This 3,000 hectare reserve has a wide range of habitats: most of the area is covered with broadleaved woodland and there are a number of small streams and two perennial rivers with wetland areas that attract Blue Crane and Secretarybird, as well as Common Quail and a host of other grassland birds. The raptors are well represented with Lizard Buzzard, Little Sparrowhawk, Spotted Eagle Owl and Cape Vulture frequently seen. There is a hide at one of the small dams where Black Crake, Yellow-billed Duck and Moorhen are found. The reserve is also home to the rare Waterberg Copper butterfly. There are over 70 km of hiking trails on the farm as well as a variety of self-catering cottages.
| 014 013 0099 | 083 677 6999 | info@waterberg.co.za | www.waterberg.co.za |
Izintaba is a 1,200 hectare reserve situated in the Waterberg near Vaalwater. There is a diversity of habitats including open plains, rocky kloofs, dam, seasonal rivers, waterfalls and wetland. There are over 200 bird species and 40 mammal species in the area; specials include Verreaux’s Eagle, Denham’s Bustard and Short-toed Rock Thrush. Guided drives in a 4x4 vehicle are offered, or you can do a private drive in your own car. There is no dangerous game on the property and there are various marked trails for walking or cycling. Accommodation is in 6 luxury fully-equipped self-catering thatched cottages, sleeping between 4 and 17 people. Each cottage has a patio with views over the bushveld, a private braai area and indoor fireplace. Breakfasts and dinners are offered in the dining room, there is also a pool and jungle gym.
| 082 705 7708 | info@izintabalodge.co.za | www.izintabalodge.co.za |
The 3,000 hectare private Palala River Reserve is situated in the Waterberg Biosphere and is bisected by the Palala River for 7km. The wide variety of habitats provides excellent birding. African Finfoot, White-Backed Night Heron, Little Bittern and Half-collared Kingfisher can be found along the river; the dense riverine vegetation is a good spot to look for Terrestrial Brownbul, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, White-throated Robin-Chat and African Firefinch. A spring-fed wetland in the north of the reserve is home to numerous local specials and an early morning visit will reveal White-backed Duck, Black Crake, African Jacana and African Snipe. Buff-spotted Flufftail is often heard calling from the reedbeds. The adjacent woodland is a good place to see Lizard Buzzard and Black Cuckooshrike. Bushveld birds are well represented in the rest of the reserve and Striped Kingfisher, Purple Roller, Grey Penduline Tit, Temminck’s Courser and Little Sparrowhawk can be seen. Kurrichane Buttonquail also occur in the area. There are various accommodation options in the reserve. Jembisa Bush Home comprises 5 en-suite bedrooms accommodating 10 adults and 4 children; there is a wooden deck overlooking the Palala River, swimming pool, floodlit tennis court and extensive library and resident chef. Three self-catering Palala River Cottages are also situated on the reserve accommodating between 2 and 10 people per unit. A wide variety of bush experiences is offered on the reserve including guided walks, game drives, night drives, mountain biking, photographic safaris and camping-out under the stars.
| 082 570 8474 | reservations@jembisa.com | www.jembisa.com |
Kololo Game Reserve is in the heart of the Waterberg Biosphere next to Marakele National Park and Welgevonden Private Nature Reserve, approximately 39km from Vaalwater and halfway down the Bakkers Pass road. Habitats on the reserve include grassland, broadleaved woodland and mountain streams. Around 320 bird species occur in the area and more than 200 species have been seen on Kololo. A few of the special birds which can be seen include Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard, Secretary Bird, Ayres’s Hawk Eagle, Eurasian Hobby, African Green Pigeon, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Grey-headed and Half-collared Kingfisher, Greater Honeyguide, Dusky Lark, Black Cuckooshrike, Olive-tree Warbler and White backed Vulture. Kololo offers guided game drives and there are various walking trails. The gardens around the lodge provide great bird watching and raptors are often seen from the two lookout decks which have fantastic views over the plains of Welgevonden. The lodge can accommodate 47 guests in 12 fully-equipped self-catering chalets of different size and rates; there is also a double-volume restaurant, a bar and swimming pool.
| 014 721 0920 | 079 694 0410 | info@kololo.co.za | www.kololo.co.za |
Lindani is a 3,000 hectare private game farm situated near Vaalwater. Varied habitats include bushveld savanna, mountains and valleys, dams, wetlands and sandstone cliffs. Over 240 species of birds may be seen, including Knob-billed Duck, African Black Duck, African Snipe, Temminck’s Courser, Denham’s Bustard, Shelley’s Francolin, African Hawk-Eagle, Bat Hawk, Jacobin Cuckoo, Ant-eating Chat, GreyTit-Flycatcher, Ashy Flycatcher, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Fish Eagle and Verreaux’s Eagle, and various Larks and Pipits. Guided game drives are offered and guests also have the freedom to explore Lindani on foot, bicycle or in their own vehicles. Mountain bikers will particularly enjoy the 50km of single track trails! There are 8 generously equipped self-catering lodges accommodating 4 to 8 people each and an 8-bedded tented camp; these are all set far apart and booked to a single group to ensure privacy. Guests can also order a selection of freshly prepared meals from the farm kitchen.
| 083 631 5579 | info@lindani.co.za | www.lindani.co.za |
