- Gallery: South Africa and Indaba 2025
- Six stars at Sun City – the Palace has gotten even more palatial
Sun City Resort, located in South Africa’s North West Province, is a two-hour drive from Johannesburg, is a premier entertainment and holiday destination bordering the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park. Known for its unique blend of luxury, adventure, and family-friendly activities, the resort offers a vibrant “Vegas-meets-Disney” experience within an ancient volcanic crater.
Originally built in 1979 by Sol Kerzner in the Bantustan of Bophuthatswana to bypass apartheid-era restrictions, Sun City has evolved into a mainstream resort but carries a controversial past, illustrated by the 1985 anti-apartheid “Sun City” song. Some Irish artists went there to perform in the bad old days.
Hotels
Sun City features four distinct hotels pitched at different markets:
- The Palace of the Lost City: A 5-star luxury hotel with opulent, mythical African-themed décor, featuring high ceilings, marble floors, and exotic gardens. Rooms offer stunning views, and the Crystal Court restaurant is renowned for lavish breakfasts and international cuisine.
- The Cascades: A 5-star hotel with tropical gardens and cascading waterfalls, offering a sophisticated yet relaxed vibe.
- Soho Hotel: A 4-star option with chic, modern styling, overlooking the Gary Player Golf Course and home to the Sun City Casino.
- Cabanas: A 3-star, family-friendly hotel with recently renovated rooms, lush garden or lake views, and budget-friendly amenities like complimentary Valley of Waves access.
- Sun Vacation Club: Timeshare units for self-catering, offering access to resort facilities with a 10-year membership model.
- All hotels provide modern amenities, daily housekeeping, and free Valley of Waves entry (rate-dependent).
Entertainment and Activities:
- Valley of Waves: A highlight waterpark with a 6,500-square-meter artificial beach, 1.9-meter waves every 90 seconds, and attractions like the Temple of Courage (17-meter near-vertical slide), Tarantula and Scorpion body slides, and a Lazy River. A designated kids’ area and lifeguards ensure safety.
- Sun City Casino: A 24/7 gaming hub at Soho Hotel with hundreds of slot machines, 40 table games, and the exclusive Salon Privé for high-stakes MVG loyalty members.
- Golf: Two world-class 18-hole, par-72 courses designed by Gary Player:
- Gary Player Country Club: A top-ranked walking course hosting the Nedbank Golf Challenge annually.
- Lost City Golf Course: A desert-style course with a water hazard at Hole 13 featuring Nile crocodiles.
- Adventure and Outdoor: Options include hot air balloon safaris, Segway tours, zip-lining, quad biking, and water sports at Waterworld (jet skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing). The Maze of the Lost City, the largest permanent maze in the Southern Hemisphere, is accessible via a 100-meter suspension bridge.
- Cultural Experiences: The Motseng Cultural Village offers insights into South African traditions through song, dance, and storytelling.
- Family Activities include the Magic Company arcade, mini-golf, ten-pin bowling, and Breakout escape rooms cater to kids and families. The resort hosts the annual Miss South Africa pageant and South African Music Awards at the Superbowl.
- Spa treatments are available at various hotels, with The Palace offering premium wellness programs.
- Sun City’s Superbowl and Sun Central provide venues for concerts, shows, and conferences, accommodating up to 6,000 attendees.
Dining:
- Crystal Court (The Palace): Known for lavish breakfasts and international dishes.
- The Brew Monkey: A gastro pub at Valley of Waves with grilled prawns and craft beer.
- Tusk Bar and Lounge (The Palace): Ideal for sundowners with live music.
- Fast food outlets, fine dining at The Palace Gazebo, and high tea at Crystal Court cater to diverse tastes.
