I Wanna Go Camping – 5 Great Spots in Gauteng and the North West Province

I Wanna Go Camping!

Gauteng is the smallest of the provinces – barely encompassing Johannesburg, Pretoria and Vereeniging before flowing over its western boundary into North West and to the east into Mpumalanga.

It’s also the busiest province, arguably the wealthiest, and probably the one for whom weekend escapes are possibly the most vital (all that weekly angst, stress and traffic doth fairly strained individuals make). Finding a campsite not inundated by all and sundry is something akin to hens’ teeth.

Camping is something Gauteng and the North West are not known for. Whilst they don’t have the beaches of the coast, they do have mountain ranges, bushveld and incredible weather all year round. Every family needs a campsite they can call ‘home’. Continued

I ♥ Broederstroom Because …

I ♥ Broederstroom

Hi, I’m Mara Kruger from La Chaumiere Guest House in Broederstroom in the North West Province.

Broederstroom IS BEST KNOWN FOR being your entrance in the Bush Veld vegetation area, fresh air and its friendly people en route to Hartbeespoort Dam.

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the Magaliesberg Nature Reserve.

THE BEST sunrise PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN FROM the Hills behind Glen Afric.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS on the bridge a t Dietmar Wiening’s Place – looking on how the Crocodile makes a”U” turn! Continued

I ♥ Ifafi Because …

I ♥ Ifafi

Hi, I’m Tieka from Cocomo Guesthouse and Conference Centre in Ifafi, Hartbeespoort Dam.

Ifafi IS BEST KNOWN FOR its ideal location in Hartbeespoort. Although Ifafi is extremely close to the CBD and restaurants, it is located next to the dam in a residential area assuring for peacefulness and tranquility. Ifafi is also closely located to Necsa Pelindaba for corporate guests.

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the dam wall. If you are lucky a valve may be open for magnificent photos.

THE BEST scenic sunset PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the cross on Saartjies Nek. The sunset over the dam is a breath taking picture.

OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT any of the attractions in the area. Continued

I ♥ Schoemansville Because …

I ♥ Schoemansville

Hi, I’m Laurette Hanekom from Stirling Manor Boutique Guest House in Schoemansville.

Schoemansville IS BEST KNOWN FOR being the main town of Hartbeespoort.

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the Snake and Animal Park, because there are many different animals you are likely to see in real life.

THE BEST animal PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT Bush Baby Monkey Sanctuary and Ukutula Game Lodge where walking with the lions is a life changing experience.

OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT the Welwitschia Country Market which is open from Tuesday to Sunday and all public holidays from 09h00 to 17h00.

Continued

I ♥ Kosmos Because…

I ♥ Kosmos Because...

Hi, I’m Yolandi from Galagos Lodge in Kosmos, Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West Province.

KOSMOS IS BEST KNOWN FOR its tranquil surroundings, lovely walks, the most exquisite sunsets and beautiful views of the Hartbeespoort Dam.

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT any of the tourist attractions in the area, perhaps even with a Cheetah at De Wildt Cheetah & Wildlife Trust, a lion cub at Ukutula Lion Park or an Elephant at Glen Afric Country Lodge. For the more adventurous why not glide through the tree top canopies in a Hot Air Balloon at sunrise.
THE BEST SUNSET PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN while taking a cruise on the Hartbeespoort Dam. This 1620 hectare dam serves a dual purpose as both a source of irrigations for farms in the surrounding area as well as a resort. Continued

I ♥ Rustenburg because…

I ♥ Rustenburg

Hi, I’m Marnice from Boubou B&B in Rustenburg in the North West Province of South Africa.

RUSTENBURG IS BEST KNOWN FORthe beautiful game parks highlighting the lovely nature, birdlife and Big Five territory of the Pilanesberg.

