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JOHANNESBURG, PRETORIA, SUN CITY & PILANESBERG NP

 

                            City of Johannesburg

 

With a population of  roughly 11 million people this modern city has it all. Not only business wise but also as an interesting holiday destination to Executive travellers  that  come to South Africa for meetings and conferences.  "Jozi "is also Home of Africa's busiest  Airport : OR Tambo Int. Airport. Johannesburg has grown from a small mining town into a bustling metropolis where people from all over the globe come to work and play. Visit the Apartheid museum, the Constitutional Court or any of the many attractions that a world class African city has to offer.

 

                           City of Pretoria 

 

In 1855 Pretoria was founded by Marthinus Pretorius, a Voortrekker leader. His intention was to name it after his father, Andries, who was instrumental in the Voortrekker victory over the Zulus in the monumental Battle of Blood River. 

 

Today the area has been renamed the City of Tshwane, but the CBD still keeps the name of Pretoria. Pretoria continues as the administrative capital of South Africa. Within the heart of the city stands Church Square, initially called Market Square. It was home to the first church built in Pretoria, which burnt down in 1882. The square marks what used to be the centre of Pretoria and is now home to many historically significant buildings, like the Ou Raadsaal (council chamber) and the Palace of Justice. The square is perhaps most famous for the large bronze statue of Paul Kruger, former State President, which stands in its centre. Throughout the city, many great works of architecture show a variety of influences. Examples include the Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument, The City Hall , the Ou Raadsaal, and Unisa (University of South Africa).

 

        Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City

 

The creation of the Reserve is considered one of the most ambitious programmes of its kind to be undertaken anywhere in the world.
Thanks to Operation Genesis in 1979, which involved the game-fencing of the reserve and the re-introduction of many long-vanished species, the park now has in excess of 7 000 animals including 24 of the larger species. It is also home to the Big Five.

The crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of Pilanesberg National Park - a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1300 million years ago. Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. Its rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature.

 

The beauty of Pilanesberg is reflected in a large central lake, the Mankwe Dam.

Over time, wind and water have carved a spectacular landscape with rocky outcrops, open grasslands, wooded valleys and thickets.

 

                                        Sun City

 

The dream began with a middle of nowhere luxury hotel in the sun. It soon evolved to include a second sumptuous hotel, the Cascades, with a tropical garden, a flamingo lake lapping the edge of the building, rushing waterfalls and a Sky Train which whisks visitors between destinations within the resort.

Then Sol Kerzner's imagination looped the loop in a defiant free fall and he built his ultimate fantasy - the 'recreation' of a Lost City which, legend has it, was inhabited by gentle people of an ancient civilization.

The Lost City, complete with the 'Shrine of the Sacred Monkey', ruins of old temples, ancient carvings, grottos - an illusion of some idyllic ancient civilisation rediscovered. The Palace of the Lost City is undoubtedly one of the architectural wonders of Africa. The African theme is carried through every detail; life size elephants, cheetahs hunting, sable and springbuck, in combination with the Valley of the Waves and the Bridge of Time.

The Lost City has as its centre a 'palace' of impossible opulence guarded by towering elephants lining an immense bridge; it is ringed with man-made lakes stocked with rare birds and fish, pools, forests and a tropical beach with perfect surfing waves - electrically generated. Lit with the glow of a million candles, the Palace is decorated with Renaissance frescoes, hand-carved furniture, mosaic-inlaid floors and towering columns of false tusks and palm fronds.

 Gaming on the casino tables, golfing on its superb Gary Player designed 18-hole course, lazing in the plush ambience of the complex.

A vast entertainment area provides for floor shows, slot machines, gambling tables - all on the edge of Pilanesberg National Park.