Things to do in Sterkfontein

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in South Africa

Union Buildings

Union Buildings are situated atop Meintjieskop hill in Pretoria, at one of the highest points in the city. Standing in the terraced gardens, you can enjoy a view of the city. Designed by British architect Herbert Baker, the complex was completed in 1913. The buildings feature light-colored sandstone walls, with reddish-brown roofs contrasting against the beige walls. The overall layout is semi-circular, with two wings extending to the sides, connected by a curved colonnade. The architecture blends Italian Renaissance neoclassical style with Cape Dutch details, and at the end of each wing stands a domed tower topped with a statue of Atlas holding up the globe. The interior is decorated in the Cape Dutch style, with teak doors and dark beams contrasting with the white walls. The large terraced gardens in front of the building are planted with native South African plants and are dotted with several commemorative sculptures. The garden lawns also serve as a venue for public gatherings and celebrations.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park spans Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces in South Africa, covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers, and is one of South Africa's largest game reserves. This area was first protected in 1898 and later officially established as a national park in 1926. The park is home to nearly 150 mammal species and over 500 bird species, and is famous for the free-roaming Big Five—lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and African buffaloes—with a range of wildlife from large herbivores like elephants and giraffes to carnivores such as leopards and cheetahs. The park's diverse vegetation zones create distinct animal habitats. The north is dominated by mopane shrubveld, where elephant herds often forage; the central savanna gathers large numbers of zebras, wildebeests, and antelopes, which also attracts lion prides; the southern riverine areas have dense vegetation, where birds and leopards are more commonly seen. Visitors can choose to self-drive along the park roads or join a guided sunrise or sunset game drive. Animals are more active in the early morning and evening. During the dry season, vegetation is sparse and water sources are concentrated, making it easier to spot elephants, buffaloes, and even lion prides at close range along the roadside. There are multiple camps within the park, and visitors can join night game drives organized by the camps for a chance to spot nocturnal animals.

No. 9 of Cool Water Escapes in South Africa

Sun City Resort

Sun City Resort is located among a ring of ancient volcanic hills. This resort complex is themed around the legend of the "Lost City," skillfully blending the wild spirit of the African interior with man-made attractions and landscaped gardens. The resort's core attraction, the "Wave Valley," is a large tropical beach-themed water park, where the "Roaring Lagoon" generates artificial waves nearly 2m high every approx. 90 seconds. From thrilling water slides to a relaxing lazy river, visitors of all ages can find a way to enjoy the water that suits them. The "Bridge of Time" leading to the Wave Valley simulates a volcanic eruption every hour, complete with vibrations, rumbling sounds, and smoke, offering a unique immersive experience within the park. It also features two 18-hole golf courses designed by legendary golfer Gary Player, including the "Lost City Golf Course," which is known for its desert-style landscape.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in South Africa

Pilanesberg National Park

Pilanesberg National Park is located in the North West Province of South Africa, set within the massive crater of an ancient volcano and covering an area of over 500 square kilometers. The park is situated in the ecological transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld, where species from dry and wet areas converge, allowing visitors to see animals that do not typically coexist. The park features diverse landscapes, including rolling ridges, open grasslands, dams, thickets, and woodlands, and is home to lions, leopards, elephants, African buffalo, as well as black and white rhinos. Located in the center of the park, Mankwe Dam has a vast expanse of water where animals frequently come to drink, making it an excellent spot for viewing and photographing wildlife. There are observation hides along the dam, where visitors can quietly wait for animals to appear in a relatively concealed environment. Water birds such as fish eagles, kingfishers, and cormorants are also frequently active near the dam.

No. 12 of Best Things to Do in South Africa

Blyde River Canyon

Blyde River CanyonLocated in Mpumalanga, South Africa, the canyon was formed by the Blyde River, which has continuously eroded and carved through the Drakensberg mountains over a long period of time. Stretching over 20 km, the steep cliffs and deep valley create a spectacular three-dimensional view. In the early morning, mist often rises slowly between the valley walls, making the canyon appear even deeper and more layered. The Blyde Dam is located at the mouth of the canyon, offering visitors another way to experience it. Visitors can take a boat along the water, looking up at the towering cliffs on both sides from a lower perspective to experience the canyon's depth and scale. In addition to the magnificent rock and water scenery, the interior of the canyon also boasts a rich ecological environment. Dense forests and shrubs provide habitats for antelopes, monkeys, and various bird species, making it a popular area for birdwatchers.

No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in South Africa

Lion & Safari Park

Lion & Safari Park is located between Johannesburg and Pretoria in South Africa, near Hartbeespoort, and is a wildlife reserve covering an area of approx. 1,200 hectares. Lions are the stars here, and the park keeps both brown and white lions. Visitors can drive their own vehicles or take a park safari vehicle into the predator enclosure to observe the lion prides up close. In addition to lions, the park is also home to carnivores such as cheetahs, striped hyenas, spotted hyenas, black panthers, and African wild dogs. Along the self-drive route, you may encounter free-roaming herbivores such as giraffes, gemsbok, eland, and zebras. Visitors can also hand-feed giraffes that come up to them, experiencing the joy of interacting with wildlife up close.

Monsterlus Stadium view stand no 718

Bridge of time

Bridge of timeis a distinctive pedestrian bridge and an important passage connecting different tour areas. The bridge is approx. 100 m long, connecting the entertainment center at one end and the Valley of Waves at the other, and it is also a must-pass route for visitors entering and exiting the Lost City park. Walking onto the bridge, the eye-catching features on both sides are pairs of majestic elephant sculptures. These sculptures are tall and solemn, as if guarding the bridge and the entrance to the Lost City. The bridge deck is spacious and convenient for walking, and the sculptures, greenery, and surrounding African-style architecture on both sides create a unique visual landscape.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Johannesburg

Nelson Mandela Square

Nelson Mandela Square is located in the heart of Sandton, Johannesburg, and is an open-air shopping and dining district modeled after European squares. The square is built in the Italian style ofSt. Mark's Square in Veniceand is connected to the adjacent Sandton City shopping center. The square was formerly known as Sandton Square, and when it was renamed in 2004, a bronze statue of Mandela approximately 6m tall was unveiled in the center. This statue remains the visual centerpiece of the square today and is a landmark where visitors flock to take photos. The square is surrounded by dozens of boutique shops and restaurants featuring international cuisines, including French, Greek, Italian, and African dishes. The open-air dining areas offer a pleasant atmosphere and are popular with both local residents and tourists. At one end of the square is the Sandton Library, making it a destination that combines shopping, dining, and leisure.

Bourke's Luck Potholes

Bourke's Luck Potholes are located at the confluence of the Blyde River and the Treur River, making them one of the most iconic natural landscapes in the upper reaches of the Blyde River Canyon. The highlight here is not towering peaks, but rather the unique landforms shaped by water and rock over long periods of time. For thousands of years, the combined flow of the two rivers has swirled and eroded the red sandstone riverbed, gradually carving deep, rounded, and massive pits into the rock surface, creating the interconnected natural pothole landscape seen today. Upon entering the scenic area, visitors can walk along the specially constructed viewing trails into the canyon. The trails and footbridges wind along the terrain, connecting several major viewing areas. Multiple suspended viewing platforms are set up along the way, allowing visitors to stand at higher vantage points to overlook the confluence of the rivers and the densely distributed potholes, observing the rock structures formed by long-term water erosion from different angles.