Magaliesburg
Situated in populous Gauteng in South Africa, Magaliesburg is a prime rural tourism
destination and accommodated the Portuguese 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer team at Valley
Lodge. Set between beautiful hills, Magaliesburg provides an accessible country getaway
destination with lots of activities and attractions. The village is within easy reach
of all West Rand towns, Johannesburg and Pretoria and has the added advantage of
being virtually on the border of North West Province. This offers access to the internationally
famed Sun City resort with its Palace of the Lost City Hotel and Casino, as well
as the attractions of Hartebeespoort Dam and Rustenburg.
Magaliesburg has its historic origins in hunting, gold-mining and agriculture in
the Witwatersrand area. Magaliesburg was one of the original reef mining settlements
and a shipping hub for gold ore and farming products. It is still situated on a rail
and road junction leading to Botswana and Zimbabwe and links by road to the platinum
and iron mining towns of North-West Province. British forces took advantage of the
Magaliesberg's strategic position and transportation links for transit routes during
the Anglo-Boer War. During their campaign against the local Boer the British used
local stone to construct a hilltop fort called 'Barton's Folly'. Magaliesburg is
still flourishing because of its place on bustling transit routes but is now also
a tourism destination.
What is there provided to do in Magaliesburg? Magaliesburg tourism has expanded since
the foundation of the Magalies Meander tourist association to promote local businesses.
There are now many varieties of leisure activities and accommodation for the consumption
and enjoyment of travellers and South African vacationers. Visitors based in Magaliesburg
have easy access to the Magalies Meander tourism areas in the Magaliesberg.
How can day trippers get to the tourist attractions? UK holiday makers are accustomed
to driving on the left side of the road and simply hire cars. Domestic tour operators
offer tours to the Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng in the UNESCO Cradle of Humankind.
Tours also go to the Rhino and Lion Reserve, Sun City and the Pilanesberg Nature
Reserve. There is no consistency in the rates charged by different operators. Offerings
have to be thoroughly vetted and compared before reservations for tours are made.
Whilst some tours may appear economical, they might not include entrance fees or
refreshments for the tour party and driver.
In its early days the Magalies River was tenanted by hippos. Seekoeihoek Farm to
the north of Magaliesburg Village is named after those hippos. The only place that
hippopotami can still be viewed in the wild near Magaliesburg is in a reserve zone
on the Crocodile River in the Cradle of Humankind. Elephant and big game also abounded
in this vicinity and were exterminated by hunters who left only small game to survive
in the hills. Conservationists have reintroduced the Big 5 on game farms and parks
in the Magaliesberg. The game park with the Big 5 close to Magaliesburg supplies
dawn and dusk game drives for approximately R250 for a 2-hour drive. This allows
tourists to observe game in their natural surroundings. Local grasses and vegetation
restrict the range of fauna that can be kept on a reserve as some bark is toxic to
some species but not to others.
The Historic Blaaubank Gold Mine is still engaged in low-scale gold mining. Its
short tours of the original 1874 mine feature gold-panning. The mine is set on a
hill that provides a panoramic prospect of the hamlet vicinity and over the farmlands
and bush to the distant mountains.The farms are still the homes of the majority of
Magaliesburg's residents as the hamlet is just a few shops and fewer houses. Some
locals are talented artists who exhibit their creations from home or in little studios.
Home-made crafts are sold at the old railway goods shed next to Magaliesburg Railway
Station. The leather shop on the main road stocks locally made leather wares. They
have a selection of saddle goods, leather clothing and accessories. This is the ideal
place to pick up a biker’s jacket at a competitive price.
The colonial settlers were not the original occupants of the area. The Po people
lived here first and lots of Tswana speakers still subsist on the farms or live in
Ga-Mogale, the local township. The indigenous tribal culture, along with various
others is recorded in the Lesedi Cultural Village close to Hartebeespoort Dam. Here
guests learn about unique traditional greetings, foods, customs and dances. Some
visitors stay there in authentic African-style accommodation and enjoy a buffet dinner
of African foods.
The recession has improved the value offered in South Africa. Many web sites furnish
material about Magaliesburg accommodation and Magalies Meander attractions and tourist
activities. These web sites could be used to plan trips around themes or just to
jam a little of South Africa's cultures, history, fauna and flora or outdoor adventure
activities into one fleeting holiday.
