Emerald Resort and Casino
The Emerald Resort and Casino is a top gaming and entertainment centre in the Sedibeng area of southern Gauteng. The resort, on the banks of the Vaal River in Vanderbijlpark, offers a mix of first-class accommodation and dining, and conference and entertainment facilities.
Emerald Casino. Photo courtesy tripeak
The resort has taken advantage of its location on the banks of the Vaal to venture into nature conservation. Visitors can take a break from the 660 gaming machines and 24 table games to indulge in the beautiful surrounds, enjoying a game drive or catching a glimpse of the 500 animals – including exotic birds, reptiles and marine life – housed at Animal World.
The resort boasts an Aquadome, an indoor, climate-controlled pool with a waterslide, so visitors can enjoy a swim regardless of the weather. Explore shipwrecks or just enjoy a leisurely dip in the resort’s six heated pools. There is also a baby pool to cater for kids’ water entertainment.
Children are also amply catered for in the entertainment stakes. A secure Kidzone, with trained childcare professionals, offers interactive activities for children aged four to 12. The resort’s Party Zone offers themed kids’ birthday parties.
Various leisure activities are on offer at Emerald Resort, including indoor rock climbing, 10-pin bowling, adventure golf and beach volleyball on the banks of the river.
The hotel has 186 rooms, each with diverse local artworks and rich colours. Accommodation is also available in luxurious, timber-built safari lodges, self-catering chalets on the banks of the river, or on houseboats on the Vaal.
Conference venues can be customised to meet your requirements and the three available conference rooms can hold a group of about 200 people.
Admission
Animal World
Adults: R25
Children under 12: R15
Game drives: R35 per person
Aquadome
Adults: R60 (peak rate); R40 (off-peak rate)
Children under 12: R45 (peak rate); R30 (off-peak rate)
Pensioners: R45 (peak rate); R30 (off-peak rate)
Family (two adults, three children): R225 (peak rate); R140 (off-peak rate)
Kidzone
09h00 to 18h00: R15 per hour
18h00 to 23h00: R20 per hour
Visiting hours
Animal World
Monday to Sunday from 09h00 to 16h30
Aquadome
Winter (May 1 to September 30)
Monday to Sunday from 10h00 to 18h00
Summer (October 1 to April 30)
Sunday to Thursday from 10h00 to 18h00
Friday and Saturday from 10h00 to 20h00
Casino
Monday to Thursday from 10h00 to 04h00
Open 24 hours from Friday to Saturday
Closes 04h00 on Sunday morning
Kidzone
Monday to Sunday from 09h00 to 22h00
Friday and Saturday from 10h00 to 23h00
Directions
From Pretoria/Johannesburg West: Take the N1 from Johannesburg/Pretoria. Pass through the Grasmere Toll Plaza, travel 26km then take the R57 Vanderbijlpark/Sasolburg off-ramp. Turn on to the R42, Vereeniging Road. Turn right into Frikkie Meyer Boulevard, and continue until you reach the Emerald Resort and Casino.
From Pretoria/Johannesburg East: Take the N12 towards Alberton. Take the R59 off-ramp to Vereeniging. Take the R42 Vanderbijlpark off-ramp. Turn left into Frikkie Meyer Boulevard, and continue until you reach the Emerald Resort and Casino.