Popular Attractions
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Hekpoort The spectacular discoveries in 1947 at Sterkfontein, now part of the Cradle of Humankind are no secret and have gained South Africa the reputation as the birthplace of the human race.‘Mrs ‘Ples’, the 2.1-million-year-old Australopithecus skull, and 'Little Foot', an almost complete Australopithecus skeleton that is more than 3-million years old, were both found in the Sterkfontein Caves. These amazing discoveries and many other hominid and animal fossils found here date back more than 4-million years to the birth of humanity. ‘Mrs ‘Ples’ and 'Little Foot' tell us much about our ancestors, Homo sapiens.Daily tours at Sterkfontein Caves start above ground and then take visitors deep into the caves. The tours are run every half hour, seven days a week. Wear comfortable shoes when going into the caves and leave your handbags behind – there are a number of tight spots and stairs to negotiate. It is not advisable to do the tour if you are claustrophobic, suffer from acute asthma or have chest problems.
Galleries and Museums
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Hekpoort Just a one-hour drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria is the place where we all became human. This is where our story began, and by coming here, you are coming ‘home’. Maropeng means “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the main indigenous language in this region.The Maropeng Visitor Centre is a thrilling, world-class exhibition that allows you to look at fossils, learn about how humankind was born, view stone tools up to 1-million years old, and much more.Enter the massive burial mound called the Tumulus, your entrance to learning the secrets of our ancestry. Ideal for children, the Maropeng Visitor Centre is self-guided, highly up-to-date and interactive. There’s even an Adventure Tour through extensive, fascinating exhibits with an underground boat ride. Hot Tip: Get the most out of your Cradle visit with a combination ticket to the Sterkfontein Caves as well.
Popular Attractions
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Broederstroom Lesedi African Lodge and Cultural Village offers the opportunity of experiencing the fascinating cultures and traditions of the people of Africa. Located in the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the village is only a 45-minute drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria.The multi-cultural village features five traditional homesteads each inhabited by Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele tribes that live according to the tribal folklore and traditions of its ancestors.The Zulus with their sticks and cosy beehive huts, the Xhosa with their perfectly thatched rondawels and distinctive white blankets, the Pedi with their rhythmic drums and whistles, the conical straw hats and brightly coloured blankets of the Basotho and the Ndebele with their beautifully painted homes will reveal a way of life not readily encountered in the South African urban centres.Rooms are built in the traditional style but with modern conveniences, enabling guests to stay overnight to experience the lifestyle of a traditional rural African family without forfeiting comfort.Meals are a culinary feast and are enjoyed in a stylish decorated restaurant offering an exotic buffet serving ethnic dishes and a carvery.Special cultural programmes consisting of an audio-visual presentation on the history and origins of the various ethnic groups, guided tours and tribal dance displays, introducing guests to the multi-cultural lifestyle of the inhabitants of Lesedi.Enjoy the spirit of Ubuntu at this unique cultural venue where the music, song and warmth of Africa’s hospitality await you and the crafts and lifestyle of her people will enthral you.Nyama Choma Resaurant is divided into three sections. 'South Africa' has murals reflecting the nine tribes of South Africa. 'East Africa' features murals of the Masai, the statusque people of the East. 'North Africa – The Serengeti' offers the Nile Room, where you sit crossed legged on floor cushions at low tables and smoke hubbly-bubbly’s! The Fundudzi bar is situated next to the restaurant where overnight guests can relax.After a fun-filled day, rest your head in one of five traditional homesteads where families of the Pedi, Sotho, Xhosa, Zulu and Ndebele live in the traditional rural way, all nestling in pristine Bushveld.Additional guestrooms for each village have been constructed in the five homesteads offering the unique opportunity of staying with a traditional rural African family – however, all home comforts have been catered for. These include cosy beds and beautiful en suite bathrooms, equipped with all modern conveniences.The Monati (lunch) and Boma (dinner) cultural experiences are two and a half hour programs starting at 11:30am and 16:30pm. Guests are taken to the Ndebele village where a welcome by all the people of Lesedi takes place. The program begins with a multi-visual presentation on the history and origins of today’s rainbow nation, followed by a guided tour of the five homesteads. Guests are escorted to the Boma for traditional singing and dancing – a very participative affair!
Things to do near
Magalies Meander
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Popular Attractions
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Magaliesburg (4.9 km from Magalies Meander) Be daring - zip over the cliffs of the Ysterhout Kloof on a wire! The Magaliesberg Canopy Tour is a unique eco-adventure that takes clients on a 2,5 hour tour down the spectacular Ysterhout Kloof, set in the ancient Magaliesberg Mountains.
Eleven platforms have been built against the cliffs and rock faces of the kloof and are joined by long steel cables that clients slide along to reach the next platform. Much like a "foefie" slide, the canopy tour essentially involves zigzagging down the kloof while stopping at each platform to admire the expansive views and surrounding ecology. Two trained canopy guides assure the safety of each participant while describing interesting facts about the indigenous plants, bird life, ecology and geology of the area.
Nature Reserves
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Magaliesburg (8.8 km from Magalies Meander) With a beautiful view of the Magaliesburg Mountains, Magalies Wild Game Farm features some fun and exciting things to do for young and old. Activities include bird and game watching, game drives (self driving is possible with a 4x4), walking trails and sunset viewing at a picnic site.
Dams Vleis
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Buffelspoort (9.2 km from Magalies Meander) Buffelspoort Dam is located on the northern slopes of the Magaliesberg, and provides a beautiful spot for fishing.
A lovely clean dam for fishing and skiing, Buffelspoort Dam is most commonly known as a great place to hook large carp. The dam is best fished with a boat.
Popular Attractions
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Hekpoort (15.7 km from Magalies Meander) Hot air ballooning in the beautiful Magalies River Valley, where you will experience some of the best ballooning weather in the world.
Farms
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Hekpoort (16.9 km from Magalies Meander) Live on the wild side and ride like a real cowboy or cowgirl in the Hekpoort Valley near Magaliesburg.
Nestle in the foothills of the Magaliesburg Mountains lies the Hekpoort Valley, home to Saddle Creek Ranch. Here the owners offer horseback riding with a difference – Western style.
No riding experience is required and the trail horses are "well trained, obedient calm and friendly”. The horses are suitable for everyone, from total beginners to experienced riders. Visitors have the option of various routes into the bushveld and mountain foothills accompanied by trained trail guides.
Western-style riding is becoming more popular and Saddle Creek Ranch is a safe place where you can learn to ride like a real cowboy and have loads of fun.
Call Mike to book this experience +27 (0) 79 467 9906.
www.horseridingsa.co.za
Golf Courses
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Mooinooi (17.2 km from Magalies Meander) 9/18 hole golf course with restaurant and Clubhouse. Rated the top 9 hole golf course in South Africa
Village Marketplaces
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Magaliesburg (19.3 km from Magalies Meander) The Trading Post is a venue in Magaliesburg (on the R24 to Rustenburg).
It houses the Magaliesburg Green Kitchen Market every Sunday from 9am-1pm as well as other craft shops and eating places.
Galleries and Museums
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Magaliesburg (20.4 km from Magalies Meander) Gold diggers welcome! Have you ever tried panning for gold? Not many folk have witnessed how mining was done over a hundred-and-thirty years ago. Join experienced tour leaders for the experience of a lifetime as they take you back through the corridors of time into the original workings of the oldest gold mine in Gauteng.Wearing hard hats and lamps, you will get to use the original equipment of coco pans, picks, shovels, pit props and rope winches to crush ore and even pan your own gold! Blaauwbank Historic Gold Mine even has the only permit in the country that allows you to take the gold that you have panned home!
Four By Four Trails
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Rustenburg (26.7 km from Magalies Meander) Die Slote is a well-enjoyed 4x4 trail located 30 km from Rustenberg en route to Derby. The exact GPS coordinates are unknown so please call beforehand for directions. This is a bush route and great fun for the whole family. The relatively easy trail is graded from 3 to 4. The trail is 6 to 8 km long and takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete. This self-drive trail permits soft 4x4 vehicles without a low range gear. Quads are permitted.
Galleries and Museums
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Hekpoort (26.8 km from Magalies Meander) Just a one-hour drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria is the place where we all became human. This is where our story began, and by coming here, you are coming ‘home’. Maropeng means “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the main indigenous language in this region.The Maropeng Visitor Centre is a thrilling, world-class exhibition that allows you to look at fossils, learn about how humankind was born, view stone tools up to 1-million years old, and much more.Enter the massive burial mound called the Tumulus, your entrance to learning the secrets of our ancestry. Ideal for children, the Maropeng Visitor Centre is self-guided, highly up-to-date and interactive. There’s even an Adventure Tour through extensive, fascinating exhibits with an underground boat ride. Hot Tip: Get the most out of your Cradle visit with a combination ticket to the Sterkfontein Caves as well.
Golf Courses
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Rustenburg (32.1 km from Magalies Meander) 18-hole parkland golf course with bentgrass greens.
Par: 72
Length: 6348m
Hiking Trail
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Rustenburg (32.2 km from Magalies Meander) The Peglarae Trail is a day hike route which starts at the visitors centre of the Kgaswane Mountain Reserve.
The trail starts off with a steep climb to the summit of the mountain, then follows the ridge before looping back to the visitor centre. The trail is approximately 5 km long and comes with a booklet (available at reception) which points out interesting facts and beautiful views.
Hiking Trail
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Rustenburg (32.2 km from Magalies Meander) The Baviaanskrans Route is a 19 km hiking trail which starts off at the southern section of the Kgaswane Mountain Reserve.
Hikers begin the route at Avon More camp, starting an uphill climb to the garden of remembrance. The route then follows a stream to the tierkloof waterfall. The trail continues to rock pools; a perfect spot to rest and cool off. The trail joins the Summit Route for a steep climb to the beacon at bakenkop. The path then follows a steep descent down the eastern side of the mountain to Explorers camp.
The following morning, hikers will start with a short climb and then an easy walk across the entrance road and then down the mountain side to a small stream. From there the trail climbs again to the mountain summit. The trail continues on the summit with spectacular views, until a very steep descent to the bottom of the mountain, bending back to Avon More camp.
Contact the reserve office for enquiries and bookings.
Hiking Trail
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Rustenburg (32.2 km from Magalies Meander) Summit Route is a 25 km hiking trail within the Kgaswane Mountain Reserve.
The first camp is called Naga camp, located on the western ridge of the reserve. The trails starts off with a climb onto the western ridge, up to the summit. From there, the trail descends into a ravine, featuring lovely rock pools where hikers can cool down and enjoy a swim. From the pools, the trail follows another steep incline to the Bakenkop beacon, then descends down to Witkruiskrans camp.
The following morning, the trail starts with a 2 hour climb, then follows the perimeter of the reserve, eventually reaching Naga camp. Wildlife can be spotted along this route.
The hiking trail can be started at any of the two overnight camps, but starting at Naga camp is recommended. Contact the reservations officer for enquiries and bookings.
Hiking Trail
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Rustenburg (32.3 km from Magalies Meander) Vleiramble is a short 2 km trail that starts at the Kgaswane Mountain Reserve visitors centre.
The trail leads to the viewing huts and back. This is a popular trail with birding enthusiasts and day visitors.