The West Rand region of Gauteng encompasses the towns Carltonville, Krugersdorp, Westonaria, Randfontein, Soweto, Western Gauteng, the Magaliesburg and all their surrounding areas. All of the aforementioned towns, each of which used to be a separate municipality, have been incorporated into the new West Rand District Municipality. The whole area has grown and developed as a direct result of the discovery of gold in the area.
A greater part of the West Rand region is rural and includes some of Gauteng's most beautiful scenery. To the West of the region are the Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg mountains and the valleys of the Skeerpoort and Crocodile rivers. In this area are the archaeological diggings in the Sterkfontein Valley, now known to be the cradle of mankind. The Magaliesberg range has seen the establishment of numerous hotels, guest houses and resorts along its entire length. In the Eastern part of the range is to be found the Hartbeespoort Dam, a Mecca for the weekend holiday maker from Gauteng and home to many different watersports.
The mountains offer many routes to rock climbers and details can be obtained from the Mountain Club of Pretoria. Hot-Air ballooning and hang-gliding are also carried out in the area. There are a great many attractions in and around the village of Magaliesberg. There is a fish farm, a trout farm, the Buffelspoort Holiday Resort, antique shops, a game lodge and the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, steam train rides and art galleries. Muldersdrift is a picturesque small village situated at the foot of the southern slopes of the Magaliesberg Mountain range to the West of Pretoria. The village is surrounded by small farms and smallholdings and has become a center for a great number of home craft industries and artists.
Close to Muldersdrift in the West Rand is the Lion Safari Park where visitors can see many different species of wild life including a number of prides of lion in a central fenced area. Situated close to Muldersdrift is the Bella Vallata 4x4 Playground, a 5 km off road track specifically built to contain every type of obstacle likely to be encountered by a 4x4. This 4x4 track is a must for 4x4 owners and braai facilities are available. Close to Muldersdrift can be found the Sterkfontein Caves and the Cradle of Mankind. Sterkfontein was declared a World Heritage site in 1999.
Just to the West of Johannesburg lies the Lanseria International Airport, a general Aviation airfield that first started to take shape in 1972. Lanseria Airport is ideally situated for corporate jets traveling to Johannesburg or Pretoria and has recently been modernized.
The larger towns of the region owe their very existence on the presence of gold in the area. Gold was first discovered in the West Rand in the 1930s. A mining engineer from the Gold Fields Mining Group, Guy Carleton Jones, after whom the town of Carletonville was named, played a big role in the discovery of gold in the area. Krugersdorp is another West Rand town that offers a great variety of leisure options including the Krugersdorp Nature Reserve with its lions, rhinos, hippo & buffalo, giraffe and at least ten species of antelope and buck including the rare roan and sable antelopes. Just a few kilometers to the North of Krugersdorp is the Kromdraai Conservancy. This area is underlaid by dolomite rock and has many caves and sinkholes. The region is an unparalleled treasure trove of anthropological finds including the earliest authenticated man-made fire. The conservancy houses a number of attractions including a trout farm, the Wonder Cave, a gold mine and a Lion Park.
The West Rand region offers a variety of activities and attractions.
Here are ten things to see and do:
1. Cradle of Humankind: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of the world's oldest hominid fossils and offers fascinating tours of the Sterkfontein Caves and the Maropeng Visitor Centre.
2. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden: A beautiful garden featuring indigenous plants, a stunning waterfall, and a variety of bird species, including the endangered Verreaux's eagle.
3. Lion & Safari Park: Get up close with lions, cheetahs, and other wildlife in this family-friendly park that offers guided game drives and animal interactions.
4. Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve: Located in the Cradle of Humankind, this reserve offers game drives, an animal crèche, and opportunities to see white lions, rhinos, and other wildlife.
5. Silverstar Casino: Enjoy a range of entertainment options, including gambling, dining, movies, and live shows at this popular casino.
6. Kloofendal Nature Reserve: A tranquil spot for hiking and picnicking, with several walking trails and an old gold mine that can be explored.
7. Ngwenya Glass Village: Watch skilled artisans create beautiful glass artworks and shop for unique glass pieces, jewelry, and crafts.
8. The Walter Battiss Art Museum: Visit this museum dedicated to the works of renowned South African artist Walter Battiss, featuring a collection of his paintings, drawings, and prints.
9. Avianto: This European-style village offers a romantic setting for weddings and events, as well as a restaurant, spa, and various outdoor activities such as cycling and river rafting.
10. Hekpoort Heksie: Experience this charming farm stall and coffee shop known for its homemade jams, preserves, and baked goods, as well as its scenic views of the Magaliesberg mountains.
These activities provide a mix of cultural, natural, and recreational experiences, making the West Rand region a great destination for visitors.
Ma-Ria's Farmhouse offers an authentic self catering farm stay in the Magaliesburg area. (Farmhouse sleeps maximum 13 people in 5 bedrooms) (Additional Garden Flat sleeps 4). Located near Maanhaarrand at the foot of the Magaliesburg mountains nestled... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Patrys Paradys offers self catering accommodation in a Maanhaarrand in the Magaliesburg area of Gauteng's West Rand. We offer 3 self catering options: Farmhouse (sleeps 14) and 2 chalets (sleeps 6 in each). If you are ready for a good rest, calm... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Onze Whonen Guest House is a charming 4 star rated Bed and Breakfast facility that is centrally situated in Carletonville, Johannesburg and is within minutes of the worlds deepest & richest gold mines. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Den's View offers self catering on the banks of the Magalies River near Hekpoort in Gauteng. Den's View Garden Flat (sleeps 2). Get away for a romantic weekend, spoil your sweetheart and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Mountain. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Ziggy's River Cottage offers self catering on the banks of the Magalies River. Get away for a romantic weekend, spoil your sweetheart in our fully- equipped unit on the banks of the Magalies River and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Mountain. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
The Eco Retreat is a 3 bedroomed self-catering country house (sleeps 6) located in the Hekpoort valley on Gauteng's West Rand. Nestled between the Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg mountains along the banks of the Magaliesriver. Natural bush surrounds the pr …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Marlenes Guesthouse offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Carletonville, West Rand, Gauteng. We have four spacious en suite rooms. The dining room and lounge are separate from the rooms, although we do room service for honeymoon couples or on request. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Nullarbor Cottages offers self catering accommodation in Magaliesburg, on Gauteng's West Rand. Nullarbor Cottages comprises 10 self catering cottages, seven of which have corner Jacuzzi spa baths, two with shower only and one with Victorian Ball and Claw …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Puschka Cottage offers self catering accommodation on a certified organic farm about 30kms from the small town of Magaliesburg in Gauteng. We provide 3 self catering options, all of which are a haven for anyone wanting to "get away from it all". …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Monchique Guest House provides bed and breakfast accommodation in Muldersdrift on the West Rand. Choose from our twelve luxurious individually decorated en-suite double bedrooms, all located in the thatched homestead, surrounded by beautifully... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.