day tour combining three of the following four attractions:

•Sterkfontein Caves
•Rhino & Lion Park
•Wonder Caves
•Maropeng Centre
RHINO & LION PARK

Situated in a World Heritage Site, The Cradle of Humankind, this 1 200 hectare park is home to over 700 head of game including white rhino, lion, buffalo, cheetah, wild dog, hippo and crocodile. Their newly built breeding centre houses, amongst others, Bengal and Syberian tigers, jaguars and white lions. If your holiday is nearing its end, but you still need to get those photos to impress your friends - this is it!

WONDER CAVE

One of the most beautifully naturally decorated caves in South Africa. Since its discovery only 100 years ago, few people have entered the Caves and it is thus relatively well preserved and virtually untouched The enormous cave chamber with a volume of 46 000 cubic meters is believed to be 2.2 million years old. Hourly tours are conducted on well-lit pathways where no crawling is necessary. Access to the underground cavern is by means of about 90 steps and then a lift.

STERKFONTEIN CAVES

In 1947 a well-preserved skull of a species of early man known as Plesianthropus transvaalensis was discovered. The skull became known as Mrs. Ples, dating back 2.5-million years. The total of over 700 hominid specimens found here has made Sterkfontein the world's richest hominid site. A section of the caves is visited on an hour long guided tour and the excavation site can be viewed. A visit to the newly built Sterkfontein Orientation Centre is also included, displaying information about significant findings, as well as general information on human and cultural evolution.

MAROPENG CENTRE

The main building at Maropeng, called the Tumulus, emulates an ancient burial mound from the front, and in stark contrast, upon exiting, a very modern iconic structure is revealed. The architecture is symbolic of the journey through the evolution of life that is represented underground in the Maropeng Visitor Centre and the entire layout of the individual facilities across the site is based on the theme of constant discovery.

An original fossil display and a boat ride on an underground lake through the four life-giving elements that combined to form the earth and shape the world as it is known today, are offered in the Maropeng Visitor Centre.

LESEDI CULTURAL VILLAGE

Lesedi - The Place of Light - is a multi-cultural African village and home to five African tribes (Basotho, Ndebele, Pedi, Xhosa and Zulu).

Lesedi - The Place of Light - is a multi-cultural African village, an hour's drive from Pretoria and Johannesburg and offers the following:

Guests are invited to the Ndebele village where an additional welcome by all the people of Lesedi, takes place. The cultural program begins with a multi-visual presentation on the history and origins of today's rainbow nation. This is followed by a guided tour of the four ethnic homesteads - Zulu, Basotho, Xhosa and Pedi. As the sun sets over the African bush, guests are escorted to the Boma for traditional singing and dancing (you are voluntarily requested to participate in this) depicting stories that date back to the days of their ancestors. The guests are then treated to a Pan African Buffet in the Nyama Choma Restaurant with delicacies from North, East and Southern Africa.

PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK - DAY TRIPS

If you don't have the time for a Kruger Park Tour this is your best alternative - only about two hours from the Gauteng Province.

If you don't have the time for a Kruger Park Tour this is your best alternative - only about two hours from Pretoria / Johannesburg. This malaria-free 58 000 hectare park - the fourth largest in South Africa - is situated on the eroded remains of a 1,2 billion-year-old extinct volcanic crater, and is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant), and more than 365 bird species.

SUN CITY DAY TOUR

See South Africa's Kingdom of Pleasure.

Sun City - situated in the Bushveld of South Africa's North West Province, is surrounded by the imposing mountains of the Pilanesberg - draws thousands of visitors each year to its four top-quality hotels, magnificent sporting and recreational facilities including 2 world class golf courses, and the magical Lost City water-park, The Valley of Waves Water World. Sun City has dazzled the international community with its glamorous casinos, gourmet restaurants, extensive sports facilities & star-studded spectaculars.

THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY

Elephants have returned to the Magaliesberg Mountains. You are hosted in small groups and experienced guides take you through an educationallyoriented elephant experience.

In the early 1900's the Magaliesberg Mountains were rich in wildlife and home to abundant herds of elephants. One hundred years later the elephants have returned to this area, to a special place in the heart of beautiful African Bushveld. You will be hosted in small groups, by an experienced guide who will take you through an educationally oriented elephant experience. Guests are advised to wear comfortable clothing and flat, closed walking shoes... and definitely bring a camera!

STERKFONTEIN CAVES

The total of over 700 hominid specimens found here has made Sterkfontein the world's richest hominid site.

In 1947 a well-preserved skull of a species of early man known as Plesianthropus trasvaalenssis was discovered. The skull became known as Mrs. Ples, dating back 2.5-million years. The total of over 700 hominid specimens found here has made Sterkfontein the world's richest hominid site. A section of the caves is visited on an hour long guided tour and the excavation site can be viewed. A visit to the newly built Sterkfontein Orientation Centre is also included, displaying information about significant findings, as well as general information on human and cultural evolution.

DE WILDT CHEETAH CENTRE

Visit the Rare and Endangered Species Captive Breeding Centre and see, amongst others, wild dogs, vultures, king cheetahs, hyaenas, vultures and owls.

The De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre lies nestled in the foothills of the Magaliesberg, presenting a landscape of open African veld, many indigenous trees and a panoramic view of the north. De Wildt is renowned for its breeding success of rare and endangered species. The very rare King Cheetah was first bred here and similar success was achieved in breeding Wild Dog, Brown Hyena, Blue Duiker, Suni Antelope and various species of vultures. The tour coincides with feeding time, so you'll be able to observe these animals feeding in a natural, but controlled, habitat