Activities
From horse riding and night game drives to guided birding, bush walks, and the celebrated Dr Phil Calcott astronomy show — there's something for every guest at Waterberg Cottages. Family-friendly, malaria-free, and endlessly memorable.
"There were so many activities to choose from — from horse riding, swimming in a heated pool, hiking, game drives AND watching the stars!" Springnest
— Dr Tuschka, South Africa
Astronomy show
One of the all-time favourite activities of guests at Waterberg Cottages is our famous on-site astronomy shows. Dr Philip Calcott is recognised as one of the premier astronomy guides in South Africa.
He has shared the glories of the night sky with the contestants of the Miss World competition, with hundreds of guests crammed onto the cricket pitch of St John’s College, but also with intimate groups in the dark skies of the Waterberg.
Weather permitting, allow Dr Calcott to take you on an extraordinary journey out into the vastness of space. Along the way you will encounter planets, stars, nebulae and even whole galaxies, visible to the naked eye in the stunning darkness of the Waterberg.
Lying on a mattress under the night sky, tucked up under blankets with a hot water bottle, let your mind expand to take in the glorious beauty of the heavens as Dr Calcott takes you on a personal tour of its wonders.
Dr Calcott’s presentations are normally priced for large groups, but guests staying at Waterberg Cottages can enjoy a laser astronomy show for a special rate of R350 a person, and R175 for children 5-12 years old. 0-4 years old is free.
Horse Riding
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.
Night Drives
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.
Game drives
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 the stately giraffe, dazzling zebra and beautifully ugly wildebeest to the regal eland, sable, roan and buffalo. We have now also have rhino under 24/7 armed guard in addition to almost every type of antelope. 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.
Guided Birding
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.
An introduction to the ancient art of tracking
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.
Bushveld Spa Treatments
The beauty therapist/masseuse can attend to guests at their tent or cottage by prior arrangement.
Bush walking trails & Tree Tops Lookout
We have a number of marked walking trails where guests can enjoy the tranquillity of the bush and its flora and fauna. We are particularly proud of our wooden viewing deck, Tree Tops Lookout, that guests can reach via a short hike up our Kopjie.
The deck has panoramic views over the Waterberg and is a perfect spot for enjoying the late afternoon sun slanting over the veld.
Pony rides for kids
As a family friendly destination, Waterberg Cottages has a range of activities to keep small people happily occupied. Pony rides
Donkey cart rides
Donkey cart rides can be arranged with some advance notice. Small children do need at all times to be attended by a watchful adult.
Swimming Pool
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.
Jungle gym
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.
Volleyball
Volleyball is a great ice-breaker and team builder and one in which old and young, male and female can all participate together. Being adjacent to the pool enables quick pool breaks to cool off in-between matches. What better end to the day than a magnificent sunset, ice cold sundowner in hand, after a refreshing dip in the pool to conclude an afternoon of camaraderie and challenging exercise.
Juliet’s ”Step into the Past” History Tour
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.
Dora’s Village Tour
Dora Mpete grew up on the farm and is a leading figure in our village comprising of slightly more than 30 families. She is a character of note and will take you on a tour of the village and the people and along the way will regale you with her stories of the past and introduce you to the way of life of this community that have lived alongside the Baber family for more than 100 years. If your tour takes place during school hours, Dora will take you to visit the school and you will meet some of the school children. All proceeds from the tour go to Dora.
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