Families are always welcome at the Westcliff, and our rooms and suites have ample room for a cot or an extra bed. Our kitchen can create delicious child-friendly treats and we have a dedicated child minding service.
Johannesburg is home to a great range of attractions perfectly suited to children. Below is just a small selection if you would like to know more please contact our concierge by emailahoffman@westcliff.co.za or by calling +27 (0)11 481 6246/6247.
Animals
The Johannesburg Zoo:
The zoo is an animal paradise with lions and elephants, monkeys and gorillas, seals and polar bears. The farmyard section, designed for under-sixes, also has cuddly animals which can be picked and patted. Kids can also ride on the tractor ferry, do an organised trot around the zoo, or catch a moonlight tour. There's also a programme of educational events and a safe environment with green lawns and picnicking areas ensures plenty of space for running around.
Duck feeding:
Ducks and geese are just waiting for small people to feed them at Zoo Lake, Emmarentia Dam and Gillooly's Farm. All three venues also provide plenty of lawn space for children to play, fly kites or roller blade, and for parents to picnic.
Exotic birds:
Get really close to some exotic birds at the Montecasino Bird Gardens, where the kids can walk along elevated wooden walkways inside a large aviary. There are over 100 exotic species of birds, including spectacular Scarlet Ibises. Bird shows twice a day feature owls, cranes, pelicans and vultures and children can feed the interesting collection of small animals, including iguanas, marmasets, tamarins, snakes and colourful frogs.
Arty fun
Colour Café
For rainy days, try some arts and crafts fun. At the Colour Café in Hyde Square, kids can paint fairies, money boxes, mugs and vases. Tea and coffee is available, plus cakes and muffins. On Tuesdays and Thursdays they're open from 10am to 10pm, on other days from 10am to 5pm.
Theatre Classes
Let the kids learn theatre skills at the Johannesburg Youth Theatre. There are also classes every Saturday morning from 9.30am to 12 noon.
Science & the Natural World
Star gazing:
Take them star-gazing at the Johannesburg Planetarium.
Lustrous Lipizzaners:
Take them to see the quite amazing lipizzaners - pure-white performing horses with roman ancestry. The horses are bred in KwaZulu-Natal, and at three years the stallions are moved to Kyalami to begin their training. The Lipizzaner show is on every Sunday at 10.30am.
Sci Bono Discovery Centre:
Science doesn't always have to be about chemicals and formulas worked out in stuffy classrooms. It can be a truly exciting learning experience at Newtown's Sci Bono Discovery Centre.
Miniature Johannesburg:
Look down on the miniature town of Johannesburg at Santarama Miniland at Wemmer Pan. There are mini trains, jumping castles and fairy boats, plus an indoor play centre.
Exciting rides
We recommend the Gold Reef City theme park with its great, often scary rides - all 31 of them. Try out the anaconda, earthquake tunnel, miner's revenge, the tower of terror and the river rapids, for starters. There's also a funfair for under 10s with gentle rides on horses, shells, small wheel and Flintstones cars. Children over 6 can do an underground tour down a mine.
