The region known as the Waterberg has been described as one of South Africa’s best kept secrets.

This region, situated in the north-west of South Africa, in the Limpopo Province, stretches 150 kilometres in a long arc from Thabazimbi in the West, Modimolle (Nylstroom) in the centre, to Mokopane (Potgietersrus) in the east. Vaalwater is the central village of the area.

The Waterberg region is in the heart of the Bushveld, with low mountain ranges and escarpments. The Bushveld vegetation is dominated by different veld types, which are characteristic in mountainous savanna areas. It is usually characterised by African Beechwood (Faurea saligna), Common Hookthorn (Acacia caffra) and Red Seringa (Burkea africana, Terminalia sericea and Peltophorum africanum).

The name Waterberg refers to the fact that the mountains in the area serve as water reservoirs for the arid region. The area has been inhabited over hundreds of thousand years and is also one of the most important San Rock Art areas in South Africa.

The Waterberg region incorporates many rivers, streams and swamps as well as about 75 mammal species. These include big game such as elephant, lion, white and black rhino, hippo, leopard and buffalo. African python and the Nile crocodile are also resident.

Small wonder the area is known as one of the country's premier wildlife areas. The Waterberg is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with more than 300 bird species to be spotted.

Although best known for its game and nature reserves, the area is also rich in minerals like iron, coal, tin, platinum, zinc, titanium and vanadium and crops like tobacco, groundnuts, maize, grain sorghum, sunflower seeds, wheat, cotton, citrus fruit and rice are grown here.

The exceptional abundance of wildlife species, together with the mosaic of scenic landscape and the fascinating cultural heritage, has led to many nature-based tourism destinations that can be explored.

One of these is the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. The reserve has led to the amalgamation of conservation areas in order to protect more than 150 000 hectares of the Waterberg-habitat.

Within the reserve you’ll find some of the last truly wild places in the country serving as sanctuary for rare and endangered animals. The private game reserves and the Marakele National Park are mostly visited for the variety of game and bird species and scenery. The wildlife also includes the big five.