Waterberg Region

THE WATERBERG MOUNTAINS

The Waterberg mountain range stretches over 150 km in a wide arc from Thabazimbi to Mokopane in Limpopo Province, with its highest peak, Kransberg, reaching 2,100 metres near Thabazimbi.

The region is home to numerous nature and game reserves, offering camps and lodges for visitors. Around 75 mammal species, including the Big Five, roam its savannahs, while a rich variety of birds inhabit the area.

Often called South Africa’s best-kept secret, the Waterberg impresses with its rugged mountains, expansive bushveld, winding rivers, and abundant wildlife, making it a truly remarkable destination for nature lovers and safari enthusiasts.

WELGEVONDEN PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Located in Limpopo Province, about a 2½-hour drive from Johannesburg, Welgevonden Private Game Reserve spans 33,000 hectares and lies adjacent to Marakele National Park. Plans are underway to remove fences between the reserves, allowing wildlife to roam freely across an even larger area. The reserve is home to the Big Five—elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and buffalo—along with giraffe, numerous antelope species, and an abundance of birds. Its landscapes are breathtaking, shaped by the majestic Waterberg Mountains, and the reserve’s lodges have exclusive access to traverse the area for a truly private safari experience.

MARAKELE NATIONAL PARK

Situated in the south-western corner of Limpopo Province, just 4 hours from Gauteng and 3 hours from Tshwane, Marakele National Park is a game-rich reserve defined by towering mountains, deep valleys, and rolling grasslands. The park hosts the Big Five, as well as wild dogs, spotted hyenas, and giraffe. Established in 1994 as Kransberg National Park, it was later renamed Marakele, a Tswana term meaning “place of sanctuary”, when its borders were expanded to protect even more of South Africa’s remarkable wildlife.