Krugersdorp
Description
Krugersdorp is a mining city in the West Rand of Gauteng. There’s plenty to keep you busy, from nature and game reserves, to bungee jumping, and visiting the nearby Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Just a 35 minute drive from Johannesburg, it’s an ideal destination for a day trip or weekend away.
Krugersdorp was founded in 1887 by Marthinus Pretorius and named after Paul Kruger. This mining town is regarded as the industrial hub of western Gauteng. While the city is best known for gold mining, the town also mines manganese, iron, asbestos, and lime. In 1952, the West Rand Consolidated Mine was the first in the world to extract Uranium as a by-product of the gold refining process.
But while Krugersdorp has fantastic infrastructure including modern sport facilities, a thriving business centre, and shopping malls, it’s the surrounding area that draws most people to the region.
The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site is just a 30 minute drive away, where the Maropeng Visitor Centre, Wonder Cave, and the Sterkfontein Caves bear witness to some of the world’s oldest hominid fossils. Enjoy a boat ride and educational journey through the Tumulus building at Maropeng before exploring the caves where the 2 million year old Mrs Ples skull was excavated in 1947.
Nearby, the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve is home to a total of 600 game representing 25 different species. Here you can enjoy game drives to see 4 of the Big Five with the exception of leopard, as well as crocodile, hippo, wild dog, and cheetah. Predators are kept in separate enclosures and visitors can watch them being fed.
Other attractions in and around Krugersdorp include the Robert Broom Museum, Krugersdorp Museum, African Fauna and Bird Park, Silverstar Casino, and Krugersdorp Golf Course. Other activities include paintball, helicopter rides, and hikes such as the Sugarbush Day Trail.
Bungee Mogale is an adventure centre that operates off Kings Kloof Bridge. Attempt a 50m bungee, enjoy a bridge swing, fly down the 320m foofie slide, walk along the hanging Burma Bridge, have fun at the adventure circuit, or relax at the restaurant and bar.
If you prefer something a little more leisurely, the Lemon Tree Organic Market is held every Saturday and offers a range of local food, crafts, and homemade products.
Whether you visit Krugersdorp for a day or a week, there’s plenty to keep even the thirstiest thrill seeker busy, and the leisure lover happy.
