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NORTH WEST
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Accommodation | Travel | Adventure
| Tourist Guide
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Welcome to the North West Province! Bordering on Botswana and the Kalahari Desert, the North West embodies a varied landscape from desert to typical highveld grassland, Situated in a superb location in the Western Magaliesburg. Its within a reasonable length scenic drive, to the sensational Sun City and ...
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Welcome to the North West Province! Bordering on Botswana and the Kalahari Desert, the North West embodies a varied landscape from desert to typical highveld grassland, Situated in a superb location in the Western Magaliesburg. Its within a reasonable length scenic drive, to the sensational Sun City and its vast variety of vacation options. Next door is the Pilanesburg National Park perched on an extinct Volcano, where the famous ‘big 5’ can be seen and close by is the Madikwe Game reserve.
The Capital, Mafikeng, is full of history, especially its Museum which illustrates the Siege of Mafikeng, the Barolong people and the Bushmen. Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp are the biggest cities in the province; other main towns are Brits and Rustenburg.
There is so much to be seen and done from admiring the cultural treasures of the women and men who make jewellery, arts, crafts and other extending creativity, to Playing Golf at one of the diverse collections of beautiful courses, to game viewing and adventure sports such as extreme Mountain Biking. This is the perfect treat for any kind of leisure dream.
The North West is made up of 4 tourism Regions:
Bomphirima Region:
Formerly known as Stellaland the main focus of this area is to ‘bring you closer to nature’.
The principal town, Vryburg, is the centre of a large agricultural district which has all the modern conveniences. However moving out of the town and into the real Bophirima will provide a uniquely relaxing break from modern life
Southern Region:
The Southern Region is an infinitive tapestry of green maize and yellow sunflower fields, alternated with bushveld plains, dotted with wild olive and umbrella thorn trees.
An outdoor adventurer's paradise, offering hiking trails, mountain biking trails, Paddling, white water rafting, mountain climbing, abseiling.
Central Region:
The Central Region offers game viewing - including the Big 5 - bird watching, hunting, fishing, sport, hospitality, conference facilities, shopping, gaming, Anglo-Boer War sites and a number of excellent guest houses and guest farms.
Bojanala Region:
Bojanala is situated close to Gauteng, and is the most scenic region of the province. If you like adventure, this is your kind of region. Water activities, mountain sports, hang-gliding, parasailing, abseiling, hiking trails, angling, yachting, ballooning, cable way and leisure.
This region is host to the internationally-renowned Lost City Sun City complex with two designer golf courses, 6000-seat Superbowl, the largest casino and gaming complex in the country and its situation in the extinct Pilanesberg volcano formed more than 1300 million years ago
More must-see hotspots are:
Sun City
The Extravagant World-famous Sun City hotel/Entertainment Complex lures tourists and even the locals into its huge walls everyday, with world-class 5 star luxury resort hotels fit for kings like ‘Palace of the Lost City’ to more affordable but beautiful hotels, from huge Casinos to water-entertainment and ‘Valley of the Waves’, from incredible golf course to spa treatments and the Super bowl which hosts concerts, events, pageants, huge boxing events and even dance competitions. It accommodates families to singles, and has more than something for everyone – this place is as close to heaven on earth as the golden gate, especially with the surrounding lush landscape and mountains.
Pilanesburg National park
The Pilanesburg range exists as a result of a crater made by a volcano that is now extinct – one of the largest volcanic areas in the world, with a beautiful landscape pregnant with engaging wildlife and special indigenous birdlife. The famous Big-5 (Lion, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, and leopard) can be spotted at night with safari drives and seen during the day guided by knowledgeable game rangers. Prehistoric man can be acknowledged at the various stone and iron-age sites within the 55 000 hectare park – this is a beautiful spot with a few Camp and chalet facilities around the park.- Mampoer Country:
Groot Marico is a vibrant artistic community – where the art of storytelling is alive and well. This area is also home to Mampoer – a largely alcoholic drink that was traditionally made from peaches. Mampoer is often compared to the American drink moonshine, but according to the locals, mampoer is a much stronger poison.
-Lesedi Cultural Village:
A short, scenic drive outside of Johannesburg brings you to this Cultural Village, which is a window to a number of our indigenous cultures for South Africans and Visitors alike. The village offers an exploration of traditional folklore and ancestry …not to mention the spectacular cuisine and fantastic curios.
-The Taung Skull:
The world Famous Taung Skull was found n the Buxton Limestone quarry in 1924 by Dr Raymond Dart and indicated to the world that indeed the man initiated on the African continent. Visit the Taung Heritage site where the skull was discovered – the area is no longer being mined but remains an important scientific research site and is also a place of great peace and tranquillity.
..places like the ‘land of the meteorites’, ‘cheetah country’ and so much more, so have a look at the attractions tab and decide on a few things to see!!
North West Weather Overview
Summer brings hot, sunny days (temperatures around 22 to 34 °Celsius); Winters are relatively warm during daylight hours, however the evenings can get somewhat chilly (temperatures around 15 to 22°C). summer rainfall is low on the North Western border, increasing towards the Witwaterstrand/Gauteng area in the East.
History of the North West Province
The North West Province has an extremely rich heritage. It is the home of Mrs Plez, the missing link that defined the relationship between man and ape – discovered in the Sterkfontein Caves (part of the Cradle of Humankind), a wealthy source of hominoid remains. It is also the scene of some of the most intense battles fought during the Anglo-boer war – the siege of Mafikeng (which is now a mecca for military buffs) being one. This is the land of the author Herman Charles Bosman and his tales of Oom Schalk and the Groot Marico, where Mampoer and local legend was born and where time stands still. It is also the home of the Bakgatla tribe, who believe in Totem animals and that their wellbeing is dictated by the stars…
A rich Heritage indeed.
North West Province Quick Facts
Main Cities
Mafikeng, Mmabatho, Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Brits, Rustenburg
Airports
Mafikeng, Pilanesburg (Sun City)
Area
Western Cape occupies 86 250 km2 (9.5% of South Africa)
Population
North West - 3.8-million (8.2% of South Africa)
Languages
North West - Setswana (65%), Afrikaans (7%) - English is lingua franca.
