Magaliesberg Mountains Attractions

Scenic drive from Johannesburg / Pretoria to the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre
 
Barton’s Folly:  

Barton's Folly was built during the South African War in 1901 to guard the entrance to Hekpoort, a narrow kloof through the southern slopes of the Magaliesberg and formed part of a line of  blockhouses in the Magaliesberg. Its unusual shape, which differed from the typical two-storey blockhouses of the time, earned it the name Barton’s Folly.
 
Magaliesberg Mountain Range:

Its original name was the Cashan Mountains. The Magaliesberg Mountain range rises 330m above the surrounding plains and a length of 170km and is dissected by numerous kloofs with crystal-clear streams, waterfalls and pools. Animals occurring here include leopard, brown hyaena, mountain reedbuck, bushbuck, baboon etc. and is home to 150 bird species.

De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre: 

The De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre in South Africa was established in 1971 and the centre has received international recognition for its work in bringing the cheetah back from the edge of extinction.

Although notoriously difficult to breed, 600 cheetah cubs have been born. The centre is also the first to breed the rare king cheetah which is not a sub-species of the cheetah. It has also bred and released captive-born wild dogs back into the wild. Other animals seen are the brown hyaena, black-foooted cat, suni and Egyptian vulture. A 2hr guided tour is on offer to visitors.

Sterkfontein - The Cradle of Humankind in South Africa

Sterkfontein is located about a 1 hrs drive away from Johannesburg. The collective name for the fossil hominid sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai and environs is Cradle of Humankind.

The Cradle of Humankind in South Africa was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999. Sterkfontein is one of the richest early hominid  sites in the world and is situated in the dolomite hills north of Krugersdorp. One of the significant finds was Mrs. Ples, the first complete hominid skull (discovered in 1947) and the fossil skeleton of Little Foot, a 3,3million-year-old human-like primate unearthed in 1998. 

Excavations began in 1920 and hominid fossils, animal fossils, fossil wood and stone tools have been uncovered in 12 sites within the area.  There are guided tours to take you into the Sterkfontein cave where a number of underground chambers with magnificent stalagmites, stalactites and other flowstone formations can be seen.

Also in the area is the Wonder Cave, a huge subterranean cavern with its stalagmites and stalactites and the Old Kromdraai gold mine.

Guarding the entrance into the Hekpoort Valley is an old fort, unlike any other fort built during its time. This is Barton's Folly, built under the supervision of Major General Geoffrey Barton in 1901 during the Anglo-Boer War.

Bartons Folly is an English Blockhouse built in 1901 during the Boer War (1899 – 1902) referred to by the locals as the ‘English War of Aggression’. Barton’s instruction was to build a fort to separate the Boer Commandos in the Brits area from the Witwatersrand on the Hekpoort pass. There is some confusion relating to the name: firstly it is argued that the fort did not succeed in its aim – a folly; but more likely because it differed from the typical two storied blockhouses of the time and was therefore something ‘foolish in design’ or something other than what it appeared to be.
Barton was a career soldier who served in the Gold Coast, the Zulu War of 1876, Egypt and China. Having been wounded at the Tugela River, he was transferred to Krugersdorp and had to face the military genius of de Wet and de la Rey.
Far from the cool meadows of England, he built the fort and one can easily imagine him standing on top of the hill staring at the distant Magaliesberg and thinking of home.

Visit here for a cultural immersion of note. Five distinctive homesteads represent Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele cultures respectively. Join a tour, which includes a pan African feast, traditional dancing and the opportunity to stock up on gifts at the Ndebele craft market.

Location:

On the R512 (Lanseria Road)

Telephone number:

012 205 1394

The Maropeng Interpretation Centre acts as a gateway of knowledge to the Cradle of Humankind. In keeping with the Setswanan name Maropeng, which means "returning to the place of origin", the exhibitions explore the development of modern humans from their first origins millions of years ago. The site itself is designed as a self-guided journey of discovery that can take several hours to fully enjoy.

Location:

R400, off R563 Hekpoort Road, Maropeng

Telephone number:

014 577 9000

Burrow down into the depths of Sterkfontein on one of their cave tours that run every half hour throughout the week. The exhibitions on site provide a fantastic visual and educational overview of palaeontology in Africa.

Location:

Off the Kromdraai Road or the R563

Telephone number:

014 577 9000

Nicknamed "the Cradle of Gold", historic Blaauwbank was the mine that sparked the discovery of the Witwatersrand gold reef, setting in motion Johannesburg's Gold Rush. Tours are 45 minutes or two hours in duration and include reef digging and panning for gold. And if you do strike it lucky? The Blaauwbank licence allows you to pocket your gold.

Location:

Station Road, Magaliesburg.

Telephone numbers:

082-567-3111 / 011-565-6600

Situated slightly further north than the Lion Park, this privately owned Highveld nature reserve is spread over 1,200 ha, populated with a variety of predators and herbivores. Plenty to do here, from horse riding through the reserve to watching lion, cheetah and wild dog feeding.

Address:

Corner Malibongwe & R114, Lanseria, Johannesburg

Phone 011-957-0349/0106
 

A private game reserve that offers sightings of lion, cheetah, wild dogs and rhino. The animal crèche allows visitors to cuddle irresistibly cute lion, tiger and cheetah cubs. Visitor facilities include picnic and braai areas, a swimming pool, kids playground, pub, restaurant and shop.

Location:

Off the R563, on the Kromdraai/Sterkfontein Caves Road

Telephone number:

011-957-0349/0106/0109

An instantly recognisable rock feature on the southern slopes of the Magaliesburg. Activities here include climbing a "via ferrata" (iron stairway) up the rock face, abseiling, hiking and playing a very unique game of knobkerrie golf. The hike wends its way through the ruins of an Iron Age village up to the summit of the mountain where remnants of Anglo-Boer War Fort can still be seen.

Telephone number:

082 340 7378

Location:

Off the R560
 

A cheetah breeding and conservation project located about 15 minutes from Hartbeespoort Dam. Activities include a wildlife tour (you'll see cheetah, wild dog, caracal, African wild cat and more) and the chance to watch a cheetah running at full speed.

Telephone numbers:

012-504-9906/7/8

Location:

Off the R513

Take a tour of this cheese farm and learn about the fascinating process of cheese making, tasting some fine Dutch Boerenkaas (farm cheese) en route. There is a restaurant and shop on site, as well as plenty of picnic spots on the banks of Skeerpoort River.

Telephone number:

012 207 1289

Location:

Skeerpoort, Magaliesburg

Set in the midst of Kromdraai game reserves, this magnificently preserved 5-10 million year old cave allows visitors a claustrophobia-free glimpse into its magical depths. Encounter rim pools, cave pearls, stalactites and stalagmites and more.

Location:

Off the R563, on the Kromdraai/Sterkfontein Caves Road

Telephone number:

011 957 0106