South Africa’s Gauteng and North West provinces have some of the most stunning holiday destinations.
Gauteng lures travellers with its urban attractions, these include historical monuments, remarkable museums and botanical gardens. Away from the cities, you can explore the fossil-rich caves of the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
‘…fossil-rich caves…’
To the west of Gauteng, separated by the old Magaliesberg Mountains, is the perfect North West province with wonderful game parks such as Pilanesberg National Park and Madikwe Game Reserve. The province is home to the luxurious Sun City resort, a bold pleasure destination packed with entertainment, from water parks with wave pools to lavish themed hotels.
‘…wonderful game parks…’
Let us tell you a little bit about South Africa’s Gauteng and North West provinces.
Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng
The Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the richest concentrations of early human fossils in the world. The site is also home to the impressive Sterkfontein Caves, with six connected underground caves where many fossils were found. Among the finds here is the skull of a humanoid creature known as Australopithecus africanus, estimated to be two million years old, as well as a skeleton thought to be about 3.5 million years old. Stop at the popular Maropeng Visitor Centre for mesmerising journeys back in time with remarkable fossils.
‘…mesmerising journeys back in time…’
Historical Monuments, Pretoria Gauteng
Besides jacaranda-studded parks and gardens, Pretoria is known for its thought-provoking historical monuments. A sightseeing tour of these monuments is one of the top things to do in Pretoria, especially during springtime when the jacarandas are in full bloom.
‘…springtime when jacarandas are in full bloom…’
One of the most famous monuments is the Voortrekker Monument, a South African Heritage Site, which tells the story of the Boers’ pioneering history. A steep staircase leads up to the 40-meter-high imposing granite memorial, and a wall of carved ox wagons surrounds it, representing the trek wagons used by the Boers in the mid-19th century. Highlights include the Hall of Heroes with marble reliefs representing the Great Trek of 1838, informative museum exhibits, and sweeping views of the city from its rooftop.
‘…sweeping views of the city…’
Freedom Park unveils South Africa’s journey to democracy through a series of evocative memorials and museum exhibits. Here, you can see the Wall of Names honouring victims of South Africa’s conflicts, and the Gallery of Leaders, which celebrates some of the nation’s most inspirational figures.
‘…most inspirational figures…’
Lion & Safari Park, Gauteng
The Lion & Safari Park is one of the top animal-centred Gauteng attractions where you can go on cheetah and lion walks. You can interact with giraffes and ostriches during exhilarating activities. You can take various guided tours such as the predator tour, night-feeding tour, bush walk, and safari. You can see the resident wildlife, including hyenas, wild dogs, zebras, lions, cheetahs, and many species of antelope when you take an exploring self-drive tour. Lion & Safari Park is popular for the whole family, children love the playgrounds too.
‘…exhilarating activities…’
National Botanic Garden, Pretoria Gauteng
Pretoria National Botanic Garden, a tranquil garden near the city centre, focuses on South Africa’s fascinating flora. Cycads, aloes, and colourful flowering plants brighten the 76-hectare gardens, which are home to more than half of the country’s species of trees. Cold and warm climate plants flourish in separate sections of the park and provide contrasting landscapes thanks to a quartzite ridge, which separates the gardens. After strolling among the gardens and natural bush on the scenic nature trails, you can relax at the restaurant with lovely views of the lake.
‘…contrasting landscapes…’
Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, North West
If you love close-up views of African wildlife and care about conservation, you’ll enjoy a visit to the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre. Established in 1971 as a cheetah breeding project, the centre has since expanded its projects to include African wild dogs, brown hyenas, and Cape vultures, among other animals. It was also the first breeder of the rare king cheetah. You can choose from a range of educational tours, these include walking tours around the animal enclosures, private tours, and opportunities to watch the fastest animals on earth run at full speed. Photographers will enjoy capturing close-up images of these magnificent animals.
‘…watch the fastest animals on earth run at full speed…’
Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary, North West
At the Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary near Hartbeespoort Dam, animal lovers can get up close and personal with these adorable creatures. Nestled in a gorge in the Magaliesberg mountain range, the sanctuary rescues orphaned and abused bush babies, as well as lemurs and many species of monkeys, and accommodates them in naturalistic large enclosures. The bushbabies are nocturnal and sleep during the day, but you can enter the monkey enclosures with experienced guides and view these mischievous animals from raised walkways. Next door, at the Elephant Sanctuary you can experience educational interactions with these gentle giants.
‘…you can enter the monkey enclosures…’
Madikwe Nature Reserve, North West
Madikwe Nature Reserve offers excellent game viewing. Here, you’ll have the chance to see the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino in more than 750 square kilometres of natural bush land. The park also protects endangered African wild dogs, hippos, cheetahs, hyenas, antelopes, and more than 300 species of birds.
‘…lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino…’
Pilanesberg National Park, North West
Nearby Sun City, Pilanesberg National Park offers fantastic game viewing. Here, you have a chance to spot leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. The park’s wildlife is diverse and abundant with Sable antelope, African wild dogs, zebras, giraffes, and more than 360 species of birds. You can explore the 550-square-kilometer park on self-drive tours, guided walking safaris, and game drives in open vehicles. For a bird’s-eye view of the game, visitors can soar over the park in a hot air balloon.
‘…wildlife is diverse and abundant…’
