Has the petrol price stopped you from joining the annual migration from Gauteng to the coast? To be honest, the festive season is my favourite time to be inland, because the crowds have dispersed and there are so many areas to explore closer to home. One of my favourite holidays was spent in the Magaliesberg, about an hour from Johannesburg.

Flirting near the border between Gauteng and the North West, the Magalies Meander connects several tourism areas, including the Cradle of Humankind, Hartbeespoort Dam, Magaliesburg, and Rustenburg. With so much to do and waves of grassy bushveld to do them in, the Magaliesberg is the perfect combination of relaxation and fun-filled adventure!

Here are 10 things to do on the Magalies Meander:

1. Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris

Bill Harrop’s is almost synonymous with the Magalies, and you’ll often spot the rainbow hot air balloons soaring up with the sunrise.

2. Elephant Sanctuary

I’ll never forget my first elephant kiss at the Elephant Sanctuary Hartbeespoort Dam. It was a muddy, slimy shlop on the cheek and I loved it. The sanctuary has several experiences where you can walk, touch, feed, brush down, and ride the elephants. While it is a little costly, it’s a worthwhile experience.

elephant-sanctuary-hartbeespoort-dam-by-Desiree-Haakonsen

3. Eat at the Red Dragon

The Red Dragon at Chameleon Village near Hartbeespoort is my favourite Chinese restaurant – ever! The service isn’t always spectacular, but the food is outstanding. The Beef with Black Bean Sauce and the Sweet and Sour Pork are just two favourites. They’ve added a sushi menu since I was last there, so I’m planning a return trip soon.

4. Aerial Cableway Hartbeespoort

The Aerial Cableway has the best panoramic views of the Magaliesberg Mountains, Hartbeespoort Dam, and surrounds. Kids can play in the KidZone and wander along the Dassie Loop walkway with educational placards describing points of interest. Restaurants, food stalls, and a bar are on site.

5. Sterkfontein Caves

Situated in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, Sterkfontein Caves is one of the most productive hominid fossil sites in the world, with some of the oldest evidence of the origins of humankind. From personal experience, don’t take your baby (or granny) into the caves. It’s doable, but your arms will be aching by the time you’ve finished carrying them through the narrow paths and steep steps.

Sterfontein-by-cradle-of-humankind-and-flowcomm

6. Maropeng 

The Sterkfontein Caves experience isn’t complete without visiting Maropeng. The visitors centre offers a fascinating look at the Cradle of Humankind and has really made it fun for the whole family. The tour includes a boat ride through natural elements as well as interactive displays and intriguing facts about humankind. And if you’re hungry, the Maropeng hotel restaurant is beautiful and has a little pool outside for hot summer days!

Maropeng-by-flowcomm(flickr)

7. Reefsteamers Train Trips

Why drive when you can ride on a steam train? Experience the staccato beat of the Reefsteamers locomotives as the crew conducts steam-age rituals of coal trimming, firing, and ash pan cleaning.

8. Golf

My hubby is the golfer, but I loved tagging along and spotting the resident wildlife on the course at Eco Seasons Resort. Other golf courses on the Magalies Meander include Pecanwood, Magalies Park, Rustenburg, Mooinooi, and Hunters Rest.

9. The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre

One of my favourite experiences of all time was walking with a cheetah, so I highly recommend visiting The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre (previously known as De Wildt). The centre offers a number of tours, including a Family Tour for children under the age of 6.

cheetah-by-Desiree-Haakonsen

10. Shopping

Where there’s a Gautenger, there’s a shop. At the Damdoryn crossroads (1km from the Hartbeespoort Dam wall) you’ll find Damdoryn Shopping Centre; the Welwitschia and Chameleon Village markets with curios, speciality stores, and eateries; and 150 African Curios Shops which, although it has lovely products, I personally tend to avoid because the merchants hound your every step.

Still not convinced there are enough holiday activities? Venture up the mountains and enjoy hiking trails, abseiling, rock climbing, and kloofing. There’s also the Magaliesberg Canopy Tour, luxury spas, picnic spots, fishing, game drives, museums, horse riding, quad biking, and more. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or city slicker, there’s plenty of fun waiting for you on the Magalies Meander!

 

Feature image by Vivian Smith