( CNN ) -- One of the most cosmopolitan cities in Africa , Johannesburg is multicultural and multifaceted . Make the most of your time there with these tips . The Apartheid Museum is an often disturbing view of South Africa 's troubled past . Apartheid Museum It 's a disturbing experience , but a visit to Apartheid Museum is essential if you want to understand the city 's troubled past . On arrival , visitors are randomly allocated a pass labeling them as white or non-white , referencing the apartheid pass laws that obliged black South Africans to carry identity passes at all times . Harrowing multimedia displays and news footage recreate the brutality of the apartheid era , while nooses hanging from the ceiling represent the political prisoners executed under the system . Less bleak are the tributes to those who fought against the injustice of that era , paving the way for equality and democracy in today 's South Africa . The museum is open between 10 am and 5 pm ( GMT +2 ) Tuesday to Sunday . Admission is R30 ( $ 3.20 ) . For more information visit http : //www.apartheidmuseum.org/ . Meaty treat The Carnivore is one of the city 's more unusual restaurants . A few miles outside Jo ' burg proper , on the Muldersdrift Estate , The Carnivore is designed to satisfy your primal meat cravings . As well as the usual chicken , lamb and beef dishes , this eatery offers an intriguing selection of big game dishes , including crocodile , giraffe and ostrich . There are veggie options available for those who are n't tempted by the thought of slow-roasted impala , but if you choose the vegetable lasagna you may never find out if crocodile really does take like chicken . See Hugh Masekela 's Johannesburg » . Day tripping Jo ' burg is well positioned for some interesting day trips . Pretoria is just 50km away , but has a very different to feel to Johannesburg , offering more of an insight into Afrikaans history . The Voortrekker monument and museum , just outside the city , celebrate the pioneer spirit of the Boer and their `` Great Trek '' from the Cape to the country 's interior . If African wildlife is more your scene , head to The Lion Park , a small nature reserve about 25km north of Johannesburg . It 's not the full safari experience , but you will get to see lions , cheetahs , antelopes , zebra and impala , among other local fauna . What are your tips for Johannesburg ? Let us know below . Get around Too big to explore on foot , Jo ' burg is a driver 's city . Public transport is generally poor and minibus taxis and the Metro train are crime hotspots . There are plenty of car-hire outlets in the city but if you 'd prefer someone else to do the driving City Tours offer minibuses to destinations including Soweto and The Lion Park . The advantage of a tour is that your guides can offer a local 's insight into the city 's history and culture . Crime There 's no doubt that progress has been made in reducing crime over the last couple of years , but it remains a problem in many parts of the city . ATMs are a magnet for criminals . Be sure to only use ATMs in well-lit areas and be wary of people offering to help you use them . If you 're driving , keep the car doors locked at all times and do n't open the windows too wide . Keep your wits about you when stopped at traffic lights and when you 're getting into and out of the car , and keep your valuables out of sight . Put bluntly , it is not safe to walk around most of Johannesburg after dark .
A visit to the National Museum offers an insight into the city 's troubled past . Taste the delights of crocodile and giraffe meat at the local restaurant . If you prefer your home alive and in its natural setting , go to The Lion House . The best way to explore the city , and visit nearby Pretoria , is to hire a taxi .