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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.

Magaliesburg

A South African granny recounts the fun that her family had on a day trip ‘kids safari’ to the Rhino and Lion Reserve in the UNESCO Cradle of Humankind near Johannesburg, South Africa. The account indicates the variety of wildlife and educational activities suitable for kids who want to enjoy a fun safari-themed day trip or birthday party.

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A look at the tour of an historic gold mine, through the eyes  of the newer generation, as observed by the previous...

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Many city travelers only care for the ‘Big Five’, and expect to see them in their natural habitat, during a quick 30 minute, route-mapped game drive. But does this ‘lion-in-a-can’ truly capture the majestic beauty of the African wildlife?

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Visit the Rhino and Lion Reserve

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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.