South Africa · Safari destination
Sun City Resort
The resort with the Big Five next door.
South Africa's premier entertainment resort, home to the Valley of Waves and set alongside the Big Five wilderness of Pilanesberg National Park.
Sun City Resort
A resort with the Big Five next door
Sun City is a resort, not a game reserve. The Big Five live next door in Pilanesberg National Park, a malaria-free reserve set in an ancient volcanic crater on the resort's northern boundary. Morning and afternoon game drives depart from Sun City itself, so you can swim the Valley of Waves in the morning and be watching elephant at a waterhole by three o'clock.
That combination is what makes Sun City unique: a full-service leisure resort with Big Five safari on its doorstep, two hours from Johannesburg and entirely malaria-free.
- How far is Sun City from Johannesburg?
- Roughly two hours by road (110 miles) via the N4. Scheduled shuttles and private transfers run daily from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Our safari specialists can arrange the transfer as part of your booking.
- Can I do a Big Five safari from Sun City?
- Yes. Pilanesberg National Park borders the resort and is home to lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Morning and afternoon game drives depart from Sun City itself. The reserve is malaria-free.
- Which Sun City hotel is best for families?
- The Cabanas is the most affordable and purpose-built for families. The Palace of the Lost City suits families who want a five-star experience with direct access to the Valley of Waves. The Cascades is quieter and better suited to couples.
- Is Valley of Waves entry included for resort guests?
- Valley of Waves entry is included for guests staying at The Palace of the Lost City. Guests at the other three hotels can purchase day passes at the resort.
- Is Sun City malaria-free?
- Yes. Both Sun City Resort and Pilanesberg National Park are in a malaria-free zone, so no antimalarials are needed.
- When is the best time to visit Sun City?
- October to March for hot weather and the Valley of Waves. May to September for cooler temperatures, better Pilanesberg game viewing and comfortable golf. Avoid school holidays if you prefer quieter pools and restaurants.
Brochure
Southern Africa Guide
Southern Africa's icons, shaped into one itinerary: Greater Kruger, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and Cape Town.
January
High summer: Valley of Waves weather
Best time to visit
Resort weather, safari rhythm.
The resort runs all year; Pilanesberg next door runs on the bushveld cycle. Pick the month by which side leads.
Sun City Resort
Your guide to Sun City Resort.
The four hotels
The Palace of the Lost City is the flagship, a five-star property built around lush tropical gardens, a grand pool and direct access to the Valley of Waves water park. It suits couples and families who want the most luxurious option.
The Cascades is a four-star hotel set beside a tranquil lagoon, popular with couples and golfers for its proximity to the Gary Player Country Club course.
Sun City Hotel (the main hotel) sits at the heart of the entertainment complex, close to the cinema, restaurants and casino. It offers the most convenient base for guests who want everything within walking distance.
The Cabanas is the most affordable choice, designed for families with children. It has its own pool, a games area and quick access to the Waterworld lake.
Valley of Waves and resort highlights
The Valley of Waves is a world-class water park featuring the Temple of Courage, a 17-metre drop down a 70-metre slide, surrounded by artificial waves, pools and a lazy river. Entry is included for Palace guests and available to all resort visitors. Other highlights include the Gary Player Country Club, an 18-hole par-72 championship course, the Maze of the Lost City, zip-lining and quad biking.
When to go
Sun City is a year-round destination. October to March brings hot weather ideal for the water park, with afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly. May to September is drier and cooler, which makes Pilanesberg game drives more comfortable and golf more pleasant. School holidays (mid-December to mid-January, late March to mid-April, late June to mid-July) are the busiest periods.
Getting there
Sun City is in the North West province, roughly two hours' drive (110 miles) north-west of Johannesburg via the N4. Scheduled shuttles and private transfers run daily from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Our safari specialists can arrange transfers as part of a wider itinerary.
Imagery
Sun City Resort, in pictures.
Recent travellers
Word from people who have just been to Sun City Resort.
Quotes pulled directly from Trustpilot. Where we have specific reviews mentioning Sun City Resort, those come up first. Otherwise these are recent five-star notes from across the trips we have planned.
"We’ve had a really good experience with Sara at Safari.com. She’s been great to deal with, very patient with all our changes & always quick to come back with helpful advice. She really listened to what we wanted and put together a fantastic South Africa and Namibia trip for us."
"The booking experience was flawless. I was initially apprehensive about even trying to book a safari, because August is the high season and we were less than a month away, but Izanne quickly curated the perfect trip that met the budget I had set. Izanne also demonstrated exceptional flexibility; when I requested a change to the itinerary, they quickly found…"
"So far the service and communication has been fantastic. I've been exchanging emails since February and they always reply super quickly and are very friendly. We're very excited for our experience coming up and are confident it will go smoothly. I appreciate they provide WhatsApp numbers as well just in case something happens in the moment."
"Our contact at Safari.com was fantastic. She was able to answer all my questions, or find and out then text me back. Communication using email and WhatsApp was excellent. While planning our trip we had a large change and Denise was able to work with our Safari lodge to find a solution, which solved it. Booking went smoothly, suggestions about the trip were v…"
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