The North West Province is close to the urban sprawl of Johannesburg and Pretoria Accommodation. Unlike those bustling cities, much of the North West Province is devoted to agriculture and to mining, but opportunities and destinations for tourists also abound.
On a grand, commercial scale, there is the Sun City and Lost City complex. A manufactured entertainment and hotel complex, it offers gambling, the artificial beach of the wave park, horse riding, and two famous and excellent golf courses, in addition to fine dining, spa treatments and more.
In fact, an entire holiday could be spent at this entertainment hub without getting bored.
Less commercial are the small towns, such as Groot Marico, home to the late great South African author Herman Charles Bosman. The town has become somewhat of a tribute to this great man, with opportunities to visit the bar his stories were set in, or sample the fiery Mampoer that featured in his prose. The Eye of Marico is a spring which is also worth a visit in the town.
At the top of the North West Province bordering on Mozambique is the Madikwe Game Reserve, home to a proliferation of animals including the African wild dog and the Big Five Game drives are a popular choice here and there are many accommodation options in the area.
The Pilanesberg Nature Reserve on the other hand, is located in the crater of an extinct volcano, and while game viewing and bird watching are certainly also on the cards here, it’s the hot air balloon rides over the reserve that are a major draw cards, and with good reason. Not only is this a unique experience, it offers a completely different way to experience Africa’s wildlife.
Closer to Johannesburg on the way to Rustenburg, you will find the Magaliesberg mountains. A well-developed tourist attraction, the area boasts horse trails, coffee and craft shops, cheese factories and other local delicacies, and guesthouses.
Also in the Magaliesburg area, if you are looking for something a little different, you will find both the Elephant Sanctuary, home to six rescued elephants and the De Wildt Cheetah Centre. A crocodile park is also located nearby, allowing you to view crocs up close and personal.
Another big attraction in this area is the Hartebeespoort Dam, known to locals affectionately as “Harties.” Here you can enjoy water sports, bird watching, hiking or sample the cuisine in one of the many local restaurants, offering everything from traditional “boerekos” to pancakes. Alternatively, simply pack a picnic basket, round up the family, and spend a day lounging on the shore.
If you are looking for a destination that offers rural tranquility, while still being close to the excitement of a large city, should the desire to sample some of the nightlife arise, the North West Province may be just the destination for you.
Useful Links:
- North West Province Tourist Attractions
- Things To Do in North West Province
- North West Province Accommodation
- North West Province Hotels
