Travel Guide Magaliesberg

Like a rocky wall, the Magaliesberg massif (30 000 ha) extends over more than 120 km, from the east of Pretoria to the west of Rustenburg, offering, from top of the peaks that never dominate the high-veld of more than 300 metres, breathtaking panoramas. Among them, the Magaliesberg culminates at 1 852 m. Some very ancient traces of human occupation were identified by archaeologists, especially in Maanhaarrand on the R 24. In the th century, the Voortrekkers discovered a region inhabited by the Po people, whose head was called Mohale. It is this name, distorted in Magali, which was given to the mountain chain. Few foreign travellers come around this area, while Gauteng's holidaymakers greatly appreciate this «campaign» one hour drive from Johannesburg. During weekends, the Transvalers come to the family to make braais and take the air. Around the two centres of the village of Magaliesburg and Lake Hartbeespoort, there is no shortage of activities: Hiking, crafts, paragliding, hot air balloon, sailing, water skiing… And the hotel offer is really pleasant. For those who have a means of personal transport, who have one or two days before the plane of return and who do not want to go to town, the Magaliesberg is ideal, refined and rustic at a time, close to Johannesburg (which allows you a jump in the shops at the last moment) but a thousand miles from its nerve atmosphere.