Activities

THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA

RECREATION
-Plenty of activities nearby-
There many attractions are in the area:
LOOK AT THESE LEISURE OPTIONS CLOSE BY

We will have plenty of activities on the resort to keep you busy during the intermediate Chol Hamoed days, or you can select from the many nearby attractions

And who knew there was so much to do in Vereeniging? Seriously, there are plenty of interesting outings, places to see and things to do. The Vaal has so much to offer, from sports to culture and the arts.
Take a tour
The area is steeped in history and the selection of tours on offer will take you back in time to remind you of our heritage and transformation. Take a day to visit the Sharpeville Memorial which features a dramatic wall at the entrance containing the names of the people who are buried in the nearby Sharpeville Cemetery and, if you are truly hungry for knowledge, you’ve got to experience the Vredefort Dome Route and learn about the geology, history, bird life, flora and fauna of this World Heritage Site.

The Soweto Golf and Shebeen Tour is a must for any golfer! Enjoy 18 holes at the Soweto Golf course and visit several shebeens and historical sites within this vibrant area.

Get outside
You can sky-dive, scuba-dive, bungee jump, paraglide or learn something new and challenging. The Vaal area is Gauteng’s own coastline - a haven for watersports enthusiasts and the entire family, and you certainly won’t run out of ideas:

Jetavator rides at Stonehaven on Vaal

White-water rafting in Parys

Scuba diving at Bass Lake where mountain biking, hiking, archery, boating, bird watching, and bass fishing are also offered.

Really great day trips
Always nice to venture out and explore! Parys is a lovely drive from BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal. Pop the kids and gran into the car and head north along the R57 until you reach Parys. They have a fabulous market at the weekends and Parys has become a well- known spot for antique collectors and art connoisseurs. BON Af Berry Farm offers berry picking, farm tours, a museum and a tea garden.

Hiking and bike trails at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve in Heidelberg are a must for the outdoorsy type. A network of 66km of backpacking hiking trails has been established, plus a short, 4km interpretive trail (Cheetah Trail) and a 17km (or 10km shorter option) Bokmakierie day visitor trail. There is also a 60km long motor vehicle tourist route.

Another gem in Heidelberg is the Alice Glockner Nature Reserve, which is home to rare butterflies, sixteen species of medicinal plants and plenty of resident animals too. These include dassies (rock rabbits), porcupines, black-backed jackals, aardvarks, mongooses, meerkats and more. In addition, there are more than 55 recorded bird species, and others just waiting to be spotted by avid bird watchers or hikers traversing the reserve at their own pace.

Take the kids to see the big cats. Weltevrede Lion Farm in Heilbron offers close-up experience with wild dogs, lion, cheetah and many more. The farm Weltvrede belongs to Nico and Karen Roets who have a passion for wild animals and so developed this reserve. You can go on a game drive or take your own 4x4 route and they also offer clay pigeon shooting, which is heaps of fun for everyone.

Really great day trips 

SUGGESTED DAY-TRIP: BODYWROLD'S VITAL 
Vital is an absolute must-see exhibition for everyone who appreciates a profoundly engaging, thought provoking and visually striking experience. It tells the story of how our lifestyle choices affect our health and vitality and what happens when we are struck down by specific illnesses or medical conditions. More than 180 anatomical specimens of real human bodies show us how sophisticated, yet fragile, our bodies really are. Vital is one of 11 exhibitions in the trailblazing BODY WORLDS series seen by more than 40 million people in over 100 cities worldwide – including German tennis player Steffi Graff; SA actress Charlize Theron; musician Josh Grobin; and singer Tina Turner, to mention a few. Visit www.bodyworldsvital.co.za for opening hours, ticket prices and more about the exhibition. You can also find amazing videos of the exhibition on You Tube.

Parys: Always nice to venture out and explore! Parys is a lovely drive. Pop the kids and gran into the car and head north along the R57 until you reach Parys. They have a fabulous market at the weekends and Parys has become a well- known spot for antique collectors and art connoisseurs. BON Af Berry Farm offers berry picking, farm tours, a museum and a tea garden.

Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve in Heidelberg: Hiking and bike trails at  are a must for the outdoorsy type. A network of 66km of backpacking hiking trails has been established, plus a short, 4km interpretive trail (Cheetah Trail) and a 17km (or 10km shorter option) Bokmakierie day visitor trail. There is also a 60km long motor vehicle tourist route.

Alice Glockner Nature: Another gem in ReserveHeidelberg, it is home to rare butterflies, sixteen species of medicinal plants and plenty of resident animals too. These include dassies (rock rabbits), porcupines, black-backed jackals, aardvarks, mongooses, meerkats and more. In addition, there are more than 55 recorded bird species, and others just waiting to be spotted by avid bird watchers or hikers traversing the reserve at their own pace.

Weltevrede Lion Farm in Heilbron: Take the kids to see the big cats.  Offers close-up experience with wild dogs, lion, cheetah and many more. The farm Weltvrede belongs to Nico and Karen Roets who have a passion for wild animals and so developed this reserve. You can go on a game drive or take your own 4x4 route and they also offer clay pigeon shooting, which is heaps of fun for everyone.

