North West Province, South Africa

the Northwest Province, South Africa

Apart from its enviable setting in the western Magaliesberg, there's always plenty to see and do in the popular holiday resort of Rustenburg. From there, less than half an hour's drive takes you to the glamorous Sun City complex and its enormous range of leisure options. Nearby, you have an excellent chance of spotting the "Big Five" at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. History buffs will be fascinated by Mafikeng, and in particular its museum, which has exhibits relating to the Siege of Mafeking, the Barolong people and the Bushmen. The towns of Lichtenburg, Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom are of interest from a historical point of view.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Pilanesberg Game Reserve is 50 000 hectares in size and is located in the North West Province of South Africa, 150 km north west of the Gauteng metropolis and 60 km north of Rustenburg features of rugged landscape, well-watered valleys and attractive dwelling sites have made it a preferred site for human settlement for thousands of years
The Pilansberg is the fourth largest national park in South Africa, covers an area of more than 500km. Pilanesberg is home to all big five and is malaria free area.
The crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of Pilanesberg National Park - a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic action some 1 300 million years ago. Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. Its rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature. The area is fringed by three concentric ridges or rings of hills - the formation rises from the surrounding plains like a bubble. Pilanesberg has survived ages of erosion and stands high above the surrounding bushveld plains. The early presence of man can be seen in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites throughout the park.

Sun City is internationally renowned as one of South Africa 's premier holiday resorts, offering a multitude of attractions and activities to keep everyone occupied. With its combination of golf, game and gambling, as well as world class hotels, Sun City is the perfect choice for any holiday in South Africa. Sun City is conveniently located about two hours' drive outside Johannesburg. Sun City in South Africa has much to offer.

Madikwe Game Reserve

Still in its beginning stages as a park, the Madikwe Game Reserve is about 70 000 hectares of bushland just north of the little town of Groot Marico that stretches all the way up to the Botswana border, about 3 hours’ drive from Johannesburg. Young it might be - having opened its gates, so to speak, only in August 1991 - but not only is it is one of South Africa’s largest and most popular game reserves, it’s also one of the only ones in the world proclaimed a reserve purely on the grounds of its being the most appropriate and sustainable land use for this formerly depressed area.
Predominantly grasslands and bushveld, intermingled with lone mountains and rocky outcrops, with water a scarcity as it is throughout Africa, the reserve serves as home for cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, lion, elephant - their resettlement a success story on its own - black and white rhino, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and any number of antelope.
There are day and night game drives, bush walks and over 350 species of bird, including a number of interesting raptors. Lodges within the reserve are privately run and offer fantastic opportunities to experience this unique location on the edges of the Kalahari.

Not to miss

• Madikwe Game Reserve
• Pilanesberg National Park
• Pilanesberg Elephant Back Safaris
• Kwa Maritane or Bakubung bush lodges
• Sun City and the Palace of the Lost City
• Hartbeespoort Dam & the Magaliesberg