Let’s be honest: times are tough, and the cost of living is showing us flames. Petrol prices are doing their own thing, and just breathing next to a mall can feel like it costs a crisp hundred-rand note. But look, being on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sit at home on the weekend staring at the walls, waiting for load shedding or scrolling through TikTok until your eyes hurt.
Joburg has a reputation for being expensive, but if you know where to look, there are plenty of ways to have a massive amount of fun without emptying your bank account. You can easily keep yourself, your friends, or the kids thoroughly entertained for under R200 per person.
Whether you are looking for a massive adrenaline rush, a quiet day out in nature to clear your head, or something to keep the little ones busy so you can finally get a moment of peace, we’ve got you covered. Here are four brilliant, budget-friendly things to do in the City of Gold that will cost you way less than a single green note.
1. Get Your Adrenaline Pumping at Supreme Go Karting
If you have a bit of a need for speed or just want to challenge your friends to see who the real champion of the road is, you need to head over to Greenstone Mall.
Pure Racing Vibes on a Budget
Supreme Go Karting gives you that authentic racing feeling without the massive price tag. For just R130 per person, you get a solid 10 laps around a track that is designed to test your cornering skills and your bravery. The karts are well-maintained, responsive, and surprisingly quick when you open them up on the straight sections.
Why It’s Worth the Trip
What makes this place great is the atmosphere. It’s competitive but completely safe, making it a brilliant option for a casual date, a weekend hangout with your cousins, or even a bit of solo practice to get your lap times down. Plus, because it’s indoors at Greenstone Mall, you don’t have to worry about the unpredictable Highveld weather spoiling your plans. Rain or shine, the track is open and ready.
✏️ HUMAN INJECTION: [Insert your personal tip here. For example: Do you prefer going during the week when it’s quieter, or do you have a specific strategy for taking the sharp corners on this track? Add a sentence here about your personal experience at Greenstone Mall.]
2. Unwind and Reconnect at Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
Sometimes you just need to escape the concrete jungle, turn off your phone notifications, and touch some grass. If that sounds like exactly what you need, pack a picnic basket and head out west towards Roodepoort.
Nature, Waterfalls, and Eagle Spotting
The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens are absolute royalty when it comes to outdoor spaces in Gauteng. The main attraction for most people is the breathtaking Witpoortjie Waterfall, which forms a massive, dramatic backdrop to the manicured lawns. If you look up toward the cliffs near the top of the falls, you might even spot the famous resident pair of Verreaux’s Eagles that nest there.
The entry fees are incredibly reasonable and structured to make it accessible for everyone:
- Adults: R90 (during off-peak times) or R100 (during peak season)
- Students: R50 (just make sure you bring a valid student ID card along)
- School Kids (Ages 6–18): R35
- Children Under 6: Free
- Pensioners: Free entry every single Tuesday!
The Perfect Low-Cost Day Out
For around R100 or less, you get access to kilometers of beautiful walking trails, peaceful shade under massive indigenous trees, and clean, safe lawns where you can lay out a blanket. It’s an unbeatable option for families. You can spend the entire day there just relaxing, reading a book, or watching the kids run around in the fresh air without worrying about a ticking clock or hidden costs.
3. Keep the Kids Smilin’ at the Mall of Africa Fun Park
Finding something to entertain younger children that doesn’t involve a screen or costing a fortune can feel like an impossible mission. That is where the outdoor Fun Park at the Mall of Africa comes in to save the day.
Affordable Rides for the Whole Family
The setup here is wonderfully simple and incredibly fair on your pocket. Entry into the area doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg; instead, you pay just R20 per ticket. Each ride inside the park requires between 1 and 3 tickets to get on.
This token-style system is brilliant because it gives you absolute control over how much you want to spend. If you only want to spend R100, you buy five tickets, let the kids pick their favorite rides, and when the tickets are done, you can head inside for a walk.
A Great Parental Breather
The rides are geared perfectly towards younger children, offering enough excitement to keep them thrilled but safe enough that you can stand back, take a breath, and take a few great photos for the family group chat. It is a fantastic way to reward the little ones after dragging them along to do grocery shopping or running errands inside the main mall.
✏️ HUMAN INJECTION: [Which specific ride do your kids or younger family members love the most here? Insert a quick line describing the energy of the park on a busy Saturday morning to make this section stand out.]
4. Test Your Skills at Total Ninja in Fourways Mall
If you want a physical challenge that will leave you absolutely exhausted but laughing the entire time, you need to check out Total Ninja at Fourways Mall. This isn’t your average indoor playground—it is a massive, premium obstacle course inspired by the famous TV show.
Unleash Your Inner Athlete
For R160 for an hour session, you get full access to a giant interactive arena filled with climbing walls, balancing beams, giant inflatable obstacles, and swinging ropes. It is designed to test your balance, your upper body strength, and your agility.
Don’t let the name intimidate you, though—you don’t need to be a professional athlete to enjoy this place. The course has various sections with different levels of difficulty, meaning both total beginners and fitness fanatics can find obstacles that suit their pace.
A Full-Body Workout disguised as Fun
An hour might not sound like a long time on paper, but trust me, when you are hauling yourself up walls and balancing across giant foam blocks, an hour is more than enough to give you an incredible workout. It is an amazing spot for a high-energy group hangout, a different kind of active date night, or an outlet for teenagers who have way too much pent-up energy. Just remember to wear comfortable athletic gear and be ready to sweat!
Quick Comparison: Choosing Your Joburg Budget Adventure
To help you decide exactly where to go this weekend based on who you are taking along and what kind of mood you are in, here is a quick breakdown of how these spots stack up against each other:
Activity Location Price Range Best Suited For Atmosphere Supreme Go Karting Greenstone Mall R130 per person Friends, Couples, Teens Fast-paced & Competitive Walter Sisulu Gardens Roodepoort R0 – R100 Families, Large Groups, Solitude Peaceful & Relaxed Mall of Africa Fun Park Midrand R20 onwards per ticket Toddlers & Younger Kids Lively & Casual Total Ninja Fourways Mall R160 per person Teens, Adults, Active Kids High-energy & Physical Joburg Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune
At the end of the day, making memories and having a great weekend in Johannesburg doesn’t mean you have to wait for payday or swipe a credit card that you’ll regret looking at later. From the quiet peace of the waterfall out in Roodepoort to the fast-paced corners of the go-kart track on the East Rand, there is something unique happening in every corner of this city.
The next time you find yourself sitting at home thinking there is nothing to do because things are tight, pick one of these spots, get a group together, and go explore. You’ll head home with change from a R200 note and a great story to tell.
Where are you heading first this weekend? Let us know down in the comments below!
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