The province of the North West in South Africa is one of those surprising places where you don’t expect things to be so simple. People visiting South Africa, as soon as they think of a trip to the country, immediately contemplate Cape Town, Durban, or Kruger National Park, but North West has its own appeal, which is certainly less crowded and less severe. There’s plenty of wildlife, climbing, adventure, hidden treasures, resorts, and cultural landmarks to keep you coming back for more in this province.
If you’re planning a trip to the North West, here are some of the best places you should visit.
Tourist Attractions in North West, South Africa
1. Pilanesberg National Park
2. Sun City Resort
3. Hartbeespoort Dam
4. Madikwe Game Reserve
5. The Cradle of Humankind
Top 5 Tourist Attractions in North West, South Africa
1. Pilanesberg National Park
Address: Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa
One place everybody seems to agree on visiting in the North West is Pilanesberg National Park. Just after the visit, you can see the reasons why, I suppose.
Sun City’s Pilanesberg is an ancient volcanic crater where you can enjoy some of the best safari experiences in South Africa without having to make your way down to Kruger. It is home to the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo) and thousands of bird species, including giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and more.
Payments for entrance to the park are typically in the vicinity of R250 to R450 per adult, depending on whether the self-drive or guided tour is chosen. Guided game drives are more expensive and may range from R700 to R1,500, depending on the lodge or guide company.
One thing about Pilanesberg is that it is accessible. If self-driving is more to your liking, you can do that as well within the park, or you can hire luxury safari drivers who will know exactly where to find the animals.
The amenities of the facilities are good as well. Picnic areas, restaurants, viewing hides, accommodation, and clean rest areas are available throughout the park. Some lodges also offer complimentary meals, sunset drives, and welcome drinks in package deals.
The game trails to the sunrise are unmissable. It seems like a magic moment when the bush slowly comes to life and birds and distant animals call out.
2. Sun City Resort
Address: Sun City, 0316, South Africa
First of all, Sun City is probably the best-known entertainment centre in the province, and it almost makes you feel like you are in an entire holiday town in the middle of the bushveld.
Sun City is very close to the Pilanesberg and offers a large resort that includes luxury hotels, casinos, water parks, restaurants, golf courses, entertainment for the whole family, and nightlife.
The rates of the accommodations differ significantly from hotel to hotel. Rooms are budget-friendly at the start of about R1,800 per night, while luxury suites will cost well over R8,000. For day visitors, there are some attractions that can be visited alone.
The Valley of Waves is one of the major attractions here. Basically, it’s a huge water park with wave pools, slides, lazy rivers, and fake beaches. It is particularly favoured by families in the summer.
Ziplining, quads, golf courses, spa treatments, shopping areas, and many restaurants are also available. Some hotel packages offer a free breakfast buffet, shuttle service, or entry to some of the attractions.
The biggest surprise I had about Sun City was that there was a lot to do. There wouldn’t be enough activities to run out of here for several days.
The night is quite different. The casinos light up, the live shows start, and the resort starts to get very active.
3. Hartbeespoort Dam
Address: Hartbeespoort, North West, South Africa
The scenic Hartbeespoort Dam, also known as “Harties”, is one of the highlights of the province. Mountains, water, restaurants and markets, adventure activities; this blends into a very relaxed holiday.
One of the best things to do here is the Harties Cableway. The ride to the top of the mountain, with a view of the dam and the surrounding scenery, is truly spectacular.
The average ticket price for a cableway is between R240 and R320 for adults. At the summit, you will find restaurants, viewing platforms, bars, walking trails, and entertainment spaces.
Here, boat cruises are also very popular, particularly sunset cruises. The price is normally in the region of R250 to R600 per package. Free snacks or drinks are sometimes available on cruises.
Another highlight of the area is the proximity of the markets. Enjoy browsing through handmade crafts, local food, clothing, and souvenirs, and listen to live music for hours.
The atmosphere is the element of Hartbeespoort’s specialness. There is no pressure. They visit here to unwind, have a nice meal, take pictures, and appreciate the scenery.
4. Madikwe Game Reserve
Address: North West, South Africa
Madikwe is one of South Africa’s biggest private game reserves and, in all honesty, feels more exclusive than many other safari destinations.
Madikwe is not as busy as some of the other parks, and is a more intimate safari experience. It is particularly famed for its opulent lodges and extraordinary wildlife viewings, including the threatened African bush dog.
The majority of visitors are accommodated in safari lodges within the reserve, with prices varying from approximately R4,000 to in excess of R20,000 per night, depending on the lodge.
Much of the good news is that many of these rates include everything! This frequently includes luxury accommodation, all meals, game drives, drinks and even snacks on safaris.
The game driving roads are outstanding. They are really very experienced, and sightings are not as busy and more personal when there are many cars around.
What jumped to my mind was how quiet the reserve is at night. You don’t really forget sitting around a fire and listening in the distance to the animals.
5. The Cradle of Humankind
Address: Gauteng & North West Border, South Africa
While part of it extends into Gauteng, the Cradle of Humankind is still one of the most interesting attractions near the North West.
Some of the most significant fossil finds have taken place here, making it a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s more or less a tour of human history and human evolution.
Payments are typically R150 or R250 for entry into the experience.
The Caves at Sterkfontein are particularly remarkable. It’s a learning adventure to be inside the underground caves and discover fossils there.
The visitor centres are modern and interactive and are a great deal of fun for those who are not the usual museum visitors.
There are guided tours, exhibitions, restaurants, and educational displays throughout the site.
Conclusion
North West Province is definitely one of the underrated provinces in South Africa. It has a bit of everything: safaris, luxury resorts, mountain adventures, cultural attractions, nightlife, and a place to escape to nature.
From viewing lions in the Pilanesberg, to enjoying a holiday at Sun City, cruising down the Hartbeespoort Dam, to visiting ancient caves in the Cradle of Humankind, the province has a way of making every trip memorable.
But the best of it is, many of these attractions are more relaxed and less crowded than other tourist hot spots in South Africa. At times, the more hushed one is just the better.
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