Johannesburg is the economic heart of South Africa and a city that rewards those willing to look beyond its complicated reputation. Jo’burg, as it is universally called, is a city of enormous energy, contradiction, and genuine creativity. The Maboneng Precinct in the east of the city has become a hub of street art, galleries, restaurants, and markets. The Apartheid Museum in Soweto is one of the most powerful and important historical museums in Africa and a must-visit for any serious traveller. Soweto itself, the sprawling township southwest of the city where Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both lived, is one of the most fascinating urban destinations in Africa. Tours to Soweto are informative, sobering, and ultimately uplifting, and local restaurants in Soweto offer brilliant South African food in an authentic setting. About an hour northwest of Johannesburg, the Cradle of Humankind is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that holds some of the oldest hominid fossils ever found. The Maropeng Visitor Centre presents an outstanding exhibition on human evolution, and the Sterkfontein Caves can be explored on guided tours. The best time to visit Johannesburg is from April to September, the dry season in the Highveld, when days are clear, warm, and almost entirely rain-free. The city is a major international hub served by O.R. Tambo International Airport and is the natural starting point for any South Africa itinerary.