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50th-floor observation deck
Top of Africa at Carlton Centre
Top of Africa is the observation deck on the 50th floor of Carlton Centre, at the top of what was Africa’s tallest building from 1973 to 2019. It has been reported closed since the March 2020 lockdown, and no reopening has been announced.
Current status: reported closed. We found no official reopening announcement as of 13 September 2026. Don’t plan a trip around visiting the deck without confirming with Transnet Property first.
Top of Africa overview
Top of Africa, also called the Carlton Panorama, sits on the 50th floor of the 223-metre Carlton Centre tower. For decades a dedicated lift took visitors to the top in under a minute, to a deck with telescopes, information boards and a small snack spot, looking out over the whole of Johannesburg. It was one of the city’s best-known tourist stops.
Current access status
- March 2020: a visitor guide reports the deck closed at the start of the first COVID-19 lockdown, with no sign of reopening plans.
- January 2025: travellers on public forums reported being told the closure is permanent (unconfirmed).
- 2022 and 2024: Transnet’s published redevelopment plans for Carlton Centre (a request for information, then a refurbishment plan) don’t mention the deck.
- 24 August 2026: Transnet put Carlton Centre up for sale with other non-core properties.
Some websites still list daily opening hours. These appear to be copied from pre-2020 information and we don’t treat them as current. Current city walking tours that stop at Carlton Centre don’t include 50th-floor access.
Opening hours and entrance fees
No current hours or entrance fees are published. For reference, historically:
- Entrance fee: R15 in 2013 (reported by SAnews), later about R30 per adult in tourism listings.
- Hours: pre-closure tourism listings gave roughly 09:00–18:00 on weekdays, with shorter weekend hours.
- City Sightseeing: the Red Bus used to stop at Carlton Centre with guided trips to the top, but the stop is not on its current route map.
To ask about access, contact Transnet Property on (011) 308 3000 or [email protected].
Views and visitor experience
From the top you could see across the CBD to Ponte City and Hillbrow in the north and out over the eastern suburbs. The views are why the deck became a classic Johannesburg stop. You can see what it looked like in the Carlton Centre photos, including shots taken from the top in 2010 and 2015.
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Directions and visit planning
Carlton Centre itself is open for shopping. If you’re visiting the CBD for the landmark, see directions to Carlton Centre, and combine the trip with Carlton Centre shops or food from Carlton Centre restaurants. For background, read the Carlton Centre history.
FAQs
Is Top of Africa currently open?
It is reported closed since the March 2020 lockdown, and we found no official reopening announcement as of September 2026.
What are the Top of Africa opening hours?
No current hours are published. Older listings with daily hours are out of date.
How much is Top of Africa entrance?
No current fee is published. Historically it cost R15 in 2013 and about R30 later.
How do I get to Top of Africa?
The deck is on the 50th floor of Carlton Centre, 150 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg. Access is not currently available, so contact Transnet Property before visiting.
Last checked: 13 September 2026. CarltonCentre.co.za is an independent visitor guide. It is not operated by, or affiliated with, Transnet, Transnet Property, Carlton Centre management or the brands listed. Details were checked against the sources named on each page on 13 September 2026; confirm time-sensitive details with the store or organisation before you travel.