Icons of the North West Province South Africa: Tourist places beautiful

Hartbeespoort Dam - Where Beauty Meets Pleasure

Being in close proximity to Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Hartbeespoort Dam is most certainly one of the province’s most popular destinations for weekend getaways and day trips. For the explorer seeking some exhilaration, this region offers such activities as parasailing, windsurfing, water and jet skiing, paragliding, hang-gliding or hot air ballooning. The tamer trekker can roam the village of Hartbeespoort and pay a visit to the local aquarium, private zoo, snake park and cable way, or simply indulge in the sheer scenicbeauty of this magnificent land.

There is an aquarium, private zoo, a snake park and a cable way. Explore and discover the scenic beauty, entertaining attractions, fun activities & places of interest of this wonderful land.

The Hartbeespoort Dam was constructed in 1925. Its current capacity is 205 million cubic metres and its shoreline, when full, is about 56km. Surrounded by the majesty of the Magaliesberg mountain range, Hartbeespoort Dam is very popular for weekend getaways or day trips.

Madikwe Game Reserve - A Wildlife Theatre

The 60 000 ha Madikwe Game Reserve, adjacent to the Botswana border, is home to 66 large mammal species including the Big Five and approximately 300 resident and migrant bird species.

One of South Africa’s largest game reserves, Madikwe has the distinction of being one of the few game reserves in the world to be proclaimed purely on the grounds of being the most appropriate and sustainable land use for an area.

Guests are taken on conducted, day and night game drives or bush walks. Excellent accommodation is available at various private lodges. There are no day visitor facilities.

Situated a mere three hours’ drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Madikwe Game Reserve is renowned as one of South Africa’s premier safari destinations. Being home to 66 large mammal species, including the ‘Big Five’, and approximately 300 resident and migrant bird species, Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the largest of its kind in the country. Guests can enjoy day and night game drives and bush walks, or just be treated to the absolute luxury of the area’s many fine accommodation facilities.

Mafikeng Capital City

The name Mafikeng (Mahikeng) means “The place among the rocks”. This name was given to the area by early Barolong chiefs who had settled along the Molopo River, near the present day village of Rooigrond, in 1852.

Mafikeng later attracted the attention of the world during the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 – 1902 as the small British garrison under the command of Colonel Robert Baden-Powell held out for 217 days against Boer forces.

Today Mafikeng is a vibrant provincial and commercial capital and a major tourism attraction for the the history, culture and wildlife of this unique region of South Africa.

Pilanesberg National Park - formed by volcanic eruption

“The Volcano that gave birth to a game reserve” The structure of the park was formed by volcanic eruptions some 1 200 million years ago. This extinct volcano is the most perfect example of an alkaline ring complex. Pilanesberg National Park rates high amongst the world’s outstanding geological phenomena.

Pilanesberg exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as “Bushveld”. Unlike any other large park, unique overlaps of mammals, birds and vegetation occur because of this transition zone. The very topography makes the area a feast for the eye – syenite koppies, thickly forested ravines, typical bushveld and also rolling grasslands and lightly wooded areas.

Sun City And Lost City - Where The Fun Never Sets

In the centre of a volcanic valley, surrounded by the slopes of the Pilanesberg mountains, a wonderland rises from the dust. Shimmering in the African sun, the fantastic Sun City Resort Complex could be mistaken for a mirage.

The complex is one of the world’s largest adult entertainment centres. Gaming on the casino tables, golfing on its superb 18-hole course, watching boxing matches, attending performances by some of the world’s most popular stars, lazing in the plush ambience. The Lost City – an illusion of some idyllic ancient civilisation rediscovered – with the Shrine of the Sacred Monkey, ruins of old temples, ancient carvings, grottos, the Valley of the Waves, Bridge of Time, The Palace – one of the architectural wonders of Africa.

Taung Heritage Site - Archaeological Splendour

‘The Place of the Lion’ named after Tau, the chief of the Bataung people, who made his headquarters here during the 18th century. Taung became famous in 1924 with the discovery of a fossilised skull of a child. This discovery led many scientists to believe that the origin of early man was initiated on the African continent.

It was at the limestone diggings at the old Buxton quarry in 1924 that the lime encrusted child-skull (Australopithecus Africanus), belonging to an early hominid was unearthed and taken to Prof Raymond Dart. A monument to this discovery is at the site and an old mine tunnel has been opened for exploration. The Buxton quarry is no longer being mined, but remains an important scientific research site and is also a place of great peace and tranquillity.

From the limestone cliffs at the head of the valley, a constant flow of clear water flows through a succession of attractive pools in descent down to this ancient valley. Besides for its archaeological importance, the area’s magnificent scenery, Blue Pools, limestone cliffs and picturesque caves provide an ideal spot for hiking, abseiling and picnicking.

The Taung Heritage Site was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO.

‘The Place of the Lion’ named after Tau, the chief of the Bataung people, who made his headquarters here during the 18th century. Taung became famous in 1924 with the discovery of a fossilised skull of a child. This discovery led many scientists to believe that the origin of early man was initiated on the African continent.

It was at the limestone diggings at the old Buxton quarry in 1924 that the lime encrusted child-skull (Australopithecus Africanus), belonging to an early hominid was unearthed and taken to Prof Raymond Dart. A monument to this discovery is at the site and an old mine tunnel has been opened for exploration. The Buxton quarry is no longer being mined, but remains an important scientific research site and is also a place of great peace and tranquillity.

From the limestone cliffs at the head of the valley, a constant flow of clear water flows through a succession of attractive pools in descent down to this ancient valley. Besides for its archaeological importance, the area’s magnificent scenery, Blue Pools, limestone cliffs and picturesque caves provide an ideal spot for hiking, abseiling and picnicking.

The Taung Heritage Site was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO.

Reference:
by Daga
Published on
August 10, 2017