Sun City: South Africa’s Paradise for Adventurous Tourists

South Africa is a bucket list destination, through and through. Situated at the very south of the diverse, 54-country continent, the Rainbow Nation certainly lives up to its name. Its incredible topography has produced storybook mountains, sweeping scenery, river valleys, and plains dotted with tropical plant life and striking wildlife. Among the many popular destinations in the country—like the capital of Cape Town and Stellenbosch with its beautiful wineries—there’s a special one situated right by the Pilanesberg National Park, just over two hours from Johannesburg. 

Sun City sounds a lot like America’s Sin City—and there’s a reason for it. Here, you’ll find luxury sub-resorts, grand architecture, a lush green golf course, lavish dining options, and plenty of opportunities to indulge and relax. This supposed “city” isn’t a city at all, though; it’s a holiday resort surrounded by dramatic rolling hills and palm trees. It’s such a visually captivating place that it has hosted a variety of significant events and concerts and was also a filming location for the movie Blended, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

So, what can you expect to find on a getaway to Sun City?

Adrenaline-Pumping Activities

Given its prime location, Sun City is no stranger to action-packed activities. The Waterworld theme park has instructors ready to teach you how to ride waves on a jet ski and go wakeboarding if you’re a fan of the water. Or you can join Adrenaline Extreme for an off-road ATV tour, test your skills at the gun range, or, for those feeling particularly adventurous, get strapped into the slingshot. The surroundings of Sun City provide the perfect backdrop for all of these adventures, adding to the one-of-a-kind experience.

Pilanesberg National Park

More interested in checking out the incredible wildlife? After all, this is South Africa—a place famous for its biodiversity, conservation efforts, and, of course, the “Big Five”—the buffalo, rhinoceros, elephant, leopard, and lion. As the resort is right next to the Pilanesberg National Park, you’ll have no shortage of chances to see these animals and more in their natural habitat. It’s an ecologically rich game reserve that’ll send any wildlife enthusiast into a frenzy. Being the fourth-largest park in the entire country and the fact that it sits in a transitional zone between dry and wet, it’s more than capable of housing its 360 bird species and 7,000 animals.

And just like with everything else around Sun City, you can choose your own safari adventure, whether you want to head on a game drive in an open safari vehicle or explore the bush on foot for a rawer experience. The park also has other activities, such as a birding safari, archery, tennis, a pool, and a spa to enjoy.

Recreational Fun

The diversity of Sun City ensures you’ll never run out of things to do there. While you’re at the resort, be sure to visit the Valley of the Waves, a water park with five thrilling rides and a wave generator that produces waves up to 1.8 meters high. Want to tour Sun City in epic fashion? There are a few guided Segway tours that take you through certain parts of the resort, depending on what you want to see. 

The area is also home to the Lost City Golf Course, a par-72 golf course complete with a driving range, a hole featuring water hazards and real crocodiles, and a total of 28,000 square meters of water features. You’ll likely have never played a round on the green quite like this! Still searching for more fun? You can also visit the outdoor trampoline park, Jump Park, feed crocodiles at Kwena Gardens, or explore the challenging Maze of the Lost City.

And what’s a Sin City-like destination without an on-site casino? Open every day of the year, you can try your luck at classic casino games like roulette, poker, blackjack, and slots. With that glamorous and glitzy environment that gamblers love, spending time here is the perfect nightcap for players seeking safe payments and, hopefully, earning some big winnings.

Cultural Immersion

What’s a true adventure without an adventure of the soul? Sun City is the perfect starting point for a cultural excursion into South Africa’s heritage. Tucked away in the World Heritage Site—the Cradle of Humankind is the Lesedi Cultural Village, where you can visit five traditional homesteads of the Ndebele, Pedi, Xhosa, Zulu, and Basotho tribes to learn about their traditions and customs. While there, you can chow down on an authentic African braai and partake in a cultural dance.

Although there are plenty of restaurants and cafes serving up international cuisine, you can also find hidden gems cooking up South African delicacies, like Bosveld Shebeen. On the menu is Bunny Chow, a dish of rich curry in a bread loaf, the country’s staple, Chakalaka, an umami vegetable relish, and other must-try dishes native to the country. 

Winding Down

At the end of the day, Sun City invites its guests to stay at one of its five accommodation options, each boasting a unique charm. The luxury rooms at The Palace feature golden zebra-hide upholstery, handcrafted furniture, and a standout pool. The Cascades, meanwhile, boasts a tropical environment and is close to all the activities in Sun City. There’s also the family-friendly Cabanas hotel, featuring contemporary, vibrant rooms and the Cabanas Pool Deck. These incredible accommodation options can cater to any type of holiday, ensuring you get your well-deserved beauty sleep ready for the next day.