Things to do during your stay at Waterberg

Waterberg Cottages and the Africamps Waterberg glamping tents are situated on a stunning private 2500ha game reserve. Due to the danger of buffalo, the walking trails cover only a limited portion of the farm, but on our regular game drives guests are exposed to the full variety of biomes on the property: wetland areas, stunning dams, thick bush and open savannah grasslands with panoramic views. Game abounds – from stately giraffe, dazzling zebra and beautifully ugly wildebeest to the regal eland, sable, roan and buffalo. We have almost every type of antelope and the very fortunate may even spot a jackal or an aardvark. Warthog and ostriches, monkeys and baboons .. the list is almost endless.

Guests can encounter herds of a hundred or more blesbok, get surrounded by a journey of a dozen giraffe, or drive through plains full of zebra, eland and wildebeest.

For birdlovers, we are occasionally visited by a breeding pair of blue cranes, and there is a family of pygmy geese that have found a home on one of the dams. The call of the mighty fish eagle is always a very special treat.

Allow us to take you on a magical journey through this very special part of the bushveld and share with us the thrill of quietly spying on a stunning selection of the wild beasts of Africa in their natural environment.

Enjoy a morning or afternoon drive with snacks and drinks included.

Discover the bird life of our private game reserve on a guided walk or drive through wetlands, open fields and bushy areas with a knowledgeable guide by your side. You'll have the chance to spot a wide variety of species - including, if you're lucky, the rare African Pygmy Goose nesting at one of our dams.
Whether you're a seasoned birder or just starting out, our family friendly guides will lead you through a variety of habitats - from peaceful wetlands, to open fields and wooded bushveld - and help you identify birds by sight and sound. One of the highlights of our reserve is the possibility of spotting the rare African Pygmy Goose, known to nest at one of our dams. Our open fields have also occasionally been visited by a pair of Blue Cranes.

Expect a relaxed, personalised birding experience, stunning scenery, and a deeper connection with nature.

Step into the wild and discover nature's hidden stories. Join our 1,5hr guided tracks and signs experience and learn how to read the bush like a book- from animal footprints and droppings to feeding marks and territorial markings. An immersive challenge for young and old; our guides tailor the experience to the group and for youngsters there are prizes to be won and certificates to be earned.

Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone curious about the unseen world of the wild.

Every sign tells a story. Come and see what the bush has to say. 

Let the stresses of life float away as you bask by our solar-heated 15m pool. Adults can put in some lengths while kids have loads of fun. From the pool there is a vista of five receding horizons, and a front row view of magnificent sunsets toward the end of the day. Sunbathers can also keep an eye out for passing game wandering down to take a drink at a nearby dam.

The size of the pool lends itself to the fun of water volleyball which can keep a whole family group thoroughly challenged and entertained. (There is a pool volleyball net available by request). There is also a volleyball field adjacent to the pool for those who would like to stay dry until the time comes for a refreshing end-of-game dip in the pool.

Donkey cart rides can be arranged with some advance notice. Small children do need at all times to be attended by a watchful adult.

The solar-heated swimming pool is a firm favourite and the extensive jungle gym presents the sorts of challenges needed for the development of gross motor skills and imaginary play. he gardens provide a great space for ball games, the trampoline adds that extra bounce, and the soft sand is as good as beach sand when it comes to building sand castles. 

Along with the tales of characters of the past, the tour includes a visit to an historic early settler house, a Herbert Baker designed chapel, tea with scones and jam and a visit to an art gallery.

If you are interested in the past, you may enjoy Juliet’s History Tour.

Juliet grew up being regaled with stories of the past, told by her father, Charles Baber and her great grandfather, Ted Davidson. These two men were both very active in the community throughout their respective lives, working with the Farmer’s Association first to establish roads, the railway and the town of Vaalwater and the establishment of various schools in the area, and then to work for the extension of telephone lines and provision of electricity and conservation.

The various cottages of Waterberg Cottages formed the original home of the Baber family on a farm that was purchased from Ted Davidson. Juliet’s great grandmother’s aunts and uncle had settled in the Waterberg in the early 1890’s and remained here through the years of the South African war. The original Davidson house, built after the war in 1910 and the small Anglican church built in 1914 are both historic.

Juliet presents a History tour in which she tells the tales of old, illustrated by family photographs, and she takes her guests to see the historic home and church. The history tour concludes with tea and scones and a visit of the art gallery of Juliet’s cousin, Liz Hunter.