Popular: South Africa · Cape Town · OR Tambo · Dolphin Bay · Lesotho
North West, South Africa · ZA
Platinum country at the foot of the Magaliesberg, gateway to Sun City
History & Heritage
Rustenburg was founded in 1851 as an administrative centre for Boer farmers, its name Dutch/Afrikaans for 'town of rest'. In 1863, Paul Kruger, later president of the Transvaal, bought the farm Boekenhoutfontein nearby, now a museum.
Platinum-group metals were discovered on Bafokeng land in 1925, and mining began at Rustenburg in 1929 following Hans Merensky's discovery of the Merensky Reef. Today the town hosts around 41 platinum mines and refines a large share of the world's platinum.
In 1990, Rustenburg hosted the first post-apartheid conference between churches, producing the 'Rustenburg Declaration'. Royal Bafokeng Stadium, expanded for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, cemented the town's status as a major sporting venue and the gateway to Sun City and Pilanesberg.
Key Historical Places
Paul Kruger's farm, bought in 1863, now a museum.
↑ Combine with a Kgaswane Mountain Reserve visit nearby.
The Reformed Churches in South Africa were founded under a Syringa tree in Rustenburg in 1859.
↑ A quick photo stop in town.
Opened 1999, expanded for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, England's team base that year.
↑ Check current fixtures before visiting.
Timeline
Must-See Attractions
A reserve in the Magaliesberg Biosphere with over 800 antelope and 320 recorded bird species.
5km from town
The province's headline draw, roughly 50km north.
~50km from Rustenburg
A 44,530-seat venue, 2010 World Cup host.
Phokeng
Kruger's 1863 farm homestead at Boekenhoutfontein.
Near Rustenburg
Accommodation
A freestanding self-catering studio for two on Kock Street in Rustenburg, 400 m from a hospital, with a full kitchen and undercover parking
A country guest lodge off the R24, 7 km from Rustenburg, with garden rooms named after the Kruger family and breakfast at its own Ossewa Restaurant
Five self-catering cottages in indigenous woodland on the Magaliesberg's northern slopes near Rustenburg, a short walk from natural rock pools
A seven-room boutique hotel on Joubert Street in central Rustenburg, with breakfast from 06:30, a 20-seat boardroom and free secure parking
An 18-room bed and breakfast in the quiet Rustenburg suburb of Safari Gardens, about 1 km from the N4, with work desks, a pool and a braai lapa
A guest farm in Kroondal, 17 km east of Rustenburg, with nine en-suite rooms, a mini farm zoo, tractor rides and a conference room for 25
Restaurants & Dining
The Rustenburg branch of the popular South African seafood chain.
A popular flame-grilled Portuguese restaurant.
A lively pub and grill known for its atmosphere.
A welcoming, well-reviewed steakhouse.
Activities & Experiences
Day or overnight trails to natural pools and waterfalls.
Skydiving with the local skydiving club.
Check fixtures for football and rugby.
The province's headline Big Five and resort destination.
Events & Entertainment
A trail running event through Rustenburg-district terrain.
A mountain-bike marathon in the Magaliesberg.
Book mixed tickets and experiences for your trip to Rustenburg
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