Bray

Bray, Bophirima Region

The village of Bray may not be a tourist hotspot, but it's certainly hot... And it offers some wonderful things to see and do, if you spend a little time exploring it and its surrounds.

This dusty little village is a frontier post town and is in the North West Province - right on the border of Botswana. As such, it is a fantastic stopover or base for travellers en-route to Botswana or to a number of game farms and lodges in the northern reaches of South Africa. The eastern portion of the incredible Kalahari Desert is nearby and is famous for its impressive array of plant and animal life - a must for safari-lovers and nature-enthusiasts to explore.

Once a year, Bray erupts into a hive of activity as it hosts the Bray July - a series of 10 horse races that attracts participants, fans and those betting on the outcomes. This event is a major one for the area in terms of the thousands of people that arrive to enjoy it. And it's a fantastic opportunity to experience the unique appeal of this sparse village. The thoroughbred horses are magnificent to witness as they charge with determination and incredible strength to the finish line.

Bray is about 215 kilometres from Vryburg, with no towns or stops along the way. This means that, as travellers, you need to ensure that you have enough fuel, water and snacks for the trip, and that your car is in good shape.

The North West province is home to a number of renowned attractions. These include the World Heritage Sites of the Cradle of Humankind and the Taung Skull Fossil Site. It's also home to the magnificent Pilanesberg National Park (home to the Big 5), Hartbeespoort Dam, the Magaliesberg Mountains, and the always-buzzing Sun City. Of course, these are some distance from the sleepy, quiet village of Bray, but are well worth the trip.