Sun City

The casino is the heart of Sun City, and offers everything you would expect of a world-class gaming facility. Among the multitude of other attractions are a health spa, the Valley of Waves water park, and two 18-hole golf courses—one in the crater of an extinct casino, the other featuring live crocodiles in its water feature. Families with kids can stop by the Boardwalk, which hosts a slate of activities for children of all ages.

Day tours from Sun City to the adjacent (and malaria-free) Pilanesberg National Park offer a chance to spot Africa’s coveted Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. It’s also possible to visit Sun City and the Pilanesberg Game Reserve on a day trip from Johannesburg.

• Guests must be 18 years or older to gamble in Sun City's casinos.

• The resort has six different options for accommodations, with a variety of handicap-accessible rooms available.

Most day trips from Johannesburg to Sun City include round-trip transportation, as the resort lies roughly three hours away by road. Flight transfers from the Johannesburg airport are also available. Sun City is a popular stop for travelers who rent a car to drive the Garden Route, and Port Elizabeth is the closest town.

The resort's temperate, malaria-free climate makes it suitable for visits year-round. Sun City is typically most crowded during summer (December through January) and the Easter school holidays. The dry winter season (May through September) is a good time to visit if you want to spot wildlife at Pilanesberg, when animals tend to congregate around water sources.

Just three hours from Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park is one of South Africa's most easily accessible game reserves. Featuring the coveted Big Five, the game reserve is also attractive for the fact that it is malaria-free.

A list of the top attractions and activities at Sun City includes its casino, spa, water park, and two 18-hole championship golf courses. You'll find a wide choice of evening entertainment, including restaurants, cocktail bars, casinos, and live music venues. Or, take a day tour to adjacent Pilanesburg National Park.

Sun City is about a 3-hour drive from Johannesburg. If you don’t have your own wheels, book a day trip from Johannesburg with round-trip transportation. You can also fly from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg International Airport, which is about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Sun City.

Yes, Sun City has family-friendly activities. Kids can try the water slides and surfing pool at the Valley of Waves, hit the trampolines at the Jump Park, visit the arcade, play mini golf, and tackle quad biking. Plus, malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park, home to the Big Five, is nearby.

Yes, you can visit Pilanesberg National Park from Sun City—it's a popular day trip. You can drive your vehicle into the park (about a 15-minute drive) or book a safari tour led by guides who provide insights into the park’s animals, including lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos.

There are many dining options at Sun City to suit all tastes. Sun City’s wide variety of restaurants and bars includes fine dining, casual family restaurants, fast food outlets, cocktail bars, and theme bars. From Indian and Mexican cuisine to pizza and donuts, you’ll find it here.

Yes, it is worth going to Sun City. It's the largest entertainment center in North West South Africa, meaning travelers of different tastes will find something that appeals to them, from casinos, golf courses, and restaurants to gardens, swimming pools, and live entertainment.