The blue-hued Waterberg region in Limpopo is one of undisturbed natural beauty, carpeted in rolling grassland savannahs and dotted with sandstone buttresses and looming baobab, marula and fever trees. It is an escape from the madding crowd to a world of plummeting mountain gorges, prolific wildlife and electrifying, stormy skies.

The UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve is a tapestry of biodiversity. Impala, kudu, and blue wildebeest graze the heather-topped grass alongside giraffe, white rhino and warthog. Green cliffs offer shelter to the prickly African porcupine and endangered white-backed vulture. The riverine areas are home to Nile crocodile and hippo, and are frequented by predators such as leopard, lion and hyena as well as plains game. The San bushmen’s presence in the region is echoed in the rock paintings left behind at Lapalala.

Makapan Valley shows signs of early human habitation having yielded significant archaeological and palaeontological findings including hominid fossils dating back 3 million years. Cast a line into the waters of Mokolo Dam at Lephalale or birdwatch on the Nyl floodplain in Nylsvley Nature Reserve. Hike any number of Mookgophong’s trails and bask in the hot mineral springs found nearby.

Highlights

• The UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve is a tapestry of biodiversity, including antelope, lion, white rhino, leopard, white-backed vulture, Nile crocodile and hippo
• The presence of the nomadic San people is echoed in the rock paintings at Lapalala
• The Mokopane valley is a network of intricate caves worth exploring, as is
• Fish at the Mokolo Dam at Lephalale and watch the exquisite birdlife of the Nyl floodplain at Nylsvley Nature Reserve
• Hike Mookgaphong to bask in the hot mineral springs