The Southern Gauteng region of Gauteng includes one of South Africa’s largest industrial hubs based around the steel producing towns of Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging and the oil refinery town of Sasolburg, home to Sasol Petroleum.
At the heart of this area is the Vaal Dam fed by the mighty Vaal River. The Dam is not only the main water source for Gauteng, but is famous for its water sports including yachting, boating, jet skiing, para-sailing and many others. See all the watersports on the Vaal.
The dam is also home to many fishing competitions and is a popular weekend getaway for Gautengers. One of the many attractions for visitors is Barge Cruising on the Vaal Dam and on the Vaal River.
Southern Gauteng is home to a beautiful nature reserve of some 13,337 hectares, called Suikerbosrand. It is hard to believe that this reserve, named for the ‘Sugar Bush’ protea that proliferates on the reserve, amongst a wealth of other ‘Highveld’ flora, is only 30 minutes’ drive from Johannesburg. Enjoy the buck and small mammals; bird watching with over 200 species recorded; over 66km of hiking and cycling trails, many of them designed along the best birding areas, as well as the ‘Tourist Route’ – a tarred route designed for self-drive game viewing. See ShowMe Suikerbosrand for more details.
Suikerbosrand is not the only bird haven in the area. The Treehaven Waterfowl Trust is an oasis comprising 30 acres of specially developed wetlands dedicated to the world’s waterfowl, just 3km from Vereeniging and only a 45 minute drive from Sandton, Johannesburg. See all 16 species of South African ducks, 124 species of exotic ducks, geese and swans, Over 70 species of wild water birds that visit TWT regularly, flamingos, all 3 South African crane species and beautiful gardens complete the picture. See all the birding spots in this area.
Bass Lake in Henley on Klip is a resort on a 10-hectare body of spring-fed water is considered by the top certifying agencies (PADI, NAUI, SSI, CMAS, IANTD) to be the best scuba training venue in South Africa.
The resort also offers excellent MTB trails and a 4×4 trail. The 14km, 3 hour route is open 5 days per week but is heavily weather dependant. This is a natural trail with ascents and descents and water sections. There are escape routes available for difficult areas. Permits for this trail can be purchased at the outdoor shop, where a map is provided. The trail is graded 4 and a low range, high clearance 4×4 vehicle is needed.
Looking for something truly special and unique? Try Wine Tasting in the Vaal during the most unusual and fun-filled wine route in South Africa, and very possibly one of the most unique wine tasting extravaganzas in the world!
Immerse yourself in the experience of an authentic African holiday, with a Township Tour through Sebokeng…Look no further than the curb in the Vaal’s townships, and you will find the ‘Spirit of the Lion’ inside of the Sotho, Zulu and Xhosa people. Experience the day to day life of the “ikassie” (township) on a township tour of Sebokeng.
The Emerald Resort and Casino offers gaming, resort hotel accommodation and excellent family activities like jet skiing, parasailing and tow-boat skiing, in the town of Vanderbijlpark – barely an hour’s drive south from Johannesburg. Other activities include rock climbing, ten-pin bowling and an ‘animal world’ that is part small game reserve and part zoo and houses over 500 exotic and African birds and animals, with many near extinct species represented. The Resort transforms at night offering comedy nights and dancing till the small hours.
The Vredefort Dome, near Parys, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, making it one of 8 World Heritage sites in South Africa. It is the biggest and oldest known impact relic from a time when life on earth consisted of simple algae, and the meteorite that hit at what is now Vredefort, is also thought by many in the scientific community to have possibly played a significant role in the evolution of life on Earth. The Vredefort Dome also offers the Meteorite Hiking Trails, a system of Green Flag routes that cover a 60km, MTB Trails and the Dome Horse Trails of 1 to 2 days.
In this area of unspoiled beauty surrounding the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site, you’ll find 15km of marked 4×4 trail at Berakah, which twists and turns through open savannah, bushveld, riverbeds, mud, water, over hill climbs and scenic mountains.
And don’t forget to take the kids to Deneys Croc Ranch in Deneysville, Vaal, to see the scariest reptiles in Africa.
For detailed information on the Vaal Triangle, visit ShowMe Vaal.
