| The North West Province is a diverse mix of | | | | Gliding conditions around Mafikeng are |
| wildlife reserves, cultural and heritage | | | | regarded as among the best in the world. A |
| sites, archaeological treasures and | | | | short distance from the town is the Mafikeng |
| entertainment resorts, such as the | | | | Game Reserve, well known as a breeding centre |
| world-renowed pleasure spots of Sun City, its | | | | for rhino and other plains species.Taung |
| Lost City and Valley of the Waves, make this | | | | Archaeological Site:"The place of the lion", |
| province attractive to the local and | | | | this is the location of the world-famous |
| international tourist.However, even though | | | | Taung archaeological site at the Buxton |
| the combination of five-star casino resorts | | | | limestone quarry where, in 1924 the |
| and the bush experience, as provided by the | | | | lime-encrusted skull of a child was |
| Pilanesberg National Park, is a winner, the | | | | discovered and later named Australopithecus |
| province's other attractions are culturally | | | | africanus by the scientist, Dr Raymond Dart. |
| rich and of great importance. Sites and | | | | The prehistoric skull - half man, half ape, |
| routes such as the Taung Archaeological site, | | | | is said to have provided the missing link in |
| where it was believed Darwin's missing link | | | | Darwin's theory of evolution.Bloemhof Dam |
| was found, and the Crocodile River Ramble, | | | | Nature Reserve:Ideal stopover to enjoy a |
| exploring local arts and crafts along the | | | | drive through Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve |
| way, are noteworthy.Sport and outdoor | | | | which has a variety of small and large |
| enthusiasts will feel at home in these | | | | antelope species and 256 bird species, with |
| natural surroundings that cater for | | | | the option of staying over to take in some |
| activities ranging from water-skiing to | | | | angling for carp and barbel on either the |
| mountain-climbing, with the town of Mafikeng | | | | Bloemhof Dam or the Vaal River. Bloemhof Dam |
| well-known for providing some of the best | | | | caters for water sports enthusiasts and is |
| gliding conditions in the world.CLIMATE:The | | | | one of the prime angling destinations in |
| North West Province experiences warm to hot | | | | South Africa hosting a number of major local |
| summers and cold to very cold winters. This | | | | and international angling |
| province offers almost year-round sunshine | | | | competitions.Potchefstroom:The oldest town in |
| meaning visitors will spend very few days | | | | South Africa, Potchefstroom was also the |
| indoors. The province enjoys a summer | | | | republic's first capital. Attractions include |
| rainfall, which normally sees thunderstorms | | | | the Potchefstroom Museum (in the house of the |
| occurring in the late afternoon. Rain falls | | | | first president), The Old Fort and Museum, |
| mainly between December and March, however | | | | Totius House Museum, Andrew Carnegie Library |
| the more west one travels the drier it | | | | and City Hall, Goetz Fleischack Museum, North |
| becomes.SHOPPING:Shopping malls, antique | | | | West Command and Oak |
| shops, craft markets, art galleries as well | | | | Avenue.Rustenburg:Platinum mining town of |
| as roadside vendors and stalls are plentiful | | | | Rustenburg where huge deposits of this |
| throughout the province. Not-to-be-missed is | | | | valuable mineral are mined. Rustenburg has |
| the enjoyable Crocodile River Ramble shopping | | | | its own Nature Reserve, which protects a |
| route. Good buys include fruit, biltong, | | | | large herd of the rare sable antelope. |
| home-made jams and preserves, mampoer | | | | Visitors are allowed to hike in the |
| (locally distilled liquor), local arts and | | | | park.Hartbeesport Dam:The Hartbeesport Dam |
| crafts, ethnic clothing and fabrics.TOP TEN | | | | nestles in the shadow of the Magaliesberg and |
| ATTRACTIONS:Sun City:The complex boasts two | | | | is popular for fishing, boating, water-skiing |
| world-famous golf courses, which annually | | | | and yachting. There is a mine, zoo and a |
| host the Nedbank 2-million golf challenge, | | | | couple of small holiday villages, including |
| one of the richest invitational tournaments | | | | the attractive kosmos flowers around the |
| in the world. There is a full casino at the | | | | dam.Magaliesberg:For local arts and crafts, a |
| resort, revue theatres and restaurants for | | | | driving route which begins in Johannesburg |
| every taste. The Valley of the Waves is an | | | | and extends to the Magaliesberg area takes in |
| inland sea enjoyed by all water and beach | | | | the homes or shops of a host of artists, |
| enthusiasts. Different tours can be taken | | | | potters and craftspeople, known as the |
| including visits to the new cultural village | | | | Crocodile River Ramble. There are a number of |
| and the botanical gardens.Pilanesberg | | | | pleasant accommodation options and camping |
| National Park:Known as "Jewel of the North | | | | spots in the Magaliesberg area.Mampoer |
| West" This unusual reserve, the fourth | | | | Route:Well known for the quality of its |
| largest in South Africa, is set high in the | | | | mampoer, a powerful home-brew made from fruit |
| Pilanesberg range and traverses the floor of | | | | such as peaches and apricots. The Mampoer |
| a long-extinct volcano. The reserve is home | | | | Route is about 60km long and introduces |
| to all the main African game species | | | | visitors to the secrets of the distilling |
| including The Big Five. For the more | | | | process and also includes a visit to a trout |
| adventurous, hot-air balloon safaris can be | | | | breeding farm and a game farm.Gerald Crawford |
| arranged.Mafikeng:"The place of boulders", | | | | was born in South Africa, studied |
| Mafikeng offers numerous sporting facilities | | | | electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel |
| including two golf courses. There is a major | | | | and african travel concepts. He taught |
| conference centre, complemented by two | | | | responsible tourism in South Africa. If you |
| excellent hotels and a casino. The town | | | | have any questions or comments please e-mail |
| hosted the 2001 International Gliding | | | | me on. E-mail Address: |
| Championships from its modern airport. | | | | southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co. |