Things to Do in Johannesburg in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
March Weather in Johannesburg
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
75°F (24°C)
High Temp
56°F (13°C)
Low Temp
3.7 inches (94 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Late-summer thunderstorms paint the sky in gold-pink streaks visible from Northcliff Ridge, the year's best light show hits around 6:30 PM when storms break and the horizon ignites.
- + March lands well before winter crowds descend, weekday mornings at the Apartheid Museum feel like private viewings when you have the exhibits almost to yourself.
- + Jacarandas along Jan Smuts Avenue are just beginning their purple bloom in late March, forming natural tunnels good for photos without the October tourist crush.
- + Restaurant week stretches through mid-March with prix fixe menus at Marble and DW Eleven-13, tables that are normally impossible to book suddenly open up.
Considerations
- − Afternoon thunderstorms strike at 2:30 PM like clockwork, schedule outdoor adventures for mornings or you'll find yourself trapped in Rosebank Mall's parking garage watching hailstones bounce off windshields.
- − The UV index climbs to 8 by 10 AM, sunburn strikes faster than expected at this altitude, when clouds create a false sense of coolness.
- − Load shedding schedules shift weekly and can leave you stranded in Sandton's concrete canyon when traffic lights blink out and intersections turn into four-way stops.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Johannesburg in March balances summer's last warmth with a softer autumn light. It is a city in motion. The Johannesburg International Mozart Festival fills the Linder Auditorium with classical music in early March. Meanwhile, the Rand Easter Show transforms the Nasrec grounds into a busy spectacle by mid-month. Its livestock sections are pungent, and its food halls hum with bunny chow competitions. This month has a unique framework for discovery, weaving between gravity and the city's contemporary pulse.
Private Half Day Authentic Soweto Tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria
guided_experiencegoes beyond monuments. You will hear gospel music on Vilakazi Street and see murals of local heroes. The tour often includes a stop for smoky meat from a sidewalk braai. It has a personal encounter with the spirit of Soweto.
Request a stop at a local shebeen for a ginger beer. These former illegal taverns are social hubs.
Insider tip: Go in the morning to see the neighborhood wake up.
Exploring Johannesburg through Skateboarding - incl. skate lesson for beginners!
otherredefines sightseeing. You will hear wheels crunch in Newtown and glide past public art. You will see the city from a low, dynamic perspective. It is the most kinetic way to engage with Johannesburg's urban canvas.
Wear long socks. The provided skate shoes are essential. But they can rub.
Insider tip: A late afternoon start is best for softer light and less traffic.
Exclusive Classic Flight for Two
private_tourhas a silent view over Johannesburg. You will see mine dumps and suburban grids from a vintage plane. The flight delivers a serene overview of the city's scale.
Ask your pilot to fly over the Cradle of Humankind if weather permits. It provides context.
Insider tip: Early morning gives the smoothest air.
Half Day Apartheid Museum Tour
culturalis a somber journey. You will hear protest songs and see harrowing photographs. The museum's design physically separates visitors at the entrance. No other place so effectively conveys the brutal architecture of apartheid.
Allocate time after the tour to sit in the courtyard. The emotional resonance needs space.
Insider tip: A weekday morning visit means fewer distractions.
LocalPlaces Understanding Johannesburg Walking Tour
walking_tourwinds through the city center. You will smell street food and hear a layered cacophony. The walk peels back the layers of Johannesburg's complex urban core.
Watch for subtle art installations on Commissioner Street. These small pieces offer witty commentary.
Insider tip: A morning tour catches the peak commercial energy.
Johannesburg and Apartheid Museum and Soweto Guided Full-Day Tour
day_tripcreates a complete narrative arc. It moves from the museum's halls to the streets of Soweto. You will taste a fat cake and feel community warmth in a shebeen. This tour connects documented history to living legacy.
Wear very comfortable shoes. You will stand and walk on uneven surfaces all day.
Insider tip: Any weekday works.
This month: In March, book ahead due to traffic from the Rand Easter Show.
Where to Stay in Johannesburg in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early March
Johannesburg International Mozart Festival
Classical concerts fill the acoustically-perfect Linder Auditorium through mid-March. The Johannesburg Philharmonic performs where Nelson Mandela gave his first post-release speech, triggering goosebumps that have nothing to do with the music.
Mid March
Rand Easter Show
Africa's largest consumer exhibition packs Nasrec with everything from Boerewors competitions to helicopter rides. The livestock section smells exactly like 4,000 animals should. But the food hall's bunny chow competitions draw queues that wrap around the hall.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Johannesburg Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Download the EskomSePush app for real-time load shedding updates, locals swear by it and it prevents getting stuck in dark elevators
Joburg's best bunny chow hides in Oriental Plaza's Level 4 food court, the Durban curry version sells out by 1 PM
Free jazz runs every Sunday 2-5 PM at The Orbit in Braamfontein, no cover charge, just buy a drink
Rosebank Mall's rooftop parking delivers the best sunset views over the northern suburbs, locals bring beers and watch city lights flicker on
Avoid These Mistakes
Avoid trying to Uber between Soweto sites, distances are walkable but drivers often cancel when they see township addresses
Don't book restaurants last-minute during March restaurant week, the good places fill 2 weeks ahead
Don't assume thunderstorms mean all-day rain, they're usually intense 30-minute bursts followed by brilliant sunshine
Skip white shoes on township tours, red dust stains permanently and locals will definitely notice
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