SUN CITY
Area: South Africa


Location:
In the extreme N of the country towards the Botswana border in the former homeland of Bophuthatswana. 105 miles NW of Johannesburg. Own airstrip for private aircraft.

Telephone code from UK:
27 14

Position:
In the arid mountainous region of North West province next to Pilanesberg National Park.

Description:
The original part of this completely purpose-built, self-contained resort is fairly standard: a hotel with extensive grounds, a golf course and water sports lake. It was slightly different in that it was all based on the attraction of gambling and associated entertainment. To broaden its appeal a family hotel was included with children's facilities. Later still, a third hotel was added with tropical gardens as an attraction. What made the resort unique was the addition of the surreal "Lost City", which is part adventure playground, part theme park, part extravagant hotel. It all has to be seen to be believed and when you have seen it you may not believe it. Some dismiss it as kitsch, others think it is marvellous, nearly everyone has heard of it and most want to see it if only to say they have been there.

Suitability:
When gambling was illegal in South Africa, it remained legal in Bophuthatswana, which is how this whole complex started. Originally aimed exclusively at gamblers, with other entertainments thrown in as bait. When the homeland was absorbed into South Africa proper, Sun City technically became illegal. Casinos were therefore quickly legalised (and taxed) and licences awarded all over the country. To fight off the increased competition, Sun City has therefore had to widen its appeal to the pure leisure market. The master stroke has been the building of the Lost City _ half leisure paradise, half Disneyesque theme park. That _ together with a lot of hype, high-profile "events" (like Miss World and World's Strongest Man competitions) and word of mouth _ has given it a reputation that tempts many to come and see for themselves.

Accommodation:
Four hotels from the over-the-top Palace to the basic Cabanas.

Shopping:
A few boutiques selling clothes, beachwear, jewellery, etc. Souvenirs of the resort and the Palace hotel, curios and African artefacts.

Beach:
Although hundreds of miles inland, the resort with everything does indeed have a pure white "sand" beach. Like everything else here, it is artificial and made from refined mine waste. It slopes into a sizeable lagoon complete with wave-making machine. All hotels have very large pools and extensive sun-bathing facilities.

Entertainments:
Daytime: two 18-hole golf courses, bowling green, horse riding, minigolf, squash, tennis, mountain biking, jogging trails. Most types of water sports at Waterworld lake. Children's animal farm. The Valley of the Waves (part of the Lost City "theme park"), whose star turn is the half-hourly volcanic eruption and earthquake on the Bridge of Time. Various water slides. Many other parts of the Lost City, which tell the totally fictional legend of its creation. Nightlife: gambling at roulette, blackjack, craps or slot machines is the major activity. Live shows. Bingo. Cinemas.

Eating:
Fast food to fine dining and most things in between.

Public-transport:
Free shuttle bus runs round the resort continuously. Monorail is only there to transport day visitors from the entrance car park to the slot machines as quickly as possible.

Local-excursions:
This is an excursion, but trips are offered outside the resort complex to the neighbouring Pilanesberg National Park.