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the Kgaswane Nature Reserve.  You can get a panoramic view of the Magaliesberg Mountain from the highest view point at the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve.  Don’t forget to get a picture of the crater of an extinct volcano that existed 1500 million years ago.
THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHS CAN BE TAKEN AT the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve – just remember the park is home to the Big Five so getting out of your car is not recommended!
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS can be taken at sport events, musical events and festivals … Continued

Monique shares her tandem hang gliding adventure in the Magaliesberg …

Tandem hang-gliding

Take a drive down the R512 past Hartbeespoort Dam. Smile as you see the hot air balloon in the distance and drink in the wonder of the Magaliesberg mountain range. This is how a tandem hang gliding adventure starts. All you need is the sound of ‘Born to be Wild’ coming from the radio…

The tandem flights take place at Aviator’s Paradise, near Brits. It’s a small airfield but well maintained and well loved.  Arriving at the airfield I found the tandem pilot, Mike, waiting for me with a cheerful smile. The team from Free Flying Adventures had already rigged the glider was and I was immediately popped into the harness for a quick test fitting.   Continued

The Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Game Reserve

Game reserves, like dark chocolate covered strawberries, are one of those things that you just can’t get enough of. Millions of years of human evolution have designed us to naturally prefer the great outdoors to an office cubicle. Who can argue with that?

The Madikwe game reserve covers 75,000 hectares making it one of South Africa’s largest. The Madikwe Game Reserve showcases Africa at its finest. Immense plains of open woodlands and grasslands, the jagged Rant van Tweedepoort, the dramatic Dwarsberg Mountain as well as haphazardly placed inselbergs, all make for awe inspiring scenery. Throw in the Big Five and this destination is every tourists dream. Located against the Botswana border, north of the small town Groot Marico. Continued

Rustenburg – not so sleepy

Rustenburg

Rustenburg does not live up to its name. Meaning “place of rest” this once sleepy little town started out as a small farming community producing citrus and Virginia tobacco, but now it is known as the Platinum City due to its extensive mining. A hub of activity and only a ninety minute drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria it is perfect for day trips or a weekend getaway.

Rustenburg has a fine balance between history, arts, culture and nature making it a place that everyone can enjoy. Its history is closely linked to the Vorrtrekkers who founded the town in 1851. They started to settle in the area and named it Rustenburg after they defeated  Mzilikazi and his tribe … Continued

Hartley’s Restaurant and Pub – A unique country pub and restaurant in an old milking parlour

Hartley's

If you are out and about in Rustenburg and want a dinner or lunch venue with a historical slant to it why not give Hartley’s Restaurant and Pub at Rainhill Farm a try.

The history of Rainhill Farm (named after Rainhill village in Scotland) is that it was purchased by brothers Frank and Duncan McGregor and their sister Helen McGregor in 1909.  Frank married Ella McGregor and she moved to the farm once an old storeroom had been restored to become her ‘house’!  Perhaps she didn’t like the idea of sharing a home with her new husband, his mother and sister! Continued

Activities at Maropeng Centre on Heritage Day

Maropeng

As I am sure you are well aware there is a public holiday this week – Friday 24 September 2010 is National Heritage Day in South Africa. If you’ve forgotten or (shock horror) you don’t know why we celebrate Heritage Day let me tell you. It is a fairly recent public holiday which recognises all aspects of South African culture. Which I think is something quite special besides meaning that we get the day off.

Now if you’re not already celebrating the day with a braai – National Braai Day, and you can’t think of anything to do, rather than spend the day lazing about why not head out to Maropeng in the Cradle of Humankind for their celebration where more than 8000 people are expected … Continued

A holiday in the crater of a once active volcano … Pilanesberg Reserve

When a friend of mine suggested that our next holiday in South Africa should be in the crater of a once active volcano, I wasn’t sure it was a good idea. I’ve seen way too many disaster movies to not know that people say “it’s been inactive for millennia” about fifteen minutes before the thing erupts and the main characters spend the rest of the movie fighting for their lives.

Turns out the main characters in this adventure (a group of friends and myself) spent our time exploring and relaxing for our lives. The long extinct volcano crater in question is now home to the Pilanesberg Game reserve and was well worth the visions of disaster … Continued

Tshukudu Bush Lodge – a perfectly indulgent bush getaway

Tshukudu Bush Lodge

Imagine lying back in a soothing bubble bath with a sweeping view of the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park, where over 80 species of animal roam the savannah. Imagine no more. Built high on a rocky outcrop, Tshukudu Bush Lodge has been designed to offer you a perfectly indulgent bush getaway …

Overlooking its own waterhole, set in rolling plains that abound with flora and fauna, Tshukudu Lodge allows the visitor a special glimpse of Africa as she was: untouched, unspoilt, unforgettable … Tshukudu Lodge, “Place of the Rhino” in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, offers 6 luxury cottages and 2 cabins nestled on an isolated rocky outcrop in the heart of a 55 000 hectare, malaria free, wildlife paradise … Continued