Road tripping from Jozi to Bela-Bela: Places to see on the way

Bela-Bela is situated at the foot of the Waterberg Mountain Range and gets its name from the famous natural hot springs in the area. These waters aren’t a mere spectacle though – the springs are believed to be rich in minerals and were once used for healing purposes by the Tswana people.

Located between Pretoria and Polokwane, Bela-Bela is approximately 200km from Johannesburg. An easy drive, and worth seeing some sights on the way.

You don’t always have to just make a beeline for your destination. Instead, your road trip could look a little something like this:

So, here are some stops to include before you head off to soak in the healing waters.

Hector Pieterson Memorial, Soweto

Picture: Jorge Láscar on Flickr

The Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto’s Khumalo Street commemorates the events of 16 June 1976 and the ensuing Soweto Uprising. It takes visitors on a journey that includes the build-up to the events of that fateful day and its aftermath, which has now become Youth Day, a public holiday in South Africa.

Lesedi Cultural Village, Cradle of Humankind

Lesedi Cultural Village is located in the heart of the African bushveld in the rocky hills of the Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage Site. This is the perfect stop for anyone curious about the traditions of the people of Africa, where you can visit five traditional homesteads inhabited by Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele tribes who live according to tribal folklore and traditions of their ancestors.

Each of these families lives here permanently, looking after cows, chickens and tourists, and tours through their homes offer interesting cross-cultural comparisons of the customs and social organisation of the different cultures.

Picture RachelF2SEA on Flickr

Address: R512, Lanseria

Phone: 071 507 1447

Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple, Bronkhorstspruit

Nan Hua is the name of the South African branch of the Humanistic Buddhist order, Fo Guang Shan. According to Where to Stay, the name Nan Hua means ‘Southern Flower’ in Mandarin and refers to the location of the temple as well as symbolizing virtue and beauty.

It is the largest Buddhist temple and seminary in Africa and is situated in the Cultura Park suburb of Bronkhorstspruit. The temple offers a variety of cultural and educational activities, while also hosting meditation sessions and retreats. A vegetarian lunch is available every Sunday for R30 per person, served between 12 pm and 12:30 pm.

Picture: Paul Saad on Flickr

Address: 27 Nan Hua Road, Cultura Park, Bronkhorstspruit

Price: Free

Phone: 013 931 0009

Email: [email protected]

Ludwig’s Roses, Pretoria

A huge rose farm north of Pretoria that has been running for more than 50 years, Ludwig’s Roses is a must-see en route to Bela-Bela. The farm is about an hour’s drive from central Joburg, not far from the Dinokeng Game Reserve. Here you can go rose picking and maybe grab a bite to eat from The Rose Kitchen.

Ludwig Taschner was born in Germany in the 1940s, escaped from East Germany in 1960, and moved to South Africa soon afterwards to work in the nursery business. He bought his rose farm in 1971 and it has since become a leader in South African rose propagation and breeding. Ludwig’s catalogue includes more than 1,000 different rose varieties.

Photo by Nikita Tikhomirov on Unsplash

Address: 61 Haakdoornlaagte, Pretoria

Phone: 012 544 0144

Email: [email protected]

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