LEISURE TRIP OPTIONS speak with reception desk for the latest suggestions

Heritage & Cultural Sites 
Take a tour  The area is steeped in history and the selection of tours on offer will take you back in time to remind you of our heritage and transformation. Take a day to visit the Sharpeville Memorial which features a dramatic wall at the entrance containing the names of the people who are buried in the nearby Sharpeville Cemetery and, if you are truly hungry for knowledge, you’ve got to experience the Vredefort Dome Route and learn about the geology, history, bird life, flora and fauna of this World Heritage Site.

The Soweto Golf and Shebeen Tour is a must for any golfer! Enjoy 18 holes at the Soweto Golf course and visit several Shebeens and historical sites within this vibrant area.

Apartheid Museum: The Apartheid Museum is acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the apartheid story. The museum is a beacon of hope showing the world how South Africa is coming to terms with its oppressive past and working towards a future that all South Africans can call their own. Tel: 011 309 4700 

Gold Reef City is an amusement park in Johannesburg. Located on an old gold mine, which closed in 1971, the park is themed around the gold rush that started in 1886 on the Witwatersrand. We will be having an organized trip to Soweto, Apartheid Museum, and God Reef City on Monday of Chol HaMoed.

Maropeng/Cradle of Humankind: The Exhibition is self-guided and can take anything from one to seven hours, depending on your level of interest and time availability. It is highly interactive and enjoyable, and will engage visitors of all ages. Over weekends and public holidays guided tours are conducted regularly at no additional cost. Ask the ticket office on arrival when the next tour will commence. Tel: 014 577 9000 

Sterkfontein Caves: The Sterkfontein Caves, the site of the most longstanding, continuous palaeoanthropological dig in the world, are world-renowned for their fossil finds. These caves have produced the pre-human skull popularly known as “Mrs Ples,” and an almost complete hominid skeleton affectionately known as “Little Foot”. Tel: 014 577 9000

We will be having an organized trip to Maropeng/Cradle of Humankind and to the Sterkfontein Caves on Tuesday of Chol HaMoed.

Lesedi Cultural Village: Lesedi Cultural Village is a tourist village which celebrates the cultural traditions of several different peoples of Southern Africa. It reproduces traditional dwellings and offers demonstrations of dances and other cultural activities. Tel: 012 205 1394. We will be having an organized trip to Lesedi Cultural Village and Rhino Lion Park on Wednesday of Chol HaMoed.

Parys Water Rafting: Enjoy 2-3 hours on the Vaal River and you get between 9 and 11 rapids. There are guides that give a full safety briefing before you start your adventure. There will be guides on the water with everybody, at the moment the river is perfect for 1st timers and non-swimmers. It’s about 6km of rafting and there are 2 man inflatables available. This is a fun family activity and an experience that will make lasting memories. Organized rafting trip with transportation takes place on Thursday of Chol HaMoed, returning in time to get ready fro Yom Tov.

Constitutional Hill: Constitution Hill is a city precinct, anchored by the South African Constitutional Court – the highest court in the country on constitutional matters. Constitution Hill is also the site of Johannesburg’s notorious Old Fort Prison Complex, where thousands of ordinary people were brutally punished before the dawn of democracy. Tel: 011 381 3100 

Animal Sanctuaries and Nature Reserves 

Pilansberg: Among Southern Africa’s fascinating game reserves, situated in the ecologically rich transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld, this vast area promises thrilling big game viewing in a malaria free environment. If you’re seeking a real safari experience, this is the closest one you’ll find, aprox 2.5 hours drive.

The Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve: The Rhino and Lion reserve is privately owned, non-subsidized game reserve, covering approximately 1600 ha on the typical Highveld of Gauteng. The reserve is situated in the “Cradle of Humankind”, a declared World Heritage Site, about 40 km northwest of Johannesburg and 60 km east of Pretoria. Tel: 011 9570109 

The Lion Park: Lion Park is a 2 km² lion wildlife conservation enclosure. The Lion Park is situated near Lanseria Airport and Fourways. Tel: 011 691 9905 

Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park: The farm is situated north of Johannesburg, close to the Lanseria International Airport and the Cradle of Humankind. The entrance to Croc City leads one into a well-stocked curio shop You will be given the opportunity to hold a baby crocodile as well as a variety of exotic snakes and even a tarantula. On display are some of South Africa’s most venomous snakes, including the black and green mamba, boom slang and many more. Tel: 083 657 7561

The Elephant Sanctuary at Hartebeespoort Dam: A caring team who will introduce you to a unique Experience of touching, feeding, walking and riding magnificent African elephants. It is a great Family outing, suitable for all ages. Tel: 012 258 0332 

Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary: This is for the whole family. Walk through indigenous forests on elevated wooden walkways, and experience a variety of exotic monkeys. Bush babies Monkey Sanctuary rescues monkeys that have been raised as pets, or have been bred or imported for the pet trade. The monkeys are released into a wild forest with waterfalls  and mountain springs. Tel: 012 258 9908