Mzanzitravel Magazine Issue 10

Water world &
gambling resort
Two of the province’s world-renowned attractions are the gambling resort of Sun City and a world
of water sport and entertainment at Hartbeespoort Dam. In 1979, the pioneering entrepreneur, Sol
Kerzner, built the iconic Sun City casino resort, set in an extinct volcanic crater in the Pilanesberg
north of Magaliesberg and Rustenburg. It became a true ‘Las Vegas in the African bush’.
In the years since, the resort has become renowned for its slot machines and gaming tables, fast
foods and excellent cuisine, luxury and budget accommodation, Follies-style topless shows, topstar
entertainers, international sporting events, game drives and exotic drinks by the pool. Over
the years Sun City grew to a massive, sprawling gambling, sport and entertainment complex. It
now includes the original Sun City Hotel now known as the Soho Hotel, the Cascades Hotel, The
Cabanas, the Vacation Club and its star offering, the Palace of the Lost City.
Within the resort complex you will find fabulous facilities and attractions like the Valley Of Waves,
a beach with a ‘sea’ and machine-made surfing waves; the Gary Player Country Club where
the Nedbank Golf Challenge is hosted each year; Zip 2000; SunStar; Sun Central; the Maze of
the Lost City; Sun City Casino; South African Hall Of Fame; Motseng Cultural Village; Mankwe
Gametrackers & Pilanesberg Game Reserve; Waterworld; and Kwena Gardens. At its Super Bowl
Arena top international shows and sporting events are regularly featured.
To the southeast of Sun City, close to Gauteng and Pretoria, lies Hartbeespoort village and
the Hartbeespoort Dam on the Crocodile River with its white-water rapids. From the top of the
Magaliesberg mountain, which can be reached via the Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway, magnificent
views of the village, dam and valley below can be enjoyed. The area around the dam has become
a favourite residential area – both permanent and for weekend getaways by city dwellers. The
dam itself is popular for yachting, fishing, board sailing and other water sports. The dam area also
includes a large number of animal, bird and reptile sanctuaries, cultural attractions, game reserves,
markets, roadside arts and crafts sellers, restaurants, pubs and guest houses.
Information
North West Tourism: Call Centre
Tel +27(0)861111866; website www.tourismnorthwest.co.za.
Pilanesberg Information & Community Development Centre:
Tel +27 (0)14 555 1637; Email vicpberg@tourismnorthwest.co.za.
Rustenburg Tourism Information:
Tel +27 (0)14 597 0904/5 or +27 (0)14 590 3320;
Email vicrust@tourismnorthwest.co.za.
Mahikeng Tourism Information:
Mahikeng Call Centre 0861 111 866; Tel +27 (0)18 381 7341; Email info@
tourismnorthwest.co.za.
Sun City Information Office:
Tel +27 (0)14 552 2116;
Email suncity@tourismnorthwest.co.za.
Sun City Resort:
Tel +27 (0)14 557 1000;
Email scenq@suninternational.com.
Hartbeespoort Dam Information:
Tel +27 (0)12 253 9910;
Email info@hartiesinfo.co.za.