Missing video
Sorry, this video could not be found.
Where wildlife meets world heritage
Dr Kenneth Kaunda District
Satellite view of the Vredefort Dome
© Public Domain
Did you know?
Locally brewed South African liquor or "witblits" (white lightning) found here looks like water, but has a kick like a gemsbok!
Formerly known as the Southern Region, North West's Dr Kenneth Kaunda District comprises an outdoor adventure zone par excellence.
Taking advantage of stunning scenery and great weather, adventurers will find it difficult to select a single option from the many available. There's hiking, camping, mountain biking, white-water rafting, canoeing, yachting, 4x4 trails, mountain climbing, abseiling, fly fishing and angling, just for starters...
Lively pursuits aside, you might prefer to spend a day exploring the Vredefort Dome, a World Heritage Site created around 2020-million years ago by the impact of a mountain-sized meteorite. The resultant crater is 90km in diameter and 16-18km deep and supports a unique mini-ecosystem. Explore the crater via the Dome Bergland Meander and experience a landscape steeped in geological, biological and archeological heritage.
The pretty countryside here beckons with swathes of yellow sunflowers broken by green wild olive and umbrella-thorn trees. To the south the mighty Vaal River flows into the Bloemhof Dam and Boskop Dam. With their own nature reserve and species such as wildebeest, eland, springbok and gemsbok, travellers are able to combine game viewing and birding with watersports, fly fishing and angling.
If you're into feathered critters, the nearby Sandveld Nature Reserve is a birding hotspot, while the SA Lombard Nature Reserve makes a great game-viewing choice, with few trees to block your view of the animals – cameras are a must!
Heritage sites are plentiful in the region too. Don't miss out on the wonderful history captured by the Diggers' Diamond Museum in Christiana and the equally fascinating gold mining history of Potchefstroom.
On a cultural note, Fochville is home to the Tiokwe Ruins, remnants of early Tswana stone homesteads, while Ventersdorp's Swartrand Caves provide yet another reason to visit this part of North West.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
North West Province Tourism
Phone: + 27 (0) 18 397 1500
Email:info@tourismnorthwest.co.za
How to get here
The N12 national road from Johannesburg will take you to the heart of North West province.
Around the area
* The Dome Bergland Meander offers river rafting, tubing, abseiling, rock climbing, horse riding, mountain biking, archery and lovely walking trails.
* The Vredefort Meteorite hiking trail offers backpackers an eco-tourism experience including accommodation on a 2-day trail.
* Wolwespruit Nature Reserve is great for yellowfish angling in the rapids using artificial lures and flies
Tours to do
* Visit one of many Anglo-Boer War sites and the country's largest wild olive forest at Venterskroon.
* Relive the early diamond digging days on a tour in Wolmaransstad.
* Stilfontein takes visitors on a tour of the Hartebeestfontein Gold Mine including a gold pouring session.
Get around
Self-drive is recommended, but if you're planning on going off the beaten track, a 4x4 is mandatory.
Length of stay
A week will provide sufficient time to experience the many wonderful attractions found in this region.
Where to stay
Accommodation for outdoor lovers includes backpackers, camp sites, guest houses and guest lodges. Check with the tourism office for availability.