Popular: South Africa · Cape Town · OR Tambo · Dolphin Bay · Lesotho
North West, South Africa · ZA
South Africa's legendary resort, in the crater of an extinct volcano
History & Heritage
Pilanesberg sits in the root zone of a roughly 1.25-billion-year-old extinct volcano, one of the world's best-preserved alkaline ring complexes. The park was created in 1979; 'Operation Genesis' restocked it with around 6,000 animals across 22 species, described as the largest game translocation ever undertaken.
Sun City opened on 7 December 1979, built by hotelier Sol Kerzner in the nominally 'independent' apartheid-era bantustan of Bophuthatswana, since it allowed casino gambling and mixed-race entertainment banned in South Africa proper. During the 1980s Sun City became internationally controversial for breaching the UN cultural boycott.
The Palace of the Lost City opened in 1992, built around the legend of a lost African tribe. Bophuthatswana was reincorporated into South Africa in 1994, and Sun City has since operated as a mainstream South African resort, ranked among the country's most popular game and leisure destinations.
Key Historical Places
Opened 1992, 326 rooms, built around the legend of a lost African tribe.
↑ Even non-guests can walk the public areas and Bridge of Time.
An 18-hole course designed by Gary Player, home of the Nedbank Golf Challenge since 1981.
↑ Check the annual tournament calendar before visiting.
The extinct volcano crater itself, a 572 km² Big 5 reserve.
↑ The 4th-largest reserve in South Africa.
Timeline
Must-See Attractions
A wave pool, extreme slides and a Lazy River at Sun City.
Day tickets from R305-R470
A 5-star icon built around a lost-tribe legend.
Opened 1992
Game drives, walking and hot-air balloon safaris across a 572 km² malaria-free reserve.
2-hour drive from Johannesburg
A DP World Tour event with a multi-million-dollar prize purse.
Held each December
A 2km extreme zip slide averaging 120 km/h, opened 2004.
Ages 12+
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-reviewed Mexican restaurant at Sun City.
A lodge restaurant inside Pilanesberg National Park.
The Sun City branch of the popular seafood chain.
A well-reviewed casual restaurant at Sun City.
Activities & Experiences
A Lake Tour around Gary Player Country Club, or a Crocodile Pit Tour to spot Nile crocodiles.
A 2km extreme zip slide, one of the world's original extreme zip slides.
A sunrise balloon flight over the crater's wildlife.
Big 5 game viewing across the Pilanesberg crater.
Events & Entertainment
A DP World Tour event at Gary Player Country Club, running since 1981.
A music, culture and fashion festival at the Superbowl.
A community cycling, running and walking event through the Pilanesberg area.
Book mixed tickets and experiences for your trip to Sun City & Pilanesberg
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