Rustenburg
Rustenburg (Place of rest) is the largest city in South Africa's North West Province, with a population of 550,000 in 2011.
Understand
Rustenburg was founded in 1851 and went through a number of altercations in the Anglo-Boer Wars. It saw unprecedented growth in the early 21st century. It is mostly known for the platinum that is mined there today.
Climate
Rustenburg has very warm summers (from December to February) and mild winters (from June to August). Due to the altitude, summers are not quite as hot as one might expect. Precipitation occurs mainly in summer.
Get in
By plane
Pilanesburg International Airport near Sun City or Rustenburg Airfield do not accept international or national flights. The closest international airport is Johannesburg International and national is Lanseria.
By train
There are no passenger trains going through Rustenburg. The only trains used are cargo and freight used by the mining and steel industries.
By car
Follow the N4 toll road west from Pretoria. Total toll is R32 in April 2010. The R104 road is a toll-free alternative which is parallel to the N4 but is narrow and bendy with several stops in between.
By bus
In 2012 there was still no public transport or public bus route. Although private buses are available if you search the internet.
Get around
See
- 1 Paul Kruger Country House Museum, ☏ +2714 573 3218. A little museum showing the way things were back in the day when Paul Kruger worked on a farm called Boekenhoutfontein, before he became president of the Suid-Afrikaanse Republiek, the Dutch South African Republic circa 1852-1902. The museum shows exhibits pertaining to the Boer farming life and heritage.
Do
- 1 Kgaswane Mountain Reserve, ☏ +27 14 533-2050. Lots of sable antelope and popular hiking venue. Site of Kgaswane Rusternburg Waterfall. Accommodations pricing start from R40 per camping stand (6 people) and R800 per cottage per night R30 per adult, R15 per child.
- 2 Madikwe Game Reserve and Groot Marico Park. Two large reserves north of the Pilanesberg, almost half the size of Belgium. They are conservation and transition zone between the Kalahari sandveld and the thornveld. Madikwe hosts all the major plains species, including the Big Five and has the second largest concentration of elephants in South Africa.
- 3 Pilanesberg Game Reserve. One of the most accessible South African game reserves. It is located a 1½-hour drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, outside Rustenburg. It is the fourth largest national park in South Africa and is set in the Pilanesberg range, traversing the floor of a long-extinct volcano. Pilanesberg conserves all the major mammal species including lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo.
- SkyDive Rustenburg - based at Rustenburg Airfield. Enjoy a scenic flight over Rustenburg and the Magaliesberg on the climb to 12 000ft, 40 seconds in freefall attached to a tandem master, and a 5 minute parachute ride back to earth. SkyDive Rustenburg +27 79 345 7058 SkyDive.Rustenburg@gmail.com
- 4 Akwaaba Predator Park, R52, Doornlaagte, ☏ +27 71 731 7103. A wild animal park home to lions, tigers, black jaguars, hyenas, as well as the only strawberry leopard worldwide. You can take tours of the animals as well as spending intimate time with cubs, lemurs, and adult lions and cheetahs. Tours are kind of spendy but the goal of the park is to take in abused and neglected animals.
- 5 Kudus Rus Game Lodge and Predator Park, Portion 19 of 1 Plaas Waterval, Swartruggens Rd, ☏ +27 72 852 7043. Tours from 08:00-17:00. A game lodge where you can do guided lion walks and other encounters with nature (touch a tiger, interact with lion cubs, etc). Servals, caracals, cheetahs also live here. Bookings essential.
Buy
- Waterfall Shopping Mall (on the N4 just outside town on the road to Pretoria), ☏ +27 14 537-3600. Shops shut between 17:00 and 20:00. Rustenburg's principal shopping complex is pretty new and shiny and isn't really in Rustenburg at all given its location next to the N4. One highlight is the Cape Town Fish Market. Pick'n'Pay, Game and Woolworths are the anchor tenants.
Eat
Many restaurants can be found in the Waterfall Mall, south-east of the city. The choice is large (from fast-food to good quality restaurants) but might have a lack of authenticity.
Drink
It is a good idea to ask locals about recommended nightlife spots. Rustenburg square provides a fairly good all round night out with parking, clubs, pubs and shops in a well lit and maintained area. You can find some of the bigger clubs on the outskirts of town, including traditional Sokkie Sokkie dance clubs, techno clubs, gentlemen's clubs and Zulu taverns.
Sleep
- Kedar Heritage Lodge, Conference Centre & Spa, fax: +27 11 957-3212, sales@rali.co.za.
- Kettle Guest Lodge, Donkerhoek (drive north on N4 and take last (single) west exit; you will KettleGuestLodge sign), info@kettleguestlodge.com.
- Road Lodge, Cnr Howick & Magaliesburg Rd, ☏ +27 14 537-3088, fax: +27 14 537-3099, rlrusburg@citylodge.co.za. From R335 per person sharing.
- Rusthaven B&B, ☏ +27 14 592-8627, fax: +27 86 614-6429, rusthaven@mweb.co.za.
- Symphony Guesthouse, Plot 17, Waterfall East, ☏ +27 14 592-2821. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. 7 en-suite bedrooms with mini-bar and tea and coffee trays. This rustic, characterful lodge offers a country, homely relaxation, back-to-nature experience.
- Woodridge Palms Boutique Hotel, Woodstock Swartruggens (near Koster Dam), ☏ +27 14 544-6911. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. An oasis in the African bushveld, this private boutique hotel offers secluded comfort and in-obtrusive service. from R1,080.
- 1 Luxury Upmarket Homestay 20 on 4th, 20 4th Ave, Cashan, ☏ +27 72 834 7456. Homestay with a pool and a view in town. R613.
Go next
- Pretoria, follow the N4 East
- Sun City, follow the R510 northeast for about 30 km, turn left into the R556. Another 25 km and you are there.
- The Pilanesberg National Park is next to Sun City.