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Blink twice, and it’ll still be there. Two hours out of Johannesburg, and in the heart of sheer bushveld, is the most astonishing sight. Huge domes, glowing torches, aged stone-work, enormous sculpted animals and soaring palm trees. Welcome to the extraordinary Palace of the Lost City, and Sun City Resort, and if golfing at one of the two top world-ranked courses is not for you, consider time on the beach. Yes, there’s a man-made beach, complete with waves. This pleasure oasis is world renowned, and it’s no wonder key international events such as the Miss World contest, celebrity rock concerts, golf tournaments and lavish extravaganzas all take place here.
Next door is the Pilanesberg National Park, not only home to the ‘Big Five’, but a renowned bird haven. The Pilanesberg boasts some of the country’s finest animal spotting facilities, among them Scavenger Hide, an underground hide with glass viewing ports, and a stilted bird hide in the middle of Mankwe Dam.
Further north and yet an easy 4 to 5 hour drive from Jo-hannesburg, is the Madikwe Game Reserve, an exciting joint venture between the state, private sector and local communities. It has one of the most successful wild dog rehabilitation programmes in South Africa, and is proving to be a stronghold for a fascinating variety of wildlife. In recent years, several exclusive game lodges have established themselves in this reserve, a telling sign of the quality and quantity of game found within its boundaries. |
