Unleashing the Vaal’s tourism potential

The Vaal region has a number of areas with intrinsic potential for tourism, such as Suikerbosrand, the Vaal Dam, areas along the Vaal River, and numerous other historical sites.

To unlock and maximise the monitoring and evaluation; tourism tourism potential, a Tourism institutional arrangements; tourism demand: Development Strategy for the destination marketing; and tourism supply: area was developed and adopted, product and skills development. and tourism principles, programmes and Further, Sedibeng District Municipality has projects were encapsulated in the Sedibeng embarked on a major drive to promote and Growth and Development Strategy. The develop the tourism industry in the region tourism strategies have the following goals: as a direct result of the decline in economic • Develop a common understanding of the activity in the steel and related sectors of the tourism industry, defining the roles and the region. Special emphasis is being placed on responsibilities of government in particular the development of township tourism. and the broader stakeholder groups, in growing the tourism industry in Sedibeng. Tourism potential • Develop and formulate strategies to be The Sedibeng region – with its diverse tourism implemented by each stakeholder group in offerings, embedded in rich cultural and relation to their respective roles, taking the natural heritage products – has the potential strengths and weaknesses of the Sedibeng to grow into a major tourism destination. The tourism sector into consideration. Sedibeng district has been classified as an area • Build the capacity of the three major with above-average tourism potential, which is stakeholder groupings (government, based on the following: private sector and community) to grow • natural resources tourism and subsequently economic and • cultural heritage resources job opportunities. • scenic attractions In order to realise these objectives, various • close proximity to Johannesburg and major key performance areas have been identified. travelling routes These are: tourism policy, strategy, regulations, • proximity to markets and airports • strong infrastructure • inland water resources • tertiary education facilities • quality medical facilities. Sedibeng has numerous competitive advantages over nearby districts, which include accommodation ranging from four-star hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast establishments, tented camps and backpackers, to houseboats and resorts. The establishments catering for every taste and activity, including corporate events, weddings, fine dining, township experiences and casino gaming.

Breakdown

According to the municipality’s 2019/20 IDP, there are 47 graded establishments in the region and 202 non-graded establishments. Approximately 4 785 beds (1 473 graded and 3 312 non-graded), ranging from luxury to budget accommodation, are on offer to tourists. Of the 78 conference and function venues with capacities to cater for 20 to 4 000 pax, 68 are also wedding venues and 28 are party venues. There are

11 cruises and houseboats, including two houseboats for visitors to hire as an alternative accommodation option. There are around 100 restaurants in the region and 47 registered taverns.

There are 34 active art and crafters, while seven markets are listed on the tourism database, which are open every weekend or on specific recurring days. Those looking to be pampered can make use of the area’s 31 day spas. There are also nine golf courses located in Sedibeng, along with 27 sport stadiums and facilities.

There is a comprehensive database of blackowned tourism products and businesses in the region, which total 194. Finding these should be a breeze with Sedibeng’s 26 tour operators and two registered tourist guides, as well as seven tourism associations.

Read on for a taste of what visitors to Sedibeng can expect!

Vaal Dam

Situated 77 km south of Johannesburg, the Vaal Dam is South Africa’s second biggest dam by area and fourth largest by volume. It has more than 800 km of shoreline, spans three provinces – Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Free State – and is a favoured destination for water sport enthusiasts. It’s one of the most popular inland water tourist attractions in South Africa.

Construction on the dam began in the early 1930s and was completed in 1938. The water level was raised in the early 1950s and again

in the mid-1980s. The Vaal Dam now has a full supply capacity of about 2 500 million m3 of the country’s cleanest water, which the dam receives from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project via the Wilge River.

When looking for water-related things to do in Gauteng, then this is the place to go to, with sports here including boating, water skiing and swimming. There are a number of yacht clubs and two marinas. The dam has its own island, which hosts the annual Round the Island race – holder of the Guinness World Record for the largest inland yacht race. Other world-class boating events on the dam include Keelboat Week and the Bayshore 200 km jet ski race. The largest town on the Vaal Dam is Deneysville in the Free State.

The region boasts numerous great options when it comes to accommodation in Gauteng, including Southern Sun’s Riverside Lifestyle Resort and the Emerald Resort & Casino – humorously called ‘Vegas on Vaal’. Alternatively, you can opt to stay on a houseboat and guide yourself on a cruise down the Vaal River.

