| The extensive Sun City resort complex, owned by Sun International, is situated 185 km (115 miles) northwest of Johannisburg. First opened in 1979 it was soon expended to include the Cascades Hotel, the family-orientated Cabanas, and the Superbowl, a multi-purpose entertainment and conference venue. On-side facilities include a man-made lake for water sports, and two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Gary Player. (The annual Million Dollar Challenge golf tournament takes place here.) The resort is adjacent to the 60'000 ha (136'000 acres) Pilanesburg | National Park where Africa's 'Big Five' of wildlife can be seen.
Sun City offers one of the largest casinos in the southern hemisphere. It is open daily from 13:00 to late and the slots are open 24 hours. Games include blackjack, roulette, punto banco, craps and slots. Table stakes start at R5. Minimum stakes on the slots are 50c. The casino features the largest progressive slots jackpot in Africa, including the Dream Machine, with a minimum payout of R1 million. There are two private gaming rooms. The salon prive caters for medium limit games of roulette, | blackjack and punto banco with minimum stakes from R25-R200. The International Room has minimum stakes of R50 on roulette and R500 on blackjack.
The opening of the Palace of the Lost City in 1992 moved the resort into a new dimension. This showpiece luxury hotel has won international acclaim for its opulent fantasy decor which incorporates elaborate frescos, murals and mosaics depicting the stories and myths of a lost African tribe. The hotel is linked to the casino by the trembling, smoking Bridge of Time, which is guarded by rows of life-size elephant statues. |
