/ 14 March 2010

Rustenburg: heritage

Rustenburg: Heritage

While Rustenburg is one of South Africa’s smaller and less bustling cities, it offers spectacular must-do outdoors experiences.

Hot Air Balloon Safari
Hot Air Balloon Safaris are offered every morning, depending on the weather and number of passengers. Guests are collected at their hotel and taken through the park to rendezvous with the balloon crew. The flight is approximately an hour in duration and sparkling wine is served on landing. A leisurely game drive is then taken through the park to a game lodge where breakfast is served, after which guests are returned to their hotels.

Art of Africa
Art of Africa offers lovers of local and African art unique Leadwood or ironwood carving, ostrich eggs, soap stone carving, gemstones, beaded necklaces, pottery, hand made table linens, t-shirts, tableware, wire plates and bowls, masks, baskets, as well as beautiful wall hangings. All items are made by local crafters, and are often the products of economic empowerment programs.

  • Tel: +27 14 537 2521
  • Address: Plot 181, Waterkloof District, Rustenburg.
  • Website

Lesedi Cultural Village
Lesedi Cultural Village offers an adventure into the cultures and traditions of the people of Africa, steeped in tribal folklore and ancestral traditions. It includes multimedia and a guided tour of the five ethnic homesteads: Ndebele, Zulu, Basotho, Xhosa and Pedi. As the sun sets over the African bush, guests are escorted to the Boma for traditional singing and dancing.

  • Tel: +27 87 940 9933
  • Address: Lesedi Cultural Village, R512 to Broederstroom, Broederstroom, Hartebeespoort.
  • Website

Magaliesberg Canopy Tour
The Magaliesberg Canopy Tour is a unique eco-adventure that takes tourists on a 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 you can 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. Bookings are essential.

Elephant-Back Game Viewing
Part of a broader ecological programme and elephant relocation project, Wild Horizons offers visitors to South Africa a game trail with a difference. Join elephants Chikwenya, Sharu, Sapi, Mana and Michael for a game viewing on elephant back, as though part of the herd. Seated comfortably on the back of these gentle giants, explore the majestic Letsatsing Reserve and its resident wildlife. Visitors have been rewarded with close sightings of rhino, giraffe, zebra and other species, oblivious to the human presence aloft the elephants.

Have we left anything out? If you’re a fan of this host city leave your recommendations in the comment box below. Don’t forget an address and website link, along with any other relevant information.