Vaal River Meander Wine Route

Wine lovers with a taste for adventure should not miss out on the Vaal River Meander Wine Route – Gauteng’s very own wine route – with superb wine tasting during the winter months every year. Showcasing wines from premier South African wine estates this ‘Winter Wine Fest’ is different from all other wine routes in South Africa, in offering a number of unique ways to travel between wine venues. It should be on every connoisseur’s to-do list!

The route provides pleasant and charming relief during the winter months. Choose your mode of transport between venues: vintage cars, luxury cruisers, water taxis, land taxis, mini-bus or use your own car. The Vaal River Meander Wine Route can be combined with luxurious stay-overs courtesy of local accommodation, visits to spas, and top restaurants along the Vaal River. With so much to do, best make a weekend of it.

The route includes more than a dozen venues where guests are invited to taste wines. You can tailor your experience to suit your taste – whether you enjoy sipping wine on the patio of a luxury hotel with nothing but the sound of nature, or next to a fireplace in a cosy river pub.

Emfuleni Golf Estate

Situated on the banks of the Vaal River, Emfuleni Golf Estate is a breath of fresh air, and only a 45-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg. Pristine grounds offer the perfect getaway amid tranquil riverside scenery. Golfers will want to try out the classic parklands course established over 50 years ago.

For those who are not golfing, there are also boating, fishing, tennis and braai facilities. A modern shopping centre and gym are nearby, and the Emerald Resort & Casino is only 2 km away.

Stylish river-view accommodation is available at the small Emfuleni lodge, and guests at the lodge enjoy access to the river, golf course and day spa.

Emerald Resort & Casino

On the banks of the Vaal River, guests can enter a world where business meets pleasure at the Emerald Casino & Resort – full of exciting entertainment and family-friendly activities.

Beyond the bright lights of the casino, there are plenty of activities for a fun-filled family holiday, including the Aquadome water park, Animal World Zoo, adventure golf, rock climbing, fishing, bowling and the Emerald African Spa.

The resort has taken advantage of its location on the banks of the Vaal River to venture into nature conservation. Visitors can take a break from the gaming tables and slot machines to indulge in the beautiful surrounds, enjoying a game drive through the Animal World Game Park with its giraffes, zebras and ostriches, or marvelling at the 500 different animals – including exotic birds, reptiles and marine life – housed at the Animal World Zoo.

Kids will love the Aquadome – an indoor, climate-controlled pool with a waterslide – and will have fun exploring a shipwreck and swimming in six different heated pools. There is also a baby pool to cater for smaller kids’ water entertainment.

Other child-friendly activities include the Kidzone, where trained childcare professionals lead fun interactive activities for children aged 4 to 12. There’s also the Party Zone, which offers themed kids’ birthday parties.

Leisure and sport activities on offer at Emerald Resort & Casino include indoor rock climbing, 10-pin bowling, adventure golf, and beach volleyball on the banks of the river.

There is a broad choice of accommodation, including the 186-room Emerald Hotel, the spacious timber-built self-catering safari lodges, a caravan park, and the River Resort,

which consists of self-catering chalets that look out over the waterway. For an extra special treat, it is also possible to rent a houseboat on the Vaal River.

The Emerald Resort & Casino also has ample conference facilities with three conference venues that accommodate up to 200 people.

Bass Lake

Bass Lake is a large, spring-fed body of water, with depths of up to 25 m, located in Meyerton, about 60 km south of Johannesburg. The lake is frequently used by scuba diving schools because of its varying depths, which make it a perfect location for learners and experts alike.

Although water-based activities are the main attraction at Bass Lake, there are also various land-based activities to be enjoyed on the 75 ha estate that surrounds the lake. These include mountain biking, archery, hiking and birdwatching. One of the most popular activities at Bass Lake is the 4x4 training course, which teaches drivers to tackle even the most difficult off-road routes with ease.

Bass Lake also has conferencing facilities that include an intimate ‘bush’ facility (it can accommodate up to 32 people) and a large conference hall (seating between 100 and 220 people). It is also possible to stay overnight. Guests can choose from backpacker accommodation in basic twoperson, A-frame tents fitted with single beds, or the more upscale and spacious tented accommodation with double beds and ensuite bathrooms. Visitors can eat meals or order takeaways, drinks and snacks at Gecko’s, which overlooks the lake.

Content credit: Gauteng Tourism Authority