OK so you’ve made plans to be in Gauteng South Africa for a weekend, but you have extra time to spare. So, what do you do? Most probably you’ll hear people suggest a visit to Sun City. And then you might ask: What else are there to do in and around Sun City? Well, here are a few ideas of what you can do in the North West province of South Africa – stuff that we loved:
Places worth stopping in the North West Province:
Here are a few reasons why you should visit the only surf-and-safari destination in the North West:
1. It is completely different from the rest of South Africa
Sun City feels almost unreal: a huge, beautifully landscaped resort rising out of the bushveld, with elaborate architecture, pools, gardens, restaurants and entertainment. It is not a traditional South African town — and that’s precisely the attraction.
2. You can combine a safari with a resort holiday
This is probably the best reason to go. Pilanesberg National Park is immediately next to Sun City. You can spend one morning looking for elephants, lions, rhinos and other wildlife, then be back at the resort for lunch and a swim. Pilanesberg is much smaller and easier to explore than Kruger, making it particularly convenient for a short trip. Travellers consistently rate the park among the area’s top attractions.
Luxury and Beauty
A legendary destination designed for luxury-seekers is definitely unique and something to see and experience. If you’re looking for luxury accommodation in South Africa, this is one of the places you should visit in North West province.
The honest downside is the price. Sun City is not the place to go if your main priority is finding the cheapest possible South African holiday. Food, activities and accommodation can add up quickly. But for a special few days, a family break or a combination of resort and safari, it can be a lot of fun.
This is the combination I would recommend most strongly. If you cant book a stay at the Lost Palace, stay just outside of Sun City and make time for a game drive in Pilanesberg National Park. It gives you two very different experiences in one trip — the excitement of an African safari and the easy-going pleasure of a large holiday resort.
For me, that is the real reason to visit Sun City. You are not coming all this way simply to see a resort. You are coming for the experience of combining Sun City’s entertainment and comfort with the wild landscape and wildlife of South Africa.
OUR TRAVEL TIP: Get the best of both worlds, and book fabulous accommodation near Sun City and then visit as a day guest.
Things you need to know before you go:
Right next to Sun City, you’ll find the Pilanesberg National Park. A beautiful place where the Big 5 roam free. You can enjoy an untamed African landscape without driving to the other side of the country.
The Pilanesberg National Park is set in an extinct volcanic crater. During our visit, in between the grasslands and valleys, we saw more than 14 different types of animals. Elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, and many more came out of their hiding places. We sat at beautiful man-made lakes and watched the animals come for water while others cheerfully played around. The lazy hippopotamus families and a playful fox made for a few cute moments.
It is a self-drive adventure. (In some places we were glad to have an ‘almost 4×4’ vehicle, that took the bumps and rocky corners with a smile, but you can take the more ‘decent’ roads in your own car. There really is no need for a 4×4 vehicle.)
At the gate, you can ask for a map of the park and then you’re off on your own. The park is regularly patrolled by friendly park officials, and you can explore as you wish, as long as you stay in your vehicle. However, there are more than enough specially marked spots where you can stop and stretch your legs for a while.
It is simply impossible to do the whole park in one day. We got up at 05H00 and by the afternoon still had a huge part of the park that we haven’t covered yet. A lunch stop at the park restaurant is nice as you get the opportunity to see the wildlife almost right next to your table…and then there is a curio shop as well.
The abundant birdlife includes eagles and even ostriches (although we haven’t seen them), but there are loads more. In fact, more than 350 different bird species. Concealed wildlife-viewing shelters are scattered throughout the park where you can sit in silence and do some birdwatching.
1. Know the rules — and follow them.
Before you enter the park, familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations. They are there for your safety and for the protection of the animals. Never get out of your vehicle where it is not permitted, and always respect the speed limits.
2. Take plenty of water.
Pilanesberg can get very hot, particularly in summer. Keep enough drinking water in the car and don’t rely on finding a shop when you are out on a game drive.
3. Don’t leave your rubbish behind.
This should go without saying, but please take everything you bring into the park back out with you. Don’t be that person who throws a bottle or food wrapper out of the car window. Keep Pilanesberg clean for the animals and for the next visitors.
4. Go early — especially in summer.
Early morning is one of the best times to be out on safari. It is cooler, the light is beautiful for photography and animals are generally more active before the heat of the day sets in.
5. Take your time. Don’t rush.
A safari isn’t a race to tick animals off a list. Drive slowly, stop at viewpoints and waterholes, and keep your binoculars and camera within easy reach. Sometimes the most memorable sighting is something small — a bird in a tree, a tortoise crossing the road or an animal quietly appearing from the bush.
Pilanesberg has so much to offer, and you never quite know what you might discover around the next bend. This beautiful game reserve is home to elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, zebras, hippos and an amazing variety of birds, all set against a wonderfully scenic landscape of hills, open grasslands, rocky outcrops and waterholes. Take a self-drive safari or join a guided game drive, stop often, watch the waterholes and keep your binoculars ready. One moment you could be watching a herd of elephants crossing the road, and the next you may spot a giraffe standing above the trees or a family of warthogs trotting through the grass. This is the kind of place where the fun is in not knowing what you are going to see next.
A special thank you to Franco Joubert for the photos.
