Central Region, North West Province
The central region of the North West Province is dominated by bushveld and savannah plains, the fertile grasslands subject to fields of maize, sunflowers and ground nuts, as well as cattle and game farming. The region, although apparently flat and dry, is able to sustain farming as it does because of the large volumes of quality water stored in groundwater springs.
The central region borders on Botswana, and is an amalgamation of what was once the western Transvaal and Bophuthatswana, dominated by the capital of the province, Mafikeng, and the Groot Marico Bushveld area, an area romanticised in the stories by the author Herman Charles Bosman. To the west lie the fringes of the Kalahari Desert, which explains the tendency of the central region to become drier and flatter the further west one travels.
Whilst Mafikeng, the commercial and administrative centre of the area, is the major hub of the central region, and is without doubt a vibrant city worth a visit, it is the smaller towns like Delareyville where the Barberspan Bird Sanctuary is situated just outside the town, Ottosdal, where the totally unique "wonderstone" is mined, Groot Marico, and Zeerust that collectively steal the show. More essentially, the central region is about game viewing. Game farms and guest houses are in abundant supply in this bushveld area that includes 'Big 5' game viewing, fishing, bird watching and numerous other activities.
Highlights of the central region include the Botsalano Game Reserve, Cookes Lake, Mafikeng, including the game reserve just outside town, the Lichtenburg Game Breeding Centre, the Kortdloof Cultural Village and Disaneng Dam.
Destinations / Town & Suburbs of the Central Region
Delareyville
Where to Stay: Central Region Accommodation
Founded in 1914 this town produces maize, groundnuts and sunflowers. The Dutch Reformed Church in Maun Street is a national monument. The Earth Satellite Station was erected in 1998 to improve telecommunications in southern Africa ... Delareyville information
Groot Marico
Where to Stay: Central Region Accommodation
The rustic town of Groot Marico is a typical North West town, brimming with historical charm and atmosphere. The Marico district, made famous through the books of Herman Charles Bosman and the colourful characters he invented, is the land of mampoer, breathtakingly strong spirit ... Groot Marico information
Lichtenburg
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Lichtenburg
Lying between the towns of Mafikeng and Coligny on the R503, Lichtenburg is predominantly a farming town about 200 kilometres west of the major metropolis of Johannesburg. The pretty little town of Lichtenburg ... Lichtenburg information
Mafikeng
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Mafikeng
Mafikeng is the capital of the North West Province. In 1885 the Warren expedition was sent to Mafikeng to restore stolen land back to the Barolong people. During their stay two forts were built on either side of the Molopo River ... Mafikeng information
Mmabatho
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Mmabatho
Mmabatho, once the capital city of the North West province, lies just south of the Botswana border - relegated to something of a suburb of the now capital city of Mafikeng. But this in no way detracts from the buzzing Mmabatho, which originally served as the capital of the ‘independent homeland’ of ... Mmabatho information
Ottosdal
Where to Stay: Central Region Accommodation
Ottosdal is situated in the centre of the North West Province. The main routes to and from Gauteng (the economic centre of South Africa) pass through the town to the neighbouring countries of Namibia and Botswana. Ottosdal is the only place in South Africa where ... Ottosdal information
Zeerust
Where to Stay: Central Region Accommodation
Mixed farming and mining of minerals (lead and chrome) are the backbone of the economy in the bushveld town of Zeerust. Attractions include the Kleinfontein Memorial, Kaditshwene Village Ruins, the Zeerust Museum, Marula Kop (an Iron Age settlement 50km north of Zeerust), the ... Zeerust information
Central Region
Featured and "Must See" Attractions in the Central Region
Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe Game Reserve is about 70 000 hectares of bushland, about 3 hours’ drive from Johannesburg. It is one of South Africa’s largest and most popular game reserves and serves as home for cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, lion, elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and any number of ... more information
Barberspan Bird Sanctuary
Regarded as one of the largest waterfowl sanctuaries in Southern Africa, Barberspan Bird Sanctuary lies on the outskirts of the little known Delareyville, close to Vryburg on the N14 highway and roughly three hours’ drive from Johannesburg. Barberspan is the largest of a series of pans that lie in the ... more information
Botsalano Game Reserve
Botsalano Game Reserve lies just north of Mafikeng close to the Botswana border. It is also the site of one of the oldest volcanic craters in the world. Catching a glimpse of the white rhino is without doubt a highlight of the reserve, but the access to mountain biking and hiking trails which allows you to wander ... more information
Lichtenburg Game Breeding Centre
The Lichtenburg Game Breeding Centre lies virtually outside the town of Lichtenburg, between Coligny and Mafikeng on the R503, two hours from Johannesburg. The breeding centre is operated by the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, and is there mainly to further the breeding programmes of ... more information
Central Region
Featured Things To Do in the Central Region
Madikwe Sisal Co-operative
Where: Madikwe
How much (per person): Free to Browse
The Madikwe Sisal Co-operative is situated in the North West Province in the magisterial district of Madikwe, 90km north of Rustenburg. The ... more information
Central Region
Holiday Accommodation in Central Region
For accommodation in the Central Region see:
• Lichtenburg Accommodation
• Madikwe Accommodation
• Mafikeng Accommodation
• Mmabatho Accommodation
Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Central Region Accommodation.
Visiting the Central Region?
Also see North West Province Events to see whats happening or check out Things To Do in North West Province to view activities by category, including water sports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many more.
- Introduction to the North West
- Destination Guide
- Accommodation Guide
- Search by Map
- North West Province Conferences
- Wedding Guide
- Touring the North West Province
- Transport & Travel Arrangements
- Out and About
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Urlaub im Nord-West
destinations / attractions in the north west province
