Hartbeespoort, North West

Hartbeespoort in the North West of South Africa, also fondly known as “Harties”, is a small resort town situated on the slopes of the Magaliesberg Mountain and the banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam. Only an hours’ drive from Pretoria or Johannesburg this town is easily accessible.

A single-lane road follows the waters’ edge along the north side of the Dam and passes though the 56.6 m long tunnel that leads over the Dam. It is along this road that you will find shops, restaurants, markets and attractions.

The Chameleon Village Craft Market on the other side of the tunnel is an ideal shopping venue for African curios. Enjoy elephant rides at the Elephant Sanctuary or early risers can book Hot Air Balloon rides before they start their day of adventure.

The Dam has a surface area of 20 square kilometres and tourists can enjoy water-skiing, boating and other water sports.

The village itself consists mainly of holiday homes positioned around the dam and is very popular with visitors from the nearby Gauteng Province as well as visitors who over-night on their way to Sun City.

Things to do and see

• Hartbeespoort Dam
• Transvaal Yatch Club
• H2O Cruise
• Chameleon Village Market
• Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre
• Jasmyn Farm Stall
• Aerial Cableway
• Owl Rescue Centre
• Monkey Sanctuary
• Elephant Sanctuary
• Snake & Animal Park
• Predator Park
• Tangaroa Strawberry Farm
• Van Gaalans Cheese Farm
• Magalies Park Golf Course
• Hot Air Ballooning – booking essential
• Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre
• Pecanwood Golf Course

Every type of accommodation, to suit any budget can be found from Camping, Backpacking, B&B’s, Guest Houses to Luxury Lodges.

Climate

Hartbeespoort has almost year-round sunshine.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 16˚C and 29˚C with afternoon thundershowers from September to March.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 5˚C and 20˚C with little rainfall.

Transport

Flights are offered, from all over the world, into Johannesburg, O R Tambo International Airport or locally into Lanseria Airport. Lanseria is only a 15 km drive from Hartbeespoort.

Car Hire companies are available at both Airports.

Festivals

March - Om Die Dam (Around the Dam): an ultra-marathon of 50 km.

November – Nedbank Gold Challenge: International Golf Competition held at Sun City, 108 km away.

More festivals can be attended in the surrounding areas, see Johannesburg and Pretoria.

History

The name Hartbeespoort means “gateway of the hartbees” a type of antelope found in the area.

Hartbeespoort was previously known as Schoemansville, after General Hendrik Schoeman, a Boer General in the Anglo-Boer War, who owned the farm where Hartbeespoort Dam was built on. In 1912 the farm and the adjacent land was acquired by the State and construction on the dam officially began in 1916.