Popular: South Africa · Cape Town · OR Tambo · Dolphin Bay · Lesotho
North West, South Africa · ZA
A dam, a cableway and a weekend escape in the Magaliesberg
History & Heritage
Hartbeespoort's name means 'gateway of the hartbees' (an antelope) in Afrikaans. A 1906 government inquiry into a dam's feasibility led to construction beginning in August 1916, disrupted by WWI and flood events; the dam was finally completed in April 1923, built primarily for irrigation.
The Magaliesberg range itself has been occupied for at least 2 million years near the Cradle of Humankind, and was declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve on 9 June 2015. The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre opened nearby in 1971, helping remove cheetahs from South Africa's endangered list by 1986.
The Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway was built in 1973, closed by 2005, and reopened in 2010 after full modernisation — now Africa's longest mono-cableway.
Key Historical Places
Completed in 1923 after a 17-year planning and build saga, with 195 million cubic metres of capacity.
↑ A good photo stop from the road.
Founded 1971, a world-first in king-cheetah research, having bred 600+ cheetah cubs.
↑ Book ahead, tours are scheduled not walk-in.
Built in 1973, closed by 2005, reopened in 2010 after full modernisation.
↑ Also a popular paragliding launch point.
Timeline
Must-See Attractions
Africa's longest mono-cableway, reopened in 2010 after modernisation.
Rises to 1,592m
Ethical touching, feeding and walking interactions with domesticated elephants.
Three daily sessions
World-first king-cheetah research and breeding programme since 1971.
Book ahead
Boating and sailing clubs active on the dam.
Kosmos Marina area
Freshwater and tropical fish, crocodiles, pelicans and penguins.
Wheelchair accessible
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
Ivory Tree Game Lodge, Pilanesberg National Park Exceptional 4.8/5 lodge in Pilanesberg National Park, Sun City & Pilanesberg. 67 rooms. Property Details Type: Lodge Guest Rating: 4.8/5 (Google, 1919 reviews) Check-in: 14:00-19:00 Check-out: 10:00 Rooms: 67 Amenities Game drives, Restaurant, Boma dining, Amani Spa, Swimming pool, Wi-Fi, Conference facilities, Bar, Curio shop, Laundry service, Secure...
Shepherd's Tree Game Lodge, Pilanesberg Exceptional 4.8/5 lodge in Pilanesberg National Park, near Sun City, Sun City & Pilanesberg. 24 rooms. From ZAR 8,000/night. Property Details Type: Lodge Guest Rating: 4.8/5 (Google, 982 reviews) Price Range: ZAR 8,000 per night Check-in: 14:00 Check-out: 11:00 Rooms: 24 Amenities Two guided game drives per day, Spa, Rim-flow...
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
The Kingdom Resort, Pilanesberg Very good 4.3/5 resort in Pilanesberg (near Sun City), Sun City & Pilanesberg. From ZAR 1,600/night. Property Details Type: Resort Guest Rating: 4.3/5 (Google, 4932 reviews) Price Range: ZAR 1,600 per night Check-in: 15:00-23:00 Check-out: 10:00 Amenities Waterpark (Splash Kingdom), Heated pools, Day spa (Body Bliss), Restaurant (The Acacia Table), Pizzeria...
Restaurants & Dining
A well-known Portuguese restaurant known for its 6 Princess Prawns dish.
A family-friendly restaurant with a kids' play area.
A dam-front restaurant with live music entertainment.
A well-loved Portuguese and seafood restaurant.
Activities & Experiences
Africa's longest mono-cableway, rising to 1,592m.
Guided, ethical interactions with domesticated elephants.
Guided tours only, near Brits, a short drive from the dam.
A half-day rafting trip roughly 45 minutes from Johannesburg.
Events & Entertainment
A 50km ultra-marathon held annually around the dam.
Book mixed tickets and experiences for your trip to Hartbeespoort Dam
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