Sun City Resort: Complete Visitor Guide
South Africa's most iconic resort destination. Casino, golf, Valley of Waves, four hotels, Pilanesberg Game Reserve and world-class entertainment in the North West Province.
Overview
Sun City Resort in the Bojanala Platinum District of North West Province is the most ambitious resort development in South African history. Opened in 1979 by Sol Kerzner under Sun International, the resort has been expanded multiple times and today covers approximately 40 km². The Palace of the Lost City, opened in 1992, remains one of the most distinctive hotel buildings in Africa.
Sun City is not primarily a casino resort. It is an integrated leisure destination where the casino is one of several major attractions. This makes it attractive to couples, families and groups with varied interests, as well as dedicated casino visitors.
Getting there
| From | Distance | Typical Drive Time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg CBD | ~185 km | 2-2.5 hours | N14 via Krugersdorp & Rustenburg |
| OR Tambo Airport | ~200 km | 2-2.5 hours | N14 west |
| Pretoria | ~170 km | 1.5-2 hours | N4 west, then R556 |
| Rustenburg | ~55 km | 45 minutes | R565 |
Accommodation
The Palace of the Lost City
Sun City, North WestCascades Hotel
Sun City, North WestThe Cabanas
Sun City, North WestThe Soho Hotel & Entertainment Centre
Sun City, North WestAttractions beyond the casino
Valley of Waves
The Valley of Waves is a 6,500 m² water park with wave pool, multiple waterslides and a beach area. It is open daily and is one of Sun City's most popular attractions for families and non-gamblers. Day visitors can purchase access tickets separately from hotel accommodation.
Golf
Sun City has two championship golf courses. The Gary Player Country Club is the more prestigious of the two, hosting the Nedbank Golf Challenge (now the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City) which has attracted many of the world's top players. The Lost City Golf Course is the second course, famous for having live crocodiles in its water hazard on hole 13.
Pilanesberg National Park
Sun City borders Pilanesberg National Park directly. Game drives can be booked through the resort and typically depart twice daily (morning and sunset). Pilanesberg is a Big Five reserve (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) within a 2-hour drive of Johannesburg, making it one of the most accessible Big Five safari destinations in South Africa.
Entertainment
Sun City's entertainment programme includes concerts and shows at the 6,000-seat Superbowl arena. Over the decades, Superbowl has hosted artists including Queen, Elton John, Frank Sinatra and South African performers. The resort also has a cinema, zip-line, quad biking, tennis courts and extensive spa facilities.
The casino
The Sun City casino is located within the Soho Hotel & Entertainment Centre. The gaming floor features 850+ electronic gaming machines and 50+ table games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker. Entry is restricted to those 18 and older. Valid ID is required. The casino is open 24 hours daily.
Responsible gambling
The Sun City casino operates a responsible gambling programme under North West Gambling Board regulation. Voluntary exclusion, trained staff and referral to support services are all in place. For help, call 0800 006 008 (free, 24/7).
Frequently asked questions
Sun City is approximately 185 km north-west of Johannesburg, typically a 2 to 2.5 hour drive via the N14 to Rustenburg. Scheduled shuttle services and chartered transport are available from Johannesburg hotels and OR Tambo Airport.
Sun City offers four hotels: The Palace of the Lost City (5-star luxury), Cascades Hotel (4-star), The Cabanas (family-friendly 3-star), and The Soho Hotel (entertainment-focused). Rates vary significantly by season and hotel category. Advance booking is recommended for peak periods and school holidays.
Yes. Sun City is a full resort complex covering approximately 40 km². Beyond the casino, attractions include the Valley of Waves water park, two championship golf courses (Gary Player Country Club and Lost City Golf Course), game drives in Pilanesberg National Park adjacent to the resort, zip-lining, quad biking, tennis, spa and extensive conference facilities.
Yes. Sun City welcomes families and children. The Valley of Waves water park is child-friendly, and The Cabanas hotel is geared towards families. Children under 18 are not permitted on the gaming floor but can access all other resort facilities.
18 years. The Sun City casino is on the gaming floor of the Soho Hotel and Entertainment Centre. Valid ID is required for entry. Under-18s are strictly prohibited from the gaming floor.