Elandsdrift offers rural exclusivity north of Johannesburg, South Africa. Upmarket secure estates sit alongside small holdings and farmland, and the equestrian heritage stretches back many years in this suburb. Residents and visitors to Elandsdrift appreciate the tranquil, natural surroundings of the area.
The area is both a popular wedding venue and conference destination, remote enough for a sense of being in the country, however, the airport is just a few minutes away, Sandton is a 30-minute drive and all the comforts of home are nearby. Mountain bike trails criss-cross the region and a hot air balloon outing is the best way to fully appreciate the area’s beauty.
Travellers to Elandsdrift can expect historic, natural and cultural experiences and exciting attractions spread throughout the area.
Top 6 reasons to visit Elandsdrift
1. Croc City in Fourways offers hourly tours of the crocodile park and snake demonstrations. Their unique flyover gives adventure seekers the opportunity to travel on a zipline hovering 5m above the crocodile enclosure.
2. A trip to the Cradle of Humankind is an absolute must. This world heritage site is believed to be the birthplace of modern man and where many important discoveries were unearthed, such as the near-complete hominid skeleton dubbed Little Foot. Various exhibits are on show and the site has 2 restaurants.
3. It’s not only the driving range that attracts regulars to the Ball and All Driving Range, Pub & Restaurant. The venue offers archery and good eats. Stay for the late entertainment on show most evenings.
4. Visit the Lesedi Cultural Village at the Cradle of Humankind for a tour of 5 tribal homesteads. The tour includes a traditional meal of pap (a type of polenta) and wors (a meaty, spiced sausage) along with dancing. The village’s other offerings are the Ingoma (dance show) and interactive drumming sessions.
5. For a trip back in time, visit Greensleeves Restaurant to indulge in a medieval feast. Be sure to grant yourself and your partner a title for your official announcement upon arrival. The venue offers medieval costume hire to get into the Middle Ages groove. Lots of craft beer on sale to mask the taste of the complimentary mead!
6. Attend a show jumping event at the Mjölnir Estate and get to meet the locals. The estate has beautiful livery stable facilities and hosts several show jumping and other training shows during the year.
Transport
Elandsdrift is a 40-minute drive from OR Tambo International Airport. National flights arrive and depart from Lanseria Airport, a mere 5-minute drive north of Elandsdrift. Hire a vehicle from any of the car rental agencies at the airports or order a rental online. Uber, metered taxi operators and shuttle service companies are based at OR Tambo airport, however, the only authorised transport provider at Lanseria airport is the Lanseria Airport Taxi Services Company.
Did you know?
Anneli Wucherpfennig (née Drummond-Hay) owns the Penny Place Stables in nearby Lanseria and is a legend in the sport of equine showmanship having competed at the top level in show jumping, dressage and eventing. She represented Great Britain for 14 years before immigrating to South Africa in 1971. At 70-something, she still competes.
The Cradle of Humankind, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, is not purely one location. The site incorporates a series of caves, a dried underground lake and farmland. In one cave – the Swartkrans cave – there is evidence of fires having been lit 1.3 million years ago.