Things to do in

North West

Enjoy a luxurious, 2-hour boat cruise on the placid waters of the Hartbeepoort Dam. With 3 tours departing daily, at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM, pick the time that fits your schedule and hit the water. Located within the Kommando Nek Nature Preserve, gaze at the protected nature that surrounds you, showcasing the abundance of South Africa’s flora and fauna. Upon boarding the boat, you’ll be treated to a welcome drink as you depart to survey the stunning dam’s waters. With all daily cruises, enjoy a luxurious spread of traditional South African hot and cold finger foods. After your cruise is over and you return to the dock, your entrance pass to the nature preserve will still be valid, so get out there and explore the beauty of the South African countryside.

Ride a quad bike through the African bush and encounter fun natural obstacles on an off-road tour from Sun City. This tour gives travelers access to the private Letsatsing Game Park with supervision from attentive guides. Meet your guides at the Sun City Welcome Centre and take a short 10-minute ride to the Letsatsing Game Reserve. On arrival, you will be given guided through safety procedures and instructions on how to ride the quad bikes. Afterward, go on the practice course for approximately 5 minutes so that you can get comfortable with your quad bike. Next, head out into the bush in search of wildlife. Encounter exciting obstacles such as sand mounds, hills, and water puddles. As you ride encounter possible sightings of zebras, giraffes, or warthogs.

Be introduced to some of South Africa’s most famous predators during this memorable safari park drive. Climb into a modern safari truck and set off to discover the lion, wild dog, and cheetah enclosures. Encounter many of Africa's most iconic predators and wildlife including hyenas, leopards, and free-roaming antelopes. Learn more about these incredible animals during a scenic guided drive through a 600-hectare area.  This tour will provide you with the perfect opportunity to take stunning photographs of animals and the surrounding landscape. Finally, relax at a private beach setting on the Crocodile River.

Discover the exquisite Pilanesberg National Park, located in an extinct volcanic crater. Departing from Sun City, enjoy a 3-hour game drive to experience the pristine flora and wildlife, offering some of the best game viewing in South Africa.   Come face to face with the unspoilt beauty of the bush. From a 25-seater open vehicle you could encounter Africa’s big five animals and many other natural inhabitants at close range. Bring your binoculars and a camera, to capture the incredible sightings.

Visit Pilanesberg Game Reserve on a full-day safari from Johannesburg. More than 7000 animals roam freely through Pilanesberg, and the park is home to all of the big five game animals (elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalos and lions). You may encounter zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, jackals, wild cats, various antelopes, as well as over 300 species of bird. On your tour you will enjoy 2 extensive game drives, conducted by an experienced tour guide. After collecting you from your hotel or residence in Johannesburg between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM, you will travel to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Upon arrival, your guide will take you on an exciting 2.5-hour morning safari in search of animals that inhabit the park.  During the heat of the day, you will enjoy lunch at one of the many rest camps in the Game Reserve. After lunch, you will depart on another 2.5-hour afternoon safari drive in an open vehicle. Ask your knowledgeable guide any questions you might have about the animals and the natural environment. You will leave Pilanesberg between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM in order to arrive back in Johannesburg before sunset, where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

After being collected in the early morning by a registered field guide, travel in an open safari vehicle from your respective hotels at Sun City Resort or lodges in Pilanesberg area to the Pilanesberg National Park. Day visitors can be collected from Bakubung Gate. The transfer through the park takes approximately 1 hour as the balloon launch site is situated in the center. At the launch site, be met by the pilot and crew who will proceed to give a briefing. Climb into a 1.2m high basket and commence your unforgettable journey that lasts approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Experience the finest way of viewing the wildlife of the Pilanesberg National Park including 'the big 5':  lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros, and elephants. On landing, enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and orange juice to celebrate the flight. The field guide will then transport you back through the Pilanesberg National Park to a private lodge, where a full English breakfast will be served. Each guest will receive a first flight certificate signed by the Pilot. After breakfast, you will be transferred back to your hotel or lodge. The total duration of this activity is approximately 5 hours.

Enjoy a convenient pickup from your Johannesburg accommodation or directly from O.R. Tambo International Airport and make your way to the North West Province. Travel in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle and learn interesting facts from your knowledgeable guide on your drive.  Once you arrive at the Pilanesberg National Park, keep a lookout for Africa's Big Five along with the abundance of wildlife that calls this park home. Spot giraffes, wildebeest, elephants, impala, and many other animals. Learn about the fauna and flora from your guide and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the African bush.  Your wildlife safari concludes after around four or five hours in the park, after which you'll travel back to Johannesburg and end your day back at your accommodation or O.R. Tambo International Airport. 

Sit back and enjoy the two hour journey to Pilanesberg, passing by the scenic Magaliesberg Mountains and the picturesque Hartbeespoort Dam. The Pilanesberg National Park lies in a caldera of an extinct, ancient volcano and is dramatically beautiful with mountains, plains, wooded valleys and dams. Look for over 7000 animals that roam freely across the spectacular volcanic landscape. Try and spot the Big Five and a large variety of antelope.  Journey to Mankwe Dam, at the centre of the reserve, a large watering hole that draws animals and birds to it on a daily basis. After a three hour morning game drive in a closed minibus at Pilanesberg, you will be transferred to Sun City, an oasis of leisure, flamboyance and relaxation that shimmers in the heat of the African sun. Spend the afternoon at leisure at the Valley of Waves, a fun family destination where you can swim, enjoy water rides and sunbathe. The 70 meter slide and two body slides are sure to be a hit with the whole family. Stroll through the tropical forest surrounding the Valley of Waves and discover rare plant varieties. 

On this half-day tour, your tour guide will collect you from your accommodations in Johannesburg or Pretoria and take the Lion Park, a natural habitat located not far outside of Johannesburg.  Upon arrival at the Lion Park, you will enjoy 1-hour open vehicle safari drive where you will have the opportunity to view these wonderful animals up close and personal. You will then visit Cub World where you can observe adorable baby lions. There will be a professional photographer who will capture the moments and you have the opportunity to purchase. You will then be driven back to your accommodations in Johannesburg or Pretoria. 

Depart at 6:00 AM from Johannesburg for a full day excursion to explore Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City Resort. Sit back and enjoy the two-hour journey to Pilanesberg, passing by the scenic Magaliesberg Mountains and the picturesque Hartbeespoort Dam. The Pilanesberg National Park lies in a caldera of an extinct 1200 million-year-old volcano and is dramatically beautiful with mountains, plains, wooded valleys and dams. Over 7000 animals roam freely across the spectacular volcanic landscape, including the Big Five, predators and a large variety of antelope. Mankwe Dam, at the center of the reserve, is a large watering hole that draws animals and birds to it on a daily basis. See all this beauty and more on a 3-hour morning game drive through the Park in a minibus. Then, you will be transferred to Sun City Resort, an oasis of leisure, flamboyance and relaxation that shimmers in the sun, only 1 km away from the National Park. The world’s most unique resort is internationally renowned for its glamorous casinos, gourmet restaurants, extensive sports facilities and star-studded spectaculars. After an orientation tour, enjoy some free time to have lunch or stroll through the beautiful gardens. In the afternoon, return to Pilanesberg for another exciting 3-hour 4x4 game drive. Feel the wind in your hair and the thrill of getting closer to nature in an open-air safari vehicle. As the sun starts to set, keep your eyes peeled for stealthy predators such as wild dog, Cape fox and spotted hyena. After your game drive concludes at 6:00 PM, depart for your return trip to Johannesburg, where you will arrive between 8:00 and 9:00 PM.