Southern Region, North West Province
In a similar vein to the eastern part of the North West Province, the southern region is also predominantly a crop-growing area that produces maize, sunflowers, tobacco, cotton and citrus fruits. It is also the region with the most economic activity – more than 83 percent of the money-making activity of the province takes place between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp.
The southern region lies bordering the Free State in the south, and Gauteng to the west, the Vaal River flanking its southern border, and providing a collection of lodges and guest houses for effortless time spent fly fishing and angling, as well as other water activities. This part of the North West is promoted as an outdoor adventurer’s delight, and it is not hard to imagine, given the many opportunities to hike, mountain bike, white water raft, climb mountains and generally enjoy the great outdoors.
With attractions like the Bloemhof Dam Reserve and the Boskop Dam Reserve, both of which offer the magnetism of water, and the Vredefort Dome, the crater site of a massive meteorite that is over 10 square kilometres in size, and one of the main tourism sites in the province, it is not hard to see that the central region is frequently visited, particularly as it is so close to Gauteng.
The appealing city of Potchefstroom, situated on the banks of the Mooi River, and the commercial town of Klerksdorp, are not the only towns worth visiting. Typical mining towns like Fochville and farming community towns like Christiana also dot the map and make the central region an exciting mix of outdoor lifestyle and village life.
Destinations / Town & Suburbs of the Southern Region
Bloemhof
Where to Stay: Southern Region Accommodation
Bloemhof is a maize and cattle farming town on the banks of the Vaal River. Attractions include the Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve (a variety of small and large antelope species and 256 bird species) and the SA Lombaard Nature Reserve (this reserve lies west of Bloemhof ... Bloemhof information
Christiana
Where to Stay: Southern Region Accommodation
When diamonds were discovered in the Vaal River in the 1870s, the Transvaal Government hastily established a settlement on the banks, naming it after Christiana, the only daughter of then President Pretorius. Attractions include Diggers Diamond Museum (authentic digging equipment and ... Christiana information
Klerksdorp
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Klerksdorp
The discovery of gold in 1886 saw thousands of prospectors flock to Klerksdorp. Today, Klerksdorp is the centre for a large mining and agricultural economy and boasts the second largest grain co-operative in the world ... Klerksdorp information
Orkney
Where to Stay: Southern Region Accommodation
Orkney lies on the banks of the Vaal River, approximately 180km from Johannesburg. The town was proclaimed in 1940 on the farm Witkoppen, where the owner had first started gold mining. The owner hailed from the Orkney Islands, off the coast of Scotland, hence the name ... Orkney information
Potchefstroom
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Potchefstroom
Potchefstroom, the original capital city of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek, has a multitude of national monuments, respected educational institutions and a strong agricultural economy ... Potchefstroom information
Wolmaransstad
Where to Stay: Southern Region Accommodation
Wolmaransstad lies in the valley of the Makwassie Stream, which takes its name from the many wild spearmint bushes that grow along its banks. Founded in 1891, the town became an important stop on the old postal route between Johannesburg and Kimberley ... Wolmaransstad information
Southern Region
Featured and "Must See" Attractions in Southern Region
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
Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve
Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve lies on the North West province side of the Bloemhof Dam, on the dam’s northern shores. Regarded as one of the largest dams in South Africa covering an area of 25 000 hectares that lies at the confluence of the Vaal and Vet Rivers. Bloemhof is one of the angling destinations in the country ... more information
Boskop Dam Nature Reserve
The Boskop Dam Nature Reserve is 3000 hectares of rolling grasslands that offer visitors sightings of black wildebeest, springbok, red hartebeest, zebra and blesbok. Situated about 20 kilometres from Potchefstroom, Boskop Dam lies amongst a series of low hills. It is a fantastic fly-fishing venue, offering crystal ... more information
Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve
For bird enthusiasts the Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve often forms part of a bird spotting tour and is regarded as a place for ‘serious’ birding. It helps that there are two loops of well-maintained roads and three seasonal dams in the reserve, so that accessing both the birds and the 30 odd species of wildlife resident ... more information
Orkney Golf Course
Orkney Golf Course is a tree-linked parkland course with undulating greens. It has thirty-one bunkers and five water features as well as the Vaal river, which runs parallel to the 8th, 9th,10th and 11th holes. It has full facilities including a franchised restaurant. Wildlife includes squirrels, yellow mongoose and ... more information
SA Lombard Nature Reserve
One of the earliest wildlife conservation research centres in the country, the SA Lombard Nature Reserve is the park credited with saving the black wildebeest from extinction in the wild, and whilst it is not open to the public, there are a couple of guest houses that serve as accommodation in this peaceful ... more information
Wolwespruit Nature Reserve
The Wolwespruit Nature Reserve lies on the Vaal River and is one of the least known of the parks in the North West province, possibly because of its size - only 2330 hectares. The reserve is popular with birdwatchers and hikers. The grassy plains are home to a number of antelope, including the once endangered ... more information
Southern Region
Featured Things To Do in the Southern Region
Thusanang Training and Development Project
Where: Klerksdorp
How much (per person): Free to Browse
For twenty years, Thusanang has been assisting rural women with training ang job creation initiatives. These women are are single mothers an ... more information
Visit the Klerksdorp Museum
Where: Klerksdorp
How much (per person): R1 to R100
The Klerksdorp Museum is housed in a number of buildings. The main museum, in the Old Gaol (1891), features archaeology, cultural history, g ... more information
Southern Region
Holiday Accommodation in Southern Region
For accommodation in the Southern Region see:
• Klerksdorp Accommodation
• Potchefstroom Accommodation
Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Southern Region Accommodation.
Visiting the Southern 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
