Sedibeng: Rock Art, Memorial Sites and Nature
Accommodation in Sedibeng
Sedibeng offers a wide range of reasons to visit: rock engravings and memorial sites, natural areas with hiking and driving routes, and experiences on and around the water. The Vaal Dam, for example, has more than 800 km of shoreline and covers an area of over 300 km². When choosing a holiday rental, you can first consider whether culture, nature, water activities, or several of these interests should be the focus of your trip.
Discover rock art and history
On Waldrift Farm, the Redan Rock Art Site comprises 244 identified rock engravings. They depict animals and unusual geometric patterns, offering a tangible insight into the area's rock art. Sharpeville's history also has an important place in Sedibeng: the town is home to eight memorial sites of national significance. The Sharpeville Sites commemorate the massacre of 69 people who protested against unjust pass laws. If you would like to learn about this chapter of history, you can include the Sharpeville Struggle Route, which runs through Sharpeville to Boipatong.
Another historic site is Constitution Square. Nelson Mandela opened the square on the day he signed South Africa's new constitution. The Witkop Blockhouse in the Meyerton area is one of about fifty blockhouses still standing in the country. The Suikerbos Route, meanwhile, includes Iron Age sites within the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. These places represent different historical themes and can be considered as separate interests when planning your trip.
Nature trails, wildlife and water activities
There are various ways to explore the surroundings in Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. The Cheetah Trail is a 4 km interpretive trail; the reserve also has a 60 km tourist route for motor vehicles. The two options differ in their format: you can choose a walking trail or include the driving route in your plans. The Diepkloof Farm Museum is also located within the reserve.
For hiking, the T6 Suikerbos Route offers trails, including one suitable for people with paraplegia. The Alice Glöckner Nature Reserve focuses on a different aspect of nature: it protects the rare Heidelberg Copper Butterfly, a species unique to the Heidelberg area. KwaDlomo Dam is recognised as a bird-watching site and has an exceptional ecosystem.
Water activities offer different kinds of experiences, too. The upper Vaal River has rapids ranging from small to large and is suitable for rafting. Bass Lake is a spring-fed body of water covering 10 hectares, used for scuba diving and reaching depths of up to 23 metres. Training grids at various depths are available for practising diving skills, and several wrecks are available for experienced divers. These differences can help you narrow down your preferred activities before choosing where to stay.
Routes, regional specialities and choosing where to stay
For exploring by car, the Vaal offers eleven specially created, signposted tourist routes. They can be adapted for individual drives or combined into a tour. The Vaal is accessible via the R59, as well as the N1, which connects Johannesburg with Bloemfontein, and the N3, which connects Johannesburg with Durban.
Regional offerings also add seasonal and culinary highlights. The family-run microbrewery De Garve Brewery offers brewery tours and beer tastings. The Vaal Meander Wine Route hosts wine tastings at various locations along the River Road Route and other routes in the Vaal for six weeks in winter. From January to April, Field Berry Farm opens its fields to the public for raspberry picking and eating.
Other places to consider in Sedibeng include Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Heidelberg - Gp, Meyerton and De Deur. Which holiday rental makes the right base depends on which of the themes described you would like to prioritise for your trip.
For the broader travel overview: Gauteng.
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