The Bojanala Region, North West Province
Regarded as the prettiest region of the North West Province, Bojanala borders on Gauteng. The Region includes within its boundaries Hartbeespoort Dam, the beautiful Magaliesberg Mountain range, and the Pilanesberg National Park, amongst other attractions, that explains its increasingly popularity with Jo'burgers, who escape here periodically for weekends.
Did you know? Noteworthy sights and places to visit in the Bojanala Region include the Vaalkop Dam Reserve, De Wildt Cheetah Centre and the Elephant Sanctuary at the foot of the Magaliesberg which offers a safe haven to African Elephants.
A large portion of Bojanala is given over to bushveld and appears at once empty and flat, which accounts for the attraction of the Magaliesberg.
Time spent here, if one can circumvent the resorts and time-shares that have mushroomed within easy access of Pretoria and Johannesburg, at nature reserves like the Kgaswane Mountain Reserve, and other private reserves and game farms, is an immediate restoration of the senses for stressed city dwellers, and visitors are seldom disappointed.
The Pilanesberg National Park is a huge draw card for Gauteng visitors who hunger after a 'Big 5' experience, without having to travel far. But the actual motive for visiting the beautiful reserve is that it lies in an ancient volcanic crater.
The Bojanala region also boasts the Sun City Lost City complex – well worth a visit if you have not gone before, and the Cradle of Humankind, a world heritage site that stretches from Hartbeespoort Dam right up to Rustenburg. Here ancient artefacts dating from the Stone Age have placed this part of the continent under the spotlight. The Tswaing meteor crater and salt pan, also one of the highlights of the Bojanala region, is one of the most remarkable geological places in the world to visit, just 40km north of Pretoria.
Other sights and places to visit include the Vaalkop Dam Reserve, the De Wildt Cheetah Centre, the Elephant Sanctuary - at the foot of the Magaliesberg offering a safe haven to six African Elephants - and the Crocodile Ramble.
Find accommodation in the Bojanala Region
South Africa Accommodation / North West Province Accommodation / Bojanala Region Accommodation
Nkala Safari Lodge
Situated in the Pilanesberg National Park, Nkala Safari Lodge is an exclusive use lodge. The lodge is ideal for those who would like to explore t...
Ntamba Safari Lodge
Family owned, Ntamba Safari Lodge is the perfect escape to relax in the African bush. We are a short 35 minute drive from Sun City or 2 hr drive ...
Kubu Metsi Lodge
Kubu Metsi Lodge is a beautiful Pilansberg self catering lodge that is located in the Black Rhino Big 5 Game Reserve. Guests can enjoy exclusive ...
Naledi @ 53
Naledi @ 53 is a deluxe holiday home situated on a private game farm close to Brits and Harbeespoort Dam. The tastefully furnished villa is set i...
Lush Private Lodge
Situated within the Black Rhino Game Reserve, in the North West, Lush Private Lodge offers splendid accommodation for up to 16 guests in 8 separa...
Mbazo Safari Lodge
Mbazo Lodge is located in the Black Rhino Game Reserve which forms an additional section of the malaria free Pilanesberg National Park. The Lodge...
Tambuti Lodge
Tambuti Lodge can be found in the Black Rhino Game Reserve and is just 33km from Sun City. Here you can enjoy magnificent game drives, game walks...
Stroomrivier Lodge
Overlooking stunning surroundings, the lodge comfortably accommodates up to 12 adults and 7 children, making it suitable for both intimate gather...
Black Rhino Game Lodge
Black Rhino Game Lodge can be found in the Pilanesberg National Park. There are 18 luxury suites available. The main communal area outside overlo...
Destinations in the Bojanala Region
Boshoek
Overnight? Boshoek accommodation
Not far from the town of Rustenburg, close to Phokeng in the Bafokeng area of North West, lies Boshoek - a quaint little mountain village that nestles right in the centre of the Pilanesberg Mountain range.
One might be just over a 100 kilometres from ...
Brits
Overnight? Brits accommodation
This North West town has plenty of options when it comes to short-term and holiday accommodation in Brits. A modern, developing town surrounded by citrus groves, Brits plays an important role in the South African mining industry: 94% of South Africa's pla...
Derby
Overnight? Derby accommodation
Derby is located about 15 km east of Koster. The town was named after Lord Derby, British secretary of State, and had its origins as a settlement for destitute people.
Towards the end of the Anglo-Boer War the area was the scene for a battle between t...