A personal note…
This was one of …no…Let me rephrase:
This was the best ever wildlife safari that I’ve been on. (Granted I haven’t been to the Kruger National Park yet.) But, most of the wildlife farms promise you loads of animals, and then (if I’m lucky) I saw one animal, or maybe two. Therefore, I have never been impressed with any of the farms that I’ve visited in the past. Thanks to two very special people that took us on this trip, we can now say: This was just the beginning of many visits to the rest of South Africa’s National Parks. We loved seeing the animals in their natural habitat and we strongly recommend that you visit the South African National Parks, as they are really worth a visit.
Madikwe is one of the North West’s great safari destinations and a wonderful choice if you want a more wild and exclusive safari experience. The reserve covers a huge area of bushveld near the Botswana border and is home to the Big Five, along with giraffes, cheetahs, wild dogs, zebras, antelope and hundreds of bird species.
Unlike Pilanesberg, where self-drive visitors can easily explore the park, Madikwe is best known for its private safari lodges and guided game drives. This gives you a slower, more immersive experience, with early-morning and late-afternoon drives, knowledgeable guides and the excitement of spending the night right in the bush.
If Pilanesberg is the easy safari to add to a Sun City holiday, Madikwe is the place to choose when the safari itself is the main event. They offer fabulous places to stay like the Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge, and many more…
Don’t leave Hartbeespoort Dam off your itinerary simply because parts of the dam have experienced problems with invasive water hyacinth. The area is still worth visiting for its beautiful setting between the Magaliesberg mountains and the water, with scenic drives, restaurants, cable-car rides, boat trips, wildlife attractions and plenty of places to stop and enjoy the view. Conditions can vary, so don’t expect every part of the shoreline to look perfect, but the surrounding landscape and the sheer variety of things to do make Hartbeespoort a worthwhile stop on a North West trip.
Your next stop must definitely be the area in and around Hartbeespoort. (Read more)
If you have the time, book an early morning sunrise hot air balloon ride.
The Magaliesberg is one of the most beautiful natural areas in North West, stretching through a long chain of rugged mountains, valleys and green countryside. It is a wonderful place to slow down and enjoy the scenery, with hiking trails, mountain viewpoints, horse riding, adventure activities and peaceful country retreats. The mountains are especially attractive around Hartbeespoort and Rustenburg, and they make a lovely contrast to the busy resort atmosphere of Sun City. If you enjoy getting outdoors, this is where North West starts to feel wonderfully wild and spacious.
The Vredefort Dome is one of those places that sounds almost unbelievable: a landscape created by one of the largest meteorite impacts ever to strike Earth. The impact happened around two billion years ago and left behind a vast geological structure that can still be seen in the landscape today.
The area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but you don’t have to be a geology enthusiast to enjoy it. Come for the unusual scenery, explore the countryside and imagine the enormous force that created this extraordinary place.
Kgaswane Mountain Reserve, near Rustenburg, is a great choice for travellers who enjoy mountains, wildlife and walking trails without the crowds of a major safari park. The reserve protects a beautiful section of the Magaliesberg, with rocky hills, grasslands, valleys and dams, and you can encounter zebra, giraffe, several species of antelope and plenty of birdlife. It is particularly appealing if you want to get out of the car and explore on foot.
For something completely different, take a trip to Groot Marico, a small rural town on the N4, surrounded by the wide-open landscapes of North West. This is the kind of place to visit slowly, enjoying the countryside, local stories and old-fashioned country atmosphere. Groot Marico is particularly famous for mampoer, the traditional South African fruit spirit, and you can learn more about this local specialty while experiencing a side of the province that feels far removed from Sun City’s big resorts and tourist attractions. It is a lovely choice for travelers who enjoy finding the quieter, more characterful corners of a destination.
De Wildt is a good addition for anyone interested in wildlife conservation rather than simply ticking animals off a safari list. The area is particularly associated with the conservation and breeding of endangered species, including cheetahs and African wild dogs. A visit gives you an opportunity to learn about the work involved in protecting these animals and makes an interesting change from a traditional game drive. It is also a good reminder that South Africa’s wildlife story is about much more than seeing animals in the wild.
North West is a place where your accommodation can become part of the experience, so don’t simply choose somewhere to sleep. A beautiful bush lodge or lakeside retreat, such as Finfoot Lake Reserve, can give you time to slow down, enjoy the scenery and experience the peaceful side of the province. After a day of sightseeing or game viewing, there is something special about coming back to a lovely place, relaxing and letting the African landscape do the rest.
Finfoot Lake Reserve By Dream Resorts.
If you want to add a memorable accommodation experience to your North West itinerary, Finfoot Lake Reserve is a lovely choice. Set beside a private lake in the bushveld, it offers the chance to stay surrounded by nature rather than simply visiting an attraction for a few hours.
You can combine your stay with game drives, birdwatching, boating and peaceful time beside the water. It is particularly appealing after the busier atmosphere of Sun City — a place where you can slow down, enjoy the bushveld and wake up to the sounds of Africa.
When driving through North West, check your GPS settings before you leave and choose main roads rather than simply accepting the shortest route. The shortest route can sometimes send you onto minor roads that are slower, poorly surfaced or much more isolated than the main route. This is especially important when travelling between attractions in rural areas. A few extra kilometres on a good main road can save you a lot of time — and make for a much more relaxed journey.