South Africa Guide
North West Province
South Africa's North West Province is one of the country's least-understood regions – renowned, among tourists at least, for the stunning Sun City resort and Big Five Pilanesberg National Park, but not much else. Few people venture beyond these attractions to explore this area in greater depth; consequently, it can be curiously rewarding to do so. The old-fashioned hospitality of the myriad little dorps scattered throughout the region, and the tranquillity of the endless stretches of grassland and fields of mielies (sweetcorn) make a refreshing change after hectic Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Highlights
1 Kgaswane Mountain Reserve Rolling hills, rocky kloofs and sparkling streams in the Magaliesberg mountains – ideal hiking territory.
2 Sun City A unique fantasyland of hotels, slot machines, stage shows and lush golf courses, complete with a Lost City, opulent palace, explorable jungle and fun-filled water park.
3 Pilanesberg National Park The Big Five park most accessible from Johannesburg and Pretoria, with beautiful landscapes and terrific game viewing.
4 Groot Marico One of the most characterful of South Africa's tiny dorps, or small farming towns, famed for its literary connections and the potency of the local fruit spirit, mampoer.
5 Madikwe Game Reserve An often-overlooked Big Five reserve in the corner of the Province; prepare to be pampered in some of South Africa's classiest wildlife lodges.