Hartbeespoort Dam
Overnight? Hartbeespoort Dam accommodation
Roughly 45 minutes' drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, surrounded by the beautiful Magaliesberg mountain range, Hartbeespoort dam, or Harties to locals, has become a hive of activity and is a very popular weekend getaway for the two cities. The beauty ...
Koster
Overnight? Koster accommodation
Koster is essentially a farming community. Lying between Rustenburg and Lichtenburg its closest neighbours in the North West are the small communities of Derby and Swartruggens.
Koster is linked to the Magaliesberg by the R509 and to Ventersdorp by th...
Kroondal
Overnight? Kroondal accommodation
The small town of Kroondal is known for its deep sense of history and heritage, as well as for its excellent mining opportunities. It is nestled within the North West Province of South Africa, and has a large German population.
It was established in 1...
Maanhaarrand
Overnight? Maanhaarrand accommodation
The unusual name of Maanhaarrand originates from the ridge formed behind the village by the Magaliesberg Mountains, which resemble a lion's mane. This mountain range forms an idyllic backdrop to the tiny rural village, which is nestled deep within its foo...
Magaliesberg
Overnight? Magaliesberg accommodation
The Magaliesberg mountains are of the oldest in the world. They extend across Gauteng and the North West provinces west and north from Pretoria to just south of the Pilanesberg, and east of Pretoria to the Bronkhorstspruit Dam.
Formerly known as the Ca...
Marikana
Just into the North West province, Marikana lies between Hartbeespoort and Rustenburg in the Bojanala region, best described as the part of the province that lies closest to Gauteng and regarded as the most scenic part, covered in natural bushveld vegetat...
Moedwil
Overnight? Moedwil accommodation
Virtually in the middle of nowhere, just outside Rustenburg on the Platinum Highway, is the post office of Moedwil and a handful of buildings. There is not much substance to the town of Moedwil to say the least. Aside from the role it played in a battle d...
Mogwase
Overnight? Mogwase accommodation
People often speak about Mogwase as near Sun City. It is the easiest popular landmark from which to get your bearings.
However, it is actually closer to the truth to say that Mogwase lies near the Pilanesberg National Park. To make it even more confus...
Mooinooi
Overnight? Mooinooi accommodation
Hugging the Magaliesberg on its densest perimeters, the town of Mooinooi lies just west of Modderspruit, roughly halfway between Hartbeespoort Dam and Rustenburg. Essentially a mining town it rests in a valley used to grow citrus and mine chrome, and make...
Olifantsnek
Olifantsnek (which is an Afrikaans term that means “elephant's neck”) is a small area nestled between Maanhaarrand and Rustenburg in the North West Province of South Africa. This places it near the exquisite Magaliesberg Mountain Range, which remains one ...
Phokeng
Overnight? Phokeng accommodation
Lying just south of Sun City and the Pilanesberg, Phokeng lies close enough to Johannesburg to provide an easy day trip, or an easy overnight stay en route to Sun City.
An added attraction to this part of the world is that much of the area has maintai...
Pilanesberg
Overnight? Pilanesberg accommodation
Relish the ultimate in luxury accommodation in Pilanesberg when you stay at one of the opulent game lodges or tented camps, and enjoy a South African safari to remember.
The Pilanesberg National Park, which covers some 55 000 hectare, is the fourth la...
Rustenburg
Overnight? Rustenburg accommodation
Two of the world's largest platinum mines lie just outside Rustenburg, earning it the nickname ‘Platinum City', which is hardly a fair description of the city that started out as little more than a church and farming community centre, named as a ‘place of...
Sun City
Overnight? Sun City accommodation
Deep in the rugged bushveld, in the heart of an ancient volcano, lies the world's most unique resort, the internationally acclaimed Sun City. The Resort has a unique heartbeat and an African rhythm of its own and is unlike any other Resort destination in ...
Swartruggens
Overnight? Swartruggens accommodation
The little village of Swartruggens lies surrounded by a series of black hills, hence the name which means “black ridges” when translated from Afrikaans. This scenic backdrop is further enhanced by the Elands River on which the original town was built duri...
Additional Reading
- Secrets of the Pilanesberg National Park that will Have You Visiting, Tomorrow
- Top Ten Natural Attractions in the North West Province
- South Africa's peace parks – parks that transcend borders
- 5 places to see San rock art in South Africa
- Where to see the Big Cats
- Best Places to see Cheetahs
- Top places to see Leopard