Things to do during your stay at Waterberg

Discover the magic of the African bush on horseback at Waterberg Cottages. We offer scenic rides on our private game reserve, where you're likely to encounter a wide variety of game. Because we cater for different abilities the whole family or group of friends can go out together for an African adventure on horseback.

Choose between a 1,5-hour ride (with drinks) or a 2-hour ride (with drinks and snacks included). We take care to match each horse to its rider, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all skill levels.

We offer pony rides for young children in the garden.

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.

Experience the excitement of a night drive with one of our experienced guides. In addition to spotlights sweeping the darkness, our infrared cameras pick up the shape of animals hiding in the dark, and project these images onto a screen in vivid colour.

Once the sun sets and darkness takes over, a whole new world awakens - one that's often hidden from the human eye. Experience the thrill of scanning the bush for signs of movement - eyes glowing in the dark, shapes shifting in the grass. You may spot the ever-cute bush babies bouncing about in the trees, an aardvark foraging for ants, or a predator on the prowl. Even the familiar shapes of the giraffe and antelope, look spectacular when lit up on the infrared camera. 

This is an unforgettable way to explore the reserve - perfect for nature loves, photographers, and curious explorers of all ages. 

As a family friendly destination, Waterberg Cottages has a range of activities to keep small people happily occupied. Pony rides

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.

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.