Hartbeespoort is a resort town in the North West Province of South Africa, about seventy kilometers from Johannesburg (it took us about an hour to drive there). It is one of those destinations that never gets talked about enough but deserves all the acclaim.
Interestingly, the locals, who call themselves ‘Harties,’ love it that way. The small influx of tourists to this quaint town in the north is enough to keep them growing without diminishing the little culture they’ve had for many decades.
I was fortunate enough to visit this quaint little town. It all started during a conversation over brunch in Johannesburg. One of my new Jo’burg friends suggested that I visit South African gems that never get mentioned before I head back to Nairobi in Easter – Hartbeespoort stood out to me. After a few phone calls, I was seated at the back of a VW Tiguan and headed to one of the most amazing places I’ve visited in Africa.
I spent a week in Hartbeespoort – yes! That’s how much I fell in love with this town. As usual, I made an itinerary of fun things to do in Hartbeespoort, South Africa. I hope this read will compel you to visit this fun little town.
Read Also: Wednesday Restaurant Specials Johannesburg | Food Specials
Little Paris Hartbeespoort
Simply put, Little Paris Hartbeespoort is a romantic slice of Paris in South Africa. It’s a fun little attraction for love birds in Hartbeespoort and is located along the R511 road in Hartbeespoort. Here’s the truth. It gets the name Paris due to its romantic Eiffel Tower replica and an iconic love lock bridge – I’ll be honest, Little Paris Hartbeespoort is a perfect spot for couples and families.
It’ll also make an excellent destination for travelers looking for a picturesque escape. There are many things to do here other than marvel at the beauty of the replica architecture. There’s a French-themed restaurant, deli, and gift shop to complete the aura.
You and your loved ones can visit the Love Lock Bridge and renew your love for each other. Locks are available for purchase on-site – with engraving options available. This site is excellent for Instagram-worthy pictures, especially with the Replica Eiffel Towers in the background.
Don’t forget to enjoy some fancy French delicacies at the popular French Toast Coffee Cafe. The menu here is exclusively French, with various toasts, desserts, and wine. However, you’ll need to place orders beforehand – this restaurant gets bustling.
I love souvenirs, and luckily, Little Paris Hartbeespoort has a gift center complete with a boutique and a bookshop filled with fantastic reads. This is an exciting place for memorabilia lovers.
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
What to Carry: Stylish outfit, Camera, and sunscreen.
Little Paris Hartbeespoort entrance fee: The site is free for sit-downs. However, you’ll need to pay for food you eat, locks, and an R50 per person photo session fee at the tower (applicable on weekends and public holidays; free for children under 12).
Location: R511, Hartbeespoort, 0216, South Africa.
Contact: (+27) 78 592 6953.
Travel Tips: Little Paris Hartbeespoort is perfect for group visits (limited to 7 visitors per group). Also, make sure you arrive early. The management doesn’t allow alcohol, camping chairs, or music in the parking area.
French Toast Koffie Kafee
If you plan to visit Little Paris Hartbeesport, you won’t miss French Toast Koffie Kafee. Simply put, it is a taste of Paris in Hartbeespoort, South Africa. That’s not all. French Toast Koffie Kafee isn’t just popular for its backdrop – Little Paris Hartbeespoort, but because it was initially the set for the movie French Toast, famously known as Cafe Alexandre in the film.
I love its charming Parisian interior and the mini Eiffel Tower centerpieces on each table. The menu is exclusively French and is a treat for all palates, with options of both sweet and savory French toasts, chocolate and butter croissants, and a Salted Caramel Milkshake( it’s a must-try).
Some of the activities we indulged in were their breakfast, aka Petit Dejeuner, Sucre, Salads, Sarriette, and a kiddie menu for my friend’s child. On Fridays, French Toast Koffie Kafee has Bottomless Champagne Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What to Carry: Camera and some comfortable shoes.
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Location: 97, R511, Hartbeespoort Dam, 0216, South Africa.
Contact: (+27) 78 592 6953.
Travel Tips: French Toast Koffie Kafee gets very busy on the weekends and public holidays. Therefore, it is best to book in advance or arrive early. Also, watch out for free-roaming ducks, chickens, peahens, and peacocks—they are friendly and always looking to get a piece of your meal.
Read Also: 5 Romantic Restaurants in Johannesburg | Where to Go For a Date
Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway
Reading all the literature about Hartbeesport, I found that the biggest attraction is the Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway – a must-visit adventure. And I could proudly say after experiencing it that you’ve not visited Hartbeesport if you haven’t had a ride on the aerial cableway.
Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway is a memorable experience. It is an exhilarating ride over the Magaliesberg Mountains and Hartbeespoort Dam. The views up top of this ride are breathtaking, truly making you appreciate the beauty of South Africa.
The Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway is a Swiss-engineered cableway built in 1973 but renovated in 2010. It features 14 modern six-seater cable cars, enough for a family. When at the summit, you can explore an enchanting hiking trail, eat at fancy restaurants, and, if you have kids – get a shot at the kiddie playground. There’s also a souvenir shop to remind you of all the fantastic moments.
