Known as the “Heritage Province”, the North West is a rewarding holiday destination that offers exciting wildlife and adventure encounters as well as the opportunity to participate in the rich cultural and historical heritage of this diverse landscape.

Home to the fantastic Pilanesberg and Madikwe game reserves, North West has the big five, fantastic bird-life and wide-open African skies. The area boasts archaeological discoveries that go back to the beginnings of humankind, as well as the world-famous Sun City hotel complex, creatively dedicated to ancient lost civilizations and modern-day pleasures.

This is also the land of the somewhat famous author Herman Charles Bosman and his tales of Oom Schalk and the Groot Marico where mampoer (a very potent home-distilled peach brandy) and local legend were born and where time stands still.  This is where the Bakgatla tribe believe in totem animals and that their wellbeing is dictated to by the stars...

Major Attractions:

• The Taung Skull
The world-famous Taung Skull was found in the Buxton limestone quarry (not too far from Vryburg). The Taung Skull (Australopithecus Africanus) was found in 1924 by Dr Raymond Dart and indicated to the world that indeed the origin of man was initiated on the African continent. The area has been renowned for archaeological discoveries and links to ancient man. 

• Magnificent Magaliesberg
The Magaliesberg mountain range is the perfect weekend spot for jaded Johannesburg city-dwellers. Just half an hour away from the big city lights, the Magaliesberg offers a country experience and is a favoured destination of bird-watchers, hikers and those who simply want to get away from it all.

• Sun City
The extravagant Sun City hotel/entertainment complex `in the middle of nowhere’, is known the world-over as one of the world’s tourism hotspots. It was built over 20 years ago in the homeland of Bophuthatswana when gambling was not allowed in South Africa under the apartheid government. Sun City remains an icon of family fun and entertainment. The Lost City is the obvious highlight of the Sun City complex and the Palace of the Lost City - with its extravagant lost-world theme and spectacular African feel - is one of the most famous hotels in the world.

• Valley of the Waves
Kids absolutely love this in-land seaside entertainment centre. The Valley of the Waves at the Lost City (Sun City) offers a gigantic man-made pool, a man-made beach, palm trees and a machine that produces bona fide waves! Death-defying water chute rides are also up for grabs and the Temple of Courage waterslide is not for those faint of heart.

• Pilanesberg Game Reserve
Next door to the famous Sun City resort is the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, where visitors can experience the big five, just two hours from Johannesburg. The reserve is home to a large number of wild animals and is one of the province’s biggest attractions. The Pilanesberg mountain range exists as a result of an enormous volcano that erupted millions of years ago - leaving behind the beautiful hilly undulations that stretch as far as the eye can see.