~ ABOUT NORTH WEST PROVINCE ~

North West: Located to the west of Gauteng lies the rural, tranquil setting of the North West Province. Much of the province consists of flat areas of scattered trees and grassland. The Magaliesberg mountain range in the northeast extends from Pretoria to Rustenburg with the Vaal flowing along the Southern border of the province. The mainstay of the economy of North West Province is mining, which generates more than half of the province's gross domestic product and provides jobs for a quarter of its workforce. Mafikeng is the capital city of this province it is most well known internationally for the Siege of Mafeking, the most famous engagement of the Second Boer War. Unlike those bustling cities such as Johannesburg, much of the North West Province is devoted to agriculture and to mining. The North West museum has exhibits relating to the Siege of Mafeking, the Barolong people and the Bushmen. There are many attractions to see as this province is home to the Sun City Resort, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve and the Hartebeestpoort Dam.

Closer to Johannesburg, you will find the Magaliesberg mountains. A well-developed tourist attraction, the area boasts horse trails, coffee and craft shops, cheese factories and other local delicacies, and guesthouses. You will find both the Elephant Sanctuary, home to six rescued elephants and the De Wildt Cheetah Centre in this area as well as a Crocodile park located nearby. Pilanesberg National Park: The Pilanesberg National Park is the fourth largest in South Africa and covers over 55000 hectares. Pilanesberg exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as "Bushveld". Unlike any other large park, unique overlaps of mammals, birdlife and vegetation occur because of this transition zone. This park boasts a healthy population of South Africa's “Big Five”.

This malaria-free park is perched on the eroded vestiges of an alkaline volcanic crater - one of only three such craters in the world. The volcanic origins of this structure provides some of the most spectacular scenery in Southern Africa due to its varied landscapes. Because of this it is also able to provide a wide range of habitats thereby enabling it to accommodate many different species, more so than any other park of its size. Its potential for supporting rare and endangered species such as black rhino, sable, and wild dogs is particularly high. As well as the 'Big Five' you will find the nocturnal brown hyena, cheetah, hippo, crocodile and even sable. The early presence of man can be seen in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites throughout the park.

Sun City Resort: In the epicentre of an ancient volcano, deep into the bushveld, lies the internationally acclaimed resort, Sun City. With a beating African heart and a flair for fantasy here your every desire will be met. Boasting with activities such as the Valley of the Waves, The palace of the Lost City and the wondrous Sun City Casino it is every holidaymaker's dream destination. A fantasy world of Africa 's jungles, cliff-tumbling gardens, streams, waterfalls, swimming pools, and al fresco entertainment areas. The full variety of entertainment on offer leaves one with a yearning heart and a loss for words. Sun City’s attractions are varied enough to appeal to the most divergent of tastes. Adjacent to the Pilanesberg National Park this offer is undeniably one of the most accommodating by far.

Temperatures in the North West Province range from 17° to 31°C in the summer and from 3° to 21°C in the winter. Annual rainfall totals about 360 mm , with almost all of it falling during the summer months, between October and April.