3 Best Sights in The Magaliesberg, Johannesburg

It will take you six minutes to get to the top of the longest mono-cableway in Africa to savor panoramic views of the Magaliesberg Mountains and Hartbeespoort Dam from an altitude of 1,985 meters (6,512 feet), and 345 meters (1,132 feet) above the base station. At the top, a short circular pathway (less than a mile in length) takes in indigenous flora, while signposts point out geological features of interest. There’s a restaurant at the bottom station, as well as three restaurants at the top that sell pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and burgers. Treat yourself to a late-afternoon cocktail on the wooden deck at the mountaintop bar, while keeping an eye out for the resident black Cape vultures. After buying mementoes and branded items at the curio shop, you can also paraglide from the top with a qualified tandem flight instructor.

The Elephant Sanctuary has three refuges across South Africa, including this one in the Magaliesberg Mountains. Five of the rescued mammals live here, including Amarula, a bull that spent most of his life in zoos; and Khuma, the matriarch. Visits must be prearranged and include interactive educational sessions. As part of the session, you can groom and feed the elephants; learn about their habits, personalities, and anatomy; and (for an additional fee) ride one of Africa's largest mammals. A small on-site lodge sleeps up to 12. This is a good option if you're spending a day in the Hartbeespoort area (do the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre and the Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway on the same day), or visit it on the way to Pilanesberg or Madikwe if you're headed there.

This cultural museum village is not just a place to stay and eat; it's a place to learn about the cultures and history of South Africa's Basotho, Ndebele, Pedi, Xhosa, and Zulu nations. Daily shows of singing, dancing, and tours of traditional homesteads take place at 11:30 am–1:30 pm and 4:30–6:30 pm, alongside the crafts market. The large Nyama Choma serves a lunch buffet 1–3 pm and dinner 6–8 pm that features food from all over the continent—expect North African fare, East African cuisine, or opt for a South African barbecue (called a braai). Dishes include roast meats, a stiff corn porridge, and vegetables, often cooked over the fire in traditional African three-legged iron pots called potjie pots. Packages can include accommodation in a three-star hut—you have a choice of one of five traditional homesteads—breakfast, dinner, and a tour (R1,320/per person sharing), but most people just come for a day visit and a meal.