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Tlholego Ecovillage: A Sustainable Development Project in Rural South Africa Ecotourism |
 
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Our Region: Tremendous Tourism Potential The TDP is ideally situated to be a magnet for ecotourists worldwide, and to preserve and appreciate the wealth of resources in our region. Within an hour's drive are some of the world's archaeological and natural wonders. A study of our area by the local Rustenburg district government finds that: “The palaeontological and archaeological resource base
of the study area is an extremely valuable non-renewable resource base for
tourism, which is under severe threat from inappropriate land planning and
land use. Rustenburg and its surrounding areas
are blessed with a rich cultural heritage and if preserved and marketed
through a variety of tourism projects could assist in ensuring the
survival of this heritage.
"Tourism potentially can put resources into cultural projects that while being a tourist attraction pays emerging farmers, artists, performers and crafts people to keep the culture of their communities alive.” The study notes that the region, including the Magaliesberg range (shown in yellow at right), is “an extremely rich historical resource base. The Magaliesberg, in particular, has been central to the movements in and out of South Africa for more than 800 years. The historical record and physical evidence of human settlement and activity (dates back to) . . . the time of the first arrival of the Tswana people . . . . The Magaliesberg represents the oldest and richest deposits of hominid remains found anywhere in the world. More than 700 hominid skulls, representing more than half of the total number of hominid skulls discovered worldwide, have come from the Magaliesberg. This is a resource of global importance and effectively is the heritage of every person on this planet.”
Looking east to the Magaliesberg range from Tlholego Tlholego is located in the heart of a basin of rich ecotourist potential and "cradle of civilization" that is beginning to attract the attention of development authorities. On the 17th May 2000, the North West Parks and Tourism Board officially launched the "World's Oldest Tourist Route," that connects outstanding natural, archaeological, cultural and historic attractions, begining with Sterkfontein Caves and ending at the well-known Pilanesberg National Park. It includes the Hartebeespoort Dam, Cultural Villages, Anglo Boer SA War landmarks and Sun City, which attracts 25,000 people per day. Tlholego is situated within a one-hour drive of these world-class tourist attractions. Sterkfontein Caves The Sterkfontein caves, 70 kilometers east of Tlholego, are one of the world’s most productive and important palaeoanthropological sites. They are the site of the first discovery of adult “ape-man” (Australopithicus), and the earliest direct evidence for hominid culture in southern Africa. In 1997, the oldest hominid skeleton in South Africa (3.3 million years old) was discovered here (older than the 3.2-million-year-old “Lucy” skeleton). |
"The Magaliesberg represents the oldest and richest deposits of hominid remains found anywhere in the world. This is a resource of global importance and effectively is the heritage of every person on this planet.”
Click on image above for map of entire region, showing major attractions and geographic features (200K)
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Wildlife - Pilanesberg National Park Early explorers of the region described an astonishing abundance of wildlife, including vast herds of elephants, lions, giraffe, black and white rhinoceros, hippopotamus, buffaloes and ostrich. Today, tourists can wander among all of these animals in the Pilanesberg National Park, 30 kilometers north of TDP. This 55,000 hectare park inside one of the oldest and largest volcanic complexes in the world, is the third-largest game reserve in Southern Africa and is home to 11,000 head of game including the "Big Five:" lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard. It is a birdwatchers’ paradise, with more than 3,500 species in the diverse habitats of the park. Serious birding students will find the walk-in indigenous aviary at the Manyane gate a boon for undisturbed study. The Manyane complex is a 10-hectare enclosure inside an electrified lion-proof fence with an education centre where park staff give regular lectures on wildlife. In 1996, 200,000 people visited this Park.
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Animals in Pilanesberg:
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Sun City Resort Sun City is arguably the world’s most luxurious resort, combining African hospitality, the finest international entertainment, casinos, and two golf courses. The Palace at Lost City has been internationally applauded for its design around the theme of the glorious restoration of an ancient African realm. Daytime activities can include a safari to Pilanesburg National Park for Big Five viewing. The Casino at the Sun City Hotel is internationally famous and is a regular venue for world-class entertainment. Waterworld offers a full range of water sports, including sailing, water skiing, and windsurfing. Sun City, which is 30 kilometers north of Tlholego, attracts more than 25,000 visitors daily. |
Sun City |
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