The North West has lots to offer both day-trippers and tourists spending a few days in the province. Tessa Reed rounds up some of the options to see and do.

1.Sun City

Sun City is possibly one of the province’s biggest attractions. The resort is just outside the southern border of the Pilanesberg National Park, making it an attractive day trip option for guests staying in the park. Sun City offers a range of activities for families and couples. The Valley of the Waves water park offers something for all ages, with the main attraction being the Roaring Lagoon – a pool that generates ocean-like waves. There is also a range of slides and tube rides on offer. The resort’s Maze of the Lost City is the largest maze in the Southern hemisphere and ends at the Pilanesberg Brewery Bar, where guests can enjoy ice-cold craft beers on tap. The maze can be booked for exclusive use for groups. Other facilities include a casino, nightclubs, spa and golf course as well as lots of shopping options. The resort is currently undergoing an R800 million (€53m) refurbishment that will see the four hotels, entertainment zones and restaurants revamped.

2.Harties Cableway

The Aerial Cableway in Hartbeespoort is open seven days a week, with the first ride up at 09h00 and the last return trip departing at 16h45. The cableway offers visitors panoramic views of the Magaliesberg, Hartbeespoort Dam and surrounding area, and there is plenty to do at the base station and at the top. There are restaurants, express food stalls and a bar, and picnic baskets can also be arranged. Guests are prohibited from taking their own food on the cable car. The Harties Cableway closes before sunset but arrangements can be made for special events on weekends.

3.Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary

The Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort provides a home to squirrel, spider and capuchin monkeys that were previously raised as household pets or bred for the pet trade. The goal of the sanctuary is to provide these primates with the opportunity to live as they would in the wild. The seven-hectare sanctuary is characterised by lush vegetation, natural springs and waterfalls. The sanctuary is open seven days a week and offers tours of an hour to an hour and a half, departing on the hour from 09h00 to 16h00.

4.Hot-air ballooning

Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris is the longest established licensed balloon airline in Southern Africa. Balloon trips depart seven days a week at sunrise, weather permitting, from western Gauteng and North West Province. Itinerary options include trips over the Magaliesberg River Valley, over the Entabeni Safari Conservancy and game-viewing balloon flights in Mabula Private Game Reserve. After landing, guests are treated to a champagne breakfast.

5.Game viewing in the Pilanesberg

The Pilanesberg National Park is a malaria-free game reserve on a long-extinct volcano – one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. It is home to more than 7 000 animals, including 24 of the larger species. In addition to the Big Five, animals found in the park include Brown hyena, sable, hippo and crocodile, while more than 300 bird species have been recorded. For bird watchers there is a walk-in aviary with over 80 species of indigenous birds. Pilanesberg offers almost 200 kilometres of road, is open to day visitors and offers accommodation options for all budgets.