Bordering Botswana in the north of South Africa, the North West Province offers a range of interests for the visitor including safari in Madikwe Game Reserve and several attractions within easy reach of Johannesburg.
Here you can experience an authentic African bush experience in excellent 5 star safari lodges in a region which is also malaria free, making it perfect for families. Madikwe Game Reserve is on the border with Botswana and offers the big 5 amongst 66 species of large mammals and about 350 bird species. It is an excellent place to see Black Rhino and the elusive Wild Dogs.
Pilanesberg National Park is a very diverse reserve an easy 2 hours drive from the Johannesburg area and is home to the big five and interesting scenery which has evolved from volcanic mountains. Near to Pilanesberg and popular with South African families is Sun City a large themed holiday resort near Johannesburg with a crocodile farm, lion park, kids club and elephant wallow.
Closer to Johannesburg again is the smaller Magaliesberg Nature Reserve and the Hartbeespoort Dam which is popular for water sports, lake cruises, and near to curio markets and golf courses.
The De Wildt Cheetah Centre is at the foot of the Magaliesberg Mountains and is home to a rescue and conservation centre for cheetah and wild dogs, they also have a bush ranch further north into the Waterberg area where guests can stay at the De Wildt-Shingwedzi Cheetah and Wildlife Ranch.
North West Province has three World Heritage Sites which date back to the beginnings of mankind - view the Vredefort Dome which was caused by a meteorite impact and also find bush art and archeological areas of discovery at Taung and The Cradle of Humankind.
Several of the ethnic tribes of South Africa live in this province and it is possible to stay overnight in local lodgings and learn about the culture of the Zulu, Pedi, Basotho, Xhosa or Ndebele people. The Lesedi Cultural Village is a great place to experience this.
More modern history can been learned about at Mafikeng where you can trace the history of the Anglo-Boer War at museums and battlefield sites.
North West Province is malaria free and as the province embraces the southern part of the Kalahari Desert, it enjoys almost year round sunshine. Summer (November - February) is very hot and winter (June - August) is mild with cold night temperatures.
