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This suggested itinerary covers a triangle stretching from Rustenburg, westwards to Groot Marico, and then up north to the Pilanesberg and Sun City.
- A comfortable 84km drive from Rustenburg will find you in Groot Marico. Make the Information Centre your first stop – if not for the services of a very helpful Santa van Bart, then for your first taste of honey mampoer, the local “moonshine” distilled from fruit. The welcome is but a small indication of the region’s special bosveld (bushveld) hospitality.
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The Art Factory, part of the Information Centre, is recommended as your next port of call. Here, local artists sell handmade wares – you can purchase items from ornamental statues to needles. Look out for the shop manager, Egbert. He’s the chap with the very long beard, and a great source of information on just about anything in the Marico.
- Next you may need some exercise. The Information Centre can arrange for a guide to walk you along the banks of the Groot Marico river, and point out indigenous trees (Marico has the country’s second highest number of species) and birds.
- Time to eat again – traditional boerekos (farm food) awaits you at River Still Farm. Afterwards, listen to a reading of a short story by the famous South African author, Herman Charles Bosman, and become attuned to the humour of the Groot Marico.
- Beyond the scenic valleys of the Marico, the Eye of the Marico awaits you. It’s a fountain 17m deep with the purest water you’ve ever seen.
- Move on to Draaifontein farm to witness a demonstration of whip making, whips being an essential implement for a stock farmer. Then on to the next farm, Rietvaly, for more food at the restaurant, Ouma se Kombuis (Grandmother’s Kitchen). As you tuck into melkert (milk tart) and gemmerbier (ginger beer), you can wander around an exhibition of antique kitchen and farm equipment.
- At the day’s end, its time for some serious education on mampoer. At one of the mampoer farms, the protracted process of distillation will be explained. Be careful – the beverage has an alcoholic content as high as 64%. If it doesn’t burst into flames when a match is put to it, it’s not strong enough.
- At this point, you’ll be fit for little more than bed. Superior farm accommodation can be arranged by the Information Office.
- With the break of day, its time to move on to the Pilanesberg, a Big Five game reserve located in an extinct volcano. You have a distance of 90km to cover from Groot Marico. Work on a night’s stay – there’s a choice of four lodges and camps to choose from. You can self drive over some 200km of good roads, or opt for guided safaris in open vehicles, arranged through your lodge. Chill out at one of the many water hides, and patiently await the four-legged parade that passes by during the day. There are some walking trails too, and many Stone and Iron Age sites worth investigating.
- Day 3, and an increase in pace is called for. The racy Sun City with all its razzmatazz is right on the game reserve’s doorstep. Spend a day or two here lazing at the Valley of the Waves, taking to the golf course and trying your luck at the gaming tables.
For some real waves, take a look at the Durban Short Break, and combine your Rustenburg travel options with a trip to the ocean.
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