Joburg's Tourism Provinces xxx

My Guide Johannesburg covers a specific region of South Africa, i.e the Northern Provinces of Gauteng, North West, Mpumalange and Limpopo. These Provinces contain the gateway tourism areas for Johannesburg, which is the nearest big City for access to these areas.

Despite being South Africa's smallest and only landlocked province, Gauteng, home to more citizens than any other province in the country, is largely regarded as the epicentre of South Africa, if not the whole of Africa. This buzzing province is situated in the heart of what is known as the Highveld, and owing to its rich history of mineral wealth, is highly developed and urbanised. As gold deposits were discovered in the area in the late 1800s, so much of the country's population migrated here looking for a share of the spoils. Gauteng is home to a myriad of cultures, each of which have had a significant impact on this unique part of the world.

The name Gauteng means "Place of Gold", the historical Sesotho name which refers to the thriving gold industry in the Province following the discovery of gold in Johannesburg in 1886 South Africa's busiest airport, the OR Tambo International Airport is located in Gauteng, and it services most centres in the country. At the same time, there is a wealth of other attractions within a short driving distance, including spectacular mountain scenery in the Magaliesberg, diverse and fascinating cities and villages in the countryside, as well as more wildlife and other Things to Do than most people imagine!

Gauteng is surrounded by 4 of the 9 provinces in South Africa, as seen on the map below. Most of Gauteng is on high-altitude grassland known as the Highveld because it averages around 1,700 metres above sea level. North West of Johannesburg are Magaliesberg Mountains, the area in which mankind is said to have originated. The north of Gauteng is more subtropical, mainly because of its lower altitude.

Gauteng has a very cool and comfortable climate due to its high altitude. Most rain occurs in short afternoon storms with plenty of thunder and lightning, quite different from the type of rain that falls in Cape Town. For first time visitors to the Highveld, the noise, flashes and heavy rain can be an exhilarating experience. Winters are very dry with frost often occurring in the southern areas.

The average temperatures and rainfall for Gauteng's two main cities are:

• Joburg: Jan 15 - 26 °C, June 4 - 16 °C, annual rainfall, 713 mm.
• Pretoria: Jan 18 - 29 °C, June 5 - 19 ° C, annual rainfall, 674 mm

The North West Province is a "must see" destination, as it offers The Pilanesberg Big Five Game Reserve as well as other fine reserves, cultural sights, archaeological treasures, and adventures, as well as world class entertainment resorts such as Sun City and The Palace of the Lost City.

The Province is generally hot and dry and it consists mainly of flat areas of scattered trees and grassland:

• Average temperatures across the region range from 17C to 31 C in the summer, and from 3 to 21 C in the winter.
• Annual rainfall is low, averaging around 360 mm, with almost all of this falling during the long summer months (between October and April)

There are 4 regions in the North West Provinces:

• Bojanala Region (in the north west)
• Dr Ruth S. Mompati District (south west)
• Dr Ngaka Modiri Molema District (central region)
• Dr Kenneth Kaunda District (southern region)

The Bojanala Region is situated close to Gauteng, and is the area that we (at present) cover the most thoroughly. It is certainly the most scenic region of the Province and it has much to offer the eco-tourist and the adventure tourist. The Hartbeespoort Dam, which offers water activities, angling, and yachting, and the Magaliesberg Mountains, which are filled adventure tourism opportunities are only from 45 - 60 minutes away from Joburg. Just 1 1/2 hr away are the world renowned Lost City / Sun City complex and the Big Five Pilanesberg Game Reserve - making the whole area a fabulous one in which to spend an exciting holiday.

Tourism areas we cover within North West, and which are within 45 min to 3 hours away, include:

1. The Northern Magaliesberg:   An area of mountainous beauty, unexpected by many visitors and only around 1 hour from Northern Joburg - its really worth a visit!
2. Pilanesberg Game Reserve: A wildlife haven, situated in an ancient volcano, with a fascinating geology and interesting vegetation, together with the big 5 and a spread of other bushveld animals.

Mpumalanga - "the place where the sun rises" - offers something for everyone. It is often said that Mpumalanga Province alone offers more diversity and and adventure opportunities than any other country in the world.

Mpumalanga is divided in half by the northern range of the Drakensberg Mountains. The westerly half consists mainly of high-altitude grassland called the Highveld, and the eastern half is situated in low altitude subtropical Lowveld, which is mostly a savanna habitat. The transition area between the Highveld and the Lowveld, is known as the Escarpment.

The Highveld is in the area around Machadodorp, Belfast and Waterval Boven, after which there is a steep descent into the Lowveld

The Escarpment contains mountain passes, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and forests, and is aptly known as the Panorama Route. Sabie, Graskop and the historic gold mining town of Pilgrim's Rest are the key tourist towns of this area. Within this area lies the Blyde RiverCanyon, which is the largest green canyon in the world and also the 3rd largest canyon in the world. To some people it comes as a surprise that this reserve is the 4th-most visited tourism destination in the country!

The Lowveld is Big Game Country, the icon of which is the world famous Kruger National Park - about the same size as Wales - and teeming with with wildlife. There are also many private Game Lodges in the area loosely referred to as the Sabi-Sand Game Reserve, including the well known Londolozi, Mala Mala, and Savanna Private Game Reserves, and Richard Branson's Ulusaba Game Lodge.

Limpopo Province is located in the northernmost part of South Africa, sharing its borders with Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Limpopo is one of the last unspoilt corners of Africa. With the Great Olifants River that meanders through the Kruger Park forming the southern border of the province, it offers vast expanses of land which are unmistakably African.

Limpopo is home to numerous nature reserves and National Parks. Besides the well-known national parks, such as the Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe and Marakele, approximately 50 further nature reserves, including the beautiful Waterberg region are spread throughout Limpopo. Already many of the conservation areas bordering on the Kruger National Park have removed their fences and now form part of the Greater Kruger National Park.

Limpopo is divided into five Regions strategically located according to the cultural inhabitants. These are known as: the Waterberg, Capricorn, Vhembe, Mopani,  and Sekhukhune.

Polokwane International Airport is the main airport , with other local airport such as Eastgate airport in Hoedspruit and Kruger National Park Airport in Phalaborwa serving the tourist market.