Waterberg safaris tours & holiday packages
The rolling hills of the South African bushveld
Track the Big Five over hills and through scenic valleys and ponder the perfection of an umbrella thorn tree.
If you are looking to spot the Big Five on a tight schedule, the Waterberg region is the place to do so. The area is home to several private Big Five game reserves such as Welgevonden and Marataba, which have spent millions of dollars rehabilitating old farmland, turning it into pristine wilderness and reintroducing lions, elephants and rhinos, among other species. Although any sightings depend on an excellent guide and a bit of help from Lady Luck, it's not uncommon to spot the Big Five during a weekend stay at one of the reserves.
As far as scenery goes, the Waterberg offers some impressive bushveld vistas, with tumbling hills and fertile valleys covered with savanna grassland and patches of acacia trees.
“Forget Karen von Blixen's farm at the foot of Kenya's Ngong Hills, I want a game farm in the Waterberg! In summer, the rolling green hills dotted with umbrella and camel thorn trees make for some of the most beautiful scenery in Southern Africa.”
More on Waterberg holidays
Visitors to this area are spoilt for choice when it comes to adventure activities. Take a hot air balloon ride at dawn over the Waterberg range. Or go on a bush walk (these are offered at some of the lodges) and track elephants, rhinos and lions on foot, accompanied by an armed guide, naturally. Near Marataba private concession and Marakele National Park, you will also find one of the biggest breeding colonies of Cape vultures in the world. More than 400 species of birds have been recorded in this area, which makes it a paradise for birdwatchers.
If you're in Johannesburg on business, the Waterberg is an ideal location to extend your trip and enjoy a short safari. The area is located less than four hours from Johannesburg, so if you wrap up your meetings by lunchtime, you could be enjoying sundowners in the bush at dusk.
Waterberg Map
Waterberg's location on Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions about Waterberg
Whether you are in the Southern or East Africa you will generally be able to see the big five. The difference really comes in when considering antelope as they are based on your chosen location. go there.
This is all dependant on the countries that you will be visitng and due to the status of certain vaccinations changing at times, please consult our experts before getting vaccines. go there.
In some parts of Southern Africa it is safe to drink the tap water, however it is highly recommended to stick to bottled water (mostly supplied) during your trip as even drinkable African water is completely different in taste and… go there.
Related Articles
10 reasons why a Selinda safari is worth the trip
A private wildlife sanctuary situate in Northern Botswana, the 320,000 acre Selinda Game Reserve is home to a huge diversity of wildlife, most notably it’s large elephant herds, as well as antelope, zebra, cheetah, wild dog and lion. If… read more
Eight things to do in Swakopmund
The Namibian desert town of Swakopmund’s breathtaking natural beauty and captivating German architecture serves as a reminder of its diverse history of the area. Apart from relishing in the history and stark beauty of the Swakopmund, here… read more
Expert Q&A: Africa’s best Big Five safari destinations
One of the main reasons why people travel to Africa is to see the Big Five - the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and the White/Black rhinoceros. However, one of the most frequently asked questions we get is… read more
African wanderings - Andre’s Malawi safari experience [Traveller story]
I had the pleasure of chatting to Andre Holland, who ventured on a 15-day Malawi safari in March 2015, coming to grips with the local culture, spending time on it's remote neighboring islands and exploring its wildlife-rich game… read more
