Potchefstroom – City of Expertise
As home to a university, college of education, agricultural research center, technical college and several schools, Potchefstroom in the North West province of South Africa is often referred to as the ‘City of Expertise’. However, Potchefstroom also has a well-established tourism industry with much to offer in the way of attractions and leisure time activities. Being located a mere 120 kilometers from the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg, it is a popular weekend or day-trip getaway destination.
Many of Potchefstroom’s accommodation establishments are located on the banks of the Mooirivier (Beautiful River), or the Potchefstroom Dam. A range of exciting water sport options is available to visitors, as well as fishing, hiking, eco-tourism, 4×4 trails, and more. For nature lovers, the NWU Botanical Garden, Buffelsvlei Animal Park, and the OPM Prozesky Bird Sanctuary are popular attractions, while the Dome Bergland Nature Park outside the city is a fascinating geographic phenomenon created by a meteorite impact countless years ago.Potchefstroom has much to offer culturally and plays host to Aardklop – an annual five-day cultural celebration attended by thousands of people. There are a number of museums and national monuments in Potchefstroom, and art & craft markets are a regular feature enjoyed by all. When you visit Potchefstroom, be sure to take a stroll down Oak Avenue, which was planted in 1910, declared a national heritage site in 1976, and is believed to be the longest oak lane in the Southern Hemisphere.
