Boshoek, Bojanala Region

Not far from the town of Rustenburg, close to Phokeng in the Bafokeng area of North West, lies Boshoek - a quaint little mountain village that nestles right in the centre of the Pilanesberg Mountain range. One might be just over a 100 kilometres from Johannesburg, but further from the atmosphere of a major city one cannot get. Tranquillity and serenity, peace and quiet, fresh mountain air and crystal-clear mountain streams bring an immediate calm and languor to the predominantly outdoor experience that is this part of the world.

The Pilanesberg lies in a transition zone between the arid Kalahari and the Lowveld vegetation that receives a lot more rain in comparison, even though it is commonly referred to as ‘bushveld’. This part of the world is geologically famous, and the Pilanesberg National Park lies in a large basin formed by volcanic eruptions some 1200 million years ago. The structure is called the “Pilanesberg National Park alkaline ring complex” - one of the most perfect examples of an alkaline ring complex - and is made up of three concentric ridges or rings of hills.

Nearby Rustenburg, which lies at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range, is not only one of the country’s fastest growing cities, but is also one of the cities due to host the 2010 Football World Cup in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. The town is pretty and worth a visit for the number of historical buildings and monuments that include the Anglican Church, statue of the Voortrekker girl and a visit to President Kruger’s farm, Boekenhoutfontein.