"The malaria-free bushveld around the Waterberg offers a superb opportunity to slip effortlessly into “real Africa”. Only two hours (and yet a world away) from Johannesburg, the Waterberg is a wild region that’s home to an impressive variety of wildlife, birds, butterflies and beautiful lodges.”
- Narina Exelby
Waterberg
Lending its name to the region, the Waterberg is an extensive massif that has been weathered and eroded over millennia into an intriguing mountain range. Surrounding it are the beautiful vistas, undulating hills and bushveld streams that make this area such a special and picturesque destination to visit.
The Waterberg mountains are not only a catchment area for four major rivers, they are also an area of high biodiversity. There are more than 2000 species of plants here; 130 species of butterflies, 380 species of birds, 140 species of trees and more than 130 species of mammals. It’s an area that has historical significance, too: in these hills there is rock art dating back 2000 years and also remnants of Iron Age settlements; there have been archaeological findings that date back to the Stone Age, and also findings related to the origins of humans.
There are four provincial reserves in the Waterberg, extensive private reserves and the Marakele National Park on its boundary. The Waterberg Meander, a 350-kilometre self-drive route, will take one on a very memorable journey through the towns and vistas of this region, where the wild vegetation, profusion of wildlife and fantastic birding opportunities offer an easy and very rewarding escape from the city.
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
SUMMER – WET SEASON
A beautiful time of year with plenty of sunshine and warm weather. The summer months are the wettest in the year, rainfall is however usually very short-lived arriving in the form of sharp afternoon thunderstorms. With ample water sources, wildlife does tend to be more dispersed during these months, vegetation is also a little thicker – so unfortunately not an ideal for period game viewing.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
SUMMER – WET SEASON
A beautiful time of year with plenty of sunshine and warm weather. The summer months are the wettest in the year, rainfall is however usually very short-lived arriving in the form of sharp afternoon thunderstorms. With ample water sources, wildlife does tend to be more dispersed during these months, vegetation is also a little thicker – so unfortunately not an ideal for period game viewing.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
AUTUMN
Temperatures begin to drop with pleasant midday highs and cool mornings. The likelihood of rainfall also declines during this period, ultimately improving the chances of good game viewing opportunities.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
AUTUMN
Temperatures begin to drop with pleasant midday highs and cool mornings. The likelihood of rainfall also declines during this period, ultimately improving the chances of good game viewing opportunities.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
WINTER – DRY SEASON
These are the driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Mornings are however very cold, so worth packing warm clothes. The winter months mark the best time to visit this region, as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water sources.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
WINTER – DRY SEASON
These are the driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Mornings are however very cold, so worth packing warm clothes. The winter months mark the best time to visit this region, as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water sources.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
WINTER – DRY SEASON
These are the driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Mornings are however very cold, so worth packing warm clothes. The winter months mark the best time to visit this region, as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water sources.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
WINTER – DRY SEASON
These are the driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Mornings are however very cold, so worth packing warm clothes. The winter months mark the best time to visit this region, as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water sources.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
SPRING
Temperatures begin to rise once again, as do the chances of rain. As soon as the first rains arrive the landscape transforms, which can be a beautiful sight to witness. These rains do however disperse wildlife, decreasing the likelihood of good sightings. The first true rainfall can arrive at any period over these months but is obviously more likely by October.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
SPRING
Temperatures begin to rise once again, as do the chances of rain. As soon as the first rains arrive the landscape transforms, which can be a beautiful sight to witness. These rains do however disperse wildlife, decreasing the likelihood of good sightings. The first true rainfall can arrive at any period over these months but is obviously more likely by October.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
SUMMER – WET SEASON
A beautiful time of year with plenty of sunshine and warm weather. The summer months are the wettest in the year, rainfall is however usually very short-lived arriving in the form of sharp afternoon thunderstorms. With ample water sources, wildlife does tend to be more dispersed during these months, vegetation is also a little thicker – so unfortunately not an ideal for period game viewing.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
SUMMER – WET SEASON
A beautiful time of year with plenty of sunshine and warm weather. The summer months are the wettest in the year, rainfall is however usually very short-lived arriving in the form of sharp afternoon thunderstorms. With ample water sources, wildlife does tend to be more dispersed during these months, vegetation is also a little thicker – so unfortunately not an ideal for period game viewing.
Situated on the highveld plateau, the Waterberg can be said to have a subtropical highland climate, characterised by hot summer days followed by afternoon thundershowers and cool evenings, and the winter months by dry, sunny days followed by cold nights.
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What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
