PLACES TO VISIT
SANParks Marakele National Park
Marakele National Park is 67,000 hectares and contains the highest peak within the Waterberg. The rugged terrain provides spectacular scenery. You can drive to the top of the park for superb views. There are over 765 plant species recorded, it has the Big Five as well as numerous other mammal species. It has amazing bird life but the biggest bird attraction is the 800 breeding pairs of Cape Vultures which is the largest colony in the world.
Nyslvley is a 4000 hectare reserve lying to the South-east of the Waterberg between Modimolle and Mookgophong. Nylsvley is part of the largest inland floodplain in South Africa, which covers a total area of 16,000 hectares when fully flooded. The floodplain is critically important bird area which supports more than 365 bird species, of which 104 species are waterbirds. Eight species of red data list bird species have been recorded.
You can visit as a day visitor or book into the self-catering camp. Visitors can walk or cycle around the reserve
Bookings | rathlanes@gmail.com | +27 (0)15 293 3612
Nylsvley Nature Reserve and Ramsar Site
Makapan Valley World Heritage Site
Makapan Valley contains the earliest evidence of life in the Waterberg and is found at the Cave of Hearths fossil site, a limestone cave that has provided fossil bearing strata that are about 3 to 2 million years old. Included in these fossils are some of the oldest ancestral remains in South Africa and include the early hominid Australopithecus africanus.
The caves were also part of the important historical events from the late 1800s which included conflicts between different chiefdoms and the Boers.
You can book a visit and guided tour from incredibly knowledgeable guides.
+27 (0)83 368 9158
Welgevonden Private Game Reserve
A 36,000 hectare private game reserve of unspoilt Waterberg mountain bushveld and home to a wide diversity of wildlife including the Big Five. The spectacular topography of river valleys, open plains, deep kloofs and undulating hills provides breath-taking backdrop to rewarding game viewing.
The reserve has a wide variety of luxury lodges to choose from.
+27 (0)87 813 0501
For accommodation contact lodges directly
Lapalala Game Reserve
Lapalala Wilderness is one the largest private game reserves in the Waterberg as well as South Africa. Starting from humble beginnings, of a handful of farms purchased by the late Dale Parker, as a small conservation area, the reserve managed by Clive Walker and later by Anton Walker has became a significant conservation reserve now at 44,500 hectares.
The reserve now hosts a luxury tented camp at part of the Tintswalo Group.
Tintswalo.com/lapalala/gamelodge/
+27(0) 011 300 888
Entabeni Game Reserve
The 22,000 hectare Entabeni Safari Conservancy boasts spectacular scenery, with mountains, waterfalls and unspoilt ravines. Guided game drives and horseback safaris bring guests in close contact with a vast variety of game species, including the Big Five. Scenic helicopter flights provide a bird’s eye view ‘beyond comparison’. Lodges vary from tented chalets to luxury lodges.
+27 (0)12 443 6700
Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve
Lapalala Wilderness is one the largest private game reserves in the Waterberg as well as South Africa. Starting from humble beginnings, of a handful of farms purchased by the late Dale Parker, as a small conservation area, the reserve managed by Clive Walker and later by Anton Walker has became a significant conservation reserve now at 44,500 hectares.
The reserve now hosts a luxury tented camp at part of the Tintswalo Group.
Tintswalo.com/lapalala/gamelodge/
+27(0) 011 300 888
Mokolo Dam
The 22,000 hectare Entabeni Safari Conservancy boasts spectacular scenery, with mountains, waterfalls and unspoilt ravines. Guided game drives and horseback safaris bring guests in close contact with a vast variety of game species, including the Big Five. Scenic helicopter flights provide a bird’s eye view ‘beyond comparison’. Lodges vary from tented chalets to luxury lodges.
+27 (0)12 443 6700
Telekishi Ramasobana Hospitality and Masebe Nature Reserve
Telekishi is a community tourism project situated on communal land adjacent to Masebe Nature Reserve. Telekishi offers ‘Pedi’ style overnight accommodation in a beautiful setting. With self catering facilities the accommodation is ideal for Waterberg Meander users as well as small groups and school groups.
A breath-taking and informative 1.5 or 3 hour hike can be arranged from the accommodation up onto the magnificent Waterberg escarpment. The hike features wonderful historical elements such as iron age sites, initiation site and San rock art. From here you can also book a visit to Masebe Nature Reserve to view its San rock art.
Malesela Chokwe | +27(0) 83 511 4616
Waterberg Meander
The Waterberg Meander guides visitors through the vast and scenic wilderness of the Waterberg Biosphere and surrounds.
The downloadable brochure contains various maps to help plan drive routes around the Waterberg. Filled with interesting and factual information, the guide allows self-guided tourists experience some of the hidden wonders of the Waterberg. The brochure also includes a range of accommodation options.
• Conflicting land uses, with the most sensitive areas being under greatest threat
• Fragmented conservation efforts leading to the potential for further fragmentation
• Impoverished rural communities with limited skills and resources
• High levels of unemployment, particularly among the youth
• Development pressures
• Illegal prospecting and mining
• The presence of a high proportion of leisure properties with limited employment provision
• Alien invasive species
• Vulnerability of riverine systems, loss of wetlands and illegal sand mining
• Wildlife poaching (rhino, pangolin, lion and elephants)
• Air pollution from power stations
• Land use planning guidelines that are not enforced
• Limited legal protection and a need for biosphere planning to be integrated into other spatial plans
