Travel Information on North West Province, South Africa


Welcome to the magic of the North West Province: -	Search our Site: sitemap

For city-dwellers accustomed to stress and tense agendas, the space and tranquillity of the North-West province provide a welcome change.

Endless fields of maize cloak the deep and fertile plains, and small villages with peaceful homesteads dot the pastoral landscape.

Relaxing activities such as bird-watching, hiking, horse-riding and game-viewing enhance the enjoyment of a true African experience.

A number of excellent game reserves have been established, and rewarding safari options are plentiful.

Set in the crater of an extinct volcano and known as " The Jewel of the North-West ", the Pilanesberg Game Reserve is foremost among them.

This is one of the few parks in Southern Africa which support almost all of the species (including the " Big Five " ) which formerly occurred naturally in the region.

This page contains information on the various towns on the backpacking route in North West Province. The lodges in each town are linked to their home page.

Each lodge has a booking facility for each room in their establishment or the places on their tours. If you wish to book, just follow the instructions on their booking page.

Select a region or town from the list below: - You will be taken to that region or town.

Mbabathu. The Pilanesburg Game Reserve. North West's Best Lodges. The Batswana People of the North-West. The Vaal River. Detailed Map of North West Province. North West Backpackers Association.

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The Lost City - Pilanesberg - North West Province

The Vaal River, rated the most popular playground of the North-West, is always alive with holiday-makers who while away the days swimming, water-skiing, pottering around in boats and notching up record catches.

Leisure resorts attract an appreciative clientele, and comfortable hotels serve farm-fresh culinary fare.

Game viewing in open 4x4 vehicles In the early part of the 19th century, the territory was dominated by Mzilikazi and his Matabele followers.

During the 1830s, however, Mzilikazi was conquered by white settlers who, with their Batswana allies, drove the Matabele across the Limpopo River to Zimbabwe.

Today, Mbabathu (formerly Mafiking.) is the thriving capital city of North West Province.

It is here where Sir Baden Powel, the founder of the modern day boy scouts originally started the movement, which later lead to him being knighted.

Many of the rural Batswana farm and breed cattle, using modern methods and, until recently, cattle were considered more valuable than any other possession.

They represented a man’s wealth and were used, among other purposes, for lobola ( the " bride price " ), to buy favors from the tribal chief and to pay fines.

Traditionally, the Batswana believe in the influence of the spirits of the ancestors to whom they make supplications in ritual ceremonies.

Ancient customs such as rain dances at the start of the ploughing season are still practiced.

The Batswana people are naturally creative, with a strong sense of design and colour, and they create exceptionally fine jewelry, curios and works of art.

Detailed Map of North West Province

Backpacker Associations
| BAI - BackPack Africa International | BTSA | HISA |

Backpacker Travel Guides
| Lonely Planet | Rough Guide | Lets Go |

Tourism Associations
| Gauteng Tourism Association |