North West Province

Rub your eyes, clean your glasses – it’s unbelievable but true!  Just two hours from Johannesburg, into the heart of untamed bushveld,  and suddenly it’s there – towering domes, glowing lights, seemingly ancient stonework, giant sculpted animals and swaying palm trees. Welcome to the mind-boggling Palace of the Lost City, and Sun City Resort. Golfing?  Yes, if you’re looking for one of the world’s two top-ranked courses. The beach?  In North West province? Yes, there’s a man-made beach complete with waves.
 

 

 

This is a world-famous oasis of pleasure and entertainment, the setting for major international events such as the miss world contest, celebrity rock concerts, golf tournaments and lavish extravaganzas. Right next door is the Pilanesberg National Park, home of the ‘big five’ and a renowned bird haven. Here are some of the best animal spotting opportunities, including scavenger hide, underground and with glass viewing ports, not to mention a bird-hide on stilts in the middle of Mankwe Dam.
 
Travel further north – still only four to five hours from Johannesburg – to the Madikwe Game Reserve, an enthralling joint venture between the state, the private sector and local communities. Here is one of the most successful wild dog rehabilitation programmes in the country, and a haven for a fascinating variety of wildlife. Several exclusive game lodges have been established in this reserve, a reflection of the quality and quantity of game to be seen here.