Sun City, South Africa
SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA
Sun City, a Kingdom of Pleasure in an ancient African bush-veld setting just north of Johannesburg, is a uniquely exciting casino leisure resort with sparkle, sophistication and 24 hour sizzle. It offers four choices of accommodation from the opulence of The Palace of the Lost City to the elegance of the Cascades, to the Sun City Hotel, forming the heart of the resort, as well as the more family oriented Cabanas. While surfers ride to a beach of white sand in the Valley of Waves, and golfers are challenged by the two world-renowned courses, there is also a superb range of other water and land based sports. Add superstar entertainment, a plenitude of restaurants, extensive casino gaming and a neighboring game park which boasts the Big Five, and you have the sensation that is Sun City. Game viewing is also available at several excellent safari lodges in nearby Pilanesberg Nature Reserve.
Climate
Sun City has a year-round temperate climate that has a daily average about 8 hours of sunshine and 12 hours of daylight. Summer is characterised by long, hot days that can reach 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) with afternoon thunderstorms and balmy evenings. Winter is dry and cooler, with very cold nights that can drop as low as 3 degrees Celsius (37 degrees Fahrenheit).
How to get there
By Air: There are no direct flights to Sun City. Ideally, visitors would fly to Johannesburg first and then either hop onto a Sun City private transfer or rent a vehicle. There is an airstrip at Pilanesberg National Park for private charters, which must be arranged prior to travel.
By Road: Sun City lies 200km or 125 miles from Johannesburg and many guests rent a car to drive themselves after flying into OR Tambo International Airport. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours but it is important to note that this could take longer as the roads are narrow with heavy traffic. Alternatively, you can book a private shuttle that will transfer you directly from Johannesburg to Sun City.
What to See & Do
Sun City resort is one of South Africa's premier golfing destinations. It is home to two 18-hole, par 72 golf courses designed by South African legend Gary Player: the Lost City Golf Course and the Gary Player Golf Course, both of which have been designed to maximize the challenge for every handicap of golfer. Sun City is home to two water theme parks, one dedicated to slides and rides, and the other to action-packed water sports. The Lost City’s premier attraction is Valley of the Waves, home to exciting water slides, a palm-fringed beach and lapping waves. The resort’s lake is home to Waterworld, where the attractions include something for the whole family, from bumper boats to parasailing. Sun City is a truly family-friendly resort destination: from the supervised playground and dedicated kids’ activity centre at Kamp Kwena, to the charming Animal World and the Entertainment Centre’s gaming arcade, to the thrills of Waterworld and the availability of professional baby-sitting services. The Sun City resort is located near two of South Africa's best malaria-free wildlife reserves, the Pilanesberg National Park and the Madikwe Game Reserve. These reserves are both highly recommended for family safaris. There are many activities on offer surrounding Sun City, from clay-pigeon shooting to horse riding to adrenalin-fuelled zip lining, and the resort’s Welcome Centre is the information and booking hub for all these great experiences.
Best Time to Visit
Sun City’s temperate, malaria-free climate makes it a great year-round destination. Peak season at Sun City coincides with South Africa’s summer and Easter national school vacations, which run from December to January and around April, respectively. Expect hot weather, greater guest numbers and less room availability over these periods. The late autumn and winter months – from about May to September - are cooler and quieter but check before you book when the Valley of Waves is scheduled to close down for a month for annual maintenance.