Magaliesburg
Description
Magaliesburg is a small village situated below the Magaliesberg Mountain range, less than an hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria. Set in the rustic countryside, Magaliesburg is ideal for relaxing weekend getaways and exciting outdoor activities. Enjoy golf, spas, game drives, cave tours, and more! Book your Magaliesburg accommodation to experience for yourself the excitement that surrounds this sleepy village.
Magaliesburg forms part of the Magalies Meander, a tourism area that spans the border of Gauteng and the North West Province, and incorporates several tourism hotspots like The Cradle of Humankind, Hartebeespoort Dam, and the Crocodile Ramble. Situated at the crossing of the R24 (from Rustenburg to Sun City) and the R509 (to Mmabatho and Botswana), Magaliesburg is an ideal stop over that is easy to find. The quiet village comes to life on weekends when local townsfolk and visiting city slickers frequent the quaint stores, eateries, and local markets.
The Magaliesberg has an intriguing history. It is believed to be the birthplace of mankind, because fossils of what is said to be the earliest species of primitive man were discovered in and around the Sterkfontein Caves (20 minutes away) in the Cradle of Humankind. Tours are available to explore the caves and explanatory Maropeng Visitors Centre.
Magaliesburg is a haven for indigenous Woodlands and birdlife, attracting nature lovers from far and wide. Aside from game drives on the surrounding nature reserves, visitors can experience close encounters with wildlife. In Hartbeespoort (45 minutes away), tourists can visit the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre (previously known as De Wildt), Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary, Hartbeespoort Dam Snake and Animal Park, and The Elephant Sanctuary, which offers a fully comprehensive experience where you can walk, touch, brush, and feed the resident elephants.
Get a dose of the outdoors and venture up the mountains where you can enjoy hiking trails, abseiling, rock climbing, and kloofing. The array of recreational activities is ideal for challenging yet fun team building and conferences, which can be organised through various operators such as DA Team. The greater region also offers hot air balloon rides, luxury spa treatments, fishing, beer tasting, museums, white-water rafting, the Magaliesberg Canopy Tour, microlighting, and horseback rides at Hollybrooke Farm or Saddle Creek Ranch.
Golfers can visit a number of courses in the area, including Pecanwood, Magalies Park, and Hunters Rest. The illustrious Sun City resort is less than 90 minutes away, boasting two world-famous championship golf courses. The Gary Player Golf Course and The Lost City Golf Course are both designed by South African golfing legend, Gary Player, and provide a challenge to golfers at all levels. The lavish African-themed complex offers entertainment for the whole family with a casino, Valley of the Waves water park, spa, and adventure activities on the nearby dam.
Whether you take a self-drive or hop on the Magalies Express Train from Johannesburg, Magaliesburg is a wonderful region to explore the countryside and enjoy a relaxing break.
