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Province · Joanesburgo, Pretória e o planalto
Noroeste
The North West: Pilanesberg National Park, in a volcanic crater, Sun City, the Madikwe reserve and Hartbeespoort Dam, near Johannesburg.
In the photo: Madikwe Game Reserve
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Get to know Noroeste
The North West lies west of Gauteng, on the border with Botswana. It is a province of savannas and maize plains, with ancient mountains and safari reserves a few hours from Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Pilanesberg National Park occupies the crater of a volcano that went extinct more than 1 billion years ago, surrounded by rings of hills. It has the Big Five, roads for self-driving and hides by the lakes to watch animals, in a malaria-free safari area. Beside it is Sun City, a complex of hotels, a casino and a water park.
Further north, near the Botswana border, Madikwe Game Reserve offers safaris with private lodges. Hartbeespoort Dam, about 1 hour from Pretoria, has a cableway up to the top of the Magaliesberg mountains, with views over the lake and the plateau.
In the south, the Vredefort Dome, a World Heritage Site, stretches to the border with the Free State. In Taung, where the skull of a child of about 2.8 million years was found, is one of the sites of the Cradle of Humankind. The capital is Mahikeng.
When to go
From May to September, in the dry winter, vegetation is lower and animals are usually easier to spot; mornings are cold. From October to April it is hot, with afternoon showers and the savanna turns green. The North West is 5 hours ahead of Brasília.
Getting there
Arrival is via Johannesburg. Pilanesberg and Sun City are about 2.5 hours by car, and Hartbeespoort about 1 hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria. Pilanesberg has a small airport next to Sun City, and Madikwe has airstrips for charter flights.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Noroeste
Is Pilanesberg a good safari option near Johannesburg?
Yes. It is about 2.5 hours by car, has the Big Five and is a malaria-free area, which attracts families and those with limited time.
Can you do a Pilanesberg safari as a day trip?
Yes, leaving early from Johannesburg or Pretoria. To make the most of the early morning and late afternoon, when animals tend to be more active, it's worth staying nearby overnight.
What is Sun City?
A complex next to Pilanesberg with hotels, a casino, a golf course and a water park.
How do you get on the Hartbeespoort cableway?
The cableway departs from the base of the Magaliesberg mountains, near the dam, about 1 hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria. It closes in strong winds; check before you go.