Things To Do
in Bedfordview

Tree-lined residential streets, gardens and local parks offer pleasant suburban scenes, architecture and candid street photography during golden hour.

Modern shopping precincts provide opportunities for urban lifestyle shots, people-watching and architectural details.

Rolling hills, grassland vistas and wildflowers (seasonal) are excellent for landscape and sunrise/sunset photography; bring a telephoto for distant vistas.

A short drive away, these precincts offer striking modern cityscapes, reflections at dusk and lively street scenes.

Weekend farmers and craft markets in the East Rand and Johannesburg suburbs sell fresh produce, baked goods, artisanal snacks and stands serving items like boerewors rolls and local sweets.

Look for chicken rotis, vetkoek with various fillings, and biltong stalls at community markets and outside larger shopping centres on busy days.

A friendly handshake and eye contact are standard for first meetings; a warm 'hello' in English is widely accepted. Use formal titles if unsure when speaking to older people.

Avoid making assumptions about political or historical topics — if you discuss apartheid or sensitive subjects, listen and be respectful. Many locals appreciate polite curiosity about culture and history.

Always ask permission before photographing people, particularly in informal or residential areas.

Dress is generally casual in daytime but smart-casual in nicer restaurants and hotels. Public displays of anger or loud confrontation are frowned upon.

In restaurants, tipping of 10–15% is customary for good service; rounding up taxi fares and leaving small tips for hotel porters and cleaners is common. Tour guides often expect a modest tip if service was satisfactory.

Credit and debit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted; cash in South African rand (ZAR) remains useful for small vendors and taxis. Mobile payment apps and instant EFTs are common in retail and dining; contactless payments are widely supported in urban areas.

November to March brings hot days, afternoon thunderstorms and lush green landscapes after rains; pack sun protection and a light rain jacket for sudden downpours.

March to May offers milder temperatures and drier weather — comfortable for walking and outdoor activities with pleasant light for photography.

June to August is generally dry and sunny but can get cool in mornings and evenings, occasionally frosty; layer clothing and expect clear skies ideal for hiking on crisp days.

September to November brings warming weather and wildflowers in reserves; spring is excellent for hiking and nature photography but can still include isolated showers.

Main international airport serving Johannesburg and the region, located a short drive west/northwest of Bedfordview — the most convenient airport for international and domestic connections.

Smaller airport to the northwest of Johannesburg with some regional and charter flights; useful for private flights and certain domestic routes, about 40–60 minutes by car depending on traffic.

Rugby is widely followed in Gauteng and South Africa generally; local clubs and schools often field teams and matches are popular community events.

Soccer has a large following with local club support and community leagues; matches draw enthusiastic crowds and are widely played recreationally.

Cricket is popular in the summer months, with local clubs and school competitions common throughout the region.

Golf is a popular leisure activity among residents, with several nearby courses and country clubs.

Many cafés and restaurants offer vegetarian options (salads, grain bowls and vegetable mains). Ask staff for adaptations; larger malls and upmarket eateries commonly list vegetarian dishes.

Vegan options are increasingly available in cafés and health-focused eateries; however, in more traditional restaurants you may need to request substitutions or choose market stalls and specialty cafes.

Gluten-free choices are available but can be limited in casual venues. Look for dedicated bakery items at health markets and confirm with staff about sauces and breading.

Halal and kosher services are available in the greater Johannesburg area; Bedfordview has restaurants and shops that can accommodate requests, and larger suburbs (e.g., Sandton) have several clearly marked options.