The mountaintop bar was the highlight after a day of gliding through the Hartie skies and hiking through the tiresome trains. Popping off a cold beer (for aesthetics) and watching the landscape is an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Items to Carry: Sunglasses, Sunscreen, hat, hiking shoes, and a good camera.
Ticket Price: Adults R240, Children R140, Pensioners R130.
Operating Hours: Sunday to Friday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm; Saturday: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.
Location: Plot 3, Melodie, Agricultural Holdings, Hartbeespoort, South Africa.
Contact: (+27) 12 253 9910.
Travel Tip: The cable car is constantly moving – prepare to hop on and off smoothly.
Chameleon Village
If you love a mashup of shopping, good food, and adventure, I recommend you check out Chameleon Village in Hartbeespoort. I did not know what to expect when I first decided to visit it, but I fell in love with the vibe 20 minutes in.
There’s so much to do at the Chameleon Village for foodies – the Mozambican flame grill will instantly grasp your attention. There are also many open-air restaurants to whisk your taste buds away. Once you’ve had enough of the finger-linking good (temperature-controlled seating), you can head to their craft market, which has been voted amongst the best in the world.
If you want adventure, you can explore the pet shop garden center or link up with a few friends for go-karting adventures, paintball fury, or some archery. One of my friends tagged along with her kid, and he was fully occupied with other kids at the splash pools and jumping castles.
Forget about the pet shop. Chameleon Village also has a reptile park featured in the Guinness Book of Records (2010) for the most prolonged snake sit-in. If you’ve had enough food, adventure, and curios shopping, you can chill at Chameleon Village’s lush indigenous garden.
Ticket Price: Entry is free, but specific activities, such as Lion Park, Go-Karts, Archery, and, of course, food, have charges.
Items to Carry: Comfortable shoes, Sunscreen, a Hat, and a Camera.
Times to Visit: Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: R104 Old Rustenburg Road, Damdoryn, Hartbeesport, 0216, South Africa.
Contact: (+27) 12 003 4033.
Travel Tip: Chameleon Village is a pet-friendly venue. However, keep your furry friends on a leash while you explore.
Hartbeespoort Dam
This is undeniably one of the most scenic places you can ever visit in South Africa – it’s also a landmark location for Hartbeespoort. This magnificent water body is neatly nestled in the Magaliesberg mountain range, and you can enjoy the best vantage from the aerial cableway.
If you love nature – this is the perfect retreat. My Jo’burg friends felt rejuvenated sightseeing this location, and it was the ideal escape from the busy city life. Here’s the kicker: Hartbeespoort Dam was initially built for irrigation. Still, according to our tour guide, it also serves industrial and domestic purposes while offering some of the most magnificent views.
There’s a lot to do here, from walking across the curved tunnel and dam walls – this is perfect for taking breathtaking pictures with all your friends asking questions. You can also enjoy jet skiing, boat cruises, and fishing.
If you love adventure, there’s a snake and animal park, hiking trails, and bird-watching spots around Hartbeespoort. Don’t worry about food – you can enjoy authentic Afrikaans cuisine at Tan’ Malie se Winkle or some tasty pancakes at Pick-a-Pancake at the Welwitschia market.
Ticket Prices: Free entry is available at all lookout spots. However, ther will be charged for activities at the Dam for water sports and snake park visits.
Things to Carry: Sunscreen, Hiking shoes, Camera, and water bottle.
Location: Hartbeespoort Dam, Hartbeespoort, 0216, South Africa.
Operating Hours: Open all year round (activities may vary).
Fun fact: Hartbeespoort Dam is a world engineering marvel that uses about 250,000 bags of cement and holds up to 205 million cubic meters of water at full capacity.
Elephant Sanctuary
South Africa is a wildlife hub; as you’d expect, Hartbeespoort has its animal marvels. If anything, you can have a hands-on experience with one of Africa’s big five at the Elephant Sanctuary Hartbeespoort.
The Elephant Sanctuary Hartbeespoort is like the Giraffe Center in Nairobi, but this time with Elephants. I’ve seen these majestic African Elephants in Meru, Kenya, but this was my first time interacting with and touching one.
The Elephant Sanctuary is located at Zandfontein, Hartbeespoort, and serves as the Elephants’ halfway house/sanctuary. This place is iconic because visitors can enjoy fully guided sessions and a unique chance to help the caretakers groom these majestic beats (8:00 am).
Part of the activities here involved walking alongside these magnificent creatures, feeding them, and touching them – this was a highlight of my trip. You’ll also see these African elephants’ unique bond with their caretakers.
Elephant Sanctuary Hartbeespoort entrance fee: R1,450 for adults, R950 for pensioners, and R550 for Children (4-14 years).
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
What to Carry: Comfortable flat walking shoes, sun hat, and camera.
Location: Zandfontein, Hartbeespoort Dam, 0216, South Africa.
Contact: (+27) 12 258 9904.
Travel Tip: Arrive early (before 8:00 am) to avoid missing the morning elephant brushing session.