Imagine the beauty of the African sunset disappearing over a vast expanse of water, or the quiet serenity of a river cruise. Imagine a place where the hiking trails meander close to Eland and Red Hartebeest or where you can take a game drive to within a few metres of a group of white rhino. Imagine a place where shopping is an experience and the food is five star. Imagine … a stay at the Vaal.

Visiting the Vaal is a unique experience. A getaway from the hustle and bustle of the pressures of city life, from the street corner hassles and the jam packed freeways of modern living. With a shuttle service less than an hour away from Johannesburg’s main airport, O R Tambo, it makes sense to stay at one of the Vaal’s hotels or guest houses. Relax in the five star luxury of the Riviera on Vaal or enjoy the heady experience of a bed and breakfast in the heart of Sharpeville. Soak up the atmosphere of a local shebeen or bargain with a street seller for one of the local works of art.

Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark are both located on the northern banks of the Vaal River and have some excellent hotels and guest houses with full conference and function facilities. Privately owned bed and breakfast and self catering accommodation within the towns are available to suit the pockets of all visitors. But it is not just the large towns and five star hotels that make the Vaal. The smaller towns should also be included in your places to visit. Parys with its quaint antique shops and riverside accommodation specialising in adventure sports such as white river rafting, Heidelberg with its historic buildings and the stately English village of Henley on Klip.

For the lover of water sports, the Vaal area promises fun and excitement both on the Vaal Dam and along the 50 km stretch of the Vaal River. Yacht Clubs abound on the fringes of the Vaal Dam which has a shore line of 950 km. The town of Deneysville which was founded during the building of the Vaal Dam and the Vaal Marina established in the mid 1970’s are both perfect destinations for that week-end breakaway. There are a number of major sporting events which take place on the Vaal River, including the Formulae 1 boat race and the Get Wet international skiing challenge, both of which are held along the Emerald Casino Resort’s river frontage. Boating and water skiing are popular sports and a number of clubs and hotels along the river have boat launching and water sport facilities. For those wishing to just relax, then why not take a leisurely sundowner cruise along the river. There are a number of companies, including Stonehaven which boasts a 150 seater river cruiser and the Liquid Lounge, offering river cruisers where one can enjoy a meal or just soak up the serenity of the still waters.

A

rticle 1

ourism in the

T

V

aal