You may remember that not so long we shared the exciting news that SA Express now offers flights to Pilanesberg and Mafikeng, a potential gamechanger for the province’s tourism that makes it easier than ever to visit the perenially accessible Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City.

Well it’s great to see that the North West Department of Tourism are also being proactive in stimulating tourism growth in what has historically been one of SA’s less popular provinces for tourists, whilst also increasing the focus on some of the province’s lesser known attractions.

Tourism MEC Desbo Mohono said that the government was looking to partner with traditional authorities, the private sector and public sector entities to add growth momentum to the North West’s tourism economy.

Acting Head of NW Department Charles Ndabeni said that one of the challenges that confronts the tourism sector in the province is infrastructural development in villages, townships and small towns. He added that the improvement of roads, technology and communication were all important considerations.

Aside from Pilanesberg and Sun City, one of the other highlights in the province is Madikwe Game Reserve, which boasts an abundance of the Big 5 and has developed a reputation as one of the best places in South Africa to see leopard and, like Pilanesberg, wild dogs.

Other favourites include the Magaliesberg canopy tour and the Harties Cableway.

It will also be interesting to continue to monitor the progress on the proposed wildlife corridor that would link Pilanesberg National Park and Madikwe Game Reserve, allowing a bigger migration space for animals and creating a prime combined eco-tourism destination. It has been said that this would become a 20-year project culminating in linking up with Limpopo Province and Botswana.

Madikwe is the fourth largest game reserve in South Africa, covering over 60,000 hectares. It is is roughly 75kms from Pilanesberg as the crow flies.

The proposed corridor follows a new Open Africa tourist route, the Segarona Heritage Experience, which was launched in 2012. This new route runs between Pilanesberg and Madikwe, and includes the Bakgatla tribal lands, and the towns of Derdepoort, Zeerust and Groot Marico (and many others). The rural villages connected by this route offer insight into the struggle history of South Africa and the cultural heritage of the many African clans who still live in the area.

The aim is to introduce the traveller to the cultural attractions through interaction with people and local guides.

All of this appears to bode well for the ongoing development of tourism in this province. As far as we are concerned, North West and its residents deserve it.