Nature Reserves
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Rustenburg The Kgaswane Mountain Reserve is a place of special beauty, an escape into a mountain range of great natural appeal and an ideal destination for a days outing.There is a self drive route on tarred roads which link a number of picnic sites and view points.It is also a great place to walk and enjoy the wildlife - and especially the resident sable antelope.Twitchers will have much to twitch about with over 320 species having been recorded including a breeding colony of cape vultures. Nesting pairs of martial and black eagles are also of great interest.Walking on the wild side The reserve caters for a wide range of interests and is famous as a hiking destination. Two trails are open to the public.These overnight trails are extremely popular and early booking is essential.The Summit Route is 25,3km and, for the first time, includes the Natural Pools in which swimming is permitted.The Baviaanskrans Route is 19,5km and includes the Waterfall View and the Garden of Remembrance. The trails have amenities to accommodate 12 hikers.The Peglarae Trail is a day excursion of approximately 5,5km over fairly steep and rocky terrain.The shorter Vlei Ramble, just 2km, takes visitors to a viewing hut on the vlei - a favourite spot for the many birders who enjoy the reserve.Need to know? Gate Times05:30 - 19:00 Summer06:00 - 18:30 Winter
Hiking Trail
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Rustenburg 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.
Things to do near
Rustenburg
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Popular Attractions
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Magaliesburg (28 km from Rustenburg) 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.
Dams Vleis
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Buffelspoort (31.7 km from Rustenburg) 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.
Nature Reserves
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Magaliesburg (33.3 km from Rustenburg) 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.
Golf Courses
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Sun City (37.3 km from Rustenburg) Well known as the home of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, Gary Player Golf Course provides golfers an exceptional course with multiple tees, so both novices and skilled players can enjoy a game.
Fast paced greens, imaginatively placed bunkers, varying elevations and water hazards will ensure your skill will be put to the test. Open 7 days a week, golfers can make use of the available pro shop, putting greens, and spa. If you're staying at Sun City, then a trip to Gary Player Golf Course is certainly a must.
Golf Courses
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Sun City (38.6 km from Rustenburg) Lost City Golf Club is a Gary Player design, featuring splendid surroundings on this beautifully made 18-hole course.
Rated among the best in the country, the club's signature 13th hole features a water hazard full of live Nile crocodiles. Multiple tees will provide appropriate challenges for all golf skills.
Golf Courses
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Mooinooi (38.8 km from Rustenburg) 9/18 hole golf course with restaurant and Clubhouse. Rated the top 9 hole golf course in South Africa
Dams Vleis
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Bojanala Region (47 km from Rustenburg) Vaalkop Dam Nature Reserve is a popular angling spot in the North West Province of South Africa, but also offers great birding, hiking trails and a lovely outdoor atmosphere that is a welcome break from the busy life in Johannesburg.
The dam's fish species includes yellowfish and an abundance of carp. Over 340 bird species have also been recorded in the dam area and in the reserve. Various game and small mammals populate this reserve.
Popular Attractions
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Hekpoort (48 km from Rustenburg) 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 (48.5 km from Rustenburg) 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
Village Marketplaces
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Magaliesburg (51.7 km from Rustenburg) 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 (52.4 km from Rustenburg) 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!
Hiking Trail
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Swartruggens (59.1 km from Rustenburg) This circular two-day trail is easy to moderate; day one is 17 km and day two 7 km. Beautiful scenery and breathtaking views of savanna, indigenous forest, ravines and mountains await hikers. Base camp can accommodate 30 people in three rooms with self-catering facilities and a small coal stove. There is a pool and braai area as well.
Galleries and Museums
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Hekpoort (59.2 km from Rustenburg) 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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Brits (61.1 km from Rustenburg) Brits Flying Club is one of South Africa’s oldest flying clubs, nurturing a number of brilliant aviators with Springbok colours since 1952. Additional facilities include a restaurant, a bar, ablutions and accommodation.
Shops
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Hartbeespoort (61.4 km from Rustenburg) A unique attraction in the area. A rustically decorated shop is set in a beautiful garden and stylishly designed grand old homestead. It is packed with art, jewellery, clothing and household trinkets made and displayed by local artists. Die Ou Pastorie also has a restaurant on site and sells their homemade jams and treats. A 'must visit' at Great Brak.