Northern Gauteng, South Africa

Gauteng Tourist Attractions

Northern Gauteng, South Africa

Once you've booked your hotel or Northern Gauteng accommodation explore our destination pages below for info on attractions and what to do in Northern Gauteng.

Gauteng has no official regions, but for simplicity’s sake is often divided into northern and southern Gauteng, which roughly corresponds to dividing the province up around the two major cities - Johannesburg to the south and Pretoria to the north.

Northern Gauteng is a charming combination of the Tshwane Metro and the Metsweding region - a mix of pretty towns and rural communities, except for Pretoria - the administrative capital of the country.

Northern Gauteng includes Bronkhorstspruit, Cullinan, Centurion, Hammanskraal, Mamelodi, Pretoria and Midrand, and other suburbs and towns like Irene, Leeuwkloof Valley and Rayton. The main appeal for selecting northern Gauteng as a place to stay is the combination of easy access to Johannesburg and the attraction of small town living. For many a traveller this is preferable to the chronic buzz of Jozi, no matter how it draws those who seek the thrill of big cities.

Northern Gauteng, South Africa

From the quaintness of Cullinan, still seeped in the Victorian era, the leafy attractiveness of Irene, where you can visit the local dairy farm, to the farming community of Bronkhorstspruit, home to the Nan Hua Buddhist Temple, there is an incredible diversity on offer.

Even the more commercial centres of Midrand and Centurion have something to proffer. This part of the country presents an incredible range of activities and places to visit, and good food and hospitality are high on the list of priorities.

Northern Gauteng

Destinations / Suburbs of Northern Gauteng

Boekenhoutskloof

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Boekenhoutskloof

About half an hour’s drive north east of Pretoria, nestled in the foothills of the Bobbejaans Mountains, lies Boekenhoutskloof, named, it seems, after the Boekenhout tree that is prevalent in the area. It is hard to ... Boekenhoutskloof information

Bronkhorstspruit

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Bronkhorstspruit

The little town of Bronkhorstspruit that forms the point of a triangle with Rayton and Bapsfontein, about 50 kilometres east of Pretoria, is a little farming community that deserves a visit for the sheer ... Bronkhorstspruit information

Centurion

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Centurion

Lying just outside of Midrand on the N1, part way between Jo-burg and Pretoria, Centurion is probably best known for its mall - one of the largest shopping centres in South Africa with over 200 stores and restaurants. ... Centurion information

Cullinan

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Cullinan

The charming little village of Cullinan that has managed to hold on to much of its mine village character - its historic stone and corrugated iron mine workers’ houses, offices and churches a throwback to the mining ... Cullinan information

Doornkloof

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Doornkloof

Doornkloof lies just south of Irene. In 1962 it combined with Irene and Lyttelton to form a city council known as Lyttelton, renamed Verwoerdburg in 1967 and changed to a more politically neutral Centurion in 1995 ... Doornkloof information

Hammanskraal

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Hammanskraal

Roughly 30 minutes from Pretoria, virtually on the border with the North West Province, the little town of Hammanskraal lies just off the N1 - the R101 runs directly through it. It’s not a particularly pretty town by ... Hammanskraal information

Hennops River

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Hammanskraal

Hennops River, as its name suggests, lies on the Hennops River in Centurion, just east of the Irene Research Institute and south of the Irene Country Club. There was a time when everything out here was predominantly the ... Hennops River information

Irene

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Irene

The little village of Irene (pronounced irenie) is one of the best kept secrets in Gauteng - its poplar, plane and oak-lined avenues, pretty homes, shady almost meadow-like surrounds more than a little out of place ... Irene information

Leeuwkloof Valley

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Leeuwkloof Valley

Lying with Dinokeng, right on the doorstep of the two large cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria is the Leeuwkloof Valley, home to the Leeuwkloof Valley Conservancy and a number of private lodges, spas and weekend ... Leeuwkloof Valley information

Pretoria

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Pretoria

Known as the Jacaranda City for all the purple blossom-bedecked trees, which line its thoroughfares, Pretoria is a lovely, quiet city. It has a long, involved and fascinating history. Here you will find significant old ... Pretoria information

Rayton

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Rayton

Not far from the historical village of Cullinan is the little town of Rayton, another settlement to have evolved from the discovery of diamonds in the area. With the opening of the Premier Mine in the vicinity, many ... Rayton information

Roodeplaat

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Roodeplaat

Northern Gauteng

Featured and "Must See" Attractions in Northern Gauteng

Cullinan Diamond Mine

Just twenty minutes’ drive from Pretoria brings one to the quaint little town of Cullinan that time appears to have little affected. The Cullinan Diamond Mine, also known as the Premier Diamond Mine, has uncovered some of the largest diamonds in the world today and the mine lies over one of the biggest kimberlite ... more information

Buffelsdrift Conservancy

Lying on the western boundaries of the Dinokeng area, between the Roodeplaat Dam and the N1 highway, Buffelsdrift Conservancy has become a fairly popular place to visit not only because it is so easy to reach, so close to both Pretoria and Johannesburg, but also as a birding spot for birders. This is due in no ... more information

Blue Valley Golf Course

Named for the blue skies and open country of its surroundings, the Gary Player designed Blue Valley is a perfect blend of hospitality, sport and nature. Situated conveniently between northern Johannesburg and Pretoria, the residential estate offers a location second to none in the... more information

Bronkhorstspruit Dam Nature Reserve

Lying about 90 kilometres from the centre of Johannesburg, Bronkhorstspruit Nature Reserve is situated on the southern edge of a large dam named after the town immediately north east of here, and known for its waterbirds. Infact birders head out this way often for the over 200 species of birds ... more information

Centurion Golf Course

Centurion Golf Course is an excellent Golfing Estate with a very challenging golf course designed by Peter Matkovich. Two different nines, where water comes into play on the one and desert on the other. This exciting and challenging golf course offers one the opportunity of playing... more information

Dinokeng

Just north-east of urban Joburg and Tshwane lies the vibrant and warm, big-sky region of Dinokeng, where the world's largest diamond was discovered. Today the area is sparkling with natural, cultural and historical attractions, a place where South Africans and their visitors enjoy the ... more information

Dinokeng Game Reserve

Why Dinokeng Game Reserve is such an attraction is because it provides Big 5 game viewing really close to Pretoria - half an hour, or an hour from OR Tambo International Airport. Which means you can simply fall out of the plane and be in the 'bush' pronto. Dinokeng translates ... more information

Irene Country Club

The Irene Golf Club has one of the most attractive golf courses imaginable, next to Van der Byl Farm in the small, leafy village of Irene. Irene is only 15 kilometres south-east of Pretoria, yet far removed from city life. There are no factories, the air is fresh and rustic farms dot the land around... more information

Leeuwkloof Valley Conservancy

The Leeuwkloof Valley Conservancy, a 400 hectare game reserve, is situated 1 hour from Johannesburg and 30 minutes from Pretoria. In the heart of Gauteng, Dinokeng ‘a place of rivers’, is Leeukloof Valley with wildlife roaming in a 400 hectare game reserve. Game at Leeuwkloof includes over 240 grazers... more information

Rietvlei Nature Reserve

The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is one of the world's largest urban nature reserves, 3 800 hectares in extent, situated south of the city but still within the city limits. The Rietvlei Nature Reserve lies very close to the highway between Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport at a height of about 1700 m... more information

Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve

The Roodeplaat dam was constructed in 1956 and was initially called the 'Pienaars Rivier Dam'. The Dam supplied the surrounding landowners with irrigation and was later developed into a tourism destination. Rich with abundant fish, bird and wildlife, the reserve which lies on the eastern shore of ... more information

Rust De Winter Nature Reserve

The pretty Rust de Winter Nature Reserve lies north east of Hammanskraal and close enough to the N1 and Pretoria to make a weekend of it. Places like Rust de Winter, which is part of the larger still in its development phase (although word has it that rhino have already been spotted) Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve ... more information

Smuts House Museum

If you haven’t already visited the house in which Jan Smuts lived, then take advantage of staying in the vicinity and go and see the Big House, as Jan Smuts and his family used to call their home in Irene, half way (more or less) between Johannesburg and Pretoria. In similar fashion to the Kruger House Museum in Pretoria, Smuts House ... more information

Tswaing Meteorite Crater Museum

One of only four meteorite crater museums in the world (the others are in the US, Germany and France) the Tswaing Crater and its museum lie roughly 40 kilometres north of Pretoria. Not only is the Tswaing crater probably one of the best preserved meteorite craters in the world, but it definitely is the ... more information

Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum

If you want to really step back in time and experience farming as it once was, then the Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum, just 40 kilometres east of Pretoria, with the largest collection of farming implements in the country and a pretty unique collection of vehicles, is the place for you. The Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum has ... more information

Zwartkop Golf Course

The Zwartkop Country Club is situated on what was originally the farm Zwartkop named after the bird found nesting on the farm. It has long been a tournament venue for both professional and amateur events, and is also the permanent site for the annual ICL International, which forms part of the FNB Tour... more information

Northern Gauteng Attractions

Things To Do in Northern Gauteng

view all things to do in Northern Gauteng

Northern Gauteng

Holiday Accommodation in Northern Gauteng

For accommodation in Northern Gauteng see:
• Boekenhoutskloof • Bronkhorstspruit • Buffelsdrift • Irene • Cullinan • Doornkloof
• Hennops River • Centurion • Leeuwkloof Valley • Pretoria • Midrand • Roodeplaat • Rayton

Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Northern Gauteng Accommodation.

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