Attending H2O World Halal Summit?

Johannesburg is spread out and built around the car, with low walkability, so visitors get around in three ways: the Gautrain rapid-rail spine (O. R. Tambo airport ↔ Sandton ↔ Rosebank ↔ Park Station / Joburg CBD, plus a line to Pretoria), and Uber or Bolt for everything off that line. The business districts, hotels and conference venues cluster in the safer northern nodes — Sandton, Rosebank and Melrose Arch — which the Gautrain serves directly.

For the Gautrain, buy a reloadable Gautrain Gold Card at any station and tap in and out; it's the one piece of public transport visitors should rely on. Off the Gautrain network, default to Uber/Bolt rather than any street transport.

Use Uber or Bolt rather than flagging anything on the street: verify the car's plate, request pickups from inside hotels, malls and the terminal, and avoid travelling alone late at night. The informal minibus 'taxis' are a core part of local life but run confusing routes, are often unroadworthy, and are not suited to visitors.

• Fordsburg & Mayfair — west of the CBD · widely halal & certified (SANHA / NIHT)
• Halal dining in the northern suburbs — Houghton, Sandton, Rosebank, Norwood · many certified — check the certificate
• Lenasia — south of the city · widely halal
• South African halal staples — citywide · certified outlets widely available

Approximate (Muslim World League method) — confirm locally on the day.

inner city (visit by day / with a tour)

Constitution Hill — a former prison turned home of the Constitutional Court — and the regenerated Maboneng precinct give the city's history and arts scene; best visited by day and ideally as part of a guided tour given the area.

Midrand

The Ottoman-style mosque complex is open to visitors outside prayer times and has a popular Turkish bazaar and food court — a free and striking half-day out between Joburg and Pretoria.

south (near Nasrec)

The world-class Apartheid Museum (small entry fee) is essential for understanding South Africa, and sits beside the Nasrec / Expo Centre side of the city — convenient if you're exhibiting there.

Gauteng

The Gautrain runs to Pretoria (jacaranda avenues, the Union Buildings) in well under an hour, and the Cradle of Humankind fossil site is a short drive northwest — easy day trips between expo days.

Check the programme on the official event page and map out the zones you want to walk.

This event is aimed at: Halal certification bodies, Industry executives & professionals, Policymakers & regulators, Halal trade buyers across Africa.