The greater part of the province, its western regions, makes up the Bushveld. It is here where South African writer Herman Charles Bosman's stories are set. The "bushveld" was so named for it's scrub brush and savannah vegetation, interrupted sporadically by baobabs and acacia trees.

The eastern and central parts are dominated by the Magaliesberg Mountain range and is not as dry as the west, but also very sunny. The Mountains themselves were lifted about 600 million yeas ago so that they tilt to the north east laying bare their layers of rock.

The Hartebeespoort area is dominated by the dam and the high peaks of the Magalies range overlooks the entire area. Some of these peaks have deep grooves gouged in them by the heavy ice sheets moving over them during the last Ice Age. The Magaliesberg Cableway is a good way to get to the highest peaks. Also in the area are some "Cultural villages", and at the one at Lesedi you can experience African entertainment in the form of dancers in traditional drag. These villages are a type of theme park that includes dinner, traditional dance and stories, usually about the area itself.

Further to the north-west, build in an ancient extinct crater lies Sun City, one of the first places in (apartheid) South Africa where gambling and pornography was legalised. This Las Vegas of Africa is quite gaudy and if you visit it you must be willing to suspend your disbelief and if you do you will have a great time. There are lots of indoor and outdoor activities. The former includes shows, gambling and movies, the latter includes "The Lost City" theme park with water rides, pools, an artificial ocean with tides, but also the Pilansberg Game Reserve which is well worth it. The artificial lake also offers para gliding, water skiing and other activities.