4 hours in… Rustenburg

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harties-cableway-3Harties Cableway

Take a ride to the top of Magaliesberg in the Harties Cableway and be rewarded with panoramic views of the Hartbeespoort Dam. The infrastructure was upgraded in 2010 using the latest materials and technology and the new cablecars are able to ferry up 500 people on a round-trip. At the top, you can walk the Dassie Loop, with its informational placards, relax on the grassy area or enjoy refreshments at the express service restaurant.

The cableway opens at 08h30 every day of the week and the first car departs for the top at 09h00. The last car down leaves at 16h00. A return ticket costs R195. No food or drinks are permitted to be brought into the area.

hartiescableway.co.za

bushbabies-monkey-sanctuaryBushbabies Monkey Sanctuary

The Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary is a privately owned, non-subsidised sanctuary in one of the many gorges of the Magaliesberg mountain range. Primates such as squirrel, spider and capuchin monkeys that were previously kept as pets, are given a new lease on life, allowed to live as naturally as possible in a wild world laden with waterfalls, lush vegetation, natural mountain springs. The sanctuary is supported solely by donations and the money collected for tours.

A one-hour tour, which will leave you with a better understanding of why monkeys don’t make good pets, costs R295.

monkeysanctuary.co.za

brauhaus-2Brauhaus am Damm

Cold German beer, brewed on the premises that overlooks the Olifantsnek Dam in Rustenburg, is the order of the day at Brauhaus am Damm, and is complemented by delicious German cuisine. The menu includes Einstein, pickled herring, sauerkraut, spätzle and weisswurst. But it’s not just German dishes on the fairly extensive. There is also a beer-roasted half-duck, slow-cooked pork belly, grilled red prawns and braised venison potjie. Leave room for traditional apple strudel, baked cheesecake and brownies.

The restaurant opens at 11h00 from Tuesday to Sunday. The kitchen closes at 21h00 every day expect Sunday, when it closes at 15h00. The restaurant closes one hour after the kitchen.

dasbrauhaus.co.za

Kedar Heritage Lodge

kedar-lodge-2Every year Kedar Heritage Lodge, just outside Rustenburg, unveils a statue for Heritage Day showcasing participants in the Anglo Boer War (South African War). This year, Mahatma Ghandi was honoured with a memorial to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his return to India. Other exhibits include Sol Plaatjies, Paul Kruger, Jan Smuts and Kgosi Mokgatle.

The lodge is open to the public and you can visit the statues free of charge any day of the week between 08h00 and 17h00.

kedarcountryhotel.com

SkyDiversity

sky-divingA tandem skydive is the perfect way to push your adrenaline to the max. At SkyDiversity, you’ll not only get to experience the thrill of a freefall, but you’ll also get an aerial view of the Magaliesburg mountains on your way to 10,000 feet in the purpose-built and turbine skydiving aircraft – The Turbine Atlas Angel. You’ll get a certificate and if you want to relive the experience, you can order a personal DVD as a keepsake.

Safety is a primary concern, and bookings must be made in advance. A tandem skydive costs R1,780 per person. Video footage is an extra charge.

skydiverustenburg.co.za

Sun City

sun-city-2If you’re in the area, a visit to the recently refurbished Sun City is a must. About 50 kilometres from Rustenburg you’ll find an entertainment mecca waiting for you. You could start at the casino, or make your way to the Valley of Waves. Get wet at Waterworld; speed along the world’s fastest zipslide, pamper yourself at the Royal Salon or Gary Player Health Spa. Stop by the Brew Monkey gastro pub for craft beer and artisanal meals; Legends for a bout of nostalgia and trendy grill house food; or Bocado for a Mediterranean dining experience.

Day visitors to Sun City pay R60 each to gain entry to the complex and the Valley of Waves, which is open daily from 09h00 to 18h00, entrance fee is R160.

suninternational.com