Lakes and tree-lined boulevards dominate the landscape in Benoni, a rural city located to the east of Johannesburg. In contrast to its neighbouring cities in the East Rand of Gauteng province, Benoni has a serene atmosphere and feels much like a collection of villages rather than the modern definition of a city. Parks stretch out along dozens of lakes, golf courses weave through green valleys and hiking trails head through tracts of untouched forest.
The city is found to the east of O.R. Tambo International Airport and Boksburg. Its rural atmosphere is encountered almost immediately. Instead of industrial warehouses and high-rise blocks, Benoni quickly enchants with its low-rise detached houses and multiple lakes. Homestead Lake to the west is the most visited, notably for its parks and Lakeside Mall. Immediately to the east is the lavish Benoni Country Club, while to the south is the Korsman Bird Sanctuary. The city has wide boundaries, but most of the land is taken up by rolling fields and small farms, along with the seemingly countless number of lakes.
Benoni is easily reached from O.R. Tambo International Airport. A suburban train line runs through the southern side of the city and has a stop at the popular Lakeside Mall. Public transport is relatively limited for destinations in the north and east of the city, although there are shared minibus taxis that operate between different suburbs.
Benoni claims to have more horses per square kilometre than anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere. While the city’s claims are difficult to substantiate, it is difficult to spend a day here and not hear the clip-clop of hooves as riders explore the